I played my heart and soul out for him. I put everything I had into tonight’s performance and I did it all for him. I’ll worry about why later.3JamesonI’m on my feet the moment the curtain closes, taking her from my view. Everyone else is cheering. I look to my mom, who has tears in her eyes. I’ve never seen anyone or anything like her in my life. I’ve never been left speechless before either. I want her. Fuck that. I need her. Everything in me screams that she is meant to be mine.
“She played an extra hour. I’m surprised.” I can’t believe she was on stage that long either because it felt like a second. She was here and now she’s gone. She’s not technically gone, she’s backstage. The woman in all black pulled her off the stage and away from me. Her eyes had widened when they locked with mine but she didn't look away. Did she feel it too? My whole world had tipped over onto its side. Everything I thought I knew didn’t make sense anymore.
“Are you okay?” My mom pulls at my arm.
“I want to meet her.”
“Good luck with that.” She laughs. “Oh my. You’re not joking.” She stares at me. “I don’t know how that would be possible.”
“Everything is possible. You taught me that.” I pull out my phone and fire off a text.
“What are you doing? Oh God, are you texting Banks?”
“Yes.” He owns the theater. If anyone can get me backstage it’s him. I’d buy the place but I’m not sure I could make it happen before she is gone and out of the building. It would take more time to track her down. Either way I will find a way to meet her. It would be easier if I could see her tonight. Actually, now works best for me. I’ve waited too long already to have her.
My phone dings in my hand. I smile knowing that I’m going to get what I want. It may come with a price, but she is worth it. I’ll have to attend two charity events that will be hosted here in the next few months. Maybe I can come with Bunny on my arm. I think anything would be bearable if she was with me. She could light up the whole room without speaking a word—the same way she did my heart. Now that I’ve seen her brightness, I want to bask in all its glory.
“Mr. Price. If you’d follow me.” A man in a suit motions. “Mr. Banks said you’d like to go backstage. I’ll lead the way.”
“I get to meet her.” My mom claps excitedly. She’s about to burst. I wish I could say I was doing this for her but we all know exactly who I’m doing this for. Now that I think about it, it is kind of for my mom. I’m introducing her to her future daughter-in-law. I’m basically the best son ever.
“Yes.” I answer them both. We follow the man through the crowd of people standing near the doorway. Everyone is carrying on about the show. I don’t know why I can’t bring myself to call it a show. It was so much more than that. It’s something I can’t put into words. For a moment I thought she was dancing for me and me alone. That there was no one else in the theater. I could feel her every move down to my soul. She danced and played her way into my heart, making it so that living without her isn’t an option. I must sound crazy but I don’t care. I fight the irritation that tries to take hold of me, thinking that the other theatergoers felt the same way.
“You sure you’re okay?” My mom peeks over at me.
“I’m far from okay.” I sigh. I rub the back of my neck, wondering how this is going to go. I’m not even sure what the fuck I’m going to say. I feel like a school boy asking a girl out for a dance. She is clearly skittish from what I gathered from my mom. I’m the exact opposite, tending to be more on the pushy side. I’m used to getting what I want, but I can try to be patient with my Bunny.
“I’ve never seen you like this.” She smiles as she says it.
“I’ll take it from here,” I tell the man after he gets us past the security. At least they have this place locked up nice and tight. I still don’t like that I only had to make a call and was let back here. Money really can get you everything. I’d learned that quickly.
“If you need anything.” He nods. I notice his eyes flick to the door that has Bunny’s name on it.
“Go,” I bark at him. He jumps back before taking off. I’m a big man. It doesn't take much to get someone to back down. I’m not this size because I sit in boardrooms all day like everyone wants me to. I spend my time on the land. Getting things done. I feel more effective there. Mom has always been better at running the details. She enjoys it. Unlike my incompetent father, I listen to her advice.