Page 97 of Reverb
“Good.” She slung her bass off and a tech took it from her hand. “So we’re mixing it up tonight. You might have heard that Ray’s a little under the weather.”
Ray put on his best pouting face, and it was a good one. Got him a bunch of laughs, including from Zavier.
“He’s not quite up to singing the whole night for you. So if you don’t mind, I’m gonna sing a lot more.”
Shouts and cheers.
“Ray’ll sing, too, don’t you worry.”
More clapping and thunder from the audience.
“Right! So here we go!”
Zavier started them off again, and they launched into another song. Mish sang and danced her way through two more before a tech handed her bass back and Ray took over with “Dare to Be,” which only he could do justice. His voice held out well enough, though he ended up heading behind the drum kit afterward for a coughing fit and to down some tea the crew had waiting for him. She mouthed overYou okay?And he threw her a thumbs-up.
As planned, she sang two more before Ray belted out another one—and then they threw in an instrumental before closing with Mish singing “Time Runs Out.”
While they lurked in the wings and the fans stomped and clapped and demanded an encore, Zavier pulled Ray into a hug. “Can you manage one more?”
Ray snorted and nodded against Zavier’s shoulder.
“He ain’t gonna be talking tomorrow, though,” Dom said.
Yeah. Knowing Zavier, Ray’d probably end up ensconced in bed for the entire day. “You guys ready for this?” She nodded at the stage.
They all straightened and, following Ray, ran back out.
Ray took the mic and gave it his all, his voice damn strong for being a wreck. The audience ate it up when he let them sing the chorus for him. They killed the first song of the encore.
The second one? That was a little surprise. She turned and nodded to Zavier, and he started up a beat different from most of the Twisted Wishes songs—and Dom led them straight into a cover of Erasure’s “Chains of Love”—the same song David had sung for her.
She grabbed the mic and sought David out where he usually stood for the last song—and found him gape-mouthed and staring back. She blew him a kiss, then launched into singing the words he’d sung to her.
The fans? They danced and sang and shouted as she finished, screaming and clapping even when the band took their bows, left the stage, and the house lights came up.
Backstage, Ray collapsed against the nearest wall and croaked out, “Fucking hell, we did it.” He pointed at Mish and gave two thumbs-up.
Theyhaddone it. Every bit of Mish glowed, every part vibrating with energy. Thank god they had hotel rooms tonight. She needed about twenty hours of sleep, right after she fucked David into oblivion.
Zavier drew Ray into his arms, his expression a combination of relief, worry, and protectiveness. “Up for the signing?”
Ray nodded, and opened up a little space between them. “I’m not gonna die.”
“I hate when you say that.” Zavier loosened his hold. His tone was mild.
Mish understood. They all did. “Kiddo, you keep that voice of yours resting, and let your man take care of you.”
Ray rolled his eyes, but smiled.
“Speaking of your man...” Domino bumped Mish. “Yours is looking fine tonight.”
Her man. Warmth bubbled up in Mish as David walked down the hall. Hedidlook fine. Black jeans and a dark purple Twisted Wishes shirt. Wasn’t the clothes, though. He had this look that could melt paint from the wall. Passion and fire, all contained in those dark eyes and the way he sauntered toward them.
He met her gaze and his lips quirked up, but when he spoke, it was to all of them. “You folks gonna get ready?”
Right. The signing.
“Yeah,” Zavier said. “Give us ten.” The guys headed toward the dressing room, but Mish lingered, never taking her eyes off David.
