Previously, at the end of The Pianist Plays It Slow

Hannah’s POV

 

The band was performing a one-night-only preview concert for the new album at The Greek Theater. Two hours after arriving, I stood in one of the wings with Beth, Jen, and Celeste. It was the first time playing publicly with the new drummer Linc and the guys were unusually nervous.

And my first time seeing them play.

The venue was packed and I was grateful we were back here away from the crowd. Girls in front were going berserk. Beth and Celeste were almost bored with the process, but Jen kept rubbing her stomach like she was soothing butterflies.

While happy to support Mike, I didn’t know how many of these big deals I’d attend in the future. The band playing and singing in the backyard was special enough.

Our guys walked onstage from the other side and I waved at Mike, the eternity band on my left hand sparkling in the lights. Yeah, I know—some would say it was fast, but he was mine and I was his. We snuck away to his hometown in October, his closest family in attendance.

He still wanted to get me an engagement ring, but I didn’t need a big flashy rock to know how much he loved me.

When he harmonized with Jake to sing about love, his eyes met mine.

We had a listening party when the album released, but hearing the music live was totally different, at least for me. Growing up, I never had the money for concerts like this. The sound was so powerful, it vibrated your body. I felt every bit of bass in my chest. Most performances I’d seen were on the PBS station or at the county fair, so I was grateful for Beth handing out ear plugs.

At the end of the set, Jake addressed the crowd. “We’re almost done tonight and thank you for the love you’ve shown these new songs. Before we go, one of us has something to say.”

The four of us looked between each other, no one knowing what this was about. Then Dylan grabbed the mike and Jen’s hand flew to her mouth.

“I know, babe, I told you I wouldn’t make it public, but I can’t hold it in. As you all know, this band is family and these guys are my brothers. Now they’re about to become uncles.”

The crowd roared with congratulations. Dylan shrugged in our direction while Beth hugged his fiancée. I tried to ask Jen when she was due, but she couldn’t hear me.

Then Bob grabbed the mike from him. “Shit, man, if we’re spilling big news, I might as well share mine—Celeste agreed to marry me.” The crowd went wild.

We turned to her and she held up the engagement ring, which was blinding.

We moved deeper back to talk.

Beth smacked her bestie’s arm. “How could you not tell me?”

“It just happened last night. He said, ‘Hey, babe, let’s make it legal,’ held up the ring, and I said yes.”

Jake struck up the chords of the last song, but no one was paying much attention. Finally, he gave up, yelled, “Good night!” into a microphone, and herded his friends off stage to join us.

“Bloody hell, you all couldn’t have shared this at Thanksgiving?”

We laughed, we partied, and I said a prayer of thanks I’d found this crazy cobbled-together family of rock stars and their beloveds, who were now my best friends.

Mike and I wouldn’t be here without them.