Breathe

by Jessica Phoenix

  Still flabbergasted, I’m about to let my presence be known to her because I want to tell her how amazing she is when the announcer from earlier takes the stage.

  “Give another round of applause for saxophone genius Marcus Hughes and our very own house band featuring the lovely Gia Davis.” The audience claps and cheers once more before the announcer continues, “Miss Davis will be gracing the stage once again after a brief intermission so sit back, order another round and don’t go nowhere. You do not want to miss it.”

  I notice at the mention of Gia’s name, people in the crowd start to chatter seemingly excited in anticipation for her performance. It appears that in the short time she’s been here, she’s developed a following already.

  My mind is reeling. I knew she loved music, but how could I not know she was a musician. A great one at that. She’s up there with guys that are clearly seasoned. It’s becoming pretty evident how much Gia and I still have to learn about each other. If she ever gives me another chance, that is.

  A few minutes pass and the crowd breaks out in applause and cheers. I look up to see Gia back on stage joined by two other women. Gia’s wearing a killer red dress, also sequin. She waves gracefully and takes her place back at the piano as the band prepares to play once again, while the two women approach the two mic stands just in front of the band wearing matching black dresses.

  Gia adjusts the mic attached to her piano and speaks into it. “Thank you so much and if we haven’t said it already, Welcome to Ralph’s.”

  The crowd claps again. “This song is one of my favorites. It’s called ‘Almost Doesn’t Count’ originally by the artist Brandy. If you know it, sing it with me.”

  She and the band begin to play again, but this time Gia opens her mouth, and a sweet, soulful voice rings out shocking me for the second time tonight. Her voice captivates me instantly.

  Stunned, yet again, I venture a quick look around and see literally everyone in the building has eyes and ears on her. The patrons, wait staff, the bartenders, all entranced by the woman I love.

  She sings so beautifully. Her eyes close as she digs deep, singing and playing with everything in her. She’s lost in the music. It’s mesmerizing. I feel like I’m meeting her for the first time and like I’ve known her my whole life all at the same time.

  I decide not to approach her tonight. I don’t want to upset her when she looks so at peace up there. Instead, I just sit there staring and in awe.

  Chapter 21

  Gia

  Friday morning, I receive a text from Noah with a picture attached of the results we were waiting for. Well, I was waiting for because his text reads: I told you!!!

  I smile to myself as Quinn walks in the kitchen.

  “What’s got you grinning?” she asks. I slide the phone over to her so she can see for herself.

  “Wow. So it’s official. You are the offspring of one of this generations biggest music influencers in the world! That’s crazy! Gigi!”

  “I can’t believe I found my father. I had resounded the fact that I’d never know who he was. That’s an empty feeling to carry around. Not knowing who you are, I mean. He welcomed me with open arms the second he laid eyes on me.

  “It’s crazy. My mother never had a maternal connection with me and she “raised” me if that’s what you want to call it. Noah has jumped head first into the father role. It’s almost overwhelming. I don’t know how to handle it,” tell me my friend.

  “Just take it one day at a time. If it’s too much, it’s okay for you to ask for some time. He’ll understand.” I nod my head taking in her advice.

  “So after class tonight, I have to work…and I need you to come and be there for me.”

  “You need me to come and be at your work?” she repeats my words in the form of a question.

  “Yes,” I say with humor, taking in her confused expression. “Noah is coming to see me play. I’d like for you to hear me as well. Be my moral support or whatever.”

  “Wait. So you actually do play the piano? I thought that was a lie to get in to meet him.”

  I laugh and rush through explaining to her about my early days in the city after I ran away. About Sam, Darryl, and Ralph’s.

  “I can’t believe you! It’s like you’ve been living a whole other secret life! I thought we were best friends!” she screeches in an octave I never knew she could reach and prompting me to cover my ears.

  “Well, I’m telling you about it now and want you to be there.”

  “Fine. I’ll be there, but you’re in so much trouble. I thought you were stripping this whole time!” I snort from the laughter she’s caused me to erupt into.

  “I’m sorry,” I tell her hopping off the bar stool. “I’ll find a way to make it up to you,” I say still laughing.

  She rolls her eyes at me. “You’d better.”

  I peek out to get a look at the audience as I fidget anxiously in my short, spaghetti strapped navy blue shimmer dress. My naturally curly hair falls down my back and is on display tonight. It’s styled neatly and in ringlets.

  I see Noah being escorted to a table I had reserved for him in front of the stage. He’s with one of his business associates I remember from the audition and a younger handsome guy that looks to be around my age and doesn’t once look up from his phone.

  He’s also joined by Ayana, my cousin who has become an instant friend. The second Noah told her who I was, she got my phone number from the audition signup sheet and called me insisting we bond. She’s pretty damn funny when she's being snarky to everyone else that isn’t me.

  I wonder if that’s her asshole brother, her words not mine, with them.

  I look over to the bar and see Quinn sitting at the bar drinking and waiting eagerly to see me perform.

  “You look nervous tonight. That’s not like you,” Jake, the new owner, and son of Ralph, observes.

  Theresa one of the waitresses walks over to us with excitement written all over her face. “Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Oh my gosh! Is that who I think it is?”

  Jake peers around Theresa to see who she’s talking about. “Oh shit!” he exclaims.

  “Yup,” I say eventually answering her. “That would be Noah Evans…My father,” I reveal just before I step onto the stage.

  I hear their gasps and “What the hells?” from behind, causing me to smile.

  Claps ensue immediately when the spotlight hits me, and I wave to the crowd. I sit at the piano, playing immediately with the band. No introduction. The music speaking for itself.

  The crowd simmers giving us their full attention. We start with an instrumental of Stevie Wonders ‘Lately.’ When it comes to the second, we play a soulful rendition of Ella Fitzgerald’s ‘My One and Only Love’ as I sing along. We ultimately end our first set with me singing Amy Winehouse’s ‘Back to Black.’

  The standing ovation lets me know Noah and his guests enjoyed the performance. I can’t help but grin as I curtsy and exit the stage.

  I motion with my head for Quinn to join me as I make my way to Noah’s table.

  He immediately wraps me up in a tight hug when I reach him. “That was amazing, baby girl.”

  “Thank you,” I say shyly. I pull Quinn out from behind me to take some of the attention off me. “Noah, I’d like you to meet Quinn. My roommate and best friend.”

  Quinn looks at me with surprise in her eyes. She always says we’re best friends. This is the first time I’ve admitted it out loud in front of her. After what happened with Sophie, I didn’t think I ever wanted to give anyone that position on my life again, but if I’m being honest, it has always been hers’ since the day I met her. Sophie only really had it because I knew her first.

  She beams at me before reaching out her hand to shake Noah’s. “It’s very nice to meet you, Quinn. Thanks for being such a good friend to my daughter.”

  “Likewise. And it’s been a pleasure. Gia’s one of the best people I know,” she says stirring my em
otions as they offer one another a kind smile.

  “Ahem!” I turn to face my annoying yet fabulous cousin Ayana.

  “Ayana, Quinn. Quinn, Ayana,” I quickly introduce. They both size each other up just as I suspected they would.

  “I’m her cousin,” Ayana states eyeing Quinn.

  “Yeah? Well, I’m her best friend,” Quinn retorts.

  “So we’ve already heard,” Ayana snaps back.

  “Okay!” I interrupt. “So who else do we have here?”

  “Oh. Where are my manners? You remember Andrew? He is my oldest friend and head of marketing.”

  I shake his hand and exchange pleasantries as Noah proudly introduces me as his daughter.

  He then confirms my suspicions about the younger gentleman being Ayana’s brother and my cousin. As I take a closer look at him, I realize he has his mother’s eyes. My eyes. We look more like brother and sister than him and Ayana.

  “Gia, I’d like you to meet my nephew, Keith. He works at the label in the media department, but has recently been signed as an artist.”

  “Oh cool. Nice to meet you,” I offer. “Do you sing then?”

  “Obviously,” he snarks.

  “Not to me,” I laugh. “I’m a musician. I play. So you’d see how I wouldn’t jump to the conclusion that you sing as you claim. So how about we start over. So you sing?

  “That I do. I’d be happy to give you some tips sometime,” he tries to provoke.

  Oh I see what Ayana meant now.

  Quinn and Ayana both scowl at him.

  “Watch it, Keith,” Noah warns. Me? I smile.

  “Chill Unc. I just mean I can help her with her range. Jazz is cool, but it’s rather…mellow,” he says, continuing to take trivial jabs.

  “Oh, dear cousin. You have no idea what my range is,” I say with a smirk.

  Without another word, I head back up to the stage and whisper in the ear of Scott, our band director, and bass player. He obliges my impromptu request and the band suits back up early.

  After a few minutes of prepping the band and backup singers, I approach the mic stand.

  “Ladies and gentlemen. I’d like to introduce a special guest. He’s been recently signed to Triple Threat Entertainment. He’s a little shy folks, so please help me welcome Mr. Keith Evans.” I bite the inside corner of my lip to suppress my smile.

  The audience claps encouragingly as he makes his way onstage without hesitation.

  He approaches, smiling down at me. “You sure you want to hand your adoring fans over to me?”

  “Just try to keep up baby cousin,” I smirk. He chuckles.

  Sitting back at the piano, the band and I start to play, and he grins recognizing the song as I figured he would. When it’s his cue, he jumps right in effortlessly.

  His voice is amazing. Albeit annoying, his cockiness is warranted. But I’m better than him. I’d never say it out loud of course. I’ll let everyone else do that for me.

  We perform “If you leave” by Musiq Soulchild and Mary J. Blige. It’s a flawless performance. You’d never know we’d never sang together before then.

  When we’re done, the crowd is super hyped. We both laugh and Keith pulls me into a brotherly hug, planting a kiss on my cheek.

  Wrapping an arm around his waist, we face the cheering crowd. I look out squinting from the bright lights. I see Quinn and Ayana cheering and Noah clapping and smiling proudly, and I’m flooded with a sense of belonging.

  So this is what having a family feels like…

  Chapter 22

  Nathan

  I came to Ralph’s tonight to get a glimpse of Gia. Maybe even try to convince her to talk to me.

  It’s been a month now since I’ve held her, touched her or kissed her. I’m going insane not being with her. I feel like a stalker having to watch her from afar.

  I’ve called and texted repeatedly, and all attempts go unanswered. It’s time she hears me out. It’s time for her to be mine again.

  I arrive before she takes the stage, so I settle into a booth in a dim corner. From where I’m sitting, I can see all the comings and goings and immediately notice when her father arrives.

  That’s when I decide that tonight probably wouldn’t be the best time to confront her, given his presence.

  It’s still unreal he’s her father. Quinn told me, but seeing him here for her is something else.

  I feel a twinge of jealousy that she’s already shared her gift with him when I had no idea about it. I know it’s ridiculous. I’m sure he relates to her musical side on a level I never could, and it’s probably a way for them to start bonding. I shouldn’t feel jealous about that. She deserves to have that kind of love in her life.

  Even though I make the decision not to talk to her tonight, I stay and watch as a way to feel close to her.

  The band plays the first set wonderfully. Gia was as exceptional as I remember the last time I saw her.

  She makes her way over to Noah as my phone rings. I look down to see that it’s Kyle calling. I contemplate answering, but eventually, I cave. “Hello,” I say, getting up to walk outside.

  “I didn’t think you’d answer,” he states.

  “I can still hang up. What’s this about?” I ask annoyed that he’s interrupted my Gia watching.

  “Have you spoken to Georgia?”

  “No. I haven’t spoken to Gia. She’s still mad at me.”

  “Oh. Okay,” he sighs.

  “Why do you even care if I spoke to her or not, Kyle. I would have thought you’d be happy we’re not together anymore,” I say angry, he got his way in that area.

  “First, all I care to know is that she’s okay. Second, whether you believe it or not, I want her to be happy. Even if it is with you,” he offers.

  I let out a trapped breath before I tell him, “Well, she seems okay from what I can tell. But again, I haven’t talked to her.”

  “Would you tell me if you did talk to her?”

  “Not unless Gia was cool with it. I’ll never keep anything from her again,” I say truthfully.

  He doesn’t say anything for a minute. He finally sighs, “Alright then. Well, if you do get the chance to speak with her, just tell her I love her.” The line goes dead. I look down at the phone showing that the call ended. Realizing he hung up, I slide it back in my pocket.

  I venture back inside to get one last look at Gia before I take off. When I slip back into my seat at the back of the bar, I see her on stage with some guy singing.

  Their performance is phenomenal. It’s what happened directly after that sent me into a jealous rage.

  After they finish with the song, he grabs her, hugging her a little too tight for my liking, then he kisses her.

  Okay, so it’s only on the cheek, but I don’t care. I haven’t been able to touch her let alone kiss her in weeks. I’m not letting him, or anyone else do it either.

  I make a beeline straight for the stage where they’re laughing and engaging in a comfortable banter. They seem relaxed around each other, leading me to think they’re rather familiar with one another. Given he is her usual “type” I freak the hell out.

  “Really Gia?” I ask when I reach the front of the stage. I haven’t spoken to her in a month, and that’s what I decide to lead with? Great. Way to go, Nate.

  She squints from the blinding light facing them on the stage, looking in my direction. She shields her eyes when she spots me. “Nathan?”

  “I’ve been trying to get you to talk to me for weeks. You won’t return my calls. You refuse to see me. At least now I know why,” I accuse, staring pointedly at the guy beside her, smirking at me.

  Now I know I'm irrational, and making a scene certainly won’t win me any points with her, but for some reason, I can’t stop my mouth from opening and words from escaping.

  “Look, man,” the guy says taking a step towards me. “We-”

  “I’m not talking to you,” I say cutting hi
m off. He smiles like he’s amused, holding up his hands in mock surrender.

  “Nathan! You’re out of line. And you’re going to get me fired. Get the hell out of here. This is not the time or place for your tantrum,” she scolds.

  “So when is Gia? You won’t talk to me.”