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The audience clapped and cheered, but the stage remained dark.
Then an explosion of light and colour and noise, and Will was right back in high school walking the corridors with lockers lining each side and plaid uniforms. He watched as Eddie, playing the nerd, swooned after Andrea as she winked and wiggled her arse. Morphing into Wheatus’s “Teenage Dirtbag,” Eddie—dressed in 1990s grunge—took over, dancing the lead.
*****
Ninety minutes later, a bead of sweat ran down Will’s back between his shoulder blades as he wrung his hands and tried to breathe. The elephant sitting on his chest made it difficult.
The lights blacked out on the stage, and Will took his cue, standing up and climbing the steps to the stage. He fixed his hat on his head and nodded to the stagehands dressed all in black as they shifted the new set into place—a fair and a cute little Beetle that Eddie and Andrea would ride off into the sunset in a la Grease.
Will looked out among what he knew was a sea of faces hidden by the glare of the spotlight shining down on him. It made doing this a little easier. He blew out a breath and shook out his hands, closing his eyes and giving himself a pep talk.
He touched his hat, making sure it was still firmly in place, and waited for the first strains of the acoustic guitar. It was an entirely different song to what was normally performed, and Will hoped he wouldn’t screw up the show too badly because of it. It was too late now, but both Katya and Andrea had waved off his concerns. Eddie would know to swap out the dance for another one they’d performed before.
A bewildered Eddie stepped out onto the stage, and on the opposite side, Andrea did too. He paused momentarily and looked at Will, a stunned expression on his face, and Will smiled.
Ever the professional, Eddie kicked into gear and moved towards Andrea. Taking a deep breath, Will closed his eyes and sang a song about wise men believing that only the foolish rush into love.
He sang to Eddie and Eddie alone, even though there were hundreds of people in the audience. With every note, every word, he got a little more comfortable. A little more confident. It helped that he couldn’t really see the guests. Instead, he watched Eddie dance with Andrea, lifting her and twirling her around the stage in a ballet number that was completely different to the dance that normally closed out the show.
They were beautiful together, so elegant. It looked effortless.
Before Will knew it, he was about to sing the last few lines of the song. Turning to the audience, he motioned for them to sing as well, and they took the cue, a huge choir of fans joining him.
After the music cut out, Will sang the final line one last time and looked to Eddie, who was dipping Andrea. Will knew he was supposed to kiss her in that final scene as cables rolled the VW offstage, but he didn’t. He hugged her instead, and that little gesture made Will ridiculously happy.
Will blew out a breath and turned to the crowd, who clapped wildly, whistling and cheering uproariously. He grinned and motioned to where Eddie and Andrea had exited the stage, clapping as he waited for the music to start again so the entertainers could come out for the final time, bowing and celebrating the end of another successful cruise.
It didn’t happen.
Will stood there awkwardly, waiting. Instead of the scheduled music and pre-recorded voiceover, Eddie stepped out holding a microphone.
The crowd hushed instantly.
The theatre full of people faded away when Eddie’s emerald green eyes locked on his. It never failed to send a familiar zing through him. Will smiled, his face heating as he suddenly felt shy in front of his man.
Eddie grinned at him, his smile happy, which sent butterflies flittering around Will’s belly. Then his gorgeous man began singing. Eddie’s voice was like melted caramel, warm and rich as it surrounded Will, while Eddie sang, repeating the same line Will had just performed from Elvis’s famous hit.
Joy, euphoria, and something a whole lot sweeter rushed through Will. His heart flip-flopped, and those butterflies did loop the loops. Eddie stepped into his arms, and Will hugged him close, loving their bodies being pressed together. The cheering of the crowd faded into the distance when Eddie tilted his face up to Will’s and smiled, the move taking his breath away. Their lips met in a soft kiss, and Eddie opened to him instantly. Sweeping into Eddie’s mouth, Will was rewarded when their tongues met gently. Keeping it as chaste as a make-out session could be, he pulled back and rested his forehead against Eddie’s, breathing in his cologne and that uniquely Eddie scent he adored.
“I love you,” Will whispered.
“Me too. I love you too.” Eddie pressed another kiss to his lips, pulled back and smiled at him then motioned for the side of the stage.
Will hesitated a moment and looked out to the expectant crowd. They were waiting for a proposal, but Will… well, he wasn’t ready to give it to them. Time slowed and his heart pounded, racing instead of its steady thump, thump, thump. A split-second decision. Should he, or shouldn’t he? Yes? He loved Eddie, more than anyone else in the world. He was his soulmate, the other half of his heart. But this didn’t represent them. They were happy, deliriously so. Why would he go messing with things now?
Thump, thump, thump, a rapid beat.
It was now or never.
He looked to Eddie again and the warmth and love shining in his eyes nearly made Will’s legs buckle. Beautiful inside and out. His brave, wonderful man. He wanted him by his side forever, to be the one to love Eddie. Maybe Will was being overly cautious. Maybe he was being reckless, but his decision was made. The answer was no. Proposing wasn’t the right thing for them.
Will gave Eddie a quick nod, and Eddie winked, his smirk sassy as usual. Into the microphone, so that the whole crowd could hear, Eddie announced, “Captain William Preston.” The audience clapped and cheered, and Will’s heart settled, slowing its pounding. The tightness in his chest unclenched and he sucked in a breath. Had he been holding it the entire time? Lightheaded, Will pressed a kiss to his man’s temple and breathed him in, before walking to the side of the stage hand in hand.
Music started in the background, loud and lively, and the entertainers ran out onto the stage, the announcer introducing them for a final time so they could take their bows. Will shifted, letting Eddie back into the limelight when his name was called. Eddie bowed and held his hand out, motioning for Will to join him. He did, entwining their hands and not letting go even as the curtain closed, and they exited the stage to go to the change rooms.
“Give me five, handsome.” Eddie reached up and kissed his cheek before walking backwards into the change room, not letting go until the last possible moment.
It wasn’t long before Eddie reappeared wearing the hot pink heels Will loved, silky black skinny pants rolled up above his ankles, and a pale pink scoop-necked blouse that was super soft to the touch. Will wanted to run his hands all over him and then touch every part of Eddie without the fabric in the way.
