Suicide Notes

Chapter Thirty

Chapter Thirty

Caleb-

"Ladies and gentleman," the announcer called. "I now present to you the number one band rockin' the planet these days . . . Fringe!" The sold out crowd roared its approval as we ran out onto the stage, taking our places.

"Hello, Las Vegas!" Anna yelled into the microphone and the screams grew louder as Stix pounded out the drumbeat to start our first song, Something Beautiful.

Anna's crystal voice filled the stadium and thousands of voices joined her, singing along to the music. Fists were pumping into the air as people danced up front, surging toward the railing in their bid to get closer. Big, burly bouncers and bodyguards pushed back, attempting to keep the wild crowd in order.

The bass thumped loudly, making the stage floor vibrate beneath my feet. I loved the way it felt and how the music rumbled through my body, as if I was one with it. I briefly wondered if the others felt the same way I did.

Recording in the studio was something I loved; but nothing beat performing in front of thousands. It was a surreal experience to watch other people get so worked up over the music I had written, acting as if it were their own words from their own souls.

Bright lights swooshed over the stage, temporarily blinding me before turning in another direction. The stadium glittered with camera flashes as we rocked the house, and I felt the adrenaline race through my blood at the response of our fans.

That wasn't the only reason my adrenaline was pumping though, and I had to concentrate heavily to keep my hands from shaking.

When it came time for my guitar solo, I tossed my guitar behind my back and strode over to Anna, grabbing the microphone from her. Staring at me in shock, she watched as I sank to my knee in front of her, the other instruments dwindling to a stop when they saw me extend a flashing diamond ring toward her.

"Anna Vasquez, I do believe the two of us could be something beautiful together and I'm wondering if you'd be willing to do me the honor of becoming my wife?" I spoke into the microphone.

Girls began screaming in the audience and the crowd took up the chant. "Yes! Yes! Yes! Yes!" they repeated over and over again as Anna covered her mouth with her hands, clearly stunned. I'd told no one I was doing this tonight.

Glancing at the crowd she started laughing and held her hand for the microphone. "I'm getting the impression they want me to say yes," she responded, egging the crowd on as they cheered even louder. Looking at me, she smiled widely. "Caleb, I thought you'd never ask," she replied, repeating the words I'd said to her the first time we'd slept together.

"Is that a yes?" I shouted back to her over the din, smiling widely.

"That's a yes!"

Standing, I grabbed her in my arms and kissed her as I twirled her around. "Thank you, baby. I love you so much!" I had to yell to be heard.

"I love you too!" she shouted in reply.

"I have one more request," I said as I held her close.

"What's that?"

"We're in Vegas. I want to get married here tonight. We can go home and plan a big reception to share with everyone else, but I want it to just be us, right now, without all the mayhem and paparazzi. Will you do it?"

She hugged me tighter. "Yes, Caleb! A thousand times, yes!"

I couldn't help my laughter. "Then let's get this concert finished. We've got plans for later!"

"I love you," she replied into her microphone, as we broke apart.

Returning to mine, I replied. "I love you. Now let's rock the world!"

Stix beat out a rhythm and we started the song over. I spent the rest of the concert unable to take my eyes off Anna. She was definitely something beautiful to me and I couldn't wait to spend the rest of my life with her.

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