Page 12 of Bony Bony
Hewas indeed.Hehad a rock star charisma that could take them places.Andhe could sing.Thatvelvety growl added to the appeal.
Ashe began the next song, he scanned the crowd.Whenhis gaze fixed on me, his eyes gleamed beneath the stage lights.Theyalmost looked unnatural—predatorial.Icouldn’t seem to turn away.Norfunction.
Fortunately, he broke eye contact, andIswallowed.
Novaglanced over and gave me a knowing smile. “Hedefinitely noticed you.”
AlthoughZanemade eye contact a few times over the next few songs, it wasn’t like that initial intense stare.
Hestrode over to the stage right near whereIstood withNova. “Gianna, come on up here for this next song.”
Iblinked and then gaped at him.Whywas he inviting me onstage?
WhenIturned toNova, she encouraged me with a gentle shove. “Doit!”
“Comeon,Iwon’t bite.”Zanesmiled and extended his hand.
Ismoothed out any wrinkles in my dress and exhaled. “Okay.Whythe hell not?”
Asecurity guard directed me to the stairs at the side of the stage.Assoon asIstood up there beneath the heat and brightness, adrenaline surged through me.Zanetook my hand, guiding me over to the center of the stage.Thecrowd roared, sending a wave of nervous excitement through my bones.
Thenhe spoke into the mic. “Imet this beautiful woman at a concert, where she entranced me with her voice.Ifwe’re lucky, she’ll share it with all of us tonight.”
Holyfreaking cannoli!Hewanted me to sing?Icouldn’t sing.
Okay,Icould sing.Ihad siren blood and had learned how to use the power in my voice, such as to soothe or confuse, when necessary.Icould probably captivate everyone in the club with my voice ifIchose to do so.Theproblem was thatIscrewed up lyrics—often.Thatmight be fine to amuse my friends.Weall had our entertaining quirks.Butto mangle the lyrics onstage in front of an audience?Notas appealing.
Myheart started to pound until the music began andIinstantly recognized it—DefLeppard’s“Photograph.”
Hestood beside me as he sang and turned the mic to my mouth for the “Photograph” lines.
Thatwasn’t so bad.Anybodycould manage repeating that one word.
Istayed on stage for the next song,AC/DC’s“ShookMeAllNightLong,” dancing along and singing the chorus with the crowd.Whata blast that was with their energy firing me up.Bythe time the song was over andZanethanked me,Iwas disappointed thatIhad to leave the stage.
Novaand the others in our area cheered me on asIreturned to the spot beside her.
“Fantastic!”Novadeclared. “Youlooked like you were having a great time up there.”
“Itwas fun,”Iadmitted, still on a high from that energetic buzz.
Thenext handful of songs zipped by.Novathen said she was running to the restroom and to hold her spot, but the show ended before she made it back.
WhileIwaited for her, a crowd like a swarm of bees moved in my direction.Iquickly realized it wasZanesurrounded by a bunch of women wanting to get his attention, but his focus was on me.
Oncehe reached me, he beamed. “Youwere brilliant tonight,Gianna.”Hemotioned with a wave. “Come, join me and the band backstage.”
“I’mwaiting for my friend,”Ireplied.
“Shecan join us too.”
Iglanced over at the line, which was now a chaotic serpentine lining out from the ladies’ room. “I’lltext her.”
AfterIdid so,Iheaded back withZaneand the others, but somehow it ended up being him and me talking in a quiet corner.
“Didyou have fun tonight?” he asked.
“Yes,”Ireplied. “Thanksfor inviting me.”
