“Hey, Seattle!”
More screams, and I clap along with the crowd. Leo turns his head and finds me behind the black curtain and winks.
“So bro, what do you want to do?” His friend asks him.
“Well… I don’t know.” He frowns and looks out at the fans. “Do you guys want to hear something?”
Well, that’s a stupid question. The girls go mad, and Leo laughs.
“You’re welcome to borrow my guitar, man.”
“Nah.” Leo shakes his head and motions to the piano. “Can I jack your piano?”
“Anything you want.”
The pianist stands and bows to Leo and the whole band exits the stage, saying hi to me as they pass, and Leo is alone on stage. Whoever is running the lights points a spotlight on him, dimming the rest of the stage.
I can’t look away. I can’t blink.
“So, this is a new song,” he begins, adjusting the mic on the stand and settling behind the piano. “Would you like to hear it?”
“I love you Leo!” a girl screams drunkenly from the front row.
“Thank you, sugar,” he winks at her, chuckles and begins to noodle the keys, warming his hands. “I’m gonna slow things down a bit. This song is called Sunshine.”
He plays the lead in. It’s soft and sweet and glaringly familiar to me.
And then he starts to sing.
I don’t wanna be your friend
‘Cause I’ve already let you in
Every time I see your sweet blue eyes
I know I need to make you mine
My walls crumble… And crumble
So all you see is the real me
I’m stunned. It’s me. He’s singing about me. And the music is the music he wrote when I was sick, when we were at the piano together.
He hits the hook, and my heart swells to almost bursting.
I wrote that music.
I had no idea he was writing a song about me. Or that it would turn into a song at all. I thought he was just playing around while he was bored and taking care of me.
He wrote a fucking song for me.
When you smile
Your sunshine hits me
And the shadows in my soul
They are gone
Oh how many times
Have I stared at your lips
Wishing I could feel them on me
When you’re so close
Baby, I forget how to breathe
He looks up at me and pins me with those deep gray eyes, his look is fierce and possessive, and then one side of his mouth tips up as he leads back into the chorus.
When you smile
Your sunshine hits me
And the shadows in my soul
They are gone
When I run my hand
Over your perfect skin
I know you see me
And not what I’m covered in
My walls crumble… And crumble
So all you see is the me I need you to see
I feel the tears tumble over onto my cheeks, but can’t move to brush them away. His voice is surrounding me, cocooning me in its warmth, in the tenderness of the words, in the sweet music from the piano.
Can’t play well my ass. I bet he does everything well.
Finally the song comes to an end and he takes a deep breath and grins at the audience. He stands and waves, gives a small bow, and runs off the stage to me, scooping me up into his arms.
“Oh my God!” I exclaim and wrap my arms around his neck.
“Did you like it?” He asks and leans back to look into my eyes.
“It’s fantastic,” I respond and kiss him soundly.
“It’s yours.”
“I hope so, or I’d have to cut a bitch.” I immediately respond and he lets out a belly laugh, holding me tightly against him. “It’s the best gift I’ve ever been given, thank you.” I murmur in his ear and he grins widely. Proudly.
“Let’s go back stage.” He pulls me behind him as the band resumes their place on stage to finish out their set. I didn’t even notice that the security twins had been standing behind me the whole time, and they follow us now. One of them hands Leo his jacket.
There is a decent-sized group of people back stage waiting for the band. Some in business attire, who I assume are industry people. Some look like family members or friends of the band.
And there are more than a few groupies.
Leo leads me in, my hand gripped firmly in his, and begins introducing me to people he knows. I’ll never remember their names or even their faces, but the fact that he keeps me next to him and includes me in every conversation says a lot about this man.
He cares about me.
The band comes barreling in the room, reaching for beers and high-fiving each other, obviously happy with their show.
The room is electric with energy.
“Dude!” The lead singer charges for us and tackles Leo in a hug. “Nice song, bro.” He winks at Leo and smiles down at me. “I’m Lance.”
“Sam,” I respond and shake his hand.
“How long are you in town?” He asks Leo.
“A while. We’re recording the next album here,” Leo responds. “I’d like you to come in and help out on a few tracks.”
Lance’s eyes spark with interest and he grins. “Done.”
“Cool.”
“Great show, babe.” A pretty redhead hugs Lance from behind and he turns to pull her in his arms.
“Thanks, my love. Tash, this is Leo and Sam. Leo, you remember my wife.”
“Of course, hey Tash.” Leo leans in and kisses her cheek.