Page 115 of Playing For Keeps
He shakes his head. “My phone was vibrating.”
I nod and face the stage, not believing a word he said. He’s acting strange all of a sudden, and I get a sinking feeling in my gut.
The band quiets, and the flashing lights dim. Cash stands at the center of the stage with two spotlights shining down on him.
He brings the mic to his mouth. “How we doing tonight, Denver?”
The audience erupts in cheers and whistles. He stares out, giving them an appreciative smile.
Someone screams, “We love you, Cash!”
“I love you too.” He takes the mic away from his face and says something to Guns.
He flips him off in response.
Cash faces the crowd again, laughing under his breath. “Guns needs a little love too. As a matter of fact, all my guys could use some love, so let me hear it.”
He points the microphone out.
People scream out the bandmates’ names, saying they love them. Others clap and shout, hooting and hollering all sorts of various ways to show their admiration. Cash waits a minute, soaking in the love the fans are dowsing over them. When they calm down, he starts in again.
“Since we started out, it’s been a dream of ours to play Red Rocks, so thanks for bringing that dream to life.” He continues to talk while people yell and howl. “Our new albumhas blown past our expectations thanks to you, our fans. So let it be known, we love and appreciate all your support.”
The crowd goes wild as he strides toward Jami and me. “Since we’re on the subject of love, I’m curious how many of you are here with the one you love. With this size of a crowd, I imagine quite a few of you. Well, we have some friends of ours here with us tonight. They share the kind of love I hope to find one day.”
What the actual fuck is happening right now?
My heart pounds as I glance at Jami. I’m sure the panic in my expression is clear.
He takes my hand. “I love you. Remember that.”
Cash gets right in front of us, speaking into the microphone as he makes direct eye contact with me. I know he’s talking to me, but his words aren’t registering. The lights beam our way, making it impossible to see anything other than the two men standing before me. Jami and Cash.
Cash grabs my other hand, pulling me out to the middle of the stage. “Everybody, this is Dori and Jamison. He has something he’d like to ask her. Since I’m a sucker for love, I’m handing the spotlight over to him.”
The crowd cheers, and the lights go out, only to have one flick on beaming down on Jami and me. He’s on one knee before me, holding out a box with a diamond ring.
“Jami! Oh my god.” I gasp as I cover my mouth.
Cash holds the microphone near Jami’s face. He stares up at me with adoration.
“Dori, I didn’t do this the right way the first time I asked you this. Maybe I’ll get it right tonight. I’ve loved you for over sixteen years and will continue to do so for the rest of my life and beyond. There’s not a day I want to spend without you. We’ve been through hell and back and always find our way to each other. You’re part of my soul, part of my forever. Will you spend the rest of your life with me as my wife and marry me?”
I nod as I choke out a cry of happiness. “Yes. I’ll marry you.”
He takes my finger and slips on the ring. The audience erupts in screams and whistles. Jami stands, lifts me off the ground in a hug, and kisses me like no one is watching. My heart soars as the blood rushes through my veins.
He places me on my feet and starts to lead us off the stage. Cash stops him by placing his hand on Jami’s shoulder.
The crowd goes silent when Cash brings the mic up to his mouth. “Congratulations, man. That was a ballsy thing to do. Mad props to ya’, but what was your plan if she said no?”
Jami laughs through his words. “I already asked her once without a ring, and she said yes. I figured my odds were great since I did it right this time and had the ring to make it official.”
Cash gawks at me. “He asked you once before without a ring, and you said yes? Are you for real?”
“What can I say? I love the guy.” My cheeks heat as I gaze at Jami. “I would marry him without a ring, and he knows that.”
Cash takes a dramatic step back and shakes his head in Jami’s direction. “Ya’ hear that, man? I can see the rock on her finger. It’s as big as one of these boulders you can find up here. You could’ve saved yourself a lot of dough.”
