“You talked to your uncle Collee about Rae before me. That’s against the father son code, Gray.”
I scoff. “There’s no father son code. And how do you know that anyway?”
“I have eyes and ears everywhere, Son. Remember that.”
I narrow my eyes at him.
“Collee told me after it all came out. I think he wanted to rub it in my face.” He shrugs.
“You guys will never grow up, will you?” I shake my head; even though my uncle Brent is probably the most mature out of everyone, I swear the feud they all have will never die, no matter how old they all get.
“Not when I have your mother keeping me young.
I grimace, not wanting to know what he means by that. At all.
“Too bad you have Easton giving you more gray hairs than you already have,” I tease him, and he pretends to be shocked.
“I don’t have that many! If anything, I have two, one for each of you.”
I chuckle. “Right.”
The lights on the stage get brighter. This time the show is different than her big performance the last time she was here. This is a little more lowkey, just her band, her, and Noah for the one song. No backup dancers, no big choreography, just her and the music.
Her new music.
All of which I still haven’t heard because she said she wanted to keep some of it a surprise to even Asher and me.
The crowd goes wild as soon as Rae steps out on stage, and my mouth goes dry at how she looks. She’s beautiful as always, but her dress is something I’ve never seen on her before. It’s black, has a plunging neckline that shows her cleavage, the skirt falls mid-thigh. But the part that really stands out is her bare stomach is only covered by criss-cross straps across it. Fullyshowing off her beautiful curves and the confidence she exudes right now makes me so proud; I’m beaming.
Her long red hair flows loose around her shoulders, flowing in the wind, and even though there’s a chill in the air I know she’s warm enough up there with all the lights and adrenaline.
She steps up to the microphone; her black Doc Martens are different than the shoes she usually wears on stage. Everything about her is different, and yet she looks more comfortable than I’ve ever seen.
“Good evening, Denver,” she announces in the microphone, causing the crowd to cheer once again. “Thank you all for coming out here tonight. I have some new stuff I want to show you. But I also want to introduce you to a friend of mine, you may know him. His name is Noah Fuller.”
Again, the crowd cheers loudly, and I turn around to look out at everyone, to see what she sees. It’s incredible, and when I look at Asher, he’s doing the same. We nod at each other when we end up catching each other’s eyes. We may not have a lot in common, but we love the same woman and are both extremely proud of her.
Noah greets the crowd as he joins Rae on stage and they give each other a side hug. I can’t help but look over at Asher because I know he’s going to tense at the sight. I’m right and chuckle.
“What?” he snaps.
“Noah isn’t into her, you don’t have to worry,” I tell him.
“I know,” he scoffs, pretending to brush it off, but I can see through it and laugh. We’ve been able to be cool with each other, but I think the one thing we will always have in common is our possessive love for our girl.
The music starts, and it’s a familiar tune I’ve heard from her practicing, but it’s louder and more intense with all the instruments playing. Then Rae starts singing, and I’m transfixed on her, she consumes my whole world, but even more right now.
Even more when I know that Asher and I are the reason for the lyrics she’s singing. I’m in complete awe of her as the songgoes on, when Noah joins in and then as they sing together. It’s a new sound for her, and if the reaction from the audience is any indication, they love it.
I look around to our family’s reaction and they’re all focused on her with wide smiles on their faces. I’m so fucking proud of her. And so fucking in love.
She plays more of her new songs, the ones I’ve heard, and everyone in attendance seems to love everything she’s played. Watching her in her element is the greatest thing I’m able to witness. She looks like she’s having fun on the stage, not because she has to, or because it’s rehearsed. She just seems to be enjoying herself.
“We’re at the worst part of the night, the last song I have for you,” she announces and the crowd groans. “I know, but I promise it’ll be worth it.”
When the music starts, this is a song I haven’t heard, but it’s immediately catchy. Then the guitar builds as she sings, “Searching for the girl I used to know.”
After the first chorus the crowd cheers as she continues, and I find myself swaying to the song. She sings about herself, fame, and finding herself. Which is exactly what she’s done. She’s found her sound, her comfort level. She’s found everything she was looking for, and I’m so glad one of those things is me.
