Not until today.
Not untilher.
She ran the second it was finished—like the fire we struck between us was too much to touch.
Maybe she was overwhelmed.
Or maybe she’s scared of what it means.
The thought digs in deep as I play, because Iget it.
I spent years running from things I didn’t want to face, too.But I stopped.I turned around.
And maybe, just maybe, I can get her to stop, too.
The next chord lands cleaner than it ever has.The melody is richer.Fuller.Almost like she’s here, just outside my reach, muttering about my phrasing and adjusting my damn fingering.
The song is alive now.
And the words—they finally come.
I’d been chasing them for days, losing them every time I reached out.But under the stage lights, with her carved into my memory, they spill from my lips effortlessly.
Like they were always meant for her.
The crowd fades.The energy of the room hums at the edges of my awareness, but my focus is locked.The pulse in my ears.The sound in the mic.The words on my tongue.
When the last note rings out, I barely hear the cheers.
Because this—thisfeelsright.
I sling my guitar over my back, still grinning as I make my way toward the bar.People reach out as I pass—clapping me on the back, calling my name and raising their drinks in toast.
It’s electric.
London steps in my path before I make it to the bar.“Good set,” he says, nodding once.“Final shows next weekend should be solid.Gotta say, I’m looking forward to them.”
There’s weight in the words—something that tells me I’ve passed whatever silent judgment he was making.
“Appreciate it, man.”
He claps me on the shoulder once before slipping back into the crowd, disappearing just as Myles catches my attention behind the bar.
She’s already pulling down a glass.“Look who finally decided to show up for his own damn performance,” she drawls.
I smirk, leaning against the counter.“Told you it’d be better tonight.”
She snorts.“And thank fuck for that.”
Setting a whiskey in front of me, she tips her head.“Good job tonight.You really did slay.”
Something about that settles inside me.
I nod, rolling the glass between my fingers.“Yeah.It felt better.”
More than better.
It felt right.At least, the music did.One thing could make it even better.