They Vowed: 'Til Death Do Us Part?

Chapter 2: Blue

Clare

No matter how many times I get on the small stage, at the back of my bar, I'm always nervous every single time.

I had learned to use it to my advantage. The more emotion I used the better I would sing. This was actually the first I had sung on stage in about a week. I have been busy with things throughout the week so I had limited time to.

I was trying to get the empty building next door, so I could expand the bar. I wanted to make it better. I was determined to make the deal and I wouldn't stop until it was mine.

Ben had been pestering me all evening to get up there and sing a number. So now I was doing it mainly to just make him shut up.
I will admit though, I do love to sing, especially at my bar. The atmosphere is just so perfect.
Even though it's in a big city, it still holds some southern charm to it. It was my father's bar. He gave it to me before he had to go to a nursing home. He is slipping so close to the edge of insanity and it breaks my heart. I want my father to see this place become great before he passes. But no, I won't think of that. Not here, not now. Not right before I'm about to have every face in the room looking at me.

I step up on the stage and go to the mic stand. Katie plays the music for me. She does the karaoke for my bar. I don't look at the screen because I know every word. Ben told me to sing Adele's Set Fire To Rain because it's his favorite and I (of course) obliged. Ben has been my best friend for years. He is my bartender. He makes the best drinks in the city rumors say and he is easy on the eyes, so he definitely helps business.

I start to sing and the nerves leave me. I feel like I'm floating. Nothing is better than what music makes me feel.

I let the words easily come out, rolling some to make them sound just how I want them to. High or low. Sweet or raspy. I've trained my voice to do whatever I want it to.

I end the song with closed eyes and I smile as I hear everyone in the bar clap, yell, and whistle. Ben is the loudest one of all. He always is.

"Thank you and I hope you all enjoy your night at Romans! I appreciate you all for choosing us," I spoke into the mic, stepped off the stage, and went towards the back of the bar.

At that moment I felt eyes on me. I turned and saw a man staring at me. Our eyes locked for a few seconds but I looked away quickly after. His eyes were so blue! The beauty of them made my heart jump a bit.

I felt like he was still looking at me but I didn't look his way again. I went up to Ben and asked, "Are you satisfied now?"

He smirked at me and handed me a budlight. "Yeah I am my little Adele."

I threw my head back and laughed at him. "You are crazy if you think I'm good enough to be called that!"

"Nah, everyone knows your badass at singing Boss."

"Sucking up to the boss now are we? You better get back to tending cause I don't think your ass kissing is working," I winked at him.

"Yes, ma'am," he laughed and then walked away.

Ben started to make mixed drinks for two younger looking girls in the corner. He was talking and charming them up. I could tell they were enjoying it. Ben was a nice guy. He was always making someone happy.