As the song came to a close, and Gray sang the final note, another roar went up, along with whistles and claps. Gray ruffled Tanner’s hair and Tanner slapped his back, then they both climbed down from the stage.
For a moment they disappeared into the crowd, and all she could see were the tips of their heads as Tanner’s friends congratulated and hugged them. Then Gray emerged, walking toward her, and Maddie had to curl her fingers into fists and dig her nails into her palms in an attempt not to throw herself at him.
The need to touch him was overwhelming. His t-shirt was clinging to him, his skin glowing, his eyes sparkling. She swallowed hard and tried to remind herself who he was. Her sister’s ex.
But her heart didn’t want to listen. It was too busy pounding at her ribcage.
“How was I?” he asked her, his eyes heavy-lidded as he looked down at her.
“You were okay.” She somehow managed to keep her voice steady. “Not as good as the original, but who is?”
He grinned, and it about broke her. “Damned with faint praise.”
“Okay, next up is Becca and Maddie,” Sam shouted into the microphone. The feedback crackled through the speakers, making her wince.
“Good luck,” Gray said, still smiling at her.
“And as a treat, Maddie will be playing the piano while they sing.”
“You will?” Gray asked her.
It was news to her. So that was what Becca had been whispering to Sam about. She looked over at the old piano at the end of the stage. She knew from experience it was out of tune, and covered with about two inches of dust.
“Come on, Maddie,” Becca called out over Sam’s shoulder, almost bouncing with excitement.
Gray slipped his warm palm under her elbow and led her over to the piano, stepping back so she could slide onto the stool. She traced her finger along the lid, and sure enough it came back grey. Sighing, she lifted it up and turned to Becca. “What am I playing?”
“Lady Antebellum. I Need You Now.” Becca spoke into the microphone. The people in front of the stage whooped.
Maddie shook her head and looked at the keys. It would have been better with a guitar, but she could make it work with the piano. As she put her fingers on the ivory, Becca walked over, carrying the microphone, and sat down next to her.
“You do Hillary’s vocals and I’ll do Charles’,” Becca whispered, as Maddie pressed her fingers on the first four notes, then repeated the melody, silently counting herself in.
As Becca held the microphone in front of her, Maddie opened her lips to sing, and forgot everything around her.
Everything except the gorgeous man leaning on the top of the piano, watching her intently.
Chapter Thirteen
The entire room was silent as Maddie sang the first line. Her voice was pure, perfectly in tune, and it cut right to his core. Beneath the keyboard he could see her knee moving up and down to the beat, her fingers speeding up as the verse segued into the chorus.
Becca leaned in and the two of them sang about being drunk and needy, and he believed every word. Maddie’s expression was animated, her lips soft as she lived the words she was singing.
She was a natural performer. That much was clear. It wasn’t just that she could play piano – he’d met a lot of people who could do that, some of them better than her. It wasn’t the sound of her voice, either, though it sent shivers down his spine every time she opened her mouth. No, it was in the way she moved, her head turning to capture the audience who stood swaying in front of the stage, their expressions rapt. She didn’t need to strut her stuff or belt out the tune, because she’d already made them hers.
It was intoxicating.
Becca took over the next verse, stumbling over a note, and Maddie caught her eye and grinned. Then the chorus began again and the crowd joined in, their bodies swaying, their arms raised up.
Gray found himself mouthing the words along with them. Maddie glanced up at him, her lips curling as she caught his eye. God, he wanted her. Wanted to kiss those words right out of her mouth. Wanted to show her how damn sexy her talent was. His fingers ached with the need to touch her soft lips, to push his way inside and watch her reaction.
“Maddie’s good, huh?” Tanner asked, passing Gray a fresh bottle of beer. He leaned on the piano next to him and made a face at Becca, who stuck her tongue out at him.
“She’s more than good. She’s better than half the professional singers I know.”
“That’s why nobody likes singing Karaoke after them. She and Becca always win the competitions.” Tanner grinned at him. “Until we came along.”
The son