Page 49 of Lucas

This out-of-body experience is so new for me, but that’s exactly how I feel as I take my mark. Mentally I’m living in the moment, but physically I’m numb. Not in a bad way, but this is so surreal I can’t believe it’s happening right now. Until Pete has everyone cheering as he introduces us. “Now the moment you’ve all been waiting for! Put your hands together forThe Sinful Seven!”

Cameras flashing, people screaming, and everyone chanting our names makes all the years of struggling to get here so worth it. Letting out a breath to calm my erratic heart, I scream, “Hello, Manhattan! It’s great to be here with all of you tonight. Are you ready to get this party started? I know we are, so let’s make some fucking noise!”

Trevor taps out the first beat, and we all follow.

Then it begins…

***

Abby

I’m mesmerizedas I watch Lucas work the stage, in awe of the way he engages with the crowd. It’s as if he’s been doing this his whole life, when this is his first major concert. Everyone within reaching distance is getting a piece of him. His hand glides over theirs, with a high five or a fist bump thrown in. Girls try climbing onto the stage to get a piece of my man, but security teams guarding the stage are right there holding them back. Protecting Lucas and all the other band members from a mad rush onto the stage. My body’s covered in goosebumps as I listen to the audience sing along. I’m a blubbering mess at the thought of his family not being here to see their son following his dream and kicking serious ass!

Trevor’s interim drum solos between songs have the audience captivated and the girls screaming his name. I don’t blame them a bit, since his flexed muscles stretch and pop with every beat of his drum. Twirling and tossing his sticks in the air every chance he gets. Although he’s the only one sitting down, he’s working the audience into a fevered frenzy.

Willow is a firecracker on the keys. Playing and singing her heart out. This tough, guarded girl bleeds her heart and soul into every performance. From practice to the real deal. All of them truly light up when they’re performing, and it’s a beautiful sight to see.

Jet and Lucas play off one another as their fans chant their names. Over and over again. I’m so glad I get to witness Jet in this environment. He comes alive when he’s playing his guitar and it’s truly magnetic. The reserved man is anything but while he’s doing what he loves. The fans are going wild, even more so than before because they know this concert is almost over. They are the fortunate ones to witnessThe Sinful Seven’svery first concert.

Quinn’s a bundle of nerves as she speaks into her headset and paces back and forth. I pay no mind since I know security has everything under control. I’m curious, though, since something seems to be upsetting her. I’d like to ask if there’s anything I can do but I feel like I’d be in the way. So, for now, I’m just going to enjoy the rest of the show.

The concert hits a little over two hours when Lucas sings his last note. My heart dips when he clutches his mic to his heaving chest and the venue is thrust in a blanket of darkness. Everyone sucks in a breath, me included, and then the crowd begins chanting his name until it’s deafening. One spotlight flickers on and it illuminates Lucas. Front and center. No guitar, just him standing tall and proud, holding his mic. Silence cloaks the venue as he begins.

“Thanks for coming out to party with us all tonight. All of you are the reason we bear our heart and souls and pour everything we are into our music. So, we’d like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts for coming. But, before we call it a night, we have a special guest I’d like to introduce you to. Her name might be familiar since she’s been around for a few years, but for me, she’s my inspiration. Give me just a minute.”

He strolls over to Willow, whispers something in her ear and she frowns, shaking her head. Oh, she looks pissed, but Lucas leans in, kisses her cheek, and murmurs something in her ear. She nods, looks up, and takes a deep breath.

“Ladies and gentlemen, I’d like to introduce you to the one and only, Arisha!”

Everyone is on their feet cheering, whistling, and clapping when Arisha joins Lucas on stage. I’m thrilled and a bit mad at myself for not guessing who it would be. I should have known he’d ask his mom to perform with him. It’s only fitting. Mother and son, onstage for his first major concert. There go the chills again.

Both of them stand in a single spotlight while Willow begins playing. Before I know it, I’m bawling like an idiot. The beautiful keys echo throughout the venue and then my man begins to singRise Up…

“You’re broken down and tired of living life on a merry-go-round. . . Move mountains, we gonna walk it out. . .”

The chemistry between the both of them is palpable as they sing the song they chose. It’s raw, heartfelt, so appropriate and unlike anything I’ve ever heard Lucas sing before. It’s spiritual in a way, and ethereal. Reminding me that in a small way, Arisha gave Lucas a gift by letting him know she is his mom. She saved him from himself.

“When the silence isn’t quiet, and it feels like it’s getting hard to breathe. And I know you feel like dying…”

Once the song comes to an end, they hug and he walks her off-stage with tears streaming down her face. When he returns, his cheeks look red and damp. He wastes no time gathering the band, taking a bow and walking off-stage. But the crowd is not having it. Stomping their feet and chanting brings the band back for an encore.

When their last song is just about finished, Quinn steps over to me, looking worried. “Is something wrong, Quinn?”

“How tight is Lucas and his dad because if you say they’re not, we could have a situation on our hands. Mr. Knight is here and insists on congratulating Lucas once it’s over. I thought I could intervene but he’s having none of it.”

35

Lucas

I’m feeling so damngood when we walk off the stage and the crowd continues chanting our names. The adrenaline pumping through my veins at breakneck speed has me feeling higher than a kite. Not a bad feeling and I know the band’s feeling the exact same way. Until someone hands me a towel to wipe my face and I see Abby’s worried gaze meet mine. In three long strides, I’m by her side. Without a word, she clings to me.

“I’m so damn proud of you, Lucas, and I know so many people feel the same way. You were amazing, baby.” Leaning in I capture her mouth with mine. I don’t care about anyone else. Abby’s the only one who matters.

Always.

That kiss doesn’t last long when a commotion behind us has me ready to guard her against whatever threat faces us. When I spin around, with her behind me, I come face-to-face with none other than my father. Security grabs his arms, twists him around, and cuffs him. I have mixed emotions about seeing him restrained, but I can’t let them arrest him.

“Let him go! He’s my dad and I forgot to add him to the guest list. My mistake.” Security can’t apologize enough as they unlock his cuffs. I don’t wait for him to come to me, I grab Abby’s hand and together we close the distance.

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