It’s a losing battle. I’m only human.
Swallowing, I glance down at my legs. I’m wearing blue jean shorts and Chucks. I have bug bites from running around the ranch and a bruise from bumping into the kitchen counter on the bus.
I blow out a strand of hair that’s sticking to my sweaty forehead and wonder how much worse this is going to get.
The band keeps looping the intro, and when Marlowe reaches Jace, she hugs him and says, “Hi, darlin’. Long time no see.” Of course, it’s loud enough so we can all hear it on the mic.
When Jace backs away, he starts strumming his guitar. As far as I know, Marlowe’s just supposed to sing backup on the chorus, but she leans into the mic again. “Hey, Dallas. I’m so excited to be here tonight. I wanna thank Wayward Sons for inviting me to join them.” She glances at Jace, all sweet and flirty, then back to the audience. “I’m not sure if y’all know this, but Jace Walker and I used to be an item a few years back, and I think this song might be about me.”
Have you ever seen a pigeon get hit by an airplane? It’s an explosion of feathers. Its little body pulverized into vapor. Zapped away like it never existed.
I stagger but somehow manage to stay upright while the crowd freaks out. The camera wobbles in my hand, but I lean against Layla’s stroller and manage to keep it focused on the beautifulcoupleon the stage.
Jace chuckles and mumbles, “Come on now. Don’t give away all my secrets.”
Some part of me disconnects as I watch them perform the song. It’s one I’ve heard dozens of times, but tonight it hits different.
Leaning into the mic, Jace starts singing. The first verse is all about how this woman is stacked and gorgeous. Marlowe holds up her hand as though she’s Vanna White onWheel of Fortune, displaying herself as he smiles. As though this is all part of the act.
She’s a red light
A full stop on a country road
She’s a switchback
With curves you wanna take nice and slow
On the chorus, she leans in, almost nose to nose with my husband, and sings a pretty harmony. I’m grateful for his baseball cap and the mic, which are the only things keeping her from getting any closer.
Red light, red flag
What’s the difference, baby
We’re bad for each other
And this crash is gonna be crazy
The song keeps going, the next verse about how they’re out of control.
I’m white-knuckled
Just hanging on to what I know
Clinging to that yellow line
Driving where she wants to go
On the chorus, she sings louder, looking at Jace like she’s planning to lick his face any minute now.
Red light, red flag
What’s the difference, baby
We’re bad for each other
And this crash is gonna be crazy
They sing the next verse together, Marlowe’s voice rising above Jace’s, giving the song a haunting feel.
