Page 43 of Stuck With My Rockstar Boss
Chase scoffs and then adds, “Mika’s a beloved member of the Soul Sounds fam and her family is in danger of losing their home if they don’t come up with some money.”
“And fast. So–” Dylan picks up. “We told her we knew some of the coolest, greatest people in the world who might be willing to lend a hand.” He opens his arms and gestures to the audience. “You guys.”
The audience cheers. I can’t even look up at them, I’m so embarrassed. Who would have thought that I can sing for thousands of people but asking for a little help would be so embarrassing?
Lucas inches closer to me. “Now, aside from being my…” He looks at me with innocent eyes, whispering into the mic, “Can I say it out loud?”
I laugh. “Sure.”
“Now, aside from being my girlfriend–”
Squeals from the audience. I beam ear to ear.
“Mika is the fucking coolest. She’s the best tour guide, she’s hilarious, she takes no shit, and she’s smart and compassionate and…”
“I think you get the idea,” I say into my mic.
Lucas admonishes me with a bump to the hip. “Anyway. This is how it’s going to work. Up on the screen, you’re going to see a username on Venmo. That’s Mika’s. We have a PR person running the account who will be tracking every donation received. Each account that donates will get you entered in an exclusive raffle to have a special, one-of-a-kind meet and greet with Soul Sounds.”
The audience cheers and phone screens are already flipping on. This is fucking wild.
“So, donate from your account, from your friend’s account, from your boyfriend’s account, from your dad’s account because dads, I know you’re out there!” Lucas adds. “This girl is incredible, and she deserves it. You got a dollar, she’ll take a dollar!”
“I’m not bigger than a dollar!” I cry playfully into the mic.
“You got five, she’ll take five!”
“Even better!”
“Whatever you got,” Lucas says, his smile glimmering. His stage persona fades away for a moment as he watches the audience, takes in the hubbub of people shuffling about and talking amongst themselves. It’s gratitude on his face, so soft and humble. “Houston, you’re my favorite. You always will be.” He turns to me and mouths, You ready?
I nod and give a look over my shoulder to Jay. He grins at me and begins the song. I’ve gotten so used to his warm-toned, resonant playing. It’s almost like a home.
My eyes return to Lucas. And they do not leave for the rest of the song. ‘Vicky’ has been different every time we’ve sung it together. Hot and fiery, lush and desperate, lonely and dark. It’s a testament to their songwriting, but I think it’s also a testament to us.
This time, at the climax of the song, neither of us can keep from smiling. We are locked in place, facing each other in a tight spotlight. We trade off lines, countering each other like we always do.
Lucas leading, If I leave you, I’ll die.
Me following, If you love me I’ll lie
And he continues, So Mika, never let me go, I’ll be your guy.
The crowd screams bloody murder at the lyric change and I’m so taken off-guard that I miss my next line. The band suspends playing and lets everyone take it in, including me. I just want to kiss him and that’s just what I do. I leap forward and wrap my arms around his neck, knowing he’ll catch me.
I can feel his smile under my lips, relish in the way the crowd embraces us with their applause and thrill. The band picks up where they left off and ‘Vicky’ ends instrumentally, with Crystal and Lee singing their distant, haunting backup parts.
When our lips part, Lucas doesn’t pull away completely, holds me there in his arms. “Ken’s gonna hate this.”
I giggle and push my forehead to his. “Good.”
Lucas returns to his mic and announces, “Well. I hope you folks didn’t mind the little improvisation there. Round of applause for Mika Robertson,” he says, as he usually does at the end of our duet
The crowd warmly celebrates my performance. I nod to them with thanks.
“Can we get an update on our donations?” Lucas asks, looking offstage.
I’ve completely forgotten about that between the song and the kiss. I feel my face get hot as one of the roadies rushes on and whispers something in Lucas’s ear. Lucas’s mouth drops and his eyes widen. “You’re kidding,” he says and the mic picks it up. “You guys! I knew you’d come through for our girl, but shit. That shattered our goal and then some.”
