The Rush

Chapter 4

If you want to listen along here is the link to the Spotify playlist. New songs will be added when they come up to avoid any spoilers. Enjoy!

https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1xZPwDoJByyfmO4U4q0mVJ?si=2da6b36dd3eb4311

*****

Ellie excused herself to the washroom after our conversation and I found my eyes tracing after her. Once she disappeared from sight I turned back to my band and saw them all grinning at me. "What?"

"Someone's got a crush." Hillary taunted.

I rolled my eyes and grabbed my beer. "She's interesting. That's all I'm saying."

"She's totally your type." Tori jumped in, "You just said that you're staying away from the preppy girls after the shit Sabrina pulled."

Oh yes, Sabrina. Fucking hell. If I knew that after saving her from a total creep she would end up being the most psycho of psycho exes I still would have saved her, but I sure as hell wouldn't have called her. We went on two dates, then she started to show up everywhere. My work, my home, Will's work, anywhere I could possibly she was there. I was getting phone calls at all hours of the day and night. It was mental. I had to go with plan nuclear which involved her 'catching' me 'cheating' on her. I say 'cheating' because I had been very clear that we were broken up but since she was not getting the memo, I had to result to drastic measures. After that, I swore off preppy girls. I am not risking another Sabrina fiasco.

I saw Ellie return from the washroom and looked back to my band. "Alright shut it before you ruin this and head up on stage. I'll be there in a second."

They all thankfully left just as Ellie walked up. "Showtime?"

"Yeah, I just wanted to make sure you were good singing that Lenora Ashley song though. If you don't feel up to it, just let me know. Performing on a stage can be very different from karaoke. It can be a bit more daunting when you don't have the lyrics in front of you."

Her smile grew revealing a mouth of startingly perfect teeth. I never typically notice people's teeth but damn, she has a nice smile. I almost missed what she was saying because I couldn't believe how perfect her teeth were. "I've got it Melody. You give them hell. You're going to need to if you want to beat me."

My heart beat a bit faster at her challenge. Fuck, I loved a challenge. "I think you'll see in a second that I really don't need to worry." I winked as I walked backwards toward the stage. Her smile beamed as I turned around. Perfectly executed badass swagger walk away complete. I jumped on stage and looked over at Owen. I nodded and he turned the lights of the bar down, the music off, and the stage lights on. Everyone in the bar turned towards us and I slipped into my badass Melody personality. Basically, just normal me with a little more swagger.

"Hello, we're Charcoal Dreams and if you're expecting someone else, so were we. The other guys cancelled so we stepped in. We have a little fun planned for you all tonight! We need your help to settle a bet. I'm going to perform a song of mine, but then I have a guest by the bar perform a Lenora Ashley song. You get to decide who wins! Now, are you ready?" The crowd cheered. It wasn't as big of a crowd as we usually got and some seemed bummed that we weren't the other band, but I was still going to give it my all. I loved being on stage. It was in my blood.

A quick look over to the bar had my lips turning up. Ellie was there leaning against the bar. She had an almost cocky smile on her face. I was ready to wipe that smile right off her face. I quickly looked at my band and nodded before turning back to the crowd. Time to knock 'em dead.

(Anarchy by Lilith Czar)

You and me
We are like anarchy
For the whole world to see
See who we are

It began with just Ryland picking away. We slowly joined together upping the intensity. My vocals remained low as I sang through the verses. I looked over at Ellie as I pulled the mic off its stand to belt out the chorus.

You and me
We are like anarchy
Fuck your authority
I'll make my own
If you fight me
You're fighting a whole army
I make no apologies
If you push me too far
Who the hell do you think you are?

I didn't exist anymore. I had become the song. I was back in the mindset of when I wrote it. Heartbreak and toxic relationships with a sprinkle of fuck the world mixed in. Hillary added her backup vocals and we melted together. The crowd was getting into it. They were moving to the music and felt the song just like I did. My Mamma taught me well.

Then the instruments pulled back slightly, Tori hammered on that beat with everything she had as I stood at the front of the stage. I dropped my voice and added distortion so they could feel the emotions with me.

Ladies and gentlemen, boys and girls
If you can hear my voice
Then listen close 'cause the powers that be
Don't want you to know you have a choice
They want you to think theirs is the only way
The only path to what's right
But I say fuck them
The revolution begins tonight

Hillary softly sang in the background as the drums stopped. Then I came in to drive the song home.

And that's why I say
You and me
We're like anarchy
Fuck authority
No apologies
You and me
We can only be
Who we are

Once those last lyrics left my lips my arm holding the microphone dropped as Hillary and Ryland played those soft last few bars. The entire bar was cheering but I had my eyes focused on one slack-jawed woman at the bar. My lips curled up at her surprise. I put the microphone up on the stand and looked over at her. "So, still think you can win?"

She looked at the drink in her hand and threw the rest back. I watched as she crossed the bar over to us. She hopped on the stage like she'd done it a million times. She walked in close to me and leaned in closer. "You're pretty damn good Melody."

"You didn't answer my question. Do you still think you can win?"

"Oh, I never lose babe." She gave me a wink before she stepped in front of the microphone. "Are you having fun tonight?" The crowd cheered again. I stepped back to grab my guitar and put it on. I plugged it in and went back to the stage. Hillary stepped away from her mic and I stepped up so I could be back up. It was going to be weird singing back up, but it should be fun.

"Oh, wait a second. Let me just..." I watched as Ellie reached up to her head and the next thing I knew she was pulling off her hair and blonde tresses fell down her back. I was so surprised I couldn't even register when she pulled off her jacket revealing two full sleeves of tattoos. The glasses went next and she looked at me with a playful grin. Suddenly all the pieces fell into place. I'm sure my eyes were as wide as saucers as she turned back to the crowd. "My name is Lenora Ashley and I hope you're ready to get in trouble tonight."

Fuck.

*****

Author's Note:

So did you see that coming?