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Chapter Eight
Raven
Mypulsepounds,nervous energy pumping through me. The bar is packed. They’re loud and boisterous, cheering on the act ahead of me. I peek my head out from backstage, scanning for Rhys. He’s late. Is he coming?
My stomach churns with anxiety.
I haven’t seen him since he dropped me off at the church this morning. He had lunch delivered for me. I hoped he’d swing by to eat with me, but he didn’t. He’s been radio silent today. It’s…unnerving. I’m not sure what’s going on, but I don’t like it.
I consider switching my song and playing it safe.
The thought lasts all of two seconds.
I played it safe for three years. I’m not doing that anymore. I’m leaving my soul out on that stage for him tonight. Heaven or hell. It has to be one or the other.
“Five minutes,” the stage manager says, holding up five fingers to make sure I heard him loud and clear. He’s the same guy who was at the door when I came in the other day. I think his name is Joe. Or John. Or Jason. I don’t remember.
I nod, letting him know I’ll be ready.
“You look beautiful.”
A hand slides around my waist.
“Rhys.” I melt into him, my knees weakening with relief. He’s here. He came. “You’re here.”
“Wouldn’t miss it for the world, songbird,” he says, planting his lips against the side of my throat. He runs them up to my ear. “I’ve been waiting to hear you sing since the first time I heard you speak. You’re going to blow them all away.”
The only one I want to blow away is him.
“Are you nervous?”
“No.” Now that he’s here, I’m not nervous at all.
“Good.” He nips my earlobe. “I’ll be right here waiting for you, princess. I know Brant will be too. Go make him proud.”
I spin around and hug him tightly. “Thank you,” I whisper, my throat welling with emotion.
“For what?”
“For being you.”
“Two minutes, Raven!” Jason, his name is definitely Jason, says.
Rhys brushes his lips across my forehead and gently sets me away from him. “Sing, songbird.”
I nod and hurry toward the stage, blocking out everything except the notes. I run through the lyrics in my head and see the piano arrangement behind my eyes. My breathing is controlled, exactly the way I was taught.
The act before me—a young girl strumming a guitar—finishes her song. It’s a fun island ditty that has everyone clapping along. A few people are up dancing. Everyone claps and cheers when Tawnie hops up on the stage with her. Two waitresses appear with buckets, circulating through the crowd. People drop in money as they pass by.
The girl waves, blows a kiss, and then bounds off the stage.
“Break a leg!” she says, a genuine smile on her face as she passes by me.
“Thank you.”
Tawnie introduces me.
I take one last look over my shoulder at Rhys and step out onto the stage. It’s bright and loud. I wave. Smile. Everyone claps, their energy high. I slide onto the piano bench. My hands are steady as I place them on the keys.
