Page 7 of Conquest

And I watched our memories fall with the rain,

Breaking…on the ground…

I want to take it all away,

And believe the truths in the dark.

I want to live the fantasy,

The sweet delusion,

And keep you in my arms.

What can I do?

Don’t leave me to drown

In these shattered memories.

I want to scream,

But I can’t breathe,

I’m falling away.

Can’t you see,

That I’m alone,

And I’m slipping away?

I can’t stop myself.

Can’t catch myself.

Take my hand,

Pull me out,

Please save me.

I’m shattering,

Breaking…”

Evan stumbled back a step and bumped into the wall behind him. He stared up at the stage, his breath lost. Jesse had his white shirt fully unbuttoned, showing his smooth chest coated in a light sheen of sweat. The stage lights surrounded him in a halo of golden light, making him shine.

“Sir? Are you okay?”

Evan blinked at the female voice close to him. He turned to see the bartender giving him a concerned look. He pulled his Yankees cap down to hide his face more.

“Yeah, I’m fine. I’ve just never heard a voice like that before.”

Nodding in agreement, the bartender leaned on the bar, resting her chin in her hand as she gazed up at the stage. “I hear that. He sings and looks like an angel. He’s got it all.” She glanced at Evan with an apologetic smile. “Sorry. I know guys don’t like hearing a girl gush over other guys. Can I get you something to drink?”

“Guinness, please.”

She ducked away and returned with his beer. Evan took his beer and began working his way through the crowd. He managed to inch to the front of the stage as Jesse wrapped up the piano interlude. The guitar joined in with the drums following, a good two beats behind where they should be. The keyboardist came to take Jesse’s place, and Jesse stepped toward the front of the stage with his mic in hand.