Page 77 of The Librarian and the Rock Star

Instead of singing to people in the crowd as he usually did, this time Jack seemed to be directing his energy upward to the ceiling. It almost seemed like he was making a wish, asking the universe for a favor.

You saved a little lizard with just three legs

Drink tea and wine while you’re eating eggs

Heart beats too fast for your mellow soul

You can’t relax unless you’re in control

This rocker boy is much too loud

Must be the center of every crowd

I’m full of too much energy

Can’t help that you’re perfect for me

Every other woman has put me through hell,

Each relationship over by the starting bell,

But when I’m with you, we feel nothing but heaven,

You’re just what I need, Babe, you go to eleven

Your sweet mind drew me inside

Took my heart for a joy ride

Books and work are all just fine

But the answers are not all online

Jack didn’t look at me during Marky’s guitar solo, staring at the ground in front of him until the final chorus.

Every other woman has put me through hell,

Each relationship over by the starting bell,

But when I’m with you, we feel nothing but heaven,

You’re just what I need, Babe, you go to eleven

Don’t let fear become an end, Let yourself be my girlfriend

Let yourself be wild and free, Let yourself just be with me.

As the last notes were dying out, I realized that I needed him in my life. If he could take a chance like that, expressing his feelings through a barely rehearsed song in front of a huge crowd, then I could take a chance on a guy who cared about me. This was actually love. Real, messy, fabulous love. After pushing him away, trying to slow things down, and making excuses, I needed to show him that I had changed. I was in. All in. My decision was made. As soon as the show was done, I’d tell him.

My guts suddenly lurched, and the voice inside my head screamed at me, tell him right now Stop analyzing, stop waffling.

“Kelly,” I asked, with my voice noticeably trembling, “Would it be a good thing or a bad thing if I went on stage and kissed him right now?”

She grabbed my purse and the stuffed bunny from my lap. “Go quick. Now.”

I stood up awkwardly, stepping to the edge of the area where the lighting stopped, where there was a marking of hot pink tape on the floor. Marky saw me, and hollered, “Go. Go get him.”

As I stepped into the spotlight, the cheering for the new song had just started to die down, but then the crowd began screaming even louder. Jack looked confused, until he turned and saw me walking toward him. The absolute shock on his face was comical, as was Marky’s smirk as he stepped out of my way, bowing dramatically. But I couldn’t laugh. I was focusing on putting one foot in front of the other while breathing in and out at the same time.

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