Page 34 of Rulebreaker

And raging out is suddenly the last thing on my mind.

Instead, I’m plotting…

And calling for my jet.

TWELVE

Lily

The crowd tonightis on fire. They want more and I want to give it to them.

I have a routine that’s timed down to the second.

Thirteen songs.

Two breaks to chat and bond.

Four minutes in the wings while I let the crowd go wild, begging for the encore.

Three encore songs.

Done.

But I just did song number three and no one is leaving. No one is ready to go home. And they want more.

“What’re you doing, boss?” Flo knows me well enough to know I’m contemplating going back out there.

I never heard back from Atlas so I guess he either didn’t want to see me or had an obligation he couldn’t get out of. Either way, he could have let me know. But turnabout is fair play–it’s not like I’ve been super communicative.

“I’m going back for one more,” I say, grabbing my acoustic guitar. “Tell everyone we’re doing ‘Never Thought It Would Be You.’” That’s a song I rarely play live, but it seems fitting tonight. An edgy song to take the edge off my recent bout of loneliness and the disappointment I’ve been fighting all day.

I thought he would come.

I had no expectations beyond seeing him once more, but I truly believed he wanted to see me again. Instead, he’s playing games, which annoys me because if he had meetings or something, he could have reached out.

Flo talks into her ear piece, I wait five seconds, and then walk back onto the stage, hands in the air as my acoustic hangs by the strap around my neck.

“Did you want one more?” I yell.

The crowd is even rowdier than before and I grin. Turning to my band, I catch my drummer’s eye and he nods–counting off as my guitarist plays the opening chords. The music engulfs me and my fingers know exactly what to do. My body sways as I sing the opening lines.

I don’t want your heart

I don’t want your touch

I don’t want you to kiss me

I might like it too much…

The fans seempleased with my choice, and I see the majority singing along, which makes me feel good because my roots are in country. That’s how I started and my first love, no matter how much fun it’s been switching to contemporary.

I turn, taking off my guitar and looking for my guitar tech, who should be waiting in the wings to take it from me.

And that’s when I see Atlas.

My heart stutters with excitement and my lips curl upward of their own volition. Our eyes lock for a moment but I turn back to the crowd, ready for the chorus.

He’s here.