They scream at the top of their lungs, cheering for the song they’ve been waiting for all night. Felicity starts walking toward the catwalk so we can singFadedin the center of the crowd. She glances over her shoulder at me with confusion when she realizes I haven’t moved from my mic.
What are you doing?Her expression screams.Come on!
But I don’t move. I just look at her, standing there in her starry dress, sparkling like the prettiest constellation I’ve ever seen. When the crowd’s roars grow to an impatient crescendo, I adjust the strap of my guitar and lean into my mic.
“Actually, folks… we’re going to do a little something special for you tonight, before we say goodbye.”
Felicity is pale with uncertainty. Eyes wide, spine stiff, she walks back to the main stage to stand by her mic.
I look to Aiden and Linc, to make sure they’re following me. The bassist gives a grave nod; the drummer a wide grin. They’re ready. They’ve been ready for this moment for weeks.
My smile is soft as I lean into the mic again. “How’d y’all like to hear something we’ve never played before?”
Their answering hollers are louder than ever, their enthusiasm palpable in the air all around us.
“Now, I wrote this song a while back.” I glance out at the crowd, my lips twisting in a smirk. “It’s about a girl I made a promise to, a long time ago. A promise I haven’t always honored in the past.” I pause. “A promise I intend to start honoring from this day on.”
Their yells are deafening, people whispering back and forth, speculation flying in the air. I hear a soft sound from Felicity, but I don’t look at her — not yet.
I’m not finished.
“Because this girl? This goddamned girl…” My smile turns to a grin. I shake my head and laugh. “She’s so damn beautiful, even though she’s broken. She’s impossibly stubborn, but unfailingly kind. She doesn’t ask for help, even when she needs it. She’s not perfect — hell, she’s a damn mess, most of the time. But she’s my mess. She’smine.” My head turns to hers. Our eyes lock in an instant. “Felicity… This one’s for you, baby. It’s calledMove the Stars.”
The audience goes wild, but I hardly hear them — the whole world faded out of focus as soon as I turned to look at her. She’s all that exists, anymore.
Behind me, Aiden and Linc play the intro, the one we’ve practiced in the late hours these past few weeks, when the girls are asleep. The rhythm builds, my fingers hit the strings, and with my gaze holding hers, I sing.
Had I known when I walked out that door
I’d never see your face no more
Would’ve stayed in bed and held you
A little longer
There are seventy-thousand people in this stadium, but I’m only singing to one.
Had someone told me that same night
I’d lose the light of my whole life
Would’ve never left your side
Without a warning
The chorus rings out from the speakers, the only sound in the deathly-silent stadium.
Hindsight’s twenty-twenty, but love is blind
I’d go back honey, but I can’t change time
So here’s the note I should’ve left
The note I would’ve left…
If I could move the stars.
Her face crumples, mascara tears streaking black tracks down her cheeks as I sing the final verses.