What If

Epilogue

SEATTLE Fall 2018

Brian looked out to the crowd as he climbed atop his platform to play the last notes of "Unholy Confessions."

The large crowd roared in approval and he could feel the love and excitement. It was balm on his soul after the the strange lessons of the holidays. One of the girls in the crowd smiled at him widely through the night, occasionally flashing her cleavage and he had to admit that he enjoyed it. It was nice to feel loved....fans were always amazing.

He flashed her a smile as he ran his long fingers over the neck of his guitar and Matt hit the last "Yeah!"

Brooks banged on the drums some more while the crowd went wild. They always do.

Brian came over to the side of the stage, handing his guitar off and then walked to the girl and put his hand out. She touched him and screamed.

"I love you so much!" she cried.

"I love you too," he smiled pulling his hand back quickly. He didn't mean it. He only loved Kate and Kate...he shook his head to clear her from his mind and grabbed some guitar picks from his mic stand and began to throw them in the crowd. He gave a couple of waves and walked off stage right.

"Great show Gates," one of the crew called and he acknowledged by nodding with a perfunctory smile.

He reached Dan and pulled him aside. "Danny boy...the girl out there with the fiery red hair...stage left. Go catch her before she leaves and bring her back."

"You sure?" Dan asked. "You're not going to the
coffee shop?"

"No," Brian replied as he saw Matt grab Valary by her waist and wipe his sweat on her much to her pretend chagrin. Michelle was standing close by so he gave her a casual wave as well and she gave him a wan smile in return. "She wasn't in the seats I left."

"So you're just going to give up?" Dan asked quickly. "Come on Gates...maybe she had to work."

Brian shook his head "It's our second time in Seattle. She hasn't shown up either time. It's time for me..to get over it. And I can start with that red head."

Dan shook his head but sighed "All right man. I'll go check it out."

Finally Brian got to the dressing room where it was quieter. He could be alone with his thoughts...thoughts that always drifted back to Kate.

He had talked her off of that plane. And they spent the night talking...talking about the past...about everything that had happened between them both past and present. He told her about every memory of his dream and she was so swept up in it that she kissed him and then he initiated more. But it didn't stop her from saying she had to go to Seattle. It didn't stop her from walking out of the door the next morning. She had a commitment and it was her turn to chase her dream. He didn't begrudge her that but it was hard to know she was in the same city and she hadn't even thought of him. He hadn't once crossed her mind.

He shook his head and moved to wash the sweat off of his face. He turned the light on in the wash room and ran the hot water. He looked at himself in the mirror and noticed the bags under his eyes. It was hell getting old. It was even worse not having anyone to share it with. He sighed deeply as he heard the sound of the door open to the dressing room. He took one more deep breath to prepare to turn the red head down after he'd called her back.

It was the eyes he noticed first and the sight of her knocked the breath from his body. He almost stumbled and that made a smile form on her familiar face. She looked older than the less time he saw her and definitely more put together. Her green eyes were clear and mischievous.
"Jamie?" he managed in a raspy tone.