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She took a long swallow from her beer and forced herself to enjoy the music. Logan was strutting across the stage in a snug pair of jeans and a lust-inducing vintage Journey t-shirt. They had a few new guest stars this year and they fit right in with the crowd-thumping cover songs that were becoming a staple at The Barn shows.
Deacon McCoy and Nick Crandall from Oblivion were shoulder-to-shoulder on stage ripping their way through “Back in Black” with Zeke shredding the vocals.
Logan climbed up on the drum riser and had his arms up, inviting the crowd to sing along at a decibel that would make Madison Square Garden proud. With the people fully stirred up, they slid into, “Radioactive” with its bombastic drums.
Nick Crandall, one of Oblivion’s lead guitarists, stepped up to the microphone and his growly powerhouse of a voice shook the rafters. The drums switched up to a tribal beat with Jett Lamontagne, from Rebel Rage, out from his kit and slamming on barrel-sized drums on the side of the stage.
Nic was jumping with the crowd, singing along with a huge smile on her wide mouth. Adam had shook his long curls free from his ever present hat to headbang with his wife.
Bella laughed and clapped along. The vibe and the energy of the crowd could not be denied. They rolled into Oblivion’s “The Becoming” and Deacon’s bass took up from where the drums left off in the last song.
Her husband-to-be was a master at making a setlist. From “Brown Eyed Girl” to “Ramble On” he hadn’t missed a step in the ninety minute set. When the lights went down, the crowd stomped and clapped for an encore.
Bella and Nic joined in on the hoots and hollers until a single spotlight flashed on at the edge of the stage. Logan was behind his upright piano, idly playing a nameless tune that she’d heard a million times at the house. He swiped a towel over his face as he positioned the mic. “I wanted to thank all of you for coming out. You helped to raise over four hundred thousand dollars for the King Foundation this weekend.”
The crowd went nuts again, until Logan held up his hand. “Music saved my life a million times over the years. When I lost my mother it was the only thing that pulled me away from the angry edge of destruction. I created the King Foundation to give back to kids and make sure they had a place to learn to play piano, guitar, drums, or even the tuba if they so desired. As promised, I’ll be matching that donation.”
Nic bumped into her. “Kinda a great guy you got there, sistah.”
Bella grinned at her best friend. “Yeah, he kinda is.”
The light piano piece he used to warm up flowed into the opening tones of a Journey song. “Music may have saved me as a teen, and as an adult it’s shaped me in immeasurable ways, but for the first time in my life I found someone that was equally as important to me. Some of you may have heard the news already, but that amazing lady is allowing me the distinct honor of being her husband.”
Isabella dabbed at the corners of her eyes.
Nic rested her head against her shoulder. “Do we get to sway now?”
Bella laughed and slid her arm around her best friend’s back. “I’ve got a real life loveline dedication going on here.”
“Damn right.”
“It might be a little overused, but it’s a classic for a reason. No one does it better than Journey when it comes to a love song. For my wife-to-be, Miss Isabella Grace.”
For the first verse, he played alone. The words to “Faithfully” could have been written by any musician, but it suited them to the ground. He closed his eyes and lost himself in the song.
Her chest tightened and another few tears made their escape. When the rest of the band joined in, she managed to dial it back. She slipped through the crowd and up the side stairs to backstage.
After a bit of ribbing from the guys, Logan gave a double middle finger to Zeke and they launched into a rousing cover of “Times Like These”. When the set came to an end they all poured off the stage.
Zeke caught her up in a sweaty hug. “You’re turning my best friend into a big ole sap.”
“You love it.”
“With him off the market, I certainly have a lot more fun.”
Bella rolled her eyes and yelped when a familiar arm looped around her waist and dragged her back against him.
“How’d we do?”
She twisted in his arms and heedless of his sweaty self, she laid a hot kiss on him.
When he pulled back, his green eyes were sparkling. “I’m going to say we did okay.”
“Just a tad.”
He laughed and hung an arm around her shoulders. “I need a shower, but I’ll meet you guys at the fair.” He looked over her shoulder. “Where’s Sarah?”
Isabella nodded to the side stairs. “There she is.”
