Total pages in book: 76
Estimated words: 76759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 76759 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 384(@200wpm)___ 307(@250wpm)___ 256(@300wpm)
But she did talk to us about visualization, so I’ve got the band doing it. We see ourselves out on stage, performing each number perfectly, and then we see the audience going crazy.
And damn it…
That is what will happen tonight.
“Ten minutes, Dragonlock,” the stage manager says.
Rory and I adjust our headsets.
“All good?” I ask her.
She nods. “All good, Jess.”
I give her a hug and whisper in her ear, “This is our time, Rory. We’re going to rock this hall.”
She nods against my shoulder.
The worst part is the waiting.
The waiting until we take the stage.
Once we’re on stage, the thinking is over. The nerves disappear. And we sing. Become one with the melody. With the harmony. With the rhythm.
We’re singing original numbers—numbers Rory and I chose together to complement Emerald Phoenix’s set.
“All right, Dragonlock. Take the stage,” the stage manager says.
I draw in a deep breath, let go of Rory, and watch as first Dragon, and then Cage, and then Jake take their places.
Rory and I follow hand-in-hand.
The concert is sold out, and even with the bright lights, I can still see lots of heads bobbing. Heads who paid for Emerald Phoenix and have to sit through us.
Brock, Callie, Donny, Maddie, and Brianna are all in the front row.
VIPs.
I don’t dare look. I probably wouldn’t be able to see them anyway.
“Ladies and gentlemen…presenting…Dragonlock!”
The applause is deafening, which surprises me.
They’re excited, their adrenaline is flowing, so we need to rock this hall and get them even more pumped.
Rory and I look at each other, and then I nod to Jake, who strums a few notes on his guitar, and then Cage comes in on the keyboard and Dragon on the drums.
The intro is a few measures long and then—
I sing. I sing the first lines, and then Rory.
And the audience disappears.
It’s only Rory and me, singing.
And we rock.
We fucking rock like we’ve never rocked before.
Rory and I are in complete sync as we end our show with “Faint of Heart,” a harmonious duet I composed that combines elements of pop and rock and a bit of alternative. I’d had the tune in mind for years, but not until the fire did I compose the lyrics about perseverance and overcoming adversity.
The audience fucking loves it, and as we end the song—and our set—the applause is thundering.
I don’t expect a standing ovation. The opening act never gets one, but I can’t help but look down.
And right in the front row is Brianna Steel, flanked by the rest of our party, all standing.
But my gaze drops on Brianna only.
Brianna…and suddenly she’s the only person in that audience.
She’s clapping for me.
Then she puts two fingers in her mouth and whistles shrilly.
I can’t hear the whistle of course, but that’s what she’s doing.
I do hear it.
I hear it in my heart.
We’re the opening act, so we don’t do an encore.
The lights go dim on the stage, and we exit.
“Man, that was awesome!” Cage gives me a high five.
“We fucking rocked it,” Jake agrees.
Usually, I’m the one who gives the notes after a performance. I could tell Dragon that he was about a second off on the first number. I could tell Cage that he was slightly late on the third.
Other than those two minor mistakes, we really did rock it. I’m going to give them this one show free of critique.
“It was perfect,” I say. “Every one of you nailed it.”
Rory launches herself into my arms, kisses my cheek. “I can’t believe it, Jess. They loved us. They freaking loved us.”
I turn around at a tap on my shoulder.
Jett Draconis himself stands there, meeting my gaze. “You guys rocked this place. I’m not sure how we’re going to top that.”
His comment makes me burst out into laughter. “You’re kidding, right?”
He shrugs with a smile. “Hey, they’re waiting for us. We could go out there and blow it, and they’d still applaud. But you guys? You just set the fucking bar.”
“Thank you.”
Jett pats me on the shoulder. “I knew I was right about you guys. The two of you—singing together—you can hit it big. Trust me on that one.”
I didn’t realize I’ve been holding my breath until I gasp in some air.
Jett has gone onstage, getting ready, along with Zane and the others.
Rory meets my gaze. “You okay?”
“Yeah. I’m just… I’m not sure I’ve ever felt this good, Rory.”
No truer words. Fireworks are exploding in my brain, and my emotions are all over the place. I’m happy beyond happy, and I’ve even been reduced to a tear or two.
“It was amazing, wasn’t it?” Rory beams.
“It totally was. And we get to do it all over again tomorrow.”
“Right. Another concert and then we’re off to Edinburgh.”
Cage gives me a big bear hug and then hugs Rory. Jake does the same.
“What did Jett say?” Dragon asks.
“He said we rocked it. He said we’d be a tough act to follow.”