Page 56 of Something to Believe In
Shona made the introductions. The backup singers were very nice and open and friendly. It wasn't at all what she expected.
Shona sought her out as they spread out, chatting with their new acquaintances.
"Maddyn, I have asked our security team to be on the lookout for this Lacey person. Everyone has her picture. We're happy to help however we can. I know how scary it is when someone fixates on you or your lover."
She swallowed the emotion in her throat. "Thank you. I appreciate it. I know Axel does as well."
Shona smiled and took a deep breath. "Us girls have to stick together."
Maddyn laughed. "Livia told me the same thing today."
Shona winked and moved on to chat with someone else.
Chapter Thirty-Three
Axel enjoyed meeting Shona and the Rebels. His excitement was tenfold to anything else he'd ever experienced, and he attributed that to Mads. Their conversation this afternoon excited him. They were going to be just fine. Their careers were about to take off in a different direction than they'd initially intended, but in the recesses of their minds, they'd dreamed of. And they'd do it together.
Tony clapped his hands to get their attention. "Okay. Hart & The Hurricanes, we're up. Let's go put on an opening act that Shona and the Rebels will admire."
They said goodbye to their new friends. He took Maddyn's hand in his and strode with her to the stage. He squeezed her hand. When she squeezed back, his heart felt her love. Climbing the stairs to the backstage area, he leaned down and whispered to her. "I love you more than you'll ever know. Enjoy this performance. And give it your all. I'm right here with you."
She turned her head and looked up at him. Her face, which was always gorgeous, brightened when she smiled at him. "Give me the beat, Baby. And give it your all. I'm right here with you."
His heart swelled so much he thought it would burst through his chest. Yep, they were going to be just fine. They peered through the curtain to see the crowd seated in the stadium. All the band members were chuckling and laughing at the size of the crowd. They had arrived. Maddyn looked up into his eyes and smiled. She stood on her toes and kissed his lips. "Maybe tomorrow we'll see if Zeke will help me move into your place."
He kissed her lips and squeezed her tightly. "If he doesn't, I'll do it myself."
She giggled, and he reluctantly let her go. They had a performance to do. Then their lives would take a turn. The one he'd dreamed of.
The stage manager stepped out and waved to move them forward. As they reached the center of the backstage area, he held his hand up to halt them. He gathered them close and said, "When they announce you, the girls should step out in single file first. Then Sean and Axel, followed by Jami. Move to your positions, smile, and wave. Enjoy your time in the sun."
Axel kissed Maddyn's temple. "I love you."
She smiled up at him. "I love you too."
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome Hart & The Hurricanes."
The curtain opened slightly, and Livia stepped out. The crowd cheered and whistled and clapped. She followed Livia, reminding herself to stay steady and not trip. She waved and smiled as she followed Livia. He watched her with such pride in his heart. She was incredibly beautiful. That was easy to see. But what no one could see was her inner beauty. She was thoughtful, and kind, and loving.
Sean stepped from behind the curtain. Then it was his turn. His heartbeat increased as excitement flipped through his body. He waved at the crowd to cheers, which also filled him with pride. He turned to Maddyn and blew her a kiss. The crowd cheered louder. He smiled at her, and she blew him a kiss in return. The cheers grew in intensity. He stepped closer to his drums and knew the instant Jami Hart stepped out from behind the curtain. Cheers. Women's voices rose. Screams of "I love you, Jami," filled the air. They were cheered for. And it was rousing.
Jami waved and smiled and turned to him. With one nod, he was off. He played the drums like never before. He felt sharp and ready and so fucking excited for all of this. It was intoxicating, this feeling of his art, their art, accepted by thousands of people. They'd played to sizable crowds before, but never this large.
As he played, he watched Maddyn dance and sing. Her smile was breathtaking; her pitch was perfect. They played their set perfectly as practiced. He knew every time Jami smiled because the women went wild. Once they'd finished their set, they moved off the stage so Shona's roadies could set up their instruments, and the crowd began chanting for them. Jami Hart. Jami Hart. Jami Hart.
Shona stepped up to Jami and nodded. "Go give them what they want."
Jami turned to him, then made eye contact with each of them. His smile lit up his face. "Ready?"
They replied in unison, "Ready."
As they stepped back out on stage, Jami in the lead, the volume in the stadium grew to the point his ears were ringing. As they crossed the stage, he walked with Maddyn to her position, her hand in his. The crowd cheered as he kissed her. Winking at her, he then took his place. Once again, Jami nodded, and he started them off.
They played two more songs and ended with Sean's “Born to Be My Baby”. He couldn't wait to finish his song so they'd play it for the crowds. That was the next goal.
As they finished and rushed backstage, Shona laughed and hugged each of them. "I told you this would be your one and only opening gig. Enjoy the rise, folks."
The stage manager rushed them off the backstage area as Shona's roadies set up their instruments. The roadies pushed their equipment to the side in a holding area. He saw Zeke helping and directing the handling of the equipment. It enhanced tonight's performance not to also have to be his own roadie.
