Absolutely Unforgivable(37)

Billy didn’t seem to pay it any mind at first. He just leaned into the microphone and began singing as he normally did. His eyes were hauntingly sad as he sang, “Nothing lasts forever. I can’t bring you back to me. Life must go on.”


It was one of their original songs. It could easily be mistaken for a love song but I suspected it was about the death of his parents. He looked out in the crowd as he sang the song but he didn’t lock eyes with them like he normally did. Instead it was just like he was seeing through them. Watching him on stage sing that song, in the way that he did make chills go up my spine and I felt tears start to form in my eyes.


But just as quickly as the song had begun it was over and he perked right back up as if none of that had ever happened. I was so deep in thought about what had just taken place I didn’t hear the beat of the next song they began playing. Billy took the microphone off of the stand, something he rarely did, and started walking offstage, while singing the first words of Jessie’s Girl.


He’s coming my way isn’t he? Oh God no, please don’t let this be happening. I looked around me, desperately wanting to find something or someone that he might be singing to that wasn't me. Mindy started squealing in excitement and pushed me out of my chair as Billy made his way over to me.


He grabbed my hand and dragged me on stage with him before we got to the chorus. I turned toward Patrick and he threw the tambourine my way while Billy put the microphone back on the stand.


I slowly shook my hips and swayed side to side as he sang away, facing the crowd but still tilting his head towards me and as he got to the chorus. Just like before, I leaned in and sang it with him.


I never turned to face the crowd because if I had, I am sure I would have frozen in fear. Even with the several drinks I already had in me, I was still far too shy to be able to handle that many people looking up at me. This bar was much bigger than Rowdy’s, easily double in size and it was packed to the brim.


As the song ended Billy grabbed my free hand and lifted it above my head. “Everyone meet Stacy Keller. She is our little superstar.” He leaned over and kissed me on the forehead and the crowd let out a collective “Awww”.


Next Billy pulled the bar stool over to him and leaned against it. He lowered the microphone stand so that it was now even with his face and he put his arm around my waist and pulled me into him. This time the song was much slower. It wasn’t one I had heard before but by the cheers of the crowd I could tell they had.


“I need you right here by my side. I need you in my life. I feel like I am dreaming. You are the one. You haunt my dreams. It kills me to see you with him. I need you right here by my side.” It was a rock song, no doubt, but still it was passionate and heartfelt.


After Billy finished the song, he leaned in as if he was going to kiss me right there on stage in front of everywhere. My heart began to race wildly, and my hands started to shake. I panicked and turned my head to face the crowd and he reached up and kissed my forehead instead.


He finally released me and I made my way back to an anxiously waiting Mindy. “Did you know he was going to do that?” I demanded to know. She just giggled and shook her head ”no”.

After I sat back down the boys played a few more of their original songs and the crowd loved it. They really were amazing. One of two of them you could easily see being played on the radio. Just before their second set was about to end, again I went to the bar and grabbed the boys a bucket of beer.

Billy plopped down in the spot next to me, took a long neck beer from the bucket on the table and then leaned in to whisper in my ear, “You take good care of me”.

“Well someone has to,” I playfully bantered back.

Soon after an upbeat song came on the jukebox. After downing a shot Zander came around behind me and took me by the hand to dance with him. Travis and his harem soon followed. Zander was a really sweet guy. Always polite and well meaning. He was probably one of my favorite guys in the band, besides Billy of course.

After far, far too many drinks I somehow made my way to Billy’s car. The details of the walk to the car are a little fuzzy but I vaguely seem to recall Zander helping Billy carry me and gently place me in the passenger seat. Billy pulled a blanket out of his trunk and then put it over me, tucking me in tightly to make sure I stayed warm for the long drive home.

I don’t recall any of the drive back to The Woodlands but I do remember waking up just enough to know I was in Billy’s arms and he was carrying me to bed. After laying me on the bed he went and got a wet rag to put on my forehead. I must have been complaining to him that I was hot, as I began trying to rip off my clothes and get under the sheets.