Page 142 of Debts and Desires
“Me, too.” My heart tore once again, wishing for Mia. I was truthful when I said tonight has been a big deal for me. A bigger crowd, an actual semi-practiced setlist, songs consisting of more originals as opposed to covers. And an actual band that my name headlined. I loved it.
You were meant to make music, Emo, just like I was meant to make art.
I missed her. I missed her so damn much.
“You okay?” he asked. There was nothing that went unnoticed by him anymore. I could’ve lied and said it was something else, but I had a feeling he would know better.
“I don’t know. I wish Mia was here,” I admitted. Carter seemed to tense. “I know that’s silly.”
“That ain’t silly.” He paused. “I’ll be right back,” he said suddenly, then left without me having a chance to say anything to him.
While I waited, I stood there and looked at myself in the mirror like I had before we’d went on. I dabbed my damp forehead and touched up my makeup. By the time I was refreshed, Carter had come back.
“Before we go back on, there was someone out there who wanted to request a song. I politely said I wasn’t sure, because of the setlist, but that I’d ask you,” he said. I brought my brows together.
In what world would Carter Black bepolite?
“Okay. Sure, send them back,” I agreed. I was taking a drink of water, thinking to myself how I would also nicely decline the poor stranger’s request when a pair of familiar beautiful brown eyes met mine.
“Mimi?!” I gasped, setting the bottle down and standing. As soon as I turned her way, we hugged, holding each other so close that neither of us could breathe. I felt tears, happy tears, welling up, my vision going blurry a moment later. But not before I looked at Carter, who had just walked in and leaned against the back wall beside Cal. I smiled at Cal. He gave a small wave and smiled. Mia and I pulled away from one another, sniffling.
“How are you here right now?!” I asked.
“Carter invited us,” she answered. “And oh my God, girl, you sound incredible! You’re totally in your element up there!”
“Wait, you’ve been here?”
“All night.” She smiled. “We planned to surprise you afterward, but Carter said you were sad and he wanted to push the surprise up.”
Carter did this for me.
That thought had more tears welling in my eyes. He watched us, his gaze softening as he took in the sight of Mia and me catching up. He leaned casually against the wall beside Cal, exchanging a few words. When Carter met my eyes, a smallsmile played on his lips and he winked. I felt a surge of gratitude toward him.
“And speaking of,” she lowered her voice, smirking as she leaned in. “Hotdamn,Emo. He’sgorgeous.” She wriggled her brows. I playfully bumped her with my hip and rolled my eyes. I noticed she did another glance at the men, but her eyes weren’t on Carter.
“So, are you and Cal a thing now?” I jabbed back, making her eyes widen as she looked back at me.
“Nope,” she quickly answered.
“Liar!” I hissed, making her roll her eyes this time. “You’re lucky I have the rest of this show, or I’d be grilling your ass right now!”
“Um, back at you,” she teased, sticking her tongue out. My heart fluttered a little, thinking of all the things between Carter and me that I wanted to share with Mia. But also, didn’t. Maybe it was because it had been only me and Carter for a while that I was reluctant to share it with anyone else. Even my best friend.
As Mia and I continued to talk, the weight of her presence lifted the heaviness I had in my chest. It felt like a piece of my heart that had been missing had suddenly been restored.
Not long after, Tyler returned with Jason, his presence signaling that it was time to get back on stage. “Y’all ready?” he asked Carter and me. We both nodded. Then Mia and I shared one last hug.
“I’m so proud of you,” she whispered, and those tears started forming again. I held her tighter. “And I love you so, so much.”
“I love you, too,” I sniffled.
“Okay, okay, break it up, you two, before I get jealous,” Cal interjected with a smirk as he approached us. “Emmy’s got a show to finish.”
“Go on, rockstar. We’ll be here cheering you on. Remember us little folks when you make it big,” Mia laughed and gave me a quick squeeze before stepping back. I gave her a grateful smile as she and Cal walked out. I then turned to Carter.
“Thank you,” I whispered, unable to express the depth of mygratitude in words. I don’t know how he always knew the right things to say and do. Carter’s smile widened, and he brushed a strand of hair behind my ear.
“Anythin’ for you, baby,” he murmured before pressing a gentle kiss to my forehead.
