Page 118 of Starstruck
Damn it, Isa.
[53 ]
SONG TO YOU
BAXTER
“SONG ON FIRE” BY NICKELBACK
Imeet Lennon’s gaze from across the stage, my heart working its way up my throat.
When Isa suggested I come on during her set to perform with Lennon, I was hesitant. I knew there was no way she would go for it, but Isa assured me she would convince her.
Seeing her now, staring into her golden-brown irises, I realize Isa never told her the plan. She had no idea I was coming out for this, and the look on her face suggests she’s entirely out of her depth.
I need to do something. I need to say something to make her stay, because if I don’t, this plan isn’t going to work. So as my eyes scan her body, a smirk growing on my lips, I let the words, “Hi, Trouble,” fall into the mic for everyone to hear.
Her mouth opens and closes before she shakes her head, beginning to take a step backward.
I hold out my hand, a moment of panic flashing through me as I say, “Lennon, wait. Just one song. Please sing with me.”
Her throat works as she swallows, her eyes flashing out over the crowd, which is dead silent as everyone waits in anticipation for what’s going to happen next.
When she hesitates a moment too long, someone begins chanting, “Sing with him!” over and over again, until the entire crowd has joined in.
Lennon rolls her lips together, looking down at her feet before meeting my gaze.
Holding her microphone to her lips, she says, “One song. That’s it.”
My smile grows bigger than it has in weeks.
She takes a cautious step forward as Isa grins at me, winking as if to sayI told you so. I have a strong feeling Lennon will be sharing some choice words with her later, but I’m sure she’s prepared for that.
Lennon comes to stand directly in front of me as Colt and Levi make their way to the stage. Isa hands her mic to a crew member backstage before grabbing her guitar and taking her spot next to Colt.
“What are we singing?” Lennon asks for only me to hear.
I glance at Isa, who sends me a nod to let me know Lennon has heard the song we planned. The same one I accidentally wrote as a duet for Lennon and me after the first night we spent together.
“‘That Girl.’”
She sucks in a breath, realization dawning on her. I’m sure after Isa and I recorded it, she told Lennon I wrote it about her.
“I don’t know it very well. I’ve only heard it a few times, and that was months ago.”
That may be true, but Lennon’s a songwriter. She can memorize lyrics without even realizing it.
“Just follow my lead. Can you do that for me, Trouble?”
She gazes up at me with sadness in her eyes, but she nods. Not wanting to give her a chance to change her mind, I signal to our friends to begin, and the opening chords to the duet begins.
“Alright, Toronto, here’s a new one for you.”
I hit my mark and begin to sing, letting the words I wrote about Lennon wash over us. I hold her gaze as the lyrics fall from my lips, her eyes beginning to water as she listens, waiting for her cue.
When we reach the first chorus, I take a step toward her.
Are you that girl?
