Say You Won't Let Go Google(32)

“Would y’all mind if I sing something a little different tonight?”

Cheers erupt, and I strum my guitar and head to the edge of the stage. I sit with my legs over the side, and it’s as if I’m with the crowd.

One of the stage crew brings a microphone to me. “Have you ever lost someone you loved?” I play a few chords. “I’ve had a rough few days, and I’d like to sing this song as if we’re all sittin’ in my living room. Tonight, you’re my best friend and we’re going to work out our pain. Is that all right?”

The crowd quiets, and there’s only one song that fits this moment. I start the intro to my favorite Garth Brooks song. The lyrics to “The Dance” pour out of me. With my eyes closed, I imagine Cooper standing in front of me. I tell him how perfect my world was when I had him, and that even though things didn’t work, I wouldn’t change anything.

My voice is filled with my regret, my turmoil, and my anger toward the man who is doing this to me. I sing each note as if it could be my last and feel the tears that stream down my face.

I can almost see his green eyes as I give him this piece of my soul. Each verse speaks the truth regarding what’s inside my heart.

When I finish, I open my eyes and the arena goes nuts. I see people wiping their faces, screaming with their hands in the air, and the clapping is deafening.

“Thank you for listenin’.” I smile through the tears. “I love y’all so much!”

My throat is tight as I get to my feet. I walk back to center stage and pull myself together.

“All right, now I want everyone on their feet!” I shift gears and perform like it’s my life’s mission.

Song after song, I push past any performance I’ve ever given. The sounds coming from the audience let me know I did my job.

“Wow,” Luke says as I head off the stage. “I’ve never seen anything like that.”

“Thanks!” I bounce a little, feeding off the adrenaline.

“That was amazing!” Vince pulls me in his arms. “Damn, girl!”

Praises are passed around, and I blush a little. “Okay, y’all, it wasn’t that great.”

“Not that great?” Luke scoffs. “I don’t want to follow that.”

He’s ridiculous. “I know you’re just sayin’ that because you know I’m feeling shitty.”

Luke and Vince share a look and shake their heads. “No. We really aren’t. That was impressive, and I have a feeling you won’t be feeling shitty for very long if you keep that up.”

I continue talking with the boys, but when they head out to stage, Wade escorts me back to the bus.

“Do you have my phone?” I ask.

He hands it to me, and my mood plummets when I note there’s still no texts or calls.

“Have you talked to Cooper?” I ask, attempting to be indifferent.

“No. I figured after your breakup I’d hear something, but it’s been two days and nothing.”

The sound of my heartbeat pounds in my ears. “Nothin’?”

Cooper isn’t a sit-back kind of guy, so I’m sort of shocked he didn’t call Wade and lose his shit.

“Not a word. Made it easy to respect your wishes to keep him out of the loop.”

I drop my eyes to the floor to hide my disappointment. “I guess I wasn’t that important.”

Or I hurt him so bad he can’t stand the thought of me.

“You really have no idea how much he cares for you, do you?” Wade asks.

“Cared,” I correct.

“Cares.”

“You don’t know the whole story. I assure you, there’s no comin’ back from it.”

Wade smirks. “You know what drives a cowboy to go radio silent?”

“Pants too tight?”

He laughs and walks closer. “When he doesn’t know how to handle feelin’ out of control. I’m assuming it was you who ended it?”

I nod.

“And he was against it?”

“At first.” Right until I told him it was you who I had feelings for.

Wade towers over me and sighs. “Until you pushed him to the brink?”

“Yeah,” I admit.

“Well, he’s probably pissed, but more than that, he doesn’t know what to do about it. He’ll figure it out, and when he does, darlin’, I hope you’re ready for what’s comin’.”

I have no idea what any of that means.

A knock on the door causes my heart to leap from my chest.

Wade walks over and steps outside. I can hear his voice raise but can’t understand what he’s saying. The other voices argue with him, and then he storms back into the bus, furious.

“Everything okay?” I ask, my throat dry as I wait for him to answer.

“I’m going to find this motherfucker,” Wade says. “I’m going to tear him apart for what he’s done.”

“Done?” Fear grips me more than ever before as another possibility hits me. “Oh, God!” I sink down on the couch. “Please tell me...” Breathing is difficult as I gasp for air. I think about Cooper being hurt, or worse, because of me.

“Breathe, Emily.” Wade’s hands are on my shoulders. “I’m just upset.”