Page 109 of Steady Stroke
“He’s not going to be able to sing,” Dominic said.
“Sorry, guys.” Benji’s voice was barely there, cracked and thin.
Lincoln’s gut twisted. “So we aren’t performing? After all this fucking work?”
“I can do it,” Trey said. “I know the arrangement you guys put together. And it keeps up the whole all-queer thing XYZ was known for. Benji can do backup keyboard, so at least he’s onstage representing.”
“We don’t have much of a choice, do we?”
“Thanks?”
“Folks will love seeing Coop again,” Danielle said. “A little bit of Fading Daze back up there.”
“No.” The sharpness in Emmett’s voice from his spot by the refrigerator stole Lincoln’s attention. Emmett stood straight, shoulders back, as determined as Lincoln had ever seen him. “I know the arrangement. I’ll sing.”
Lincoln stared, not quite recognizing the man standing nearby. “This isn’t Off Beat. There are five thousand people out there.”
Emmett eased his way past Bobby and Andy to stand in front of him. “No, there will only be the five of us onstage. Playing a song we both love. I won’t panic, and I won’t freeze up. Let me do this for you.”
“You had a panic attack at my sister’s wedding.”
“Because I was alone, surrounded by strangers. Tonight I’ll be surrounded by friends. Both of us will.” He reached out, and Lincoln held still, allowing Emmett to cup his cheek in a warm, familiar palm. “When the music starts, it’s just you and me. I’ll be singing to you and no one else, just like always.”
Lincoln’s heart melted into goo, and his resistance fractured. He squeezed Emmett’s wrist, studying his dark eyes for any sign of nerves or hesitation. He found none, only stern resolve and a whole lot of love. “Okay.”
“Yes?”
“Yes, you can sing with us tonight.”
His friends all whooped and cheered, and Lincoln barely had time to wonder if this entire thing had been a setup from the get-go before everyone sprang into action. Andy said he was going to call Emily about the slight change in their group. Dominic started fussing about their outfits matching, and Bobby and Danielle went out to the van to fetch instruments. Trey disappeared at some point, too.
Lincoln and Emmett still hadn’t moved.
“Thank you for giving me this chance,” Emmett whispered. “I know how important it is for you to play here tonight. I won’t screw up, I promise.”
“I believe you. I still can’t believe you’re going to do this.”
“I’ve spent too much of my life hiding. Hiding from my religion and my heritage. Hiding from my sexuality. Hiding the truth of the accident from you. Lincoln, you helped me find my voice again. You helped me leave silence behind and to engage with the world. After everything you’ve done for me, singing with you tonight is the least I can do.”
“Emmett, you’re the only reason I’m going up on that stage tonight. I wouldn’t be here without you.”
“Even if we’d never met, you’d have found a way to be here tonight. You’re too stubborn to have turned down this chance.”
“Maybe, maybe not. Can you take the compliment, please?”
Emmett smiled. “Okay, fine. You wouldn’t be here without me.”
“Exactly.”
“Does this mean we’re okay?”
Lincoln took a step back, uncertain of his answer. He wanted to say all was forgiven, and that they could move forward. But the biggest concert of Lincoln’s life was in an hour, and Emmett had committed to something huge. He’d committed to somehow overcoming severe social anxiety to get up onstage and sing in front of thousands. He’d promised, and Lincoln had once again placed his trust in Emmett.
“Ask me again after we perform,” Lincoln said.
Emmett frowned. Then hurt shifted into understanding, and he gave a slow nod. “That’s fair.”
“You should go warm up.”
