The Trouble with Rock Stars: Jackson's Story (Access All Areas 3)

But people were staring.

My eyes had gotten used to the lights enough that I could make out faces in the first row. I searched for someone familiar, Violet or Carlie or even Jackson, but I couldn’t see them. I fumbled the words in the next line. My timing was wrong and I was sure that was putting Drew off. I needed to get this right. If only I could breathe, but I couldn’t.

The sweat dripped down into my eyes now, making them sting and water. I didn’t want to wipe it away, I’d look like I was crying.

The next line was the most essential one, the upping of the tension of the first verse into the chorus. If I screwed that up, I’d screw up the whole song but my heart raced and every single thing was wrong.

Then a strong, throaty voice began singing. It was just perfect. I joined in as Jackson walked on stage.

The crowd faded away, they weren’t important. It was just Jackson and me on stage. He smiled and my heart fluttered. Having him beside me gave me the courage I lacked. That tight, constricted feeling in my lungs disappeared. It was like the things stopping my voic

e had been cleared away.

The two of us finished the song together, our voices creating the perfect harmony. It wasn’t just my voice, though. My insides sang, even though I knew it was nothing. He was helping Drew, not me.

When we finished singing, I looked at Drew and he grinned at me. Almost like this had been his plan all along.

Chapter 15 Jackson

I HAD TO DO IT. I COULDN’T let her stay up there alone with her hands trembling and her voice struggling to get out. She’d have been devastated. The room waited with bated breath, wanting her to do it and struggling along with her. She seemed so frail and helpless, like a bird caught in a trap. If I didn’t help her out, she’d have been decimated.

I knew the words to Drew’s song. He’d sang it for me a few times, although I’d begged him not to. It was a pretty simple song, all about the violet being cut by the Razer. He thought it was clever. It really wasn’t clever but it was good for a first attempt, even if it was a bit cheesy.

I hadn’t been on stage since the night of the accident. I never thought I’d be on a stage again. That was a past life, a different me. Something that had been buried long ago.

But she wrung my heart. No one else would help her. No one else even knew the song. Except Drew. God help us if he sang. She stood, hunched over the mic stand, staring out into the crowd like a rabbit in the headlights, shivering and alone.

Before I even thought it through, I moved up there to join her, my voice joining hers.

Gina’s voice got stronger as I sang with her. Knowing she didn’t have to carry the song herself, she relaxed.

Drew was right, she did have a great voice. Towards the end of the song, I held back and let her take it away. Her nerves had completely vanished by then, her clear voice ringing out, pure and true.

When she got to the second verse, her shoulders had lowered and the look of terror left her face. She turned to me and smiled, a smile like the first flowers of spring.

Everyone cheered when the song was over. Gina put down the microphone and ran from the stage but she had a grin on her face. She’d done it. My heart burst with pride.

I left the stage and Drew stood there alone. When the cheers died down, he said he’d do an encore. I knew nothing about that. He hadn’t told me there’d be another song.

He put down his guitar and picked up the mic. I recognized the song straight away. It was his “I beat Carlie at Galaga” song. He’d made it up and danced around the room after defeating her.

It was a brave move. She’d kill him when he got off stage. But it got a laugh from the crowd.

I didn’t search for Gina. I wasn’t sure if we had anything to say to each other. She’d surely still be angry at me. I didn’t expect any thanks. Just seeing her triumph was reward enough.

When I went to the bar, she was there with Holden and Carlie.

“Thanks, Jackson,” she said.

I gave her a half-smile. “No worries.”

I wasn’t sure if I should walk off and leave her be or stick around. Then Carlie handed me her drink and told me to mind it while she went to have her cigarette. She dragged Holden with her even though he didn’t smoke. Not very subtle. There wasn’t even a reason she couldn’t take her drink with her.

“I meant it when I said thank you. I was freaking out up there.”

“You did well. You could take it up professionally.”

She shook her head. “It was fun doing it once but that’s enough for me.”