Chapter 39
Erica
“Show time!” the guys’ manager barks as he rounds the corner with his clipboard.
I kind of feel like I might throw up, but I’m surprised to find my excitement is heavily outweighing the nervousness I’ve been plagued with until now.
Ari walks with me onto the stage when it’s our turn, and there are still loads of people that stayed for the show, even knowing that I would be singing instead of Ari.
It’s so strange when he settles me in front of his purple coral mic stand and positions himself calmly next to me, waving and smiling at the fans cheering for Atlantica . . . and me.
There are little blips of sound barely reaching my ears, but it’s people shouting my name. I’m overwhelmed by the feeling of Ari’s pride washing through our bond.
Fish talks to the crowd, getting them amped up even more and, before I know it, it’s really time. The music starts. I take the mic into my shaky hands, lean in and let it all out.
I sing my heart out, the music rising within me repeatedly.
The rush of the crowd, Ari offering me supportive touches, the pounding of either my blood or the bass through my body.
As I finish the last note of the first song, the crowd is silent for a torturous moment, and then they roar.
Clapping, wailing, shouting envelopes us and my eyes fill with tears, Ari’s too.
Fish is raving to the fans about how awesome I am, and for an infinitesimal fraction of time, I worry once more that I’m going to wake from this beautiful dream and it will all cease to exist.
I close my eyes and let it all wash over me. The years I spent wondering if my life would ever change. The moment it did. The months I’ve spent with Ari. Finding out he’s my soulmate. Completing our bond. Being in the ocean with them. Now this.
This is my life and it’s so fucking stunning that I let a few of the tears fall, thankful I went with waterproof makeup today.