more for us | grayson dolan (book two)

thirty nine

(highly recommend listening to the song while reading along with this chapter!)

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Walking onto the stage is probably the most nerve wracking experience of my entire life. Due to the bright lights shining, it's hard to really make out the people in the audience. The one thing I do know is that it's a packed room. Total full house as hundreds of people clap their hands together.

Nervously gulping, I take a seat in front of the piano and get my sheet music set up. The band and choir walk out and stand toward the back. Carter places his microphone on the stand and adjusts it to his height.

I glance at the audience and instantly relax once I see my loved ones sitting near the front. Grayson winks at me, while Jake and Allie send me two thumbs up. Ethan and Lanie are waving their hands while Sean and Lisa send me a proud smile.

I exhale a deep breath and look back at Carter. The applause finally dies down, and the entire auditorium falls silent. I can feel my heart pounding inside of my hollow chest.

Carter gives me a nod, and I know that's my que to start the song. It still excites me that I press on the key to begin the entire piece. Placing my hands over the keys, I relax my body and hit on the starting note.

When Carter opens his mouth to sing the first word, which is simply "can", I feel chills run up and down my spine.

"Anybody find me somebody to love?" The choir powerfully echoes while I play the notes.

It goes quiet for a moment after, until I pick it back up with a small piano solo. Carter hums before opening his mouth to sing again. The drums also come in, making it more magical.

"Each morning I get up I die a little, can barely stand on my feet." Carter sings.

"Take a look at yourself in the mirror and cry, yeah yeah." The choir repeats and it sounds so fucking amazing. This was the best idea I ever had.

"I have spent all my years in believing you, but I just can't get no relief, Lord!" They sing at the same time.

"Somebody." Carter belts out, while the choir mimics his words. "Can anybody find me somebody to love?"

I continue to stare at the music notes, while Andrew strums the strings on his guitar. So far, so good. Everything is going according to plan.

Once the second verse come in, Carter seems to loosen up. I can see he's starting to get more comfortable with his singing.

"I work hard, everyday of my life. I work till I ache in my bones." The words slip out of his mouth with force.

The choir continues to sing the backup vocals, until we're back repeating the chorus, which is simply the title words.

Carter holds out the last note, and the crowd begins to cheer. His voice is vibrating through the walls, I can feel it shake from the ground beneath me.

He continues to sing, while my hands are as fast as lightning, making sure every note is perfect. Andrew comes in with his guitar solo. The spotlight stays on him as he begins to jam out. I take this moment to solely focus on him. His hands are moving at a fast pace.

The crowd continues to go crazy, and I can't help but smile. This is exhilarating.

"Ooh, somebody. Can anybody find me somebody to love?" Carter belts out the words.

I keep staring at the music notes, never missing a beat as the choir continues to keep up with Carter's strong vocals.

"I just gotta get out of this prison cell," Carter sings while placing his hand on his heart, "someday I'm gonna be free, Lord!"