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Chapter Twenty-Four
Ariel
"Two minutes," the stagehand whispers into my ear behind the small tent at the end of the boardwalk.
I nod, adjust the strap to the guitar, and capture the gaze of the man who I've been attached at the hip to for the last twenty-four hours.
It's day one of the Seaside Music Festival. The first two days of the festival are filled with workshops of up-and-coming artists, established artists looking to try out new material, and a host of industry-related talks.
Calvin has worked his magic and got me ten minutes on a jam-packed agenda. My entry labeled as a mystery artist as to not give away my appearance.
"They're going to lose their minds when you step on stage."
I search for pom-poms in Adam's hands as he has been pumping me up for the last hour. It's been fifteen years since I've performed in front of a crowd alone. It's like that feeling you get when you realize you left your keys in the house, and the door behind you is swinging closed, and you know you won't reach it in time before it locks. Those two seconds feel like the bottom of your world is dropping away, but this lasts a lot longer than two seconds.
Laredo stands three feet behind Adam. Close enough to be present, but far enough to be removed from the conversation. He reappeared late this afternoon with a somber mood and an I don't want to talk about it attitude. I'm not sure what's going on with him, but Adam told me it has nothing to do with us and to give him space.
Emily tips up next to Adam, bouncing on her toes. "I always get goosebumps when I see you perform." She runs a finger down the length of her arm. "I'll be in the front, screaming to everyone that we went to college together."
"Thanks," I mouth as the stagehand reappears.
"This way."
He turns to lead, and I glance over my shoulder, half-expecting to see Dax and the rest of the gang. My pulse kicks up when I realize it's just me. Alone. Exposed. Adam steps into my sightline. A look of admiration, like the one he shared with his sister on his face. The one that I recognized back in Boston when I realized what a special man he was. A look every woman wants to receive from the man in their life. I allow myself to indulge for two heartbeats. Two beats that let me know this look is slightly different. It's filled with not only admiration and pride but possessiveness. A she's mine look that lets me know he's here. I feel the blanket of calm which tampers down my doubts.
Gone are the jitters. Gone are the concerns as I step beneath the flap of the tent. I remain hidden by the giant speaker on the side of the curtain and listen for my introduction.
The mention of my name produces screams of shock and delight and the loudest ovation in the tent all day.
I step out onto the stage and let the pure love from the crowd envelop me. "Hello, Seaside." They burst into another ear-splitting scream.
"Thank you for that. It means the world to me." I adjust the strap across my shoulder and spot a young woman at the front of the stage, hands pressed to her chest, and her gaze is focused on my every move. "I'm here at the workshop today to share with you a new song. It's a little different for me, but I hope you like it."
I strum the first chord and let the music take me away. I'm on the stage by myself, but I'm not alone. Emily nods in sync with the tune to my left. Laredo has his hands stuffed deep in his pocket and rocks on his heels to the right of the stage. Adam's focused gaze lifts me. He's mouthing each word I sing.
His wink gives me all I need to face the audience and dive deep into the song. I make the daring plunge. I give in the only way I know how with everything until there's nothing left. When the last note fades, the crowd goes silent. Stunned silent. It's the sweetest sound I've ever heard.
Then they erupt. A thunderous applause that forces me to take a step back. I feel the blush on my face, something I've not felt on stage in a decade. This was the right choice. This was the right song. Adam believed in it. Dax, too. They were right all along.
I take a bow and wave to the people near the stage. The workshop tents are not large. They can accommodate about five hundred people tops, but on the first day of the festival, they barely hold two hundred.
I pause to appreciate the moment. Wanting to take it all in. To remember the first time I've played this song. The first time I've performed solo. My gaze scans each of the faces in the crowd.
Smiles, laughs, whistles, and waves return in my direction. People rush toward the front of the stage, but my eyes catch the movement at the back of the tent. An older lady rushing out the tent, pushing bodies on her way. I only catch the back of her, and she's gone in a blink, yet something about her strikes a chord. It's nothing. I push away the distraction. She's probably late for something is my guess.
"Oh, my goodness!" Adam's excited voice from the side of the stage pulls me back. His brilliant smile fills me with adoration that tells me this is all real. The song, the crowd, the response, him.
One last wave to the crowd allows me to gather myself. I've done it. I've stepped out to the one place that has always been my safe place, alone. Without my team. Yet, I felt their presence with me on the stage the entire time.
I hold the guitar by the neck, arm extended, and rush right at Adam. He's here, he's waiting, and he's mine. I leap the last foot, and he catches me. We're a spinning, kissing whirlwind, and I never want to let go.
Chapter Twenty-Five
Adam
"Where are you taking me, Adam?" Ariel's excited voice merely confirms I'm on the right track by acting on my instinct.
I've been taking notes. I'm no longer overthinking, hanging in the shadows, and just observing. I'm taking action. And her schoolgirl giggle is the best reward.
