Chapter 9

9

Silas

I lean back on the bar, waiting for her to enter the stage, taking in all the people who are here. I know I said I’d fill this place up, but even I’m shocked that so many people showed up. Putting that QR code on the flier, which led to a video of Kara, was brilliant of my sister. People knew exactly what they’d be getting, and it’s obvious they liked what they saw, or they wouldn’t be here.

When she walks onstage, my entire body lights up. I knew she was beautiful, but up onstage, she just radiates this aura that makes her beyond gorgeous. She truly is an angel up there.

“Hey, everybody. Thanks for coming out. I’m Kara Parsons,” she says, and the crowd cheers. “Tonight, I’m going to play some originals, some covers, and some songs you know but with my own twist. I hope you enjoy.”

The crowd cheers some more as I sit here like a goofy fool with a huge smile on my face, taking it all in.

She strums her guitar, and I swear it’s magic—the way I watch the crowd light up as she sings the first song. Everyone is enthralled by her, giving her their full attention and dancing to the sounds she produces.

Myles comes up to me and says, “Dang, when you go all out, you go all out.”

I point toward her. “You can see why though, right?”

He nods. “I see. She’s gorgeous, and she has a good voice.” He looks at me, then her, then back at me. “Yeah, you’re fucked,” he says with a laugh.

“Ha! Why am I fucked?”

“That girl is going to do a number on you. No doubt. You did all of this for her, and you’ve, what, been on one date?”

I blow him off. “Doesn’t matter.”

“I just hope she likes you as much as you like her.”

I take a smooth inhale, feeling secure about where I stand with her. “She does.”

He slaps my arm. “Whatever, you cocky son of a bitch. We’ll see.”

We start nodding our heads to the faster song she’s playing as people move around the makeshift dance floor, which is already more crowded than I’ve ever seen before.

Her set is on fire, and the more she plays, the more the audience jives with her. When she finishes another song, she thanks the crowd and pulls up a stool that’s sitting onstage.

“Okay, we’re going to slow it down a bit—give me time to catch my breath and give you time to grab that person who’s special to you and thank God that you’re here with them tonight. This is a cover song that speaks to me on so many levels, and I hope it does the same for you. This is ‘Where I Find God’ by Larry Fleet.”

A few who must know the song cheer out loud, but I just sit back and listen to the words, knowing if it speaks to her, then it will tell me a lot about who she is on the inside.

The song starts off sad—about hitting rock bottom, sitting on a barstool—which surprises me. I don’t see her as a big drinking kind of girl. The next stanza talks about going fishing and how they aren’t catching anything. It’s not until the chorus that I get it, especially when I think about the title—“Where I Find God.” It doesn’t matter if she’s looking for him or not; he’s always there with her.

When she sings the line about being on an interstate back to Nashville, the entire crowd yells out, making me laugh. They obviously love the song and are fully engaged with the version she’s presenting.

She sings the last line, and everyone claps, a few whistling, showing their appreciation for a job well done.

“Thank you,” she says as she stands and positions her guitar a little better.

She looks absolutely stunning up there with her hair pulled up, but little strands have fallen all around her face, making her look like the angel I called her the night we met.

“I wasn’t sure how that song would be received, so it means a lot to me that you guys enjoyed it.”

More people clap and holler out, letting her know it was more than well received, and she smiles.

“You guys are my people for sure.”

They clap more.

“Okay, let’s get this party going again.”

She strums her guitar back to the faster pace of the songs she played earlier, and people instantly jump to their feet to dance some more.

By the end of her set, I find myself dancing in the back. Yes, I’m dancing by myself, and, yes, I’m a few drinks in, but, no, I don’t care what people think. This girl makes you move, and I’m not going to hold back one bit.

“Now, this is a sight to see,” Atta says as he approaches me, talking shit about my dancing.

“Shut up, fucker, and get out here and shake it with me,” I respond, not missing a beat.

“Yeah, that’s a big fat no. You have fun though.”

I flip him off and continue my moves, hollering out while holding my beer in the air.

After she sings her final song, she sets her guitar down on the stand on the stage and thanks everyone for coming. The applause she receives lights up my entire world.

I remember my mom saying how proud she was when she watched me make great plays in sports when I was growing up, and it’s not until right now that I fully understand what she meant.

Seeing someone you know succeed in this way and sharing that moment with them is the most amazing feeling; it’s truly indescribable how many emotions are running through me right now.

“Thanks for coming out tonight. I really appreciate it,” she says as she moves to leave the stage.

I’m expecting her to head backstage, so I take my last sip of beer and set it on the bar, wanting to go join her, but I’m completely taken off guard when I turn to see her hurrying toward me. She jumps into my arms, wrapping her legs around me, and kisses me with every bit of her being.

I hold her tight and kiss her back; we create pure magic with our lips, our tongues, and our breath, all moving as one.

She pulls back first, but doesn’t let go of her grip on me. “I can’t believe you did this for me!”

“I did nothing. You did this.” I emphasize the you part, raising my eyebrows slightly. “All I did was have the flier made. They listened to your music before they even got here. You did this all by yourself.”

She gives me a quick kiss and loosens her grip so she can slide down my body. I reluctantly let her go, keeping one arm around her shoulders, not wanting her to leave just yet.

“Okay, I have to meet the girl who had my brother contacting me for help,” Anaiah says as she approaches us.

“Hi!” Kara says, wrapping her arms around Anaiah in a hug even though they just met.

Anaiah is always one for hugs, so she hugs her right back.

“Thank you so much for helping him. This …” Kara looks around in awe. “I’m just blown away. It really, really means a lot to me.”

“Anything for my brother, but this?” She motions to the crowded bar. “This is all you.”

“Yep, I told her the same thing,” I interject.

“But you two made it happen.” Kara grins at both of us. “Thank you.”

“Anytime.” Now, it’s Anaiah’s turn to lean in and hug her, and then she points at me. “Make sure you keep me posted as to when her next shows will be. I will definitely come again to watch.”

She waves her goodbye as she goes back to her friends, and Kara turns to me with a squee of excitement.

“I just can’t believe this night.”

I wrap my arm around her waist and bring her into me. “I can’t believe just how talented you are,” I say softly before kissing her again. “Let’s get you a drink to celebrate!”

The smile she gives me just about does me in. This girl will either be the one or the absolute death of me, and, boy, am I a sucker, dying to see which one she’ll be.