Wicked Little Sins

Everly

The crowd cheered as Everly bellowed out the final words of her song. She took a bow, looking to the right at the band. She was in her glory on stage, singing her heart out.

"And I would like to dedicate this next song to my mother, Sandy," Everly said. Her voice wavered as she began to sing into the dark crowd. Tears began trickling down her porcelain skin. In a panic, she froze, her heart hammering in her ears. The band continued playing while she stood as still and taut as a beautiful sculpture.

A man with dark hair and a beard leapt from his seat in the audience. He quickly made his way to the stage and rushed to Everly as she was about to lose it—yet again this week. He knew every audience was different, but not everyone understood the absolute panic that could overtake her with only a moment's notice and how desperately she'd worked to overcome the fear.

"Thank you, and good-night," he said. The microphone squealed as he snagged it from her hands. There was little shame that he still wore the dance attire for his act.

"Vinnie, get her off stage!" The guitarist yelled, trying his best to keep up with the band. He, too, was protecting Everly.

Everly returned to reality, pushing past the curtains. She was a little upset that Vince had intervened, she would have come out of it eventually.

"I could have gotten through it," she said, dabbing her eyes with a balled up tissue.

"I know sweetheart," Vince appeased. He knew she wouldn't have. She'd cried herself to sleep every night since her mother's passing. He wished he could fix it, and take all her pain away.

To be honest, he was upset with the timing of Sandy's death. Their wedding was right around the corner, and he knew this loss was going to be a lousy way to start their marriage. He knew Everly wouldn't be satisfied with being just his fiancée forever. She knew what she wanted in life and she knew how to go about getting it. She was self-made and dedicated to her career in music. She'd worked hard to get where she was at. If you were lucky, she'd allow you to join the journey with her.

"Charley has called twice since you went on stage," he reminded her. She snatched up her duffel bag, making her way down the hallway to her small dressing room. This wasn't the best gig, but it was a gig nonetheless. She'd been able to showcase her talent, and she was proud of what she had accomplished so far.

Vince helped her slip on her winter jacket. The red pea coat with a matching beret was the last gift her mother had given her. She was never without it and would, more than likely, wear it all the way to spring. Maryland had a tendency to stay cool well past winter, so she was sure she could pull it off.

Knowing he was trying to comfort her, Everly allowed Vince to wrap his arm around her. It had been a dreadful couple of days, and she felt dead inside. Her heart ached for her whole family, but especially for herself. Just a week ago she'd been planning a wedding when she wasn't singing in the studio with her band. The only relief she got now was to climb into bed and cover her head with blankets.

Everly was the second oldest—born in July. Sandy told her the instant she'd heard her sweet baby scream, she knew Everly would be a singer. She adored her mother and all that she was, and Sandy had been her biggest fan. She made a point to call her mom every week to talk about Vince and their wedding plans, or to cry on her mom's shoulder whenever she needed to. They talked about everything and she wanted those times back. She felt so cheated knowing she'd never again enjoy those moments with her mom.

Vince started up the car, pulling her hand into his lap as they began the drive to Ohio. Even if Everly had her doubts, Vince was determined to be there for her through it all. He gave a quick glance in her direction and smiled at her as she talked to Charley on the phone. For a brief moment, he saw a glimmer of life return to her eyes. He was hopeful all would be well and they'd be able to move on with their lives once they said goodbye to her mother.

"We're picking up Ethan on the way into town," Everly said to Vince.

Vince nodded, not speaking a word. He wasn't a big fan of her younger brother. Ethan was rather quiet and odd, and he could never quite figure out what Ethan thought of him. Everly said it's just how Ethan is, a boy of few words. But Vince didn't believe that. He'd seen Ethan interact with his sisters and he was close to their parents. Vince highly doubted Ethan liked him and assumed Everly's avoidance of the subject was her way of preventing a disagreement.