Chapter 10

Lilly

Breath in. Breath out. Nothing to be nervous about. It is just me and the guys. We are hanging around the garage. That’s what I keep telling myself over and over. I can do this. Lug has faith in me. I’m a good singer. Inside I feel like a washer machine on a spin cycle. As lug and Neil sing I can feel myself calming down but not by much. Lug is about done with his second song. I’m next. I breathe deep and concentrate on the lyrics of my song.

“ Alright. I hope you all are having a good time.” Neil says. I hear light applause. Ok not too bad. “ We recently added a new member to our group. Tonight we want to introduce you to her. Ladies and gentlemen please welcome our Songbird.” Lug says. I’m Songbird huh. I kinda like it.

Rick starts his drums followed Connor with the guitar. Please don’t screw up. I chant in my head. ‘ Cowboy Casanova’ by Carrie Underwood is my first song of the night. I close my eyes and give it all I have. By the second verse I’m dancing around the stage. I don’t care who is watching anymore. I’m doing this for me. Fuck everyone else.
When I’m done I could have a pin drop. I guess they didn’t like my singing. I try not to be hurt by it but it does sting. I turn to walk to the back of the stage when all of the sudden it sounds like thunder. Then I hear whistling. I’m confused for a minute. Where is it coming from? Lug grabs me and spins me around. “ I told you could do it. Do you hear that? They love you.” That’s when it hits me. That isn’t thunder, it is applause. And it is almost deafening.

“ I guess you like what you just saw. Let’s see if Songbird will give us another.” Neil says, turning to me. “ What do you say, Songbird. Do you have another one in you?” I hear shouts of “ Yes.” “ Sing us another.” “ Hell yea.” I can’t speak. I don’t know what to say so I just nod. They start to play the next song on my list. ‘ I’ll Be Your Shelter’ by Taylor Dane.

I make sure to hit all the high notes. I dance like I’m in my room at home. I add a hip pop here and there. And yes I shake my ass a few times. What’s the worst they are going to do boo me off the stage. I’m having fun, something I haven’t done in a long time.

When I’m done I get another round of thunderous applause. The rest of the night goes much the same way. Neil and Lug do a few more songs each. I even do a duet with Lug. The last song of the night I’m playing guitar with Connor. We are playing Journey’s ‘ Separate Ways.’ It is going well. Connor and I even started a weird battle when the worst happened. I snap a string mid riff. I want to pantic and almost cry when suddenly Lug is there with another guitar. We don’t miss much. Connor was able to cover my gap.
When we are done I’m exhausted. My feet hurt. My throat is a little sore but overall I feel great about the night. While Lug, Dez, Rick and Steven pack up, Neil and Connor lead me to the bar. They help me navigate the crowd of well wishers and people want to say hello. When we finally get there Harry jumps up from his seat. “ There is our Songbird. Come have a seat. Can I get you anything?” Harry sits me in the stool next to his. “ Could I trouble you for some ice water?” Harry flags down the bartender. “ Randy, get this little lady and ice water. And get the band a round.”

Connor and Neil looked shocked.” What’s wrong?” “ Harry never buys a round. He is treating you like royalty. He doesn’t do that.” Connor says. I shake my head “ I’m sure that isn’t true.” The bartender comes back with our drinks and lines up beers for the rest of the guys. I thank him. He leans over and says “ I have never seen Harry act like that. You must have impressed him with that voice of your Songbird.” I grab my water and sip, not sure how to respond to that.

Lug and the others come to the bar and grab their beers. Now that we are all sitting down Harry comes over. “ I want to do some full ads for you guys. Let people know you have added Lilly to the line-up. What do you say?” It isn’t my decision so I look at the guys. Lug says “ I don’t have a problem with that. With you and word of mouth I’m sure we can get some asses in the seats.” “ Yes. Good. I’ll get it ready to advertise next week's show. Go home and get some rest. This is going to be good for all of us.” I get a feeling deep in my stomach that our world is fixing to change.