Page 49 of Mic Drop

My heart skips a beat. Maybe two.

The Light Rail plays the wedding march as the pair make their way to me. I didn’t realize Jenna asked the new keyboardist to do the honors, but it makes sense. Everything about today does.

We recite our vows—ones we wrote in secret—to each other. Exchange rings. Kiss as the judge pronounces us husband and wife. Maybe our kiss goes on a little too long, as the guests start to snicker and clap and roar. Only when Jenna giggles into my mouth do I release her lips, whispering, “I love you forever.”

“And a day.”

We turn and face our friends and family, and TLR strikes up their hit, “Let Me Give You A Sweet,” as we sashay down the aisle to Faith. I kiss her cheek and accept her hug as she says, “I’m so happy to call you ‘son.’”

I may or may not have had to use one of Jenna’s tissues.

The caterer serves appetizers, which we devour as if we hadn’t eaten in ages. We laugh with our friends. I enjoy dancing with my new sister and her kids. Even enjoy chatting with my new brother, the cosmetic surgeon.

Luke pulls me away from them. “Hey, B, it’s time.”

With an apologetic glance to my new family—family!—I follow our manager to the stage, mentally reviewing our new song. The one I took the lead in writing, although the rest of the band added their own touches. Jenna’s comment about how we, as a band, create our music together rings true. Today it was my idea, but tomorrow Coop or Río or Tris or 007 could take the lead. The fact we’ve never followed the traditional path in creating songs never hit so hard as it does now. Perhaps we are much more of a unique group than I ever realized? Filled with friends.

Shaking my head to get into the zone, I climb the stairs to the stage. Trent Washington-Hunte hands me the microphone. “Thanks so much for doing this for us,” I whisper into his ear.

“Happy to help you out. Besides, my wife Cordelia always roots for true love. She would’ve handed me my balls if we didn’t do this for you.” He blows a kiss toward his wife, who’s sitting by Court, my wife’s—WIFE’s—bff. They look thick as thieves.

“You better watch out for those two.”

“Don’t I know it. We’ll be back to take over after you’re done. Hit it, man.” Trent leaves the stage and I check in with my bandmates, who each give me a thumbs up as they get situated behind The Light Rail’s instruments.

I face the audience. No, not audience. Family and...friends? Close acquaintances? My eyes close, and as I reopen them. I raise my newly ringed left hand. “My wife and I want to thank you fordropping whatever you were doing to come all the way out here to celebrate our wedding with us. It means more than you can imagine that you’re here supporting our new life together.”

Everyone claps. Nese even whistles.

“Untamed Coaster wanted to sing this song for you. It’s new, so go easy on us. It’s called, ‘Take The Chance.’”

Río bangs his drumsticks together three times and the guys play the intro. I scan the crowd until my gaze rests on Jenna, who’s sitting next to Faith. Both of them beam at me. I blow my wife a kiss, then focus on the lyrics. I sing heartfelt sentiments.

Telling her how she changed my life.

Telling her I’m so lucky she agreed to be my wife.

Telling her I’m ready to take the chance. With her. Only her.

The bridge plays, then I repeat the chorus.

Sweetheart, I’m ready to take the chance

Believe me when I say you make my heart sing

‘Cause there’s no music when you’re not around

I can do anything with you at my side

Let’s go and let our love fly high

As we take the chance. Forever.

I speak the last three words. “I love you.”

When the last note reverbs from Coop’s guitar, our guests jump to their feet, clapping. I don’t care about anyone else, my sole focus is on my wife. The beautiful Jenna Hardy. The woman who owns my body and soul, who breathed it back to life. If there ever was any life before her.

Jenna kisses her mother, then races to the stage where I pull her up next to me. With happy tears streaming down her face, sheembraces me. “That was beautiful. I’m so blessed because you took the chance on me.”

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