Page 81 of The Twisted Beats

“That’s fine, but will Callum know where I am?”

“He connects with the crowd closely, so he’ll find you.”

“I don’t want him to think I’ve left.”

“He won’t.”

I hesitate to move, hoping for Callum to glance my way, but since he started performing, he’s only looked over at meonce. It wasn’t a great moment since he was singing a song about a girl breaking his heart.

It’s one of their most popular ballads and hits, but Callum was sending me a message. I’m sure of it.

“Come on, Livianna.” John tugs on my arm.

I turn away from the stage and follow John down to the VIP area. It’s roped off, so I’m away from the shoulder-to-shoulder crowd, but it doesn’t feel the same. I keep trying to get Callum’s attention, but he’s too busy singing his soul out to notice.

Halfway through the concert, the lights dim. A warm spotlight casts a glow over Callum, who’s sitting on a stool with his guitar resting comfortably in his arms.

One of his legs is kicked out in front of him, perching him up, while the other is bent and the heel of his boot hooks to the lower rod of the stool, keeping it in place.

His tousled hair falls just above his twinkling blue eyes. He flashes a rockstar smile as he admires the hushed crowd.

He exudes intensity and commands attention. His deep voice, thicker with his Irish accent, flows in. “This one’s called ‘Perfect Lilies’.”

For me? I almost lose my breath. He’s got the blood racing in my veins just as I know he does with most of the people in the venue.

He strums softly, seemingly getting lost in the notes, with a look of deep sincerity on his face. The atmosphere is weighted with the passion building around his aura. He closes his eyes and breaks into beautiful lyrics I’ve never heard him practice.

It’s not one of the band’s songs. This one is his!

He sings with a raspy edge, thick with heavy emotion. His voice alone is all I need to hear, but when the words spill out, I go weak in the knees.

In my dark, quiet nights, shadows of you dance in soft light.

Our hearts entwined, forever young.

Lily, this is our love song.

Through any storms or any thorns that arise, trust me you’re perfect in my eyes.

My wish is you always smile, but if ever a tear or a fear, I’ll hold you until they disappear.

You’re always mine, no matter what.

Through the highs and the lows, I won’t give up.

In this world, where time can fly, together we’ll soar, you and I.

You’re always mine, forever true.

With every heartbeat, I’ll always choose you.

When the black night creeps along, you my love, inspire my songs.

In the silence of the dawn, your arms are where I belong.

In dreams I keep, our beautiful future they don’t believe in transpires.

So when the sun peeks out, Lily, choose relief and forget those terrible liars.