Music of the Heart

by Katie Ashley

  Within seconds, the music came blaring through the arena, causing me to jump. Jake brought the microphone to his lips, “I really hate to let this moment go,” he began.

  I couldn’t move—it was like I had been shot with a taser gun and was completely paralyzed. I didn’t blink or even draw breath. I just stood staring at Jake as he sang his lyrics with passion and feeling. It was only when he stopped singing that I came back to myself.

  “Cut the music!” Jake shouted. Once the song came to a halt, Jake gave me a puzzled look. “What happened?”

  “Huh?”

  “Um, you didn’t chime in with the chorus.”

  Oh God. I had been so totally enthralled by Jake’s voice and performance that I had completely forgotten to sing. “I—uh—I guess it was nerves that got to me, and I blanked,” I lied.

  With a smile, he reached over and rubbed my arm. “Come on, you don’t need to be nervous. Just tune out everything around us and focus on me and the music.”

  Yeah, right, focusing on you was what got me in trouble to start with! I decided it would be better to focus on the music along with the lyrics I should be singing. “Okay. Let’s try it again.”

  “Again Joe!” Jake called.

  This time I was just as into Jake’s performance as I was before, but I managed to come in with my part at the chorus. When my voice echoed through the auditorium, I jumped, which caused Jake to bust out laughing. “Hey, you totally messed me up this time!”

  He held up his hands in surrender. “I’m sorry. But if you could have seen the look on your face!”

  “Jake,” I growled.

  “Okay, okay, I’m sorry.” He turned to gaze off the stage. “Sorry Joe. Let’s take it from the top again.”

  This time we made it through without any problems. When it came time for me to sing alone, I kept my gaze locked on Jake’s the entire time. The gleam that burned in his eyes made me shudder, but I kept my focus and eventually became entirely lost in the music. The lyrics had so much meaning for what I was experiencing with Jake. I wanted to stay right there in that moment with him for as long as I possibly could.

  When the music came to a close, Jake grinned. “You did it, Angel.”

  “I did!” I squealed. I then proceeded to do a little happy dance on the stage, which caused Jake to laugh.

  “Is that your victory dance?” he asked, his voice vibrating with amusement.

  As I continued shimmying my hips and high stepping on my feet, I nodded. “Yep, I think it is.”

  He shook his head and then reached over to ruffle the top of my hair. “You’re such a goofball.”

  “Hey, the very fact I just sang in a huge arena deserves something.”

  “You wanna try it again?”

  “Ooh can we?”

  “Sure we can.” A wicked grin curved on his lips. “I’m Jake Fucking Slater, and I can do whatever the hell I want.”

  Rolling my eyes to the ceiling, I huffed out a frustrated breath, which blew some of the stray strands of my hair out of my face. “Just when I think your ego couldn’t get any bigger.”

  “Leaving my ego out of it, this time you need to focus not just on your singing but the delivery as well. Sure you hit all your notes last time, but you were a little stiff.”

  “I was?”

  Jake laughed at my mortification. “I wouldn’t say you were robotic, but you need to loosen up quite a bit. Let your body feel the lyrics just as much as your mind does.”

  “Okay,” I murmured.

  This time when the music came on, Jake became completely different. It was like he tuned out everything else. His singing was more heartfelt and filled with emotion. If I thought it was hard focusing before, it was even harder this time because I was so mesmerized by him—both as a performer and as my crush.

  As I started my solo, Jake stepped closer to me, wrapping an arm around my waist. Since I thought he might be trying to trip me up, I kept my intense focus, but at the same time, I let my body follow with his. When it came time for the chorus again, his hand came to cup my cheek. Closing my eyes, I kept singing as I leaned in to his touch.

  When he stepped away from me, I followed him, taking his hand in mine and intertwining our fingers. We finished the song hand in hand with our eyes locked on each other. As the music came to a close, I felt at any minute Jake would be able to hear the thundering of my heart.

  “That was amazing—you were amazing!” Jake exclaimed.

  “So I did better at the performance part?”

  He gave a quick nod. “But I would suggest you don’t get that into it when you’re singing with Garrett.”

  “Why?”

  He grinned. “Because you’ll make me jealous if you look at him the same way you just looked at me.”

  I tried not melting into a puddle of emotion on the stage floor at his comment. “Okay then. That’s only for you.”

  “Good. I’m glad to hear it.”

  The rest of the day was a whirlwind of events. After Jake and I finished singing, the other guys arrived at the arena to do their sound checks and rehearsals. Frank put an Authorized Personnel lanyard around my neck, and I stood in the wings and watched them. Once the sound check was done, we were hustled across the street for an early dinner. I couldn’t believe how much food the guys put away. I was too nervous for them to eat, but they packed it all away, including dessert.

  Then it was back to the arena to get ready for the show. While Jake and the other guys were ushered for last minute wardrobe fittings and then to the dressing room, I just milled around, watching the backstage rooms fill up with people I’d never seen before. Runaway Train had a huge crew and entourage compared to my brothers’ outfit. I was trying my best to stay out of the way when my phone dinged with a text.

  It was Jake. Where r u?

  Just waiting on you guys to get ready.

  Come back here with us.

  I don’t wanna be in the way.

  U r never in the way. U r with me.

  At the sight of his words, I had to take in a few deep breaths. R u sure?

  Get your fine ass back here now!

  I grinned. You’re so bossy.

  Now, Angel.

  Yes sir!

  As I started across the room to find Jake, a hand reached out and grabbed my arm. I yelped as he pulled me down onto his lap. A lustful gleam burned in his dark eyes. “Hello sexy, where you’ve been hiding all this time?”

  It was then I recognized him as Tyler Mains, the lead singer for Vanquished, the group opening for Runaway Train. His dark hair was already styled to perfection along with his heavy stage makeup. I guess his idea of killing the last few minutes before he went onstage must’ve included thinking he could molest me.

  “I’ve not been hiding anywhere!” I snapped, smacking his hands away. I started squirming out of his lap when his arms slithered around my waist.

  His eyes drank in my appearance. “It’s just I don’t see your kind around here often. I mean, you’re certifiable Grade-A Pussy.” He grinned as he fingered the hem of my sundress. “Mmm, this is to die for when it comes to a quickie. You already got plans after the show?”

  “Yeah asshole, and they don’t involve being your plaything, thank you very much.”

  He grinned. “Ooh a feisty one. I like that.” Intertwining his fingers through my hair, he jerked me closer to where his alcohol-laced breath fanned across my cheek. “Do you fuck as feisty as you talk?”

  “Let go of me!” I shouted.

  “Get your damned hands off her before I break more than just your playing hand, Tyler!” Jake snarled.

  My gaze snapped from Mr. Asshole Mains to Jake who stood towering over us. His fists clenched at his sides while the vein in his neck pulsed in anger. Tyler immediately let me go. “Sorry, Slater. I didn’t know she was your piece of ass.” He smirked at me. “Man, you must really be an amazing fuck if Jake’s willing to get so defensive about you. But since I’ve shared pussy with him in the same night b
efore, you think while he’s on stage you could show me what’s so amazing between your thighs?”

  “You son of a bitch! I’ll beat your fucking ass!” Jake snarled as he lunged forward.

  “No Jake!” I cried. For a moment, I was pinned between the two of them. I shook my head at him. “It isn’t worth it—he’s not worth it,” I argued.

  As soon as Jake backed down, Tyler chuckled and murmured, “Pussy,” under his breath. Blood boiled within me, and I reached out and slapped Tyler’s cheek. Hard. “Don’t you dare talk to me or about me like that ever again!” I then scrambled off of his lap. “And for the record, you’re the last man on earth I would ever let touch me!” Without a word to Jake, I stormed off to his dressing room. Jake was close on my heels because I almost slammed the door in his face.

  AJ and Rhys looked up from their makeup chairs in surprise at my outrage. “What happened?” Rhys asked.

  I was almost too upset to speak, so I sputtered, “T-That asshole Mains tried to molest me and then said things…” I shuddered.

  AJ shot out of his chair. “I’ll kick his ass!”

  Jake held up his hand. “Easy, Terminator, but there’s no need. I took care of it.” He glanced over at me and grinned. “Well, I could say Angel here handled it on her own.”

  AJ’s brows rose in surprise. “What did you do?”

  “I slapped him.”

  With a chuckle, Jake added, “Yeah and she told him off too.”

  A wide grin curved on AJ’s lips. “Hell yeah, baby girl. You keep on kicking ass and taking names!”

  I giggled. “Thank you, I will.”

  From behind me, Jake’s arms snaked possessively around my waist. He nuzzled my neck, and I shivered pleasantly. “I’m sorry you had to go through that. I know he said some pretty vile shit to you.”

  “He did. But I told him off.”

  The makeup artist beckoned Jake, and he sighed resignedly as his arms slipped away from me. I eased down on the couch and began watching all the preparation that went into getting the guys of Runaway Train stage ready.

  When the guys were almost finished, I heard the roar of the crowd and the opening music for Vindicated. “I hope he falls flat on his face tonight,” I mumbled.

  Rhys and Jake roared with laughter while AJ glanced at me over his shoulder. “If I could find some good cayenne pepper powder and his change of pants, I’d make sure he didn’t enjoy any groupie action tonight.”

  I laughed. “AJ, that’s terrible.”

  He grinned wickedly as he waggled his brows. “You just say the word. I can always have some roadie go get me some.”

  “I think I’m good, but thanks anyway.”

  Once the guys were finished with hair and makeup, they were herded into wardrobe. Jake appeared a few minutes later wearing a pair of skin tight leather pants along with a red shirt that stretched across his muscles. “How do I look?” he asked.

  “Wow…you look amazing!”

  Jake eyed his pants disdainfully. “These are pleather so we can be politically correct. Thank God I get a wardrobe change halfway through the show because I’d much rather be in jeans.”

  “Yeah, but those pants are….” I glanced up at him and grinned. “Very, very sexy!”

  A wicked gleam burned in his eyes. “Are you saying I need to keep these and wear them for you some other time?”

  I laughed. “Now I don’t know about that.”

  Jake reached out to pull me to him when Brayden stuck his head in the door. “Okay, Jake, it’s time.”

  “Always the worst fucking timing,” Jake muttered under his breath.

  He then took my hand and started leading me to the door. I followed along blindly as we weaved in and out of roadies and technicians.

  When we got to the wings, Jake turned back to me. “I thought about getting you into the VIP box, but you’ll have a better view here.”

  “So I can stay here and watch you guys?” I asked.

  “Of course.” He pulled me against him. “I want you as close as possible.”

  “Thanks.”

  “I also told Frank to keep an eye out for Tyler.”

  “While that’s very chivalrous of you, I think I can handle things on my own.”

  Jake chuckled. “I’m sure you can, Angel, but it’ll make me feel better knowing that you’re being watched over.”

  “Fine. Whatever floats your boat,” I replied.

  As Vanquished made their exit off stage, Jake tightened his arms around me. Tyler only gave us a fleeting sneer before stalking away.

  Then the stage lighting changed as Runaway Train’s intro music began. AJ entered the stage first, waving to the crowd and throwing up rocker signs with his fingers. From the appreciative whistles and applause he was certainly a crowd favorite. He eased down behind the drum set and twirled the sticks between his fingers several times before beginning an upbeat tempo. I turned my attention from him to where a technician was handing Rhys his bass guitar. He put the strap over his head and adjusted it on his body before jogging out onto the stage, waving manically and grinning like a Cheshire cat. He then joined in with AJ’s rhythm. Already outfitted with his guitar, Brayden nodded his head in time to the beat coming from the stage. I didn’t know how he knew when to make his entrance since the noise was so loud, but then he entered as the stage lights began to flicker and change colors.

  Jake leaned in close to my ear. “Magic time.”

  As he started for the stage and his big entrance, I grabbed his arm. When I kissed his cheek, he gave me a quizzical look. “That’s for luck,” I shouted over the roar of the crowd.

  A smirk curved at his lips. “Thanks, Angel, but I don’t need any of that.”

  I smacked his arm playfully. “There you go being an egomaniac again!”

  He laughed and gave me a wink. The stage lights changed again and blared red as Jake entered from the wings. The already frantic crowd went even more insane. The noise caused a ringing in my ears, and I fought the urge to stick my fingers in them.

  When Jake took the microphone off the stand, his signature cocky grin spread across his lips. A thunderous roar echoed through the stadium. “Hello Indianapolis! Are you ready to rock?” Jake asked.

  At their response, he glanced over his shoulder at Rhys and Brayden. They shook their heads. “Hang on. I don’t think I heard you. I asked if you were ready to FUCKING ROCK?”

  If it were even possible to get louder, the crowd did. They stomped their feet, clapped their hands, and whistled and yelled. Jake grinned and nodded. “That’s more like it.” The lights went down and then the opening beat to their latest hit, “Unravel Me”, began playing. The song featured a lot of heavy guitars, and I was amazed by Brayden and Rhys’s skills. There was also the fact of the emotion that Jake emitted as he sang. One minute his voice had a hardened, bitter edge on songs like “Unravel Me” or “Twisted Reality”.

  Then when it came to the ballads, he would instantly change over, and his smooth, velvety voice echoed through the arena. My favorite of theirs was “Never Before You”, which I knew from hanging around the guys that Brayden had written for Lily. I closed my eyes and swayed to the music. It was hard admitting to myself just how much Jake’s voice affected me emotionally and physically, especially hearing him sing about love.

  When the song ended, I opened my eyes to find Jake staring at me. I must’ve had a pretty serious expression on my face because he winked and then ran his tongue over his lips suggestively. Even though I should’ve been pissed, I couldn’t help laughing. Only Jake would find a way to ruin a potentially romantic moment. I wagged a finger at him, and he threw back his head and laughed.

  Next came the part of the show where they brought a fan on stage for Jake to sing to. My eyes widened when an older lady was led up by one of the stagehands. With wide-eyed wonderment, the woman stared up at Jake. When he grinned and winked, she blushed and giggled just like a young teenager as he began his way through “Your Smile.”

&n
bsp; After a few more fast songs, the show was over, and the guys were coming off the stage, exhausted and dripping in sweat. I couldn’t help throwing myself at Jake. Wrapping my arms around him, I let him twirl me around. “I guess that means you liked it, huh?” he shouted into my ear over the crowd.

  Pulling away, I stared at his grinning face. “Liked it? Are you kidding me? I loved it! You were amazing!”

  “Yeah, and I’m sweating like a pig now.”

  I snuggled closer to him. “If I get drenched in your sweat, I can probably make a fortune off this dress on Ebay,” I teased.

  “Oh, I can think of several more things to do to get me even sweatier.” He waggled his eyebrows.

  I pushed out of his arms. “No thank you! I think I’ll pass.”

  “You would, Angel.” He glanced over at AJ and Rhys who were already surrounded by a throng of girls. “Give me five minutes to change and then I’m taking you to dinner.”

  I glanced down at my dress. “I hope somewhere pretty low-key.”

  “I was thinking IHOP or somewhere like that. Nothing too fancy, Angel.”

  I laughed. “You sure know how to wine and dine me, don’t you?”

  “Whatever,” he mumbled before he disappeared into the dressing room. True to his word, Jake reappeared in less than five minutes wearing faded and holey jeans and a black t-shirt. Of course, he could manage to make a burlap sack look hot and sexy. As we made our way to the exit, he asked, “You mind if Bray joins us?”

  “No, of course not.” We eased into the Hummer limo. “AJ and Rhys not coming?”

  Jake grimaced. “No, they’re busy.”

  Suddenly, I got his meaning. “Oh, I see.” Thinking of them with random girls made me nauseous. “If I weren’t here, would you be busy too?”

  Glancing out the window, Jake refused to meet my gaze. “Yeah, probably.”

  “I’m sorry if I’m keeping you from something.”

  His head whirled around to pin me with his stare. “You’re not keeping me from anything. I’m exactly where I want to be at the moment and with who I want to be.”

  “Oh,” I murmured.

  “You don’t sound like you believe me.”