Page 68 of Belonging to Them
I try not to care, anyway.
“This is the last song of the evening,” Ella says into the microphone.
There are actual groans of disappointment from the audience.
“I’ve loved singing for you tonight,” she adds.“This next song is called ‘Locked,’ and it’s brand new.”
Locked?I haven’t heard this one.I look over at Helena and she shrugs back at me.Did she know?She doesn’t look surprised.Maybe Ella retitled the song she planned on singing.
But the opening notes aren’t the same, either.
“That’s not on her set list,” I mutter, nudging Kingston.
“What do you mean?”
“I mean, she’s gone off-script,” I whisper.“I haven’t even heard this song.Why would she do that?”
He shrugs.He’s not unconcerned, exactly, but he doesn’t fully appreciate the importance of rehearsal.
But maybe Ella has been rehearsing in secret, because she sounds fucking incredible.
I can’t believe I’ve never even heard this song.She must’ve been working on it in private.
I don’t carewhat they say
I don’t give a fuck what they say
I belong to you
The collar, the key, the click of the lock
Is louder than looks
Our love is stronger than stares
Our love is more generous than judgments
Our love endures envy
The collar, the key, the click of the lock
I’m yours
I’m yours
I’m yours
It’s for us.The song is her answer to my concern about our ages.
After she plays the last chord and thanks the audience, the entire club erupts into mad applause.
The audience loves her.I love her.
* * *
Kingston
Everyone jumps up, hoping to talk to Ella.I head toward the green room with Sebastian, but an insistent vibration in my jacket pocket makes me pause.A phone call, this late?
