Page 88 of Debts and Desires
We worked our way through the crowd, finally reaching the back. She let out a breath.
“You okay?” She nodded.
“Hey, Emmy,” Ty greeted.
“Hi, Tyler,” she replied, leaning over to give him a hug.
“Thanks for doin’ this. Everyone’s excited to see you. We’ve missed your voice,” he said. “Just need to do a quick sound check. You need anythin’? Water?”
“Water would be awesome,” she answered.
“I can get it,” I offered, as planned.
“Thanks, man.” Ty nodded and I walked out. I went through the kitchen’s back door to get my guitar out of the Blazer. Then I headed back in, stashing it while Ty kept Emmy’s back to me. Once it was out of sight, I took the water to Emmy. She smiled graciously, taking a sip.
“I need to check on some things out there and then I’ll beback,” Tyler said, then left. I knew he was going to make sure the camera was ready to go.
I hired Miss Etta’s grandson, Braden, to record the show for me. He was a tech-smart seventeen-year-old. And when the show was done, Ty and I would make up some bullshit to get us out back to meet him for the camera and the payment. I’d have asked Cassie to record if I was sure she wouldn’t fuck shit up on purpose. It didn’t take much convincing for Ty to have her off the schedule that night. But when she found out Emmy was performing, Ty said she demanded to work the bar, anyway. Whatever. The place was packed enough to keep her busy. Even Miss Etta was here. I mean, she had to be with Braden, but she was excited when I told her about Emmy’s performance tonight. Everyone was.
Emmy moved back and forth on her feet.
“Nervous?” I asked, moving a stray hair behind her ear. She nodded. “Don’t be. You’re gonna do great. And I’ll be close by.” I gave her a kiss on the cheek just as Ty came back.
“Good to go?” he asked her. She nodded again, and Tyler walked out on stage, talking to the crowd. Her eyes tracked him and she swallowed.
“I didn’t practice… what if I screw up? What if I forget the words?”
“Look at me,” I demanded. And she did. I took her water and sat it down on the vanity beside us. I turned my attention back to her, cupping her face. “You’re gonna do fine. Okay?”
“Okay.” I planted a kiss on her, then let her go. Emmy turned back to the entrance to the stage.
“Why is Tyler going behind the drums?” she asked.
“He likes to play sometimes and knows you’re nervous,” I answered with a shrug. “Don’t worry, he’s pretty good at pickin’ shit up quick. I wouldn’t let him out there if I thought he was gonna fuck it all up for you.” Emmy laughed and nudged me with her shoulder. I wasn’t going to tell her that Ty and I practiced a lot.
“Be nice.”
“To him? Never.”
“What about to me?”
“Always,” I said, kissing her forehead. “You make me wanna be better.”
“You makemewant to be better,” she said, her bottom lip wobbling. “Carter, there’s something I’ve been wanting to say. I know now isn’t the time but, I?—”
“Please welcome back, Emmy Rae!” Ty called, interrupting the moment. I swallowed hard, wishing he would’ve waited just a few more seconds. I was pretty sure I knew what she was going to say.
“Wish me luck.” After a quick peck on my cheek, Em took a deep breath and headed out on the stage, the crowd getting rowdy once more. Despite my knowing she was temporary, I still had fallen. That’s why I did this, I reminded myself. Not because I wanted her to go, but because she needed to follow those dreams of hers.
I quickly grabbed the stashed guitar and followed, getting a few hoots and hollers from the crowd, too. I shook my head. She got to the mic, ready to say something, when she finally noticed me. She did a double take. I took my place in the chair to her right and gave a nod, biting back a grin of my own.
As she started talking, Ty leaned over. I met him halfway, leaning, too.
“You’ve got it bad,” he said. I only shook my head, putting all my attention on her. He was right, I did have it bad.
And the look on her face made it all worth it.
35. SPECIAL GUEST STAR
