Page 118 of Last Letters to Ara
“You’re disgusting,” Lou says with vehemence, but she cracks a smile as he pulls her in for a hug anyway.
Those two are going to provide years of entertainment. I’m sure of it.
• • •
Strangers’ bodies are pressing against mine. I’m already sweating in the Florida humidity, which means they are, too, but somehow I can’t find it in myself to care. There is an electricity and an excitement in the air at a level which I’ve never felt before.
Connor’s band,Immoral Support, is coming on any second. If I’m honest, I’d never heard of a single one of these bands that’s playing tonight, but this massive field, packed with people, tells me that a lot of people have.
Our VIP lanyards got us straight to the front. Not like the general front, but the front-front. Based on where the mic stand is, Ryder could sneeze and it would hit me in the face.
Finally, a guy runs out onto the stage holding a wireless mic. I deem him the hype man as he runs to both sides of the crowd, then to the middle getting the crowd to scream as he goes. Even I join in, screaming as loud as I’ve ever screamed before, voice getting lost in the rest.
“Please welcome Immoral Support!”
My stomach plunges as the crowd screams. Connor and Ryder make their way onto the stage, followed by the rest of the band. Women everywhere lose their minds as Connor smiles and gives them a wave. Ryder remains broody and unaffected, and I think that works its own magic as another round of ear-piercing screams fill the air when he grabs the mic and pulls it toward him.
I look at Theo and Lou, eyes wide. “This iscrazy.”
Theo chuckles. “Connor has worked his ass off, using whatever means necessary, to build his band to this low level of fame.”
“I didn’t realize they were so well known.” Even Lou looks impressed. “I’ve never seen a crowd go this wild for the opening set.”
Theo’s eyes shine with the gleam of a proud brother.“Most of these people are here for them, despite them only being the openers. If the right person discovers them, they will be headliners before we know it.”
I don’t have an ounce of doubt as Connor’s drawl sounds through the mic, accent thick. “G’day.” He laughs when the crowd instantly starts screaming again, and I’m pretty sure a girl next to me is about to pass out over it.
I smile up at Theo. “Thank you for taking me here tonight.”
“Happy Birthday, Ara.” His hand glides over my cheek which has started to ache from the constant grinning. “I wish your dad could see this smile.”
I don’t even know how to form the words in response, so I just pull him close and kiss him until we’re both gasping for breath.
“Go get a porta potty or something.” Lou complains from my side, but it lacks venom and I catch her smile.
Connor’s guitar notes start to pour from the stage, and I’m instantly spellbound. Somehow, the crowd quiets, utterly entranced by the way he plays the instrument. I close my eyes, loving the feel of the music flowing through me as Theo holds me close.
Someone starts singing, and I’m astonished to open my eyes, finding Ryder with his lips pressed into the microphone. He wants to seem unfazed, wholly unaffected, but I can tell that the music speaks to him and it’s captivating, the way his voice weaves through the crowd leaving goosebumps in its tracks.
I turn to Theo again, eyes wide once again.
“Now you know why Connor asked him to fill in.”
“He’s…unbelievable.” Chills spread up my arms and a shiver racks through me. The way his voice comes out gravelly and whiny and smooth all at the same time, wraps around your soul like he is somethingelse. Something not human.
“Part of me hopes that Ryder can get out of his own way at some point and do it for real. It’s what Ryder needs, and it’s what the band needs, too, but Connor won’t ever admit it.”
Ryder carries a note, belting it with the kind of emotion that punches the air out of your chest. The crowd is at his mercy as he rips the microphone away and the band stops, only the echo of Ryder’s voice playing out. They begin to play at the exact millisecond he whips the microphone back to his mouth and belts it again. You’d think they’d been playing together for years. My heart beats as their music carries me away to another place.
Lou shakes her head. “That must besomeperson.”
“What?” I yell over the sound of the screaming crowd, now chanting the lyrics of the chorus with Ryder.
“Whoever made him feelthat, has to besomeperson.” She shakes her head in wonder.
Ryder continues to pour everything into the lyrics as Connor steals the crowd’s hearts with his guitar and back-up vocals.
And I lose myself as I sway and sing and let the music take me with it.
