Page 143 of Debts and Desires
The sound of the crowd’s cheers going louder had us pulling apart. Tyler went back on first, then Carter after another kiss.
I headed back onto the stage, feeling a renewed sense of confidence course through my veins. As I picked up my guitar and faced the crowd, I smiled, finding Mia in the crowd. She gave a wink, cheering the loudest out of everyone there.
I launched everything I had into the next set, pouring my heart and soul into each note. The crowd responded enthusiastically, their cheers and applause fueling our performance. With each strum of my guitar and each lyric that escaped my lips, I felt myself becoming more alive, more connected to the music, and more connected to the people in front of me.
Tyler played perfectly, his beats unique and his fills were intense but not overpowering. Carter’s chords resonated through the air, blending seamlessly. There was a raw energy between the three of us that flowed effortlessly through each song. It was as if our souls were intertwined, bound together by the music we created.
We ended the night with, ‘A Lullaby of Ache’, the bittersweet melody filling every space of the building, drawing everyone in. I chanced a look at Carter, who was unsurprisingly already staring at me. The way he sang, “Oh, darling, won’t you come a little closer,” like a predator, luring in his prey had me almost shivering. He had taken my song and propelled it to the vision I’d had. I didn’t want it to end.
As the final notes faded, the crowd erupted into applause, their cheers echoing off the walls of the bar. I smiled. Tonight had been more than just a performance—it had been a moment of connection, of unity, of pure joy. And as I looked out at the faces before me, I knew deep down that this was only the beginning of something incredible.
We said our goodbyes and walked offstage. The crowd was on their feet, their voices rising in unison as they called out for more. I exchanged a glance with Tyler and then Carter.
“I think they want an encore,” Carter chuckled, his voice barely audible over the din of the crowd.
“They always do,” Ty said. “She’s amazing. Do you guys want to do one? Do you need me?”
Carter looked at me.
“I think we should do ‘The One That Got Away’,” I answered. “If you… feel up to it?”
“Alright,” Carter said. We had played it once together, on the back porch all those weeks ago. It had been incredible and I had no doubt we’d be fine. He looked back at Tyler. “We don’t need ya on this one.” Ty nodded, leaving the stage, presumably to go to the bar.
“We don’t?” I asked.
“Nope.” He looked me over before leaning in and kissing me hard. “I’m bein’ a little selfish. That okay with you, Buttercup?”
“Yeah,” I breathed.
“Good.” He patted my butt. “Let’s go.” And he stepped back on stage. I followed, and the audience went wild. Once they settled, I strummed a little, thanking them yet again.
I started playing the song and Carter followed my lead as he had been. I let go, more than I had all night, so I could sing it in such a way that the audience could feel the pain. I was afraid he’d forget the notes and stop playing, considering we’d gone over it only once, but he didn’t.
When I started the second part of the verse, his voice joined, harmonizing with me. I looked over as I continued, smiling. He gave a wink.
It was like no one else was there as we sang, belting as loud as we could together. Our voices were so in sync with one another that it was perfect consonance. The music swelled around us, filling the room with its intoxicating melody.
Earlier, I had thought Carter had constructed the songs to be my story. I wondered if choosing this song was a premonition.As if deep down, I knew, knew that I’d leave one day. Maybe he knew it, too. His rough voice was full of pain, as if he felt the words like I did. His expression somber like mine, like we were both waiting for the other shoe to drop.
Maybe I’d leave.
Or maybe I’d stay forever.
A LULLABY OF ACHE
Verse 1
Oh, darling, won’t you come a little closer?
Peer into my own enclosure.
In this maze of darkness, I’m following your glow.
Spare me from this listless life that I’ve spent all alone.
Verse 2
Oh, darling, why do you drift further away?
