Page 75 of One Night

"Did something happen? I heard yelling."

"Allison showed up, claiming we were still together. When I told her I was with Amber, she went crazy and started screaming at me. I had to get the bouncer to throw her out."

"Like out of the bar?"

"Yeah. He told her she had to leave."

He laughs. "She must've been pissed."

"She was, but what the hell was I supposed to do? If she'd stayed, she would've made a scene."

"So about the set tonight. Are we still playing One Night?"

"Yeah. Why wouldn't we?"

"I'm just worried you might look at Amber when you're singing it. And if you do, everyone will know it's about her."

"Then I won't look at her."

"You may do it without realizing it."

I sigh. "We're singing it. The fans love it. They expect us to play it."

He shrugs. "I just wanted to give you the option."

When Van, Austin, and I step out onto the small stage, I spot Amber off to the right, sitting next to Kira. She smiles at me and I relax, any nervousness I felt now gone. I don't know why I was nervous. I've been doing this for years and I already know Amber likes our music. There was no reason to be nervous.

The night goes great. We play awesome. The place is packed. And Amber is here, singing along and even getting up and dancing to a couple songs.

We save One Night for last. That nervous feeling returns and I realize this was the reason I was nervous earlier. This song. The song I wrote about Amber. It's the only song I've ever written and actually performed and it always makes me emotional. I always imagine Amber when I sing it, and now she's here and I'm not sure how I'll react. Austin warned me about this and I probably should've listened to him and not performed the song.

But it's too late now. The fans are chanting "One Night", begging me to sing it, and Austin has already started playing the intro.

Forcing my gaze away from Amber, I sing the first line, then close my eyes as my fingers strum the guitar. I get lost in the lyrics, like I always do with this song.

Saw you across the room...That face, those eyes...couldn't find the words, but no words were needed...I knew you were it...I went to you, you smiled...and I was gone...yours...forever...still on my mind, in my dreams.

The people in the bar sing along with the chorus. One night. But it was more than that. One night. But I'll never forget. One night. And you were gone. One night. And I want you back.

It isn't until the very end of the song that I open my eyes and look over at Amber.

One night, I sing in a low breathy tone. I slow down and draw out the last line, And I want you back.

My eyes are still on Amber but nobody notices. They're too busy yelling and clapping and chanting our names. Girls rush the stage like they always do at the end of the night, and I lose sight of Amber. I want to rush over to her and ask her what she thought but I can't ditch my fans or I wouldn't have any left.

After fifteen minutes of taking pictures with fans and signing autographs, we make our way to the back room. Kira and Amber are already there.

Amber runs up to me. "That was awesome!"

"Thanks." I kiss her.

She leans up and whispers in my ear, "You made me cry."

I take her out into the hall. "Why were you crying?"

"That song. Even though I've heard it hundreds of times, that's the first time I've heard you sing it live and it just got to me. Dylan, I'm so sorry I left like that. I feel so bad."

"It's all in the past." I smooth her hair and smile. "And hey, it made for a good song, right?"

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