Page 85 of Feuds and Interludes
He bent down and kissed my sweaty cheek, and I was so startled that I missed him playing the opening notes. Thankfully, I caught Annie’s wide-eyed stare and picked up the riff.
The vocals were challenging on this song, so I mostly stayed at the mic while I stretched my voice and tried to commune with my grandfather’s spirit, only cursing his decision to go up an octave in the middle of the song.
But Shane was there, and I felt grounded as we stood together playing the harmonized guitars, our grandfathers’ signature sound, and when he sang with me, I could practically feel him holding me up.
By the end of the song, I was out of breath and a little light-headed, but I was stunned. We’d pulled off a massive performance with only a month to prepare, my band slayed, and Shane was there to support me the entire time. My eyes filled with tears as we played the final notes and I sent up a little prayer to my papa.
I hope you’re proud of us, old man.
The song ended and Shane pressed his forehead to mine as the crowd went absolutely apeshit and started chantingBut-ler Coll-ins But-ler Coll-ins But-ler Coll-ins.
Shane gestured for Annie and Bran to come up and take our hands, and we bowed together, me going through the motions as my hearing fuzzed out and my vision was blurred with tears.
It was the greatest performance of my life—and it was all because of Shane.
He gave my hand a squeeze and waved as he dragged me offstage. Rowan took my guitar and Martin handed me water with electrolytes and a towel as I passed by. I was sure Shane had told him to do so.
I followed Shane backstage in a daze as we were surrounded by people I knew only by name and face, not personally, but they all knew Shane. There were so many hugs and congratulations that all I could do was smile until my face was about to break. Shane was pulled away, and I searched frantically for Annie and Bran, who were also deluged. The three of us grabbed onto each other and made our way away from the crowd.
“Are you fucking kidding me,” Bran squealed. “That was fucking awesome!”
“Did you see all those people practically fucking in the audience? What kinda drugs are they handing out?” Annie looked shock, and I elbowed her.
“It was all you, sweetie. Damn, you were hot.”
She rolled her eyes and threw her arms around my neck. “And that fucking Shane Butler, trying to make me cry onstage. Can you believe he told the whole fucking world he loves you?”
“He does.” And then the tears really hit. Annie and Bran held me as I sobbed. “I miss the old man,” I said.
They totally got it. They’d been with me through Papa’s illness and death. They’d held me as I mourned him while trying to be strong for Gran.
“Hey, hey, babe, what’s?—”
Shane’s arms went around me then while the twins still held me, and I was able to let the emotions roll through me.
“He misses John,” Annie said.
“Damn,” Shane said, holding me tighter. “He was here tonight, singing with us. You were amazing, baby. So good.”
“Dude,you’refucking amazing,” Bran said, slapping hands with Shane. “I’ll fucking play with you anytime, anyplace.”
“Back atcha. You two are so fucking solid, man.” He slapped hands with Annie too, who laughed.
“I was just trying to keep up. And why did you not tell us people be taking off their clothes and making out like that? A bitch needs to be prepared for that kinda shit.”
“I’ve never seen that before either,” Shane said with a shrug. “That was all you, Thompson.”
Annie blinked at him and then rolled her eyes, trying to play it off. “Yeah, well, that was some distracting shit. I think Bran and I should go get a closer look at the crowd.”
“Yeah,” Bran said, clearing his throat. “For research purposes.”
“What about Becca?” I asked him, and he shrugged.
“Who do you think told me to get pictures?” The two of them trotted off, and Shane pulled me close to him.
“You okay?” he whispered.
I nodded and smiled up at him as I wiped my eyes. “I’m great.”
