Page 23 of Tangled Up In You

I’m wide open and unafraid

He saw tears shimmer in Sophie’s eyes but kept playing and singing.

‘Cause, darlin’, you make me feel it

Feel all the things I’ve been denying

All the things I don’t want to admit

But in your arms I’m alive and trying

“Oh, Gavin,” she said softly when he’d finished. She stood and went to him, taking his hand as he helped her onto the stage. She wrapped her arms around his neck. “You are going to be the biggest rock star in the world.”

He smiled. “Why do you say that?”

“Because you’ve got talent and passion, and you’re not afraid to expose your heart. That’s all any girl wants.” She ran her hand through his hair and examined him. “And they’ll all want you.”

“But you’re my girl.”

“I’ll always be your girl.”

But he knew that wasn't true and his whole body ached because of it.

He held her face in his hands and took her mouth with his in a long, searching kiss.

How could it be that after this short time together she was his absolute everything?

How could it be that in a matter of months, she would be gone from his life as if she hadn’t become a part of his very soul?

He hated to think of this eventuality, had trained himself to avoid it at all costs. But he wasn’t a complete idiot. They were still kids, and their lives were destined to go in different directions.

“I know, baby,” she murmured to him, clearly sensing the desperation in his kisses. “I know.” She pulled away so she could look into his eyes. “Let’s focus on this amazing night, okay? Dressing up and going out with you on a New Year’s Eve date has been the best night of my life. I just want to dance with you until midnight.”

She was steering him back into his defense mechanism of denying what he didn’t want to feel or confront. She was willing to do that with him so that they could not only enjoy the night but the rest of their time together. And he was grateful, not just because she recognized his need for that denial, but for not judging him for it and for being ready to conspire with him toward it. He grabbed her around her waist, picked her up, and spun her in a circle, making her laugh.

When he put her down, he said, “We haven’t any music now that the band has gone.”

“You can make amazing music. Just hold me and sing to me.”

And so he did. They held each other, swaying as he sang his own songs, along with other favorites of his, until it was midnight.

“Happy New Year, darlin’,” he said, stroking her cheek.

She leaned into his hand. “The happiest new year, baby.”

11

SOPHIE

As the weeks slipped by, Sophie was thrilled to be such a close witness to Gavin and the band starting to develop into something real. She knew they were committed to making something of their efforts, and she had every confidence that they’d be playing huge stages one day.

But before that could happen, they needed to play their first stage. It was the topic of nearly all conversations they had as a group. Gavin was itching to perform in front of a real crowd, especially now that they had five songs, one of which was “Day’s Done,” their most polished effort yet.

“What we need is a manager,” Shay said one afternoon after a rehearsal at Conor’s. The band, plus Sophie, were all in Conor’s room so they could listen to his copy of Beck’s Midnite Vultures album. “If we could get someone to work for us, someone who actually knows what the fuck he’s doing?—”

“Unlike us!” Martin said with a laugh.

“Aye, we’re figuring it out,” Gavin said.

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