Nina’s arms fell, and she looked as unsure as I felt. I knew it was a song that held bad memories for Avery, but I had to try and make it a good one. I’d messed this up for her once. I wasn’t going to do it again.
Avery watched Matt hook up the amp with my guitar as I settled onto a stool beside her. “We’re not doing ‘Proud Mary’?” she asked.
I shook my head and leaned into the microphone. “Hey, everyone. Sorry for the holdup. My name is Liam.”
Whistles and screams ensued.
“This is Avery.” I grinned her way and strummed my guitar once, allowing equal time for her own encouraging cheers.
Her cheeks warmed, but she smiled and waved at all of the faces in front of her.
“Avery and I have a special treat for you tonight. It is her best friend’s birthday today, and she really wanted to sing her a song. Everyone, please wish Nina over here a happy birthday!”
Nina’s expression filled with surprise as the entire bar erupted for her.
I could admit, guilting Avery into singing this song was in poor taste, especially after Nina had practically blackmailed her to be up here, but I thought it might keep her from running offstage right away. She had it in her to make it through the song; she just needed help starting it.
Avery held the mic away from her lips and asked what we were singing.
My heart pounded in my chest as I started moving my fingers to the proper notes. “I think you know this one.” My voice echoed in the speakers as I shot her a wink.
The famous piano entrance sounded a lot different on a guitar, so I knew it would take an extra second for her to figure it out. The moment she did, her face paled.
Avery shook her head once and looked like she was about to leave when she spotted Nina over my shoulder.
I sang the opening line with my eyes trained on her, trying to help ease her nerves and mind. She reciprocated by gripping the microphone like she was getting ready to beat me with it.
Trying to cue her in, I nodded, but she pressed her lips into a firm line, stubbornness and uncertainty clouding her features. I swore I could feel her heartbeat in between my strums.
“Come on, Avery!” A voice sounded from the back of the room, catching Avery’s attention.
Danny stood on a chair at our table, so she could see, and then he whistled through his fingers.
That was all she needed. The crease between her brows softened, and a smile began to tug at her lips. After I finished up the first verse, I watched as she closed her eyes and started the next one.
Her singing was quiet and shaky but slowly steadied out into a clear, silky tone that sent a shiver up my spine.
Damn.She was even better than I remembered.
I tilted my head away from my mic stand to let her know she was finishing the rest of the song alone. This was her moment, and I didn’t want to take away from what she had already accomplished by even trying. Each line she sang was her own little victory, and it made my heart swell as I saw her fight through the pain. She fed off the energy of the crowd, letting the adrenaline fuel her performance. It wasn’t until she looked me in the eyes that she completely let go and belted the notes to utter perfection.
Her voice invaded me. Weakened me. Until everyone else disappeared and it was just me and her.
And on the last chorus, when her voice broke from emotion ripping through her, I wanted to fall onto my knees and worship her for everything that she had been too afraid to show until now.
Tears pooled over the edge of her eyelids and came pouring down her smooth cheeks that were rounded from the giant grin on her face. It was a smile of relief. Gratification. And joy. I’d never seen her more beautiful. It was only then that I realized how quickly my heart was pounding.
Something changed the moment the song ended. I wasn’t staring into the eyes of my best friend’s sister. I was staring at a girl I’d never known I wanted. I’d definitely never expected toneedher either, but there I was, needing her like I needed air to breathe.
Shit.
I was falling for Avery. Hard and fast.
Dropping my guitar between my legs, I braced for her arms that quickly wrapped around my neck. Her chest heaved against mine as she cried into my shoulder. I tried to smooth her hair back behind her ear, wanting to see her face again, but she only pulled away long enough to connect her lips with mine. She kissed me, and the rest of the world came flooding back like a fucking tidal wave.
My lips froze, and I pushed her away. She stumbled back, holding a hand over her mouth when she realized what she’d done. I looked up and found Danny’s stone-cold face drop behind the rest of the crowd as they all stood and cheered.
My mind raced, trying to come up with an explanation as I left the stage to find him. I didn’t have to turn around to know Avery was on my heels. Nikko walked out of the bar in a hurry, so I followed, hoping that was where Danny was. Lexie and Tic weren’t far behind. As much as I knew Avery wanted to help, having her here was only going to make things worse.
