Chapter 60
A moment later, PNC Arena came into view as everyone cheered. Greer looked across the aisle at me from where she was sitting next to Brett and gave me a wink. I smiled and nodded, understanding. We always had a way of communicating without saying a word.
Mack pulled the RV behind the stadium and pulled to a stop. Outside, fans were already waving and yelling. Craig wrapped his arm protectively around me as we made our way into the stadium.
"Why don't you go warm up?" Craig said, going into his business mode. "You have a few minutes before the show starts."
I nodded and followed him into the green room, along with Greer and the members of my band. Cheers and incoherent chatter came from the stadium, as butterflies fluttered inside my stomach.
"Nervous?" Greer asked, concerned.
I shrugged. "A little."
She pulled me in for a hug. "You'll do great."
I nodded my thanks, and then Brett handed me my guitar. "Better warm up, princess."
I laughed at his word choice as I slipped the guitar strap across my shoulders. The strap was new, sparkly, and set off the guitar. As soon as my fingers flew over the strings, the nerves in my stomach started to dissipate. Playing my guitar always relaxed me.
A few minutes later, Craig walked in. "Okay; it's time." Then, he crossed the room to me and placed his hands on my shoulders, forcing me to look into his eyes. "Ready?"
I smiled at his concern. "As ready as I'm going to be. Let's do it!" Then, I turned to my band. "Okay, everyone. Let's have a moment of prayer before we go out." Everyone bowed their heads. "Lord, please be with us while we perform, and help us to give the audience the best show ever."
"Amen!' Everyone yelled in unison, and then cheered.
"Let's do it!" I said, and then gave Greer a gentle squeeze. "Walk out with us and you can watch from the wings."
"Sounds great!" she said as she followed me out.
"Will you be okay?" I asked.
She laughed. "Of course! It's not every day that you have a backstage pass to hear your sister play!"
I laughed as we stepped into the wings just on the side of the stage. Across the stage were Tasha and her band, waiting on the other side. I gave her a wave, and she smiled and waved back. It was funny that I hadn't seen her since the night she invited me to play until now. They must have been staying at another hotel. Craig made the arrangements for us, and Frank must have made the arrangements for Tasha and her band.
Noah walked up beside me. "Ready, princess?"
I laughed. "Not you, too!"
"Yup!" he teased.
Then, a loud, booming voice bellowed out from inside the stadium. "Put your hands together for the best solo artist to hit Nashville since Tasha Granger!" Everyone in the stadium cheered loudly. "Remember that you saw her here first, because you will be seeing a lot more of this little lady. Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls, give a warm welcome to Alyssa Case!"
The lights went out and only the floor lights were visible. It was a good thing because everything was pitch black. I would have hated to have fallen off the stage before even getting to play at my first tour stop.
"Let's do it!" Noah said, and we all ran out onto the stage and took our places as cheers came from the crowd.
We started to play and the lights came up. "Well, hello, Raleigh!" I said as loud cheers erupted throughout the stadium. "Are you ready to Rock it Country?"
The cheers were even louder this time. I turned to Wyatt and nodded.
A moment later, we were rocking the stadium. I played a rift on my guitar as everyone cheered, and then they quieted when I approached the mic. Something inside of me took over and I poured all of my nerves into energy, giving the best performance that I had ever given. I nodded to Brett, and he stepped forward as his fingers flew over the neck of his guitar, bringing the crowd to their feet as they cheered. After his solo, I stepped back up to the mic and brought the song to a close. Everyone was on their feet, cheering when the last note was played.
"Thank you, Raleigh!" I yelled into the mic as they cheered louder.
"Firebomb!" I yelled to the band, away from the mic, and we immediately launched into our next song. The crowd never sat down as we played our set. But all too soon, it came to an end, and I looked over and saw Tasha clapping, having watched the whole show.
"You've been a great audience, Raleigh!" I yelled into the mic.
"More, more!" the crowd yelled. "One more!"
I looked into the wings where Tasha was standing, and she smiled and nodded.
"Okay. One more while Tasha warms up " The crowd cheered. "Who likes their freedom?" The crowd cheered again. "Freedom!"
Immediately, we launched into our last song. By the time the song came to an end, the crowd was on their feet.
"Wow! Thank you so much, Raleigh!" I yelled into the mic as the crowd cheered. "Now, put your hands together for the beautiful and talented Tasha Granger!"
The crowd went wild as we all unplugged our instruments and ran off the stage, as Tasha and her band ran on. "Let's give one more round of applause to Alyssa Case and her band! Weren't they great?" The crowd went wild. "Any soldiers out there tonight?" The crowd clapped and cheered, a deafening sound. "Okay. I'd like to open tonight with A Heart of a Soldier!"
When we ran into the wings, Greer wrapped her arms around my neck and pulled me in for a hug. "That was great!" she said, beaming.
Then, Craig pulled me in for a hug, too. "You were fabulous!" Then, he turned to the rest of the band. "All of you were! You'll be going on a solo tour before you know it!" Everyone high fived each other, and then Craig turned back to me. "Let's go."
He wrapped his arm protectively around my shoulder and guided me backstage as Brett did the same for Greer. A moment later, we were back in the greenroom. A wide expanse of mirrors with lights over the top stretched down one wall. My eye caught my reflection, and my eyes were wild with excitement.
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