Chapter 18 #2
“Grace, he has to do this. We need to get him out there now. His whole future rides on this.” Izzie was at their side now, slowly but surely propelling Alex forward in the direction of his fellow band members.
He hadn’t spoken a single word for over thirty minutes.
How he was going to get up there and sing she had no idea.
Reaching the edge of the stage the noise reached fever pitch; it may only have been a small crowd but, boy, could they scream.
Jez and Max were ready to make their entrance, laughing loudly with Chris at some private joke or other.
Ben indicated to Chris that they were ready to go on, signalling with his eyes not to mess around with Alex.
Taking the hint, Chris headed out underneath the spot light.
“Ladies and gentlemen, welcome. It’s great to see you all here tonight. Please help me welcome on stage tonight Jez, Max, Ben and Alex. I give you Uni-Fi!”
The crowd went wild as the boys walked out one at a time in single file. Jez took his place behind the drums, starting to tap out a beat as Max and Ben followed on stage. Lifting their guitar straps over their heads, they joined in with Jez, strumming out chords waiting for Alex to materialize.
Alex turned to Grace. Holding her face in his hands he kissed her forehead. “Stay here, right where I can see you. Please don’t move. Stay with Izzie.”
Grace nodded; nothing she said would make any difference to him now.
He was petrified. Kissing her one last time he took a deep breath and made his way out to the centre of the stage.
The noise level escalated, almost deafening her.
Izzie pointed to a chair, motioning for her to sit, but she shook her head.
She wasn’t moving from where he’d left her.
Glancing to the side of the stage as the throng began to chant his name, Alex smiled at her before veering his attention back to the gathered crowd.
The music surrounded him as he closed his eyes, lowering his head as he opened his mouth to let the words fall out.
The whole room shook as the sea of people bounced up and down showing their appreciation for the intimate gig they were being treated to.
Half way into their sixty minute set he walked to the side of the stage where Grace stood.
Leaning in to kiss her with sweaty lips he pulled his T-shirt over his head, taking the clean one Izzie held out for him and pulling it swiftly on.
Grabbing a bottle of water he gulped it down greedily as he walked back out on stage, the nausea now subsiding, thankful he couldn’t see the swarm of people as the band continued to perform.
Walking back to centre stage, safely bracketed between his two colleagues, he signalled for the band to stop playing.
The audience fell silent at the interruption to their evening.
Clearing his throat Alex spoke to the dark room.
“We weren’t supposed to do this next one tonight but I’m hoping you’ll forgive me.
It’s kinda special to me at the minute. You see there is someone here tonight that means the world to me and this is her favourite so if you don’t mind, I’d like to do Fallen.
” The crowd went wild causing a brief grin to lift his mouth.
“I guess that means you’re okay with that.
” Ben commenced the opening chords, ignoring Jez and Max grumbling together to the rear of the stage.
Alex waited for his cue to begin. Turning to face Grace now, he sang to her alone, not the assembled crowd.
Grace stood mesmerized as he poured all his feelings into singing the words for her.
It might as well have been just the two of them back out on the deck at the lighthouse.
Her heart pounded as she held his gaze, her emotions swirling around her body as he sang for her.
..just her. As he concluded the number a huge smile spread across his face, only to be pulled back to reality as someone shouted, “Who’s the lucky bitch! ”
Turning his attention back to the chosen few he chuckled. “Play nice, ladies. Now, boys, where were we?”
With that the band soared into action finishing the last few songs for the evening.
As they all gathered backstage again, Alex finally seemed relaxed and calm, chatting with the right people as he introduced Grace as his girlfriend to some but not all of them.
Tapping him on the shoulder, Chris demanded his attention, guiding him outside, insisting he leave Grace with Izzie.
“If you ever pull another stunt like that I swear to God, Alex...”
“What, Chris? You’ll what?” Alex roared.
“Don’t you fucking dare take that attitude with me. We had a set all worked out. Don’t you ever pull rank on me again. This isn’t the Alex Carter show.” Chris matched the singer’s tone, loud and clear.
“I fucking sang, didn’t I? I told you I didn’t wanna be here. They got their pound of flesh and you got your money’s worth so don’t give me that shit.” Alex squared up to the man in front of him.
“What? you show up with some two bit tart and everything changes for her? No way, Al. It’s not happening.” His manager was now almost nose to nose with the singer.
Alex reached out and grabbed Chris by the throat before he could blink.
Tightening his grip, he spat out the words he needed to say.
“Don’t you ever call her that again. You had better turn around and walk away or we’re through.
” The colour drained from the putrid little man as Alex pushed him backwards. “Go, Chris. Now.”
“You should have punched him. I was ready to hospitalize the little prick.” Ben threw a bottle of beer to him.
“You look like you need that. If it makes you feel any better it’s my favourite track too.
Come on, dude. Will you sing it again for me, please?
” Ben fluttered his eyelashes, pretending to act coy, laughing as Alex downed his beer.
“Shut up you dick.” The pair erupted into laughter, high fiving each other before rejoining the gathering.