My voice is reverent as I close out our routine with the word I always do. “Gratitude.”
The group together counts to three and then, out of the huddle, we move into a group hug. My heart is full. I close my eyes and take it all in, thankful to be standing here celebrating our last show with some of the most important people to me.
We release each other and get into position for the opening song. From my mark, I can hear the fans screaming at the top of their lungs. The whole stadium is alive and vibrating with anticipation.
My pulse races, echoing in my ears until my heartbeat drowns out any other thought than the one most important phrase in show business.
No matter what’s going on in my personal or professional life, no matter what is happening in the world around me, when I’m on stage, only one thing matters. I repeat it in my head, taking a deep breath and putting the biggest smile on my face before I walk out onto the stage.
The show must go on.
THIRTY-FIVE
hayes
FRIDAY, MARCH 28
“Good evening, New Jersey!”Jersey says boldly into the microphone before giving the thousands of people in attendance a blinding smile. My chest expands with a sense of pride again like it did when she first stepped onto the stage earlier tonight.
That’s my girl up there.
The crowd goes wild and Jersey has to take a step back from the microphone. The camera follows her every move, putting her gorgeous face up on the screen so everyone can see her. Her eyes sparkle with eyeshadow and the overwhelming gratitude she has for the fans cheering her name. Her lips are plump and filled in with a lipstick that I want to kiss right off her, especially when she grins like that. She laughs a few times, shaking her head in awe before she steps back up to the microphone and waits for the noise to die down a bit.
“I am so excited to be here tonight. I’ve been looking forward to playing this stadium for the entire tour! This state is my namesake, which means tonight’s show is extra,extraspecial!”
Jersey waves both her hands to the crowd before spinning on the toe of her sparkly heeled boot, brown silky hair flying acrossher shoulder as she spots the guitar that’s been perfectly placed for her. The stadium lights go dim around her, and then there’s one purple spotlight directly on her. She starts strumming a few chords on the guitar and steps up to the microphone for the acoustic section of the concert. Her lips pull into a wide smile as the crowd goesinsaneas she delivers the opening line of her song, “Good Times Roll.”
I nod along to the beat, a small smile resting on my lips as I watch Jersey have the time of her life up there on the stage.
“She’s really something, isn’t she?” Bethany asks next to me.
Turning, I glance her way for a brief second before looking back to the stage, not wanting to miss a second of Jersey doing what she does best. I hadn’t realized Bethany had snuck into the VIP box. “She really, really is.” Then a thought occurs to me. “I figured you’d be backstage just in case Jersey needs something mid-show.”
Bethany shakes her head. “There are too many people backstage, and plenty of people around if she needs assistance. Besides, I love watching her sparkle as much as you do. She’s going to lose her mind when she finds out you’re here. It’s going to make her whole day.”
I can’t wait to see how excited Jersey will be at my surprise attendance. The anticipation is killing me. “Thank you so much for helping me pull this off last minute. It means a lot to me.”
Bethany dips her chin. “Well, Jersey means a lot to me, and I’ve really loved getting to see her happy since she’s been with you. I’ll do anything to keep her that way.” She pauses and gives me a pointed look. “So don’t mess it up, otherwise I’ll come for you.”
Jersey and her dancers have pulled my attention back to where they are doing a choreo-break as they transition into the next song. “Trust me, I have zero intentions of messing anything up with her.”
Bethany purses her lips off to the side, clearly fighting off a smile. She nods sagely. “I’m glad to hear that.” Bethany nudges my arm gently. I pry my eyes away from Jersey on the stage. She tilts her head toward the door. “We should probably get down there if you want to surprise her. There’re a few songs left, but you’re a little slower than you used to be.”
Her eyes dart down to my braced knee. I wince. Even though I know she’s teasing, the reality still stings. I’m getting stronger every day, but there’s still plenty of work to be done until I’m back to full speed.
Jersey has been a big part of my recovery journey. Every day she encourages me to push harder to keep working toward my goal. When she’s home, she sits next to me while I do my exercises for my knee, strumming the strings of her guitar and humming quietly to herself. When I pause what I’m doing to watch her, she feels my stare, meets my eyes, and hits me with “Ten more reps, MVP.”
I follow Bethany’s lead and trail behind her out of the VIP tent and through the crowd on the floor. Thankfully, we go inconspicuously for the most part, aside from a small group of fans who recognize me right off the bat.
They wave me over and Bethany allows me to stop to take a picture with them. I give the camera a big thumbs up and thank them for coming to support Jersey. The girls all share excited glances and say “thank you” tome.
Laughing nervously, I wave and continue my trek toward the side of the stage. Jersey is at the other end. She does a twirl and then spins again on her toe, skipping up the stage to where Bethany and I are standing.
As she gets closer, my pulse picks up, like I’m some teenager about to talk to the prettiest girl in school. It doesn’t matter that Jersey has practically been living with me for the last few months or that I know her as intimately as one can know anotherperson. All that seems to matter is that she’s coming closer to me, and I can’twaitfor her to see me standing here.
Jersey stops down the stage from me. She points out to the crowd, singing boldly into the microphone. The fans in front of her on the floor raise their hands, waving them in the air. The noise from the stadium is deafening with the mix of her loud music, her voice, and the voices of all of her fans singing along to every word.
I’ve seen a lot of people be the center of attention for a stadium this big, most of them part of a football team or other performers. There’s just something about the way Jersey owns the stage when she’s up there. It’s clear she was born for this. She was born to bring these songs to life and to give these fans something to sing for.
