Page 68 of More Than a Spark

“Except don’t go out there andbehim. Jesus fuck.” I scoffed, my chest clenching. “When you get out there on real calls, I’m going to be a mess.”

“I’ve already been out there on real calls.” He smirked at me. “You were fine with it before.”

Tilting my head and narrowing my eyes, I said, “I was neverfinewith it. I just didn’t…we weren’t so…Fuck, you know what I mean.”We weren’t in love. God damned Cash put this shit in my head.

“Can’t live without me now that you’ve had me?” He hooked a brow and bit the side of his lower lip.

“Yes, exactly.” Shaking my head, I said, “You’re a moron sometimes.” I bumped my elbow into his ribs.

Grabbing the side of my head, he planted a hard kiss on my cheek. “Well, now I’myourmoron.”

* * *

A few hours later,I waited on the side of the stage for an MC to announce the band. This was the real deal here. We’d been set up with a lighting crew and everything. I forced myself to look out across the crowd in the house lighting. The stadium seats were full, and the floor was standing room only.

Gabe tapped my side with a drumstick, smiling from ear to ear. “Dude, I don’t know, but maybe my dad’s law firm will be my side job if we keep getting gigs like this.”

“I never thought of that. Maybe one day, the only thing we’ll do is play music.” I stared, wide-eyed at my keyboard. Never in a million years had I thought the jam sessions back in freshman year would lead to this. My gaze took in each of the guys, Axel hopping on his toes, Caleb massaging his hands, Devin popping a cough drop into his mouth, and Silas fisting and opening his hands.

A young man with black spiky hair brushed by us and stopped, his back to the audience. “Everyone ready?”

“More than ready,” Axel blurted out.

“Good. I can’t wait. I saw you all at The Club on Mill a few years ago and I’ve been dying to get you here. Dad finally said yes.” He held out his hand, shaking each of ours in turn. “Name’s Arzie.”

I widened my eyes. “Who’s your dad?” He was clearly native American, and they owned the casinos.

“The chief of the Pee Posh.” Arzie chuckled. “Just kidding, he’s the president of the Pima-Maricopa Indian Community and heads up this casino and Talking Stick.” He glanced at the crowd. “Pee Posh, though, is the native name of the Maricopa tribe.”

“Dude, that’s so cool.” Axel patted him on the arm. “So maybe it was you who got us in here and not Gabe’s begging or his father’s ties to the casino?”

Arzie’s gaze swept to Gabe. “No, The Phoenix Law Firm that Gabe’s father founded does a lot of work for the tribe.” With a wide smile, he tapped Gabe’s chest. “But it was your sold out shows at Talking Stick that pushed Dad over the edge.”

“Well, thanks, man.” Caleb gave him a warm smile. “Are you announcing us?”

“I am.” Arzie clapped his hands together, then peeked at the crowd behind him. “Okay, here goes.” He dashed out on the stage and a single spotlight illuminated him.

The crowd cheered and clapped, yelling out,Knot Meover and over.

Grabbing the center mic, Arzie said, “Guess you all know who you’re here to see. So, without further delay, here’s Knot Me to rock your world.” He ran off to the other side of the stage.

“Shit, this is it.” Axel grabbed mine and Gabe’s hands and rushed us all out, then freed me to throw the strap of his blue sparkly guitar over his head.

I stopped at my keys and as the house lights went down and the room grew dark, I watched Devin’s silhouette at center stage.

Holding his hand up, Devin said, “This is the Black Parade.” He dropped his fist.

A light shone on me, and I played the slow notes starting the song, my keys set to piano mode. The last time I’d played this song, I had no idea how Ryder felt. I’d had no idea my dreams could come true.

The crowd went silent.

As Devin started the first verse, he pulled the mic off the stand and strutted to me, then wrapped an arm around my waist and we swayed together, me tapping my keys.

Gabe came in on his snares with a marching band beat and the lights found him.

I changed up the setting on my keyboard and added chords to Gabe’s beat, rocking my head.

Releasing me, Devin paced the stage, waving his arms out around him as he sang.

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