Chapter 28

Lug Nut
Tonight was the night that Ailee, Callen and Finn were coming to Harry’s to watch our concert. I may have paid extra attention when I picked out my clothes. I took my time shaving and brushing out my hair. Made sure my kutte was cleaned up. And just to make sure to get a smile out of Ailee I had my hat. Normally I didn’t pay attention to those things but my girl was going to be watching and I wanted to make a good impression. Lilly is on stage with Neil checking her mic. We all have wireless mic now since we saw how much better they were with all the moving around we did. And I was grateful for it. I had a surprise for Ailee and a special song just for her.

We were all in place and it was time to start the show. Neil was up first with ‘Stone In Love’ by Journey. I stay back and look out at the crowd. More specifically I looking at our VIP table to see if I can spot Ailee. It is hard to see with all of these lights up here. I do know she came. I’m able to make out two guards with AK’s. One at the corner of the stage one near the door. I know I will see her soon. Lilly is up next and as usual the crowd goes ape shit. I’m am so proud at how she has grown over the years. The crowd adores her. If it wasn’t for her I can guarantee the band would be where we are today. I just wish she would take some of the credit. She is singing ‘ Tell It To My Heart’ by Taylor Dane. Man, that girl has some range. She can sing just about anything we throw at her from country, rock and pop.

I’m up next and I have the perfect song picked out. I stand in the center of the stage keeping my eyes clued to where my brothers are sitting. I want her eyes on me when I start singing. I chose Luke Combs ‘ Better Together’.I jump off the stage and walk throught the crowd to the back table. As I get closer I see my girl and she is just as beautiful as ever. I move past Callen and hold my hand out to Ailee. Her eyes are wide in shockand at first she just looks at my hand. Come on Princess don’t let me down. When she smiles up at me I know I have got her. Ailee grabs my hand and let’s me lead her out to the dance floor. I know the crowd is staring at us. Ailee doesn’t seemed bothered by it. She has her head held high and keeps smiling atg me. I have never jumped off the stage and interacted with the crowd before so I know some are shocked. And some are wondering who this woman on my arm is. I’m pretty sure I see jealousy in some of the ladies. But I don’t give a shit.

When we get to the dance floor I pull Ailee in to my arms. I dance with her slowly as I sing. But I don’t sing for the crowd this time. No, this song is all for her. I went over all my playlists for a week looking for the perfect song. I could fine the one that would come close to telling Ailee how I feel. Finally when my frustration had hit the roof I went to Lilly. I don’t know how she does it but she always finds the perfect song for any situation. I should have saveed myself the trouble and gone to her first.

As I’m dancing with Ailee she keeps her eyes glued to mine and her smile never leaves her face. I use the song to pour my heart out. When I get to the part “ If I’m being honest, your first and my last name would sound better together and probably always will.” I make Ailee can see how true those words are. I think she sees it because I can see her tear up. When the song ends I lean in “ Noo matter what happens. We will always be better together, Ailee. I give you my promise.” Ailee doesn’t say a word but she does lean up and kisses me infront of the crowd and my brothers. I pull her closer and return her kiss. I can hear whistles and hooting but I ignore it all for the lady in my arms.

WHen she pulls away we are both breathless but I love it. I walk her back to the table and help her into her seat. I kiss her on the cheek and promise to be back soon. For once in my life I can’t wait for this night to end.
Ailee

When we walked into the bar we had been invited to I was shocked by how crowded it was. There had to be over three hundred people here. Just for a performance from a local band? There had to be more to it. Callen had a hold of my arm as he escorted me to the back of the bar where I saw the club sitting. I had two other armed guards stationed around the bar. Callen took a chair and had me sit in the booth next to Merigold. I kept looking around hoping to catch a glance of Lug Nut. But with the sea of people there was no way I could see him. Merigold leans over and says “ I can see you are wondering why all these people are here. Just wait and see. You will understand.”

No sooner had she said that the lights dimmed and the music started. A man is center stage singing a rock song that I know I have heard before but I could place. And he is pretty good. When he is done he steps back and the lights change. I don’t see anything for a second but I hear a woman's incredible voice. Then I see the stage light up and Lilly is singing her heart out belting out the lyrics. Callen, Finn and my jaw drop to the floor. Her talent shines through the entire bar. She has them captivated. The way she moves across the stage like she owns it. And her voice could make a professional weep. I look around the table and spot Tank who is swelling with so much pride it looks like he might explode. The song ends and the crowd goes nuts, clapping and cheering. I think our table may be the loudest. Callen, Finn and I join in. The cheers die down and I see Lug Nut on stage now. He is wearing simple black jeans and a white tee-shirt topped off with his hat but damn he makes it look good. He starts singing and once again my jaw drops. I don’t know the song other than it is country but he is good. I see him jump off the stage to a shocked crowd. He comes over to us and holds out his hand.

At first I’m not sure what to do but one look in his pleading eyes I take his hand and he leads me to the dance floor. He sings the whole time. Lug wraps his arms around me and I wrap my arms around his neck. And we dance. Just the two of us in this place. While he sings he stares me in the eyes. I feel every word is meant just for me. In this moment I feel things from this man I have never felt from any other. I have felt loved all my life. I always felt wanted. I feel all those things now coming from Lug but they are different. They are more intense. More powerful. Just more everything. And it is all I have ever wanted from a man. I want to tell him I love him at this moment but it is too soon. And not in the middle of a bar. When I tell him I want it to be just us.

The song ends and I don’t stop myself. I kiss him in front of all these people. I don’t care who is watching. I’m staking my claim. When we come up for air we are both smiling. He takes my hand and walks me back to the table but promises to see me soon. I can’t help but blush when Callen and Finn smirk at me. The band has done a few more songs and what Merigold told me was a guitar battle with Lilly and another guy Conner. Lilly is standing in front of the stage. “ Thank you all for coming out. Without you there would be no us. We are about to take a short break but I wanted to announce a couple things.The first being I wanted to tell you that the band and I just released our first album. We have some original songs and some covers. We have some on sale at the corner of the bar. Or you could go to Harry’s website and download the entire album. Half the proceeds from the sales go to the children's hospital.” The crowd cheers and I see several people get up and go to the corner. Several more take out their phones. The pull she has over the crowd is amazing.