On the road with Ryder Crawford (Haylor Fanfic)

XXIX - Crossing Lines

Two days before the EP release Scoot convinced everyone  that we go out as celebration on our break, so we're here in a private karaoke in Louisiana.

Ryder is the life of the party as usual, holding his glass of whiskey as he's clearly leading the conversation with a small crowd of the tour crew listening and laughing at what he's saying.

After the radio interview, we've actually learned to at the very least be civil with each other. We're not chummies and pulling pranks at each other anymore but I feel we've gotten a lot better.

The night passes it's already two in the morning and a lot of the crew members look tipsy, including my band who are all debating how ants somehow evolved to "winged queen ants"

The mic screeches and the music dies making all of us turn to the small stage and see Ryder holding the mic, slightly wobbling.

"I'd like to congratulate the talented Silver Jones for the release of her songs" He starts even more slurry than his usual talking.

The crew cheers and claps as they look at me, I smile and bow a little mouthing thank you to them.

"Come join me in a song. Come on!" Ryder then says waving his hand to me gesturing for me to go up the stage with him.

I shake my head lightly and gesture my hand for a pass but Ryder puts out his finger and sways it side to side gesturing a "no" and waved his arm to call on me, I stand up and walk very hesitantly.

As I reached the stage the song starts, it's an old classic duet. I remember how I met Ryder back in JP's, he sure likes the classics.

The intro end and he begins singing.

"Baby come as you are
With just your heart
And I'll take you in
You're rejected and hurt
To me you're worth
What you have within"

His voice ever so soothing.

"Now I don't need no superstar
Cause I'll accept you as you are
You won't be denied
Cause I'm satisfied
With the love you inspire"

I sang ever so lightly, intimidated by being in the same stage as someone like Ryder.

"You don't have to be a star, baby
To be in my show
You don't have to be a star, baby
To be in my show

He comes in on cue, we sang the few more lines together.

Slowly I get at ease as the song progresses I sang with a much confident voice and look at Ryder, smiling with his heavy eyes.

"Oh honey, there'll be no cheering from the crowds
Just two hearts beating out loud
There'll be no parade
No tv or stage
Only me till your dying day" 

He sings to overlap my last note beautifully.

"You don't have to be a star, baby
To be in my show
You don't have to be a star, baby
To be in my show"

The crowd erupts in cheers and applause Ryder does an exaggerated bow and I chuckle beside him.

"Your songs are special- you're quite special" He then says looking at me.

I flash a confused smile and nod.

"You my love-" He trails as he puts his arm around me. I stiffen and try to shake his arm out but he holds it down.

"are going places." He finishes.

Then like a flicker switch I see his face moving towards me, and in a second his lips are on mine. Shock overwhelmed me it felt like the world has stopped but then blood raised up my mind rushing, my hand springs up and I shove him away from me.