Chapter 8

8

Kara

“I don’t know what to wear!” I yell out to Nikki, who is bringing a bottle of wine back to my room.

I’m a mess, and I know it, so she is opening up some wine to hopefully calm me down a bit. I wasn’t even this nervous when I played at Ruby’s the first time. It was because no one knew who I was or that I was even playing there. That’s so not the case tonight. Knowing that those fliers have been made and that Silas, along with his sister and the guys from his station, will be there has made me even more nervous.

“You have plenty to wear,” Nikki says as she hands me a glass. “Now, drink.”

I slump my shoulders forward and take a sip.

“I liked being nobody. Now, I feel like I have to live up to expectations people have in their heads.” I sulk.

“You, my friend, are being ridiculous. He’s doing this because he knows you’re good. They enjoyed you the first time, and they will love you even more the second time.”

“But his sister has never heard me play. What if she’s like, Bro, why are you wasting my time with this girl? ”

Nikki drops her head to the side. “You need to stop.”

I sigh. “You’ve never had to meet the sister of a guy you’ve only been on one date with but who left you with the most amazing kiss ever by performing in front of her and who knows how many other strangers.”

“No, I haven’t because I don’t have the natural talent you do, so shut up, drink your wine, put on the cutout dress with your Ariat boots with the pink stitching, and sit down, so I can do your hair.” She blows me a kiss after her little diatribe, making me laugh out loud.

“Fine. But only because you said you’d do my hair.” I fake being mad.

“You know I will.” She walks to the closet mirror, where I just slipped my dress over my head, and lifts her hands to my hair. “Should we do it half up, like this?” She holds it for me to see. “Or all the way up, so Mr. Fire Hottie can kiss your neck when he sneaks up on you from behind after the set?”

The thought of Silas doing exactly that sends visible chills across my body, which even Nikki notices.

“Okay then, updo it is,” she teases. “Tell me more about this kiss.”

I close my eyes, remembering just exactly how his lips felt on mine. “The guy can kiss,” I say when I open my eyes. “He walked me to my car, and for a second, I didn’t think he would kiss me, but when he asked if he could?—”

“Wait. He asked first?”

I nod slowly. “He did. And when I gave him my approval, I kid you not, he said, ‘Fuck yeah,’ and kissed me like I’d never been kissed before.”

“Oh, a gentleman and a potty mouth. I’m digging it.”

“Right?” I say in amazement. “I about died when, afterward, he said, ‘Oh, yeah, this is going to be good.’”

Her eyes open wide. “Seriously?”

“Yep.”

She steps behind me. “Yeah, we’re getting you more than just a good-night kiss. With this spaghetti-strap dress and your hair up like this, he’ll be thinking about getting you naked during your entire set onstage.”

“Nikki! I just met the guy,” I admonish.

“And you’ll be doing the dirty with him by the end of the weekend. There is no way I’m allowing you to let a guy like that go by without snagging him up.” She eyes me in the mirror. “Am I right, or am I right?” When I don’t answer, she just laughs. “That’s what I thought.”

I’ve only lived here for six months, but Nikki has lived here her whole life. We’ve talked about how hard it is to find a good guy many times before, so I can’t really deny anything she’s saying. I just hate getting my hopes up. Yeah, our first date was good, and that kiss was unforgettable, but we’ll see. I don’t want to jump in feetfirst until I know the bottom is clear of anything that could end up drowning me in the end.

We arrive at Ruby’s a half hour before I go on, and now, I’m wishing we had stayed home a little longer. When we had trouble finding parking, I tried not to overthink it, but now that we are approaching the door, I’m in full-blown panic mode.

Not only is the place absolutely packed, but there is also a line to get in the door.

“Excuse me. Excuse me,” Nikki announces to everyone as we try to get by. “I need to get the musical act you all are here to see tonight through the door, please.”

People turn and look at me, obviously recognizing me from my picture.

“Hey, it is her!” some guy yells. “Darlin’, you’re even prettier in person. Here, let me help you get through this line.”

He guides us through to where Joey’s brother Cooper is standing at the door.

“There’s the lady of the hour. We were getting a little worried you might not show up,” he says as he opens the door.

“This is crazy!” I say, still shocked at the turnout.

He leans in and says, “This, sweet girl, is all Fed. Don’t know what you did to him, but I am not complaining one bit.” He opens the door, letting us inside. “Good luck tonight.”

Nikki squeals my way as she does a little jump of excitement with her hands on my shoulders, walking through the door with me.

I head straight to the back room, where Joey had me go the first time I performed, keeping my head down on purpose. One, I don’t want anyone else to recognize me, and two, I’m too nervous to see Silas just yet.

All of this is a little overwhelming, and I’m afraid seeing him will ruin my focus. First, I need to get settled in my mind for tonight before I think about anything—or rather anyone—else.

Nikki joins me as we walk to the back room, where I am going to enter the little stage area they have set up on the side. Thankfully, no one is back here, so it gives me a chance to breathe and take everything in.

“This is so cool!” Nikki says in absolute awe as she peeks out at the crowd again.

“This is insane!” I respond, trying not to panic.

She turns to face me, knowing she needs to give me her full attention before I freak out completely. “You’re going to be amazing. This is everything you’ve worked so hard for! Why are you so worried?”

“This is what I thought I would work my way up to. I never in a million years thought my first paid gig would be to a crowd like this.” I start to pace back and forth, but she stops me.

“This is because you absolutely killed the first show you did for free , and this is God’s way of showing you that you deserve this!”

I look into her eyes and inhale a deep breath, nodding my head. “Yes, I deserve this.”

“You absolutely do. You’re going to kick major ass—I have no doubt!”

I rub my lips together, nodding my head some more. “I got this.”

I turn around and start pacing again, this time taking in long and slow breaths of air while repeating to myself, I got this.

“Can I sneak back to say hi?” I hear a guy’s voice say and look up to see Silas.

Every ounce of my fear washes away as I jump into his arms, wrapping mine tightly around his neck and burying my face in his shoulder.

“Whoa,” he says in response as he catches me and holds me tight.

“Thank you,” I say, not moving from my spot.

He holds me tighter. “No need to thank me. You did this.” He puts me on my feet to look into my eyes. “My sister said the QR code on the flier that led to your video had a ton of views. They are here because they like you and your music.”

Tears well up in my eyes, and I blink them away. “I just can’t believe they’re all here.”

“Believe it, girl,” Nikki says. “I’m Nikki, by the way. I take it, you’re Silas?”

He lifts his hand to greet her properly. “Yes. Nice to meet you.”

“I have to say, I’m impressed.” Nikki motions toward the door—where, on the other side, everyone is waiting for me to go on—to make sure he knows what she means.

He grins my way. “She impressed me first.” He leans in and gives me a soft kiss on the lips. “You’re going to do great. I’ll be out there, cheering you on.”

I inhale a deep breath, not sure what to say, so I don’t say anything at all. I love the fact that he doesn’t question it or feel the need to speak. He just smiles and heads out the door, giving me my own freak-out moment without making it weird.

Once he’s gone, Nikki turns to me. “Yeah, you’re definitely going home with him tonight.”

I close my eyes and let out a sharp laugh. “One big milestone moment at a time, please.”

“Hey, it doesn’t have to be a milestone moment. It can be a quick thank-you to him for putting this all together and a celebration at the same time—or rather, a party just for two.”

She winks, and I laugh loudly.

“You’re crazy—you know that, right?”

“Yep, and you love me for it. Now, let’s get this show on the road. You have everything you need?”

I look around at the stuff I dropped off earlier today so I wouldn’t have to bring anything in tonight. “Here goes nothing.” I reach for my guitar and strap it around my neck.

She places her hands on my arms, steadying me to look me in the eyes. “No, here goes the first day of the rest of your life.” She brings me in for a hug. “I’m so proud of you.”

“Thank you,” I say, trying not to cry.

I always imagined my family being at my first big show, but with them in Ohio, I didn’t even think about having them come down since I didn’t know this would be such a big deal. Nikki has become my family here though, and I’m so thankful for all the support she’s given me in such a short time.

She flashes me the cheesiest grin before she squeals with excitement as she heads toward the door, leaving me alone for a second before I go onstage.

I close my eyes and bow my head to my chest. “Please, Lord, be with me as I take this journey. If this is the path you chose for me, please guide me in your wisdom so I can be the best you see in me.”

I nod my head slowly, inhaling a deep breath, then open my eyes and take the first step toward what might change my life forever.