Page 97 of Holiday Star
I almost stop her but don’t want to ruin the rhythm. The crowd is initially taken aback. As they catch on, they begin to laugh uproariously. They think it’s hilarious. Soon the whole bar sings along with us, screaming out the words “eggs and butter” especially loud. By the end of the song, even I’m singing “eggs and butter,” while I pretend to crack an imaginary egg and mix it in an imaginary bowl.
Raucous applause breaks out when we are done, with people high-fiving us all the way back to our seats.
“It’s ex-lovers,” I tell her, laughing as we sit down.
She smacks her hand to her forehead. “I couldn’t remember. I had to make something up.”
I pat her on the shoulder. “I like your version better, anyway.”
At the table, Caleb is shifting nervously on his feet, waiting to be called onto the stage. “Don’t forget, this is supposed to be fun,” I tell him. “You love music more than anyone I’ve ever met, Caleb. If you struggle, just remember that. Tap into that passion and let the melody carry you away.”
The last words leave my mouth as the MC shouts for Caleb to come up, using his fake name.
I hold my breath as he ascends the steps and takes the microphone. His voice quavers slightly. “I’m going to be singing Don’t Stop Believing by Journey.”
The audience claps loudly, pleased by his choice.
The opening bars start. Caleb clears his throat and runs a quick hand through his hair. I can tell he’s nervous, with the way he taps his fingers along his thigh. He closes his eyes and begins to sing with that distinctive husky voice.
It’s like when we were caroling. At first, he’s hesitant, his voice subdued. As he gets about halfway through, Caleb loosens up, his words swelling, gaining strength with each passing note. The noise from the bar quiets as strangers pause their conversations. They turn in their chairs to listen.
Close to the end of the song, his eyes open wide, searching through the crowd until he finds me. He lands his stare on me and completely lets go, belting out the music. Singing like we’re the only two people in the room. He sings, “The movie never ends. It goes on and on and on and on,” sounding so good that I suck in my breath, my chest expanding with pride.
The whispers begin during the last verse, starting at the back of the bar and spreading forward. “Lawson?” I hear the woman at the table next to me ask her friend, her tone questioning.
Without breaking eye contact with Caleb, I speak out of the side of my mouth. “Wayne, you drove here, right?”
“Yeah.”
“Go get your car and park it by the door. Keep the engine running.”
I don’t need to tell him twice. Alvina is already moving, getting my purse and hers off the backs of our chairs.
Caleb finishes the song, and a group of people rush the stage, led by the bachelorette party. “Aren’t you Caleb Lawson?” a woman demands when she reaches him.
Caleb’s eyes fly wide. “Me?” He points at himself, shaking his head. “No. You’ve got the wrong guy.”
The lady won’t give up. She’s adamant. “Youare. I recognize your voice. It’s like that new song on the radio. What’s the name? Gwen?”
I move up behind her and motion to Caleb, reaching my hand out to him. He takes it. I pull, dragging him down the steps. As soon as we hit the ground, we’re running. Hand in hand, Caleb and I burst through the doors and rush out onto the busy sidewalk. Wayne’s car is at the curb, engine running, with Alvina in the passenger seat. We jump in the back, and Wayne roars off down the street.
“Whew.” I watch over my shoulder, making sure no one follows us. “That was crazy. They recognized you just from your voice.”
Alvina looks behind her to Caleb. “You were great in there.”
His hand is shaky as he runs it through his hair. “Thanks. It was pretty terrifying in the beginning, but I felt more confident by the end.”
“You sounded decent.” Wayne’s tone is casual, but he can’t hide that he looks at Caleb with respect.
“Better than decent,” I’m quick to correct. I beam at Caleb and tell him honestly, “You were wonderful.”
“Thanks. It was a good idea you had. To do karaoke.” The back of his hand brushes against mine, the sensation burning my skin. My heart lurches as the touch turns more deliberate and he strokes along the length of my fingers. I flip my palm and hold still as his hand settles down on top of mine, as light as a butterfly landing on a flower petal. My nerve endings fire, sending thrilled fizzy signals to my brain, highlighting every point where we connect.
I glance up to see my special smile on his lips, the one that’s small and tender. Something broken inside of me slips back into place. It’s hard to describe, but when Caleb looks at me like this, the world becomes brighter, more vivid. The stoplights and street signs are more colorful. The laughter from the people on the sidewalk as we drive past is more joyful.
When he looks at me like this, everything…almost…makes sense.
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