Backstage Pass
Page 24
“Go get ’em.” Frank came up beside her, patting her on the shoulder and giving her an approving nod. His smile stretched across his face as he looked her up and down. “I’m proud of you.”
“Thank you.”
“Anytime. Go make me even prouder when you bring the house down.” He winked, nodding again before ushering her behind the curtain. She smiled, letting the warmth of his words wash over her. This was it. This was her life and it was becoming one she was proud to live.
Closing her eyes, she waited as Paul addressed the crowd. Per her request, he was taking some time in the spotlight, welcoming the crowd and getting them amped up.
“Houston? Who’s ready to get down tonight?” She heard his voice boom throughout the stadium, bringing about a wave of cheers and shouts. “Yeah? You ready to do a little partying? Maybe have a drink or two, get so swept away in the insanity of a mind-blowing rock song that you throw caution to the wind and make those bad choices you’ve been dying to make?” He laughed at the whistles and shouts in response. “Yeah, that’s what I thought and that’s why we’re here. We’re going to rock it so hard tonight that you’re going to forget about everything, anything that holds you back, anything that stresses you. Let it all go, because tonight it’s all about the music.”
An eruption of cheering reverberated off the walls and Raven wished she could see his smile. This exposure was something she wanted him to have more often.
“Well folks, I’d love to stay around and chat, but I’ve got to get to work. And I’ve got to give this stand up to the girl you’ve all been waiting on, the girl who is more like a sister to me than anyone on this planet and the girl who holds the power to send you all into a daze that will feel more like orgasmic shock than anything you’ve ever felt—just with her voice and her performance alone. Without any further ado, I present you with the one, the only, RAVEN!”
As his voice boomed out, she smiled, strutting onto the stage and smiling at each face in the crowd as she passed.
“Thank you for all of that,” Raven said, winking in Paul’s direction. “Just so y’all know, I paid him to say that.”
As the music started, she closed her eyes, moving her hips with the beat and feeling it rise within her. Belting out the opening lyric, she let her eyes drift to the seat that had held her heart’s focus since she walked out onstage.
Chris was there.
Staring up onstage, her facial expressions changed every second. There was a brief smile, followed by an eyebrow crease, followed by a look of sheer confusion. Raven moved closer to the edge of the stage, walking in her direction. Her heart skipped a beat as she got close enough to make eye contact. Dropping the mic down by her side, she completely missed the second line of the song. With her mouth open, she gazed into Chris’s deep green eyes, a slew of emotions hitting her like an avalanche. Chris smiled back, even though she was clearly feeling the same confusion. Judging from her tears and furrowed brow, she was feeling every bit of the intensity of the moment as Raven.
Time seemed to stand still as Chris began to nod her head slowly, mouthing the word “yes.” Raven felt her heart soar, as its pace quickened and her face broke into a huge grin. The moment was cut short, when she felt Paul slide up behind her and put his arm around her. She noticed he had stopped playing when she turned around to face him.
She looked around at the sea of bewildered fans. She spun the microphone stand around in her hand swiveling her hips and bringing her attention back to the show. Clearing her throat, she raised an eyebrow at the crowd. “Sorry about that, guys,” she said, still unable to wipe the stretching smile off her face. “I’m sure if you all could have seen what I can from here,” she added, pointing the mic briefly in Chris’s direction and winking, “you probably would have stopped for a moment too. I mean, have you ever seen something so inexplicably beautiful that it strikes you to the core, makes you lose all sense of direction and lights a fire inside your soul? That’s what I’m seeing right now and I have to tell you that I’m sorry for messing up the song. I’ll do it over again for you. Love just gets us sometimes and it’s all we can see. Rest assured, though, I’m going to sing for you all and you’re going to get to feel the depths of my love for this incredible woman and then I’m going to just soak up her presence after the show. For now, let’s get going!”
The audience broke into cheers and a number of “aw” sounds swept through the crowd, but none of it mattered. The only reaction she could see was the beaming smile lighting up Chris’s face and shining light into Raven’s heart.
* * *
The music was a cover band playing oldies. Pacing back and forth along the halls backstage, Chris wrung her hands and then ran them through her hair. She turned on her heel and eyed the exit sign. There was still time to run. She turned back, looking at the dressing room door, where she knew Raven was changing. Torn, she stood so she could view the doorways. With eyes darting from side to side, she looked like a deer in the headlights. She glanced at the exit sign with one, last lingering gaze, knowing that her time was running out.
“I really didn’t think you’d show up,” she heard Raven’s voice behind her and she jumped.
“You scared me,” she said. She turned back around to face Raven, looking at those deep brown, melt-me eyes and let out a sigh. “I didn’t think I would either,” she admitted, after a pause.
“I’m glad you did.” Raven’s voice sounded honey-smooth and the corners of her lips lifted up into a smile, making Chris remember how soft they felt against her own.
“Me too.”
“Can I ask why you did?”
Chris gulped, looking back at the exit sign before turning her feet and squarely facing Raven. “I came because there was no fighting it.” Raven crinkled her brow, looking somewhat hurt. Chris held her hands up, buying a minute to get her words out correctly. “I can’t stay away. You know that you’re irresistible to me, just like you have been from day one. Trust me, I’ve taken time to sort out what I really feel. It’s not an addictive thing, or some kind of superhero complex. It’s not that I want to save you and can’t walk away. It’s that you legitimately enrich my life. You opened and unearthed feelings within me that had lain dormant for far too long. You opened my eyes to a world of life lessons, even as you were fucking up. You changed me—for the better, at least up until that crazy night.”
“I’m so sorry,” Raven said, pain filling her eyes.
“No, stop. Not now, anyway. I know you’re sorry and truth be told, I was surprised to hear that admission of guilt, that sincere apology. But I know that’s something you don’t do all the time, so I take it as significant.”
“I will own my actions from this point forward,” Raven said, placing her arms gently on Chris’s shoulders.
The touch made her tingle and she wanted nothing more than to fall into Raven’s arms. She pulled back, forcing herself to focus. “I have more to say.”
Raven nodded, taking a step back and bracing herself.
“It’s not bad,” she said, longing for Raven’s touch again. “It’s not bad at all. I just know that we both have a lot of personal growth still to come. I know this won’t be easy and I know that there’s a lot we still have to figure out—both about ourselves and about each other.
“We met under rough circumstances and when I was slightly vulnerable. I was still shut off. I was in the process of letting people in again after the heartache of losing a trusted lover and my father. Huge losses. But I’ve learned you’re never quite as vulnerable as the moment you go from closed off to slightly open again. That leaves you cautiously optimistic. All it takes is a few kind words or a promising glance to blow the slightly ajar door wide open and leave you bare. But I know that—despite the issues we have to work through—I want to work through them by your side, not apart. I know that today you said some really strong words and I want you to know that I feel them as well.”
“You love me too?” Raven asked, unable to hide her smile.
“I do,” Chris said. “I’ve known it from the moment you first let me see those sneak peeks into your heart. I’ve known it from the day I watched you call and help Ryland out. I’ve known it for a long time, but I was scared. How do you love the one unobtainable girl on the planet?”
“You love her and you see who she is. Eventually, I guess she sees it herself.”
Chris nodded. “Exactly. I don’t know what the future may hold, or what shape this takes, but I came tonight because my heart wouldn’t let me stay away.”
“And what about that woman who loves you?”
“I love her too. But it’s different.” Chris sighed and shook her head. “She’s safe and she’s important to me. She’s someone I’ll always love. She’ll always be dear to me. But try as I might, I can’t make myself fall in love with her. I guess some things aren’t meant to be. And some things just don’t make sense. That’s kind of how this is. It doesn’t make sense to me to come back here. But I know it’ll be worth it, because I love you, Raven Daniels.”
“And I love you, Christina Villanova.” Raven moved closer, wrapping her arms around Chris and placing a soft kiss on her cheek.
As their bodies joined in a tight embrace, Chris was sure of only one thing—this was just the beginning of their wild adventure. But no matter where it took them, she was right where she wanted to be.
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