Page 70 of Before We’re More Than Friends (When We Faced the Music #1)
DALLAS
“ H ello, What Do You Bean!” I shouted into the microphone, trying to channel my inner Ivan Hicks. “We are Like Airplanes, the winners of this year’s Battle of the Bands!”
The audience cheered, including my family, who wouldn’t miss our first gig for the world. I couldn’t fight a grin.
“We’re here to perform our contest-winning song, ‘Disaster’,” I said. “Written by me and my girlfriend, Raina.”
Raina’s cheeks flushed as I looked at her, and the audience let out “Awws.”
I strummed on my rhythm guitar before singing the first verse, my worries and nerves dissolving.
The lyrics took me back to the time when I’d been terrified of telling Raina how I really felt about her, terrified of telling her that I was the person she’d been talking to for six years.
Sadness washed over me as I sang, but I was thankful that I was no longer in that spot.
That I’d made it through those sleepless nights and near-panic attacks.
Raina sang the next verse, lost in the lyrics as she hit her tambourine, the light perfectly hitting her face. Her hair flowed in that princess-like way, her eyes shining to life. Even though we’d been dating for over a month now, I still felt like I was dreaming every time I was around her.
Once the bridge came, we took turns singing, something we’d changed from our original performance last month. We belted out the words like they were second nature. The grin Raina gave me sent a chill down my spine. It would take every ounce of self-control to finish the song before kissing her.
The world melted away as we moved to the last chorus, my lungs close to bursting.
“I thought I was a disaster
But you still fell for me
But you still fell for me.”
Our eyes locked again, our smiles growing.
“And you fell even faster
Than I’d fallen for you
Than I’d fallen for you.”
I brushed my shoulder against hers.
“Is this my happily ever after?
I believe it’s true
I believe it’s true.”
As I looked into Raina’s eyes, it was like we were the only people here, the only people in this wonderful world of ours.
“Is this my happily ever after?
Because I thought I was a disaster
Until I met you.”
As soon as the song ended, Raina’s lips met mine halfway as the crowd went wild for us. Our bandmates chuckled, still amused with our amount of PDA, but it made me want to kiss her even longer.
After we performed a few covers, including “She Looks So Perfect” and “Classic”, we went backstage to where Ivan beamed at us. He was much shorter up close, around Hayden’s height .
“That was freaking amazing, guys,” he said. “You never fail to amaze me.”
“That literally means everything coming from you,” Hayden said with stars in his eyes, a grin breaking out on his face. “You’re seriously our biggest inspiration. Especially Sienna’s.” He winked at Sienna. “Me and her are your biggest fans.”
Sienna gasped, holding a hand to her mouth as the amber in her eyes flared. “I-I?—”
Ivan laughed. “It’s nice to finally meet you.” He extended a hand to her. “I always notice you in the crowd.”
Sienna gasped again before Arielle pushed her toward Ivan. “I-It’s nice to meet you up close.” She shook his hand, her body shaking as red rushed to her cheeks. “I’m a huge fan, as Hayden said. I-I never knew you noticed me. You’re very handsome.” She covered her mouth. “I’m sorry. I’m?—”
Ivan snorted. “Sheesh, I didn’t know you were that big of a fan.”
“I am.” Sienna ran a hand through her hair. “I mean, not a crazy fan or anything, but I love you—I mean, your music. It’s everything.”
Ivan laughed again. “It really means the world to me to see people be so excited about my music. It’s taken a lot to get where I am today.” He scratched behind his neck. “Anyway, it’s really amazing to meet all of you. You should start performing here this summer when you’re out of school.”
“Really?” Hayden shrieked, putting a hand to his mouth. “Are you being serious?”
“Dead serious,” Ivan said with a smile. “Eli’s aunt and uncle, who own this place, were talking about it with us. The café could use more entertainment throughout the week.” He winked at Sienna, causing her to gasp again. “Somewhere in the Sky can’t be in the spotlight all the time.”
“Though Sienna wouldn’t mind that,” Caleb said .
Sienna jabbed him in the ribs. “We’d love to perform here this summer.”
“I have to check my work schedule,” Oliver said. “But depending on that, we can make it work.”
“I’m going to faint,” Hayden said, fanning himself. “Somebody catch me.”
“The floor is available,” Caleb deadpanned.
Hayden rolled his eyes.
Ivan beamed. “I’ll get you in contact with Mrs. and Mr. Mason to arrange plans for it.” His eyes met Sienna’s. “Looking forward to seeing you all on stage again.” His gaze went to Raina and me, who were holding hands. “You guys are an adorable couple.”
“Thank you,” I said, my cheeks warming. “So are you and Celia.” Guilt pinched my chest when Sienna’s smile dipped.
A hint of pink rose to Ivan’s pale cheeks. “Thank you. She’s freaking amazing.” He cleared his throat. “Have a good evening, everyone.” He waved before walking out to where the audience was.
“I’m so surprised that neither Hayden nor Sienna combusted during that conversation,” Raina said.
“Yeah, thanks a lot, guys,” Caleb said. “I owe Oliver five bucks.”
Oliver grinned. “That’s why you should have faith in your friends.” He wrapped his arm around Caleb. “I’m so proud of us.”
“I am, too,” I said. “Thank you for putting us together, Hayden.”
“Don’t thank me,” Hayden said. “I’m the one who almost drove us apart.” He squeezed my hand. “You’ve done so much for us, Dallas. I mean, you wrote the song with Raina, you knocked sense into everyone, and you’re both amazing singers.”
I smiled and squeezed his hand back. “Thank you. ”
“I just said not to thank me.”
Raina and I both laughed.
We all chatted around before going out to the crowd to meet our families, but Raina pulled me back, her long nails grazing my skin. “We’re not done here,” she said with a sultry grin.
I beamed before pressing my lips against hers, the vanilla taste from her lip gloss welcoming me. “And I hope we never will be.” My hands glided to her waist as I pressed her against the wall.
Her mouth traveled to my neck and pressed hard against my skin as she gripped onto my shirt. “Thank you for making my life better than I could ever imagine,” she whispered.
Warmth flooded my insides as I brushed her wavy hair out of those stunning blue eyes I could get lost in for days. “And thank you for doing the same to mine.”
Thank you so much for reading!