Our gazes locked, and then I was lost.
He only had eyes for me.
The show was as incredible as ever, maybe even better.
I’d seen them twice on tour with The Drift, but being here at home had them in their element. Everyone knew the songs, and now, the band was even more comfortable in front of huge crowds. “White Hot” still made me blush. “Life Raft” still made me swoon. I was certain I would never stop swooning at the fact that Grant had written this amazing song just for me.
“We have one last song for you tonight,” Grant said into the microphone after they’d finished “Life Raft.”
“One more?” Cheyenne asked. “They’ve played everything I know.”
I shrugged. “I don’t know. Maybe something new?”
Intrigued, we both looked back up at the stage.
“I’ve been working on this song for a long time. It was missing something for so long, but now, I think it’s perfect. So, you get this exclusive, Leaguers. This one is ‘Take Me with You.’”
Everyone quieted as the intro music filtered through the speakers. It was a heady melody with a soft sound like “Life Raft.”
Then, Grant sang his beautiful lyrics with his hypnotic voice,
I’m an arrow,
Aiming straight for your heart.
Pierce the skin, take you in.
It’s tearing me apart.
Love-struck, dumbstruck,
Can’t think without you close.
Can’t even dream.
Give me another dose.
So, baby, I’ll take you with me
Wherever I go.
Just promise you’ll take me with you
Wherever you go.
I’ll take you with me
Wherever I go.
If you take me with you
Wherever you go.
The words hit me hard as if he were actually shooting an arrow at me. Grant had obviously written songs about us before, but every time it happened, it felt so deeply personal, like he was exposing so much about us to the world.
I could remember lying in bed, stretching my arm out to him, as I’d tried to get him to stay, and he’d told me just that, “I take you with me wherever I go.”
My heart constricted as the lyrics sank in.
No matter where we were or what we were doing, I would always hold his heart…and he would always hold mine.
The split second between the end of our new song and the burst of applause that followed was like a slice of heaven. It was that moment where I was looking at Ari and only Ari…when I saw that she really understood. She knew what the song meant—that it was for us…that when I’d record this album or go back out on tour or wherever the fuck this crazy road would take me, she would still be there through it all.
I crooked my finger at her as the crowd roared its approval. Just like that first time, her friends pushed her forward through the mob, up the stairs, and into my arms. Then, I kissed her as if it was the last thing I was ever going to do.
The cheers rose up louder, and Ari giggled against my lips. She was embarrassed, but I was lost to her.
I straightened after our kiss, waved at the audience, and then followed the guys offstage. They were already bumping fists and congratulating each other on another successful performance. It was a bit surreal to be on such a small stage again, but it was better simply because of the kick-ass audience at home.
“I can’t believe you wrote that for me,” Ari whispered.
“Who said it was for you?”
She gave me a don’t-mess-with-me look, and I laughed.
“You’re right. I wrote it for you. What can I say? You inspire me.”
“I bet she fucking does!” Vin yelled from across the room.
“Hey, asshole! Butt out of our fucking conversation!” I yelled back.
“I can’t help it when you leave me so wide open.”
“Bet you’ve never heard that before.”
Miller and McAvoy cracked up.
“Come on,” McAvoy said, punching Vin on the arm. “Let’s go find the girls. Give them some privacy.”
They were exiting when Miller stopped abruptly in the doorway. “Uh, Grant? There’s someone here for you.”
He warily looked over at us. And that was when I saw my dad walking through the backstage entrance. I’d told the guys what had happened with my dad. I’d completely fessed up to everything even though Miller had already known from the tour, but McAvoy and Vin hadn’t. It was a load off my chest. But I hadn’t even told Ari that I’d invited my dad to the show.
While I had invited him, for some reason, I hadn’t exactly expected him to show. Maybe a part of me was trying to keep myself from being let down.
“It’s okay, Miller. You guys can go.”
Miller nodded his head and then ushered the other guys out of the backstage area. I stared at the distance between my father and me. I was uncertain how to bridge the gap…if I even wanted to.
So, he had showed. So what?
“I get what you mean now,” my father said finally.
“About what?” I asked.
Ari squeezed my hand for reassurance.
“Music being your therapy. You…you were incredible.”
“Oh.”
“Thank you,” Ari said. “He meant, thank you. And he is incredible.”
His eyes flickered to Ari, and they crinkled at the corners when he smiled. “Good to see you again, Ari.”
“You, too, Mr. McDermott.”
“I hope you still plan to keep up your end of the deal,” he said, addressing me again. “After that, I think I’m starting to understand you more, and I’d love for you to understand me like that.”
I swallowed back the rising panic at the thought of going to therapy with my dad. It was just fucking talking, right? I could handle it at least once, and if it fucking sucked, then I’d never have to do it again.
“Yeah, I’ll go,” I finally said.
“Great,” he said, genuinely happy. “I just…wanted to come backstage and say congratulations. I see why your band was picked up. You’re all very talented. I’m looking forward to seeing more of y’all in the future.”
“Thanks,” I murmured.
“I wish I could stay, but I think it’s time for me to get back to the house. I hope the two of you have a good night. Feel free to contact me anytime, Grant.”
“Sure.”
“Have a nice night,” Ari said softly.
“Good night.”
“You, too.” I nodded my head at him, and then he turned and walked out the door.