30. Hazel
Istood outside the building, waiting for Jess. The initial excitement building for tonight ebbed and flowed. If our date was such a big deal, where was Jareth? I knew finding out who had a hand in his father’s death was important. I supported his search, but was this how it would always be? Our time together would always come second. I didn’t want that just as much as I didn’t want his obsession to take over his life.
“Hey, lady. Your chariot awaits.” I smiled at Jess waving from the window of her beloved, bright, yellowy orange Aston Martin DBS Volante, Dahlia in front of me.
I grabbed the handle of the door and climbed in.
“Thank you for taking me. I wish I knew what was going on.” I twisted my hands in my lap.
“You’re welcome, boo. Just take a breath. You’re going to love it.” She pulled out onto the road.
Within seconds, her phone rang, and she pressed the button for her Bluetooth to pick up.
“Jess, is Hazel with you? I couldn’t get her on her cell.” I’d turned off the ringer after we had spoken earlier. I needed a little time to sit with my disappointment before I saw him.
“She’s already in my car.” Jess raised her eyebrows. “You’re on speaker.”
“Hey, Sunshine.”
“Hey. I’m on my way. Are you?” Bees buzzed in my belly. Something in his tone sounded off.
“You better have gotten her flowers, you dick, for being late,” Jess butt in.
I smiled. “I like sunflowers, anything purple, and?—”
“Pink carnations,” he said before I could finish.
“Yeah.” I loved these tiny moments that told me he’d been listening. I let out a breath. I was reading too much into everything.
“Okay, Lover Boy. We’re getting close, so I’m going to cut you off. Hurry up.” Jess hung up.
“He’s getting me flowers.” I sighed in happiness. “No one has ever bought flowers for me before, well except Gran, but that doesn’t count.”
Jess threw a grin my way. “He did good tonight.”
We chatted for a few more minutes, but the conversation was mostly one-sided. I had a hard time forming sentences. I was nervous and excited to discover what Jareth had planned, while at the same time a sense of unease whispered through me.
I tapped my fingers against the leg of my brand new one-shoulder, black, sparkly jumpsuit. I’d never worn anything like it, but Jess assured me that the outfit, combined with the ballet flats I insisted on, the chunky onyx jewelry, pale pink-painted nails, over-the-top makeup, and my blonde hair curled and artfully styled, was perfect.
When we pulled into the parking lot for The Wooden Nickel, I frowned. “Why are we here?” This was the last place I expected to be. Not dressed like this.
“It’s the first part of tonight,” Jess said with a wink, pulling into a spot near the door. “Now, let’s get inside and take a few pre-game shots.”
“You’re coming too?” My breath hitched in disappointment as I gave Jess a weak smile. I thought Jareth and I were having a romantic evening alone.
Jess laughed, locked her car, and linked her arm through mine. “I’m not letting you wait for him alone and wipe that sad smile off your face. Tonight is going to be epic.”
I gave her a side-eye as we walked closer to the door. Something niggled at me. Something seemed different. Not right. “Hi, Mike.” I gave him a one-armed hug as Jess dragged me along beside her.
“Hey, Hazel.” He gave me a huge grin in return.
Mike opened the door for us, and the moment we stepped inside, what was different hit me in the gut. The parking lot was full of cars, and the noise inside, with the doors now open was deafening. We pushed our way through the crowd to get to the bar. People jostled into me and I whispered ‘sorry’ more times than I probably should have.
“What is going on?” I yelled, trying to get Jess to hear me above the noise.
“Wicked Ways is here,” a guy next to me answered. “Isn’t that awesome?”
“Wicked Ways is here?” I forced the strangled words out of my mouth. I’d always wanted to see them in concert and this event would be everything to Niki and Lacey. There’s no way people wouldn’t have heard of The Wooden Nickel after this.
“I’m totally going to say hi to the lead singer, Killian Hook. He’s freaking hot,” Jess spoke loudly in my ear.
“What about Alden, Jess?” I teased.
She grinned. “Killian’s my free pass. Besides, you love the band too. Don’t think I haven’t noticed that you know the words to all their songs.” Now I knew why their music was playing on repeat the whole way here. Jess pulled me toward the bar, and it wasn’t until we got closer that I noticed the people surrounding it.
My eyes locked on Lacey and Niki, who were not behind the bar tonight, and their parents. Then to Ashlyn and Dean, Alden, Harper and Lincoln, Ruby and Grayson, Wren and Beckett, and finally, Gran.
“You said he wasn’t going to propose tonight.” My voice cracked on the last word. I’d been harassing Jess all day and had already asked if Jareth planned to break up with me or propose. She’d told me to get out of my head and stop asking crazy questions.
“Hazel.” Jess gave me a little shake. “I promise that’s not it.”
“Then what?”
A woman I didn’t recognize now stood before me and offered her hand. “Hi, I’m Trixie McBride. I represent VS Productions.”
“Nice to meet you.” I had no idea why she was here or introducing herself to me. “Oh, wait, you represent Wicked Ways. We share a boss.” I smiled at her and shook her hand.
She smiled, and her whole face lit up. “Yes, but I’m also here for you tonight.”
“For me?” I think I might have stuttered. My heart raced, and my palms grew damp. I had to have heard her wrong.
She winced. “I heard this would be a bit of a surprise for you. I take it no one has said anything yet. I’m so sorry.”
“Sorry for what?” My gaze rapidly jumped around the room until it settled on Gran.
Gran looped an arm around my waist. “Congrats, sweetheart. We’re all here to listen to you on stage and for you to get the attention you deserve.”
“Gran, what are you doing without your wheelchair?” My head was going in circles, and latched onto the thing right in front of me instead of what was creating this confusion.
“It’s okay. I’ve got her,” Alden said, standing directly behind her and helping Gran ease back into her seat.
“It was too clunky for this place. Besides, now I’ve got a big strong gentleman to escort me all night.” Gran winked. “Don’t let nerves get the best of you, love. Tonight let your magic shine.”
I gasped. “So if Trixie is here to listen to me… ” The pieces still weren’t entirely in place.
Jess rubbed my back. “Jareth asked for a rep to be here to determine if they should offer you a contract.”
I sucked in a deep breath, suddenly light-headed.
“And actually you’re on right now. Surprise.” Lacey did a terrible impression of jazz hands. “We didn’t want you to get nervous and psych yourself out.”
“But Wicked Ways… ” Everything fell into place. My hands shook and my throat seized. “Water,” I gasped. Wicked Ways was one of the most impressive rock bands of our time.
“Jareth thought having you as a guest lead singer would be fun.” Lacey hugged me.
My legs trembled and I would’ve fallen to the floor if Jess hadn’t grabbed hold of me. “I… I can’t. It’s Wicked Ways. Like the Wicked Ways,” I whispered and pointed at the room with so many people at the ready with their camera phones pointed at the stage where the band was warming up. “If I suck everyone will know.”
“Hazel Anne Finley, snap out of it. This is your chance, and you will take it.” Gran’s harsh tone yanked me out of my spiral. No one argued with her when she spoke like that. Least of all me.
“Yes, Gran,” I answered meekly.
“Okay, now head on up. They’re waiting for you.” Niki smacked me playfully on the butt.
“But Jareth’s not here yet.” I looked at Jess.
“You heard him on the phone. He’ll be here any minute.”
“Okay.” My feet stayed rooted in place. “So I’m doing this.”
Jess pressed her palms against my cheeks. “You’re doing this.”
My chest rose and fell in jerky motions as I tried my best to breathe. “I can’t. I’m not ready.”
“You’re never going to feel ready. For once, you can’t weigh the information and make a logical informed decision. You just have to do it,” Gran encouraged.
“Ah, I think she needs a little help, Lacey,” Jess said, grabbing one arm while Lacey grabbed the other. Between the two of them, there was no way to stop my forward momentum. Even dragging my feet did nothing to help.
Jess waved wildly at the guys spread out around the stage. They were all there: the drummer, Dante; the bass player, Isaiah; and the lead singer and guitarist, Killian.
Killian met my gaze and winked. “Are you ready?” He yelled into the microphone. I couldn’t tell if what he said was for me or the crowd.
The entire room cheered yes. I had to duck my head when an overzealous fan almost clocked me with her fist. “Crap.”
“Well we’ve got a special treat for you all.” The band started playing the first few chords of one of their first songs, Fallen, my favorite.
“I think I’m going to pass out,” I yelled to Jess and Lacey over the noise. I hadn’t had time to warm up, and it was so loud. Sweat beaded my brow and I was afraid it would start to drip in my face and ruin the makeup Jess carefully applied.
“Suck it up, buttercup.” Jess blew me an air kiss.
My mouth dropped open. They were going to just drop kick me into the deep end.
Jess none-to-gently pushed me the last few feet to the stairs of the stage. At the last second Lacey grabbed my coat and peeled it off me.
“Go.” Lacey shooed me forward with her hands.
I glanced near the bar, still waiting to see Jareth. Unless he was mixed up in this crowd then I’d never find him. The spotlight swung toward me, briefly blinding me before I turned my head. I instinctively threw my hand across my eyes.
“Let’s welcome our newest band member for the evening, Hazel Finley!” Killian introduced me, and even though none of them knew who I was, the people milling around us screamed as though they did.
It was overwhelming. The heartbeat I thought was fast earlier now galloped in my chest. With one wrong move, I was afraid it would burst right out of me. My legs shook, and if it wasn’t for Lacey’s hands still on my back, I might have turned and run.
“You can do this,” Lacey yelled loud enough for me to hear. “This is the chance of a lifetime. Pretend it’s the usual crowd, or they’re all in their underwear.”
I snort-laughed. That was the trick we’d tell ourselves for any presentation in school we were scared to do. It didn’t work then, so I didn’t expect it to work now, but the memory made me smile and was enough to unstick my legs. I slowly walked up the three stairs and gave an awkward wave to the crowd.
“Come on, Hazel.” Killian strode over to me, the tap of his boots sounding awfully loud. Then once he was close enough, he tucked his arm around me. My eyes about popped out of my head.
TheKillian Hook was touching me.
He stopped by the other mic and let go after another encouraging smile in my direction. “Hazel is new to us, so give us time to get our groove. Let’s give her some encouragement! Do you want to hear Hazel sing?”
The crowd screamed louder, but even above the noise, I could hear my friends shouting my name. It was almost enough to make me want to cry. I needed to freaking pull myself together.
I could do this. I drew a deep breath, let it out, and took another. My breath feathered across the mic and made a sound. “Oops, sorry everyone. I’m a little nervous. Thank you all for showing up here tonight. The Belmont’s have an amazing place.” I needed to stop rambling.
My gaze cut to Killian who stood a few feet away. He covered his mic with one hand. “Jareth said I was going to be blown away by you. Prove to me that he’s not a fucking liar.”
My eyes narrowed and anger replaced some of my nerves. Jareth had set this up for me because he believed in me, and Killian could suck a rotten egg. I’d show him that I deserved to be up here. Confidence in my ability to sing wasn’t in question. It was more how I’d deal with the crowd. Killian wouldn’t know what hit him once I started.
I grinned, and gave Killian a curt nod. “I’m ready.”
Killian yelled out to the band. His words all ran together, but it didn’t matter. Once the music started, I let it seep into me. The floor thumped with the beat of the drum. My chest rumbled as the bassist started playing and Killian strummed on the guitar.
I cringed at how over-the-top loud it was up close. Killian tapped my arm and handed me earplugs. I popped them in, tapping my foot. After Killian sang the first line, he pointed to me. I’d never sung with earplugs before. I said a little prayer that I sounded okay. This was my big chance and I had no intention of blowing it. My body still trembled, but my voice was steady as I sang the following line and the one after that.
I was pretty sure I saw Killian give me a thumbs up and mouthed, “Fuck, yes!”
My eyes were trained on the bar. Seeing my friends and family excited for me was the best feeling in the world. It was like sparkles filled the air. The room took on an otherworldly glow and everything just felt good. I was so darn lucky to have the support system I did. So lucky that it seemed selfish that my heart hurt because Jareth wasn’t here.
As if my thoughts had magic powers, the door from outside burst open, and Jareth hurried inside. The second his gaze met mine, I drew in a deep calming breath. Now, tonight was perfect. He gave me a slight wave and smile as he sat down on the stool Gran had saved for him right by her side.
I let the music take over my body and I sang.
With a smile stretched across my face, I looked at the crowd, and that last bit of nerves fled. The absolute joy of the people cheering for us infused my body until it vibrated with energy. The place was packed, and while they had come here to listen to Wicked Ways, the yelling of my name and clapping when I sang showed they accepted me too.
“What do you think, Hazel, should we bust out some of our old moves?” Isaiah winked at me and began the first notes of the next song, All Yours. Without saying another word, they were going out of their way to make this the best night of my life.
They hadn’t done synchronized dances since they first started singing, and it wasn’t quite the bad-boy rockstar image they had cultivated.
“I think your amazing fans would love to see this, and I’d love to give it a try.” Squeals of delight and stomping thundered around the room. “I just hope they’re gentle with their expectations of me keeping up with you all,” I quipped, giving the crowd an exaggerated wink. The steps were simple, and they all came flooding back to me. I’d danced the same moves while I watched their music videos ten years ago in my bedroom. At one point, I flubbed a step but found myself laughing and the crowd joining in with words of encouragement.
Our next song had an edge, and our already hyped-up audience sang along. I glanced at the men on stage with me, and my heart wanted to burst in happiness and gratitude. They all had a smile on their faces and you could feel the love they had for performing with each word sung and each move they made.
One song bled into the next, and I realized how comfortable I was with the guys, so comfortable they felt like friends or at least like the older brothers I didn’t have. They teased me in between sets, and a few times, I got a few zingers right back at them. Although not that I’d admit it to anyone else, most of the time, I didn’t mean what I said to sound snarky, but the crowd ate it up, and I for once, went with the flow. The whole experience was more than I could have imagined. And seeing all the smiling faces excited about the music and my singing was everything.
I felt my soul give a happy little sigh. Telling me this was what I should have been pursuing all along.