Page 27 of Yours, Finally

"Is this real? Are we feeling okay?" she asked. "This is incredible."

All I could do was gulp through a tight throat, nod, and return to Jake.

I was not okay. I was shaken, I was taken, I was… I couldn't even finish the thought; he sang so thoroughly that my brain couldn't trace all the spaces where it took me. We were all in a trance, to the point that, when the song ended, the whole place was in silence for a hot second.

Then applause exploded, Jake smirked, and put the mic back in its holder like he hadn't just brought down the house.

A chill went down my spine. I didn't have a crush like when I was a teen. This was more. Whatever feeling this was, it couldn't be as simple as infatuation for my brother's best friend.

It was their friendship that took over first. Gabe jumped off his chair and met Jake halfway; they hugged, a long embrace full of affection that took several seconds to end. I balled my hands into fists and held back— I shouldn't insert myself between them and hug Jake like I wished to do, no matter how much I craved it.

My brother said a few things to Jake with his hands on Jake's shoulders. In turn, the guy I'd known since I was six shook his head, laughed, and rolled his eyes.

"What was that?!" Lina asked when they joined us. "Jake. You can sing!"

Jake snorted and sat in his place next to me. "Yes, I can."

Lina laughed. "One moment you went from oh, I don't know, my therapist said I should— to this?!"

The gentle giant next to me chuckled. "I figured, if I was going to do it, I might as well do it."

"And that song." Gabe shook his head again. "I bet it's not easy to sing, but you sang it like a pro. Like you felt the lyrics."

"Not autobiographical, I swear." He stole a glance my way. "Most of it doesn't apply."

And yet I knew I would look up the lyrics when I got to bed, and get lost in analyzing them for the tiny bit that might apply. Fantasize that it could be a piece about us.

"You write your own music, too, right?" I asked.

He nodded, not looking at me. "But I'm not ready to do that."

"It's okay." Lina got off her chair. "You can build to that. Come, Gabe. Let's get more drinks."

Gabe stood in preparation for following his girlfriend. "At this rate, next time you'll shrug, find a guitar, and serenade us all with a Stewart original."

He left with Lina toward the bar. It should have been okay. It would only be a few minutes alone with Jake, but the moment it was only the two of us, the air around us got charged with anticipation.

"What did you think?" He turned his gaze to me, a mix of seriousness and humor in his gaze. "Didn't make you regret coming here, did I?"

I shook my head. "Impossible. It's surreal how good you are."

"I read on the website that they have open stage nights every month. Maybe I'll build up my courage enough to do that one day."

"All so you can tell your therapist that you did it."

He smirked. "Exactly. Will you come next time, too?"

"Of course. I'll be here if you want me."

A few heavy seconds stretched in the air, thinning the distance between us. Our eyes remained locked, my heart steadily climbing up my chest and into my throat.

Definitely not a crush anymore.

He frowned and looked away. "Don't give me that look, Vi. We can't."

I rearranged my face to a surprised gesture. "How am I looking at you?"

"Even telling you would be crossing lines."