Total pages in book: 70
Estimated words: 69266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 69266 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 346(@200wpm)___ 277(@250wpm)___ 231(@300wpm)
“What he said,” Campbell said.
We got a thumbs-up from the assistant, and I followed them onto the stage. I sat down in front of the keyboard. Bright lights hit me, and a bead of sweat dripped down my spine. Everything was blurry, as if I had no idea where the keys were anymore. I’d been playing since as long as I could talk, and somehow, it all disappeared.
Shit, shit, shit.
“And tonight, performing their number one hit, ‘Rooftop Nights,’ it’s Cosmere!”
The audience cheered. Santi brought in the drum beat for the opening notes. A settling sound. An intro that I’d heard time and time again. And suddenly, I was back in Lubbock at LBK Studios last summer, playing the opening with Campbell for the first time. Both of us knowing that the song was special. A song about meeting Blaire on the Fourth of July that turned into an upbeat hit that no one could get out of their heads, least of all us. And it was that, that got my fingers moving.
The audience disappeared. No one was watching. We were just jamming, as we had been for the last year. I let loose into the keys, pushing my seat back and leaning forward into the keyboard. Campbell’s smooth lyrics hit every note bigger and better than he ever had in the studio. It was like we were unleashed. A downpour after a drought.
And through it all, I realized that I wanted this more than ever. I’d never come back from this. Never come down from this.
I’d sell my soul to the music industry to get to feel like this every day.
A smile broke onto my face, and I performed the song like never before.
20
Nora
Weston playing on that stage was like watching someone find religion.
And I understood.
I’d seen Campbell play thousands of times. All growing up, through his years before Cosmere, and then as a mega superstar. I’d known on some level that this was what he had been made for. That he had always known that music spoke to his soul.
But I hadn’t gotten it until I saw West transform on that stage. He shed all his other personas, all the ones that had held him back, and he became exactly what I’d seen in Campbell all those years. Despite all the nerves and misgivings, I could see him come alive.
“Wow,” I whispered.
“Yeah,” Blaire said from my side.
“This is the best I’ve ever seen them,” English agreed.
Anna English was Blaire’s publicist. But with the Cosmere publicist, Barbara, out on maternity leave, she had stepped in temporarily for their East Coast performances. She was a New York local and Campbell’s friend.
Blaire’s hands were clasped together and drawn up to her chest. “I can’t believe this came out of one kiss on a rooftop.”
English threw an arm around her shoulders. “Believe it, sister. The muse answers when it’s called.”
Three minutes and forty-five seconds later, the song was over. The crowd exploded with fervor at hearing Cosmere perform. The host came out to congratulate them, shaking hands with Campbell. Then, they went to commercial, the lights turned on, and everything returned to reality.
The band headed back over to the backstage area, as if walking on clouds. Blaire pressed a kiss onto Campbell’s lips. Weston moved to my side, and I gave up holding back. I threw my arms around him.
“You were incredible!”
He laughed and hugged me back, swinging me in a quick circle before depositing me on my feet. “Thanks, Snickers.”
“Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Tell you what?”
His eyes dipped to my lips, and I caught my breath. Wondering if we were going to give up this charade. But he pulled back at the last second.
“How magnificent you are.”
He ran a hand back through his hair and shot me a self-deprecating smile. “That is not a word I’d ever use to describe me.”
“Well, you didn’t just see you out there. You were wonderful. I’ve seen you play at home, but fuck, West.”
His smile was genuine there, if not a little abashed. “Thanks, Nor. That means a lot.”
“Come on, you crazy kids,” Santi cheered. “Let’s go get drunk. We’ve earned it.”
“What he said,” Viv agreed.
“I know just the place,” English said.
Campbell stayed back for a few more minutes to thank the host, and then we all piled into an awaiting limo outside of Rockefeller Plaza. Though it was only a mile to Percy Tower, with traffic, it took us a solid twenty minutes to navigate the city. Then, we were escorted the back way into the prestigious hotel and swept up into a private elevator.
“My friend actually owns the building,” English said. “I called him and asked him to secure us some space in the VIP section.”
Weston and I exchanged glances full of incredulity.
But it was Blaire who blurted out, “You know Camden Percy?”
English laughed. “He’s the best man in my upcoming wedding.”