Chapter 56
Chapter fifty-six
Rhys
Last Call
I can feel the building buzzing from my dressing room. It's like the cinderblocks are vibrating.
But it's the thought that Duncan and our friends are out there that makes me feel more nervous than the potential for this building to crumble.
We're at the Koffee Center, home of the D.C. Renegades Hockey Club, for the opening night of my Last Call album tour.
Three shows along the East Coast this week, then two months for indoor arenas across the country, two weeks off to travel to France for Harper and Aiden's wedding, and then back for outdoor festival season.
The Renegades are in the playoffs and miraculously it’s an off night for them. Duncan will be focused on his game. It hasn’t been exactly easy navigating our schedules but Bryson and Jo have been helpful.
And I finally gave up my reservations about being on video together, so our stretches apart feel less isolated.
"Okay, here are the set list copies to sign." Zara says as she pulls sheets of paper from a file. "And then we'll auction off the ones you actually use on stage so try to get some sweat drops on them or something."
"Will do." I chuckle.
"Duncan and his friends have their wristbands for floor access. They're also up in a suite so I imagine they'll bounce between the two."
"Sounds good. Is my costume change lined up for the encore?"
Zara's grin grows wide. "Yep, pressed and ready in the garment bag."
"Great."
I haven't told Duncan about this part. Typically in the encore is your chance to revisit old songs, old crowd favorites, and I'm going to do two of them but the first song I'm going to sing is his.
I haven't released it yet. Only a few people in the world have heard it. And I can't wait to see the look on his face tonight when he hears the words.
"Okay, five minutes!" Zara says as she reaches the door of the green room. "I'm going to make sure everything is ready."
"Thanks Zar."
"Have a great show, Rhys." She smiles and heads out into the hallway.
***
Sweat drips into my eyes but I keep them open. The crowd has been incredible tonight. Hearing the roar of my songs being sung back to me is a feeling unlike anything else in the world.
It used to be my favorite thing.
But now, my favorite thing is the look of pride in Duncan's eyes as he dances with his friends at my feet.
Each of their personalities is reflected in the way they move.
Bryson has large, full-body gyrations while Aiden simply sways with Harper's movements.
Caroline and Johnny are so wrapped up in each other it's almost like they've forgotten they're not dancing in their kitchen after the kids have fallen asleep.
Duncan and Emmett nod their heads, Crosby tries to keep up with Laila. And Felix?
Well Felix has been standing a few paces behind the group, unmoving for the last two numbers.
I try not to stare at him and move my eyes around the entire crowd but the way his gaze is fixated on the petite blonde in front of him in the crowd is captivating.
Honestly, I could write an entire story-based album just on the way he's staring at her.
But, another album isn't on my agenda tonight. Breathlessly I sing out the final words as my band plays up the crescendo.
And then, with a final chaotic breakdown for our big finish, the lights fade, and I rush off stage to change.
"Charming!!" I hear through the rest of the crowd calling my name as I dash along the rope line on the floor leading me to the tunnel. I turn and see Duncan pushing through the crowd.
I stop and he pulls my face to his for a rough kiss. "Fuck! That was amazing!"
"Thank you babe, but I need to change for the encore."
"There's more?!" He asks excitedly.
"Yes, of course, there's an encore, don't go anywhere. I want you right up front."
"Anything for you, Charming." He says and with another quick kiss I head to change.