“Nope, there’s always a spare seat there. I’d be happy to take you.”
I left Harvey in Duncan’s capable hands and went to my dressing room. The girls did my makeup and left my clothes out.
My throat ached, like daggers every time I swallowed. This wasn’t good, but it was too late to back out now. I wouldn’t let the audience down. I’d muddle through as best I could, and anyway, I had a special guest to impress.
The last half hour I spent doing some vocal exercises, not that it helped. This was a virus, nothing at all to do with my nodules or anything like that.
With two minutes to go until curtain, I gargled some salt water, used an antibiotic spray, and prayed to God Almighty that everything would go well.
I walked onto the stage to loud applause. I’d already briefed the boys on the change to the set. This opportunity was too good to miss.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. In a slight change to our scheduled set, I want to open with a song I’ve not sung for three years. Only one person knows why.”
I nodded to the conductor and looked up into the box.
There he sat, the only man I’d ever truly loved.
“This is for you, Harv.”
As the bars ofBreakevenstarted up, his hand flew to his mouth, and he closed his eyes. I didn’t need to see the tears I knew would be there.
This wasn’t forgiveness. It’d take a while before I could do that, but a sign I was willing to give us another chance. How long that would take, I didn’t know, but his hold on me was still tight. I hadn’t realised that until now.
I might be mad at him, but I wouldn’t be forever. Was it time to put the past behind us and try again?
Chapter 28
Harvey
Killian was struggling. I hadn’t heard him sing for a while, and everything I’d loved about his voice was still there, but tonight, he wasn’t at his best.
Of course, he apologised to his audience, but I could see him wince and rub his throat.
What had he said? He was off for a few gigs in Scotland. Not sure that was a good idea, but I was no expert.
Duncan appeared during the interval, a bottle of sparkling water in hand.
“Killian said to bring you this.”
“Thank you. He’s okay, isn’t he?”
He shook his head. “He’s not doing well. It’s his throat. He mentioned yesterday that he was having some issues. Seems like they’ve got worse.”
“What about Scotland? Isn’t he supposed to go there tomorrow?”
“I’m afraid we might have to cancel the trip. If he can’t sing, there’s no point, but I know him. He hates letting his fans down.”
“He always was selfless and considerate.” I remembered all the times he’d asked if I was okay, always putting me before him.
“He’s not changed, but I guess we’ll see how it goes after the show.”
“Won’t it make it worse to carry on?”
“Likely, but try telling him to take it easy. He’s a workhorse. He’s barely taken a day off in the three years I’ve known him.”
“So, you’ve been with him since the start.” That would mean he’d know about me.
“I have.”