Chapter 5 Take a Chance Son

Zoe only had 3 weeks left of her summer working in New York. The hospital has offered her a full time position. She had some decisions to make but she wasnt ready to think about it yet.

She had seen George several more times for dinner or coffee, although they had not shared any more moments or kisses. She had been out in large groups with Gigi, Adam, Brynn, Turner and George as well. She and George had not talked about their personal relationship, He realized that Zoe wasn't in a position to want him and needed to give her time to get over Wade.

W- Doc, BIG news.

Z- I will be off in an hour , can you call me then?

W- I will try. What nights do you have off this week? This may be a long conversation.

Z- Actually wed-Fri night. I am working an early AM shift on wed and thurs.

W- Perfect. We will talk then.

Wade couldn't wait to surprise her. He knew it would be risky. A few nice texts here and there definitely did not mean that she had forgiven him or that she wanted anything more than a casual friendship. But he did have big news. Gloriana was touring with Lady Antebellum. The band from Gloriana told members of Lady Antebellum that they needed to go play the Rammer Jammer. The vibe, the fans were terrific. So Saturday morning their manager gets in touch with Wade and asked if they could do a 30 min set at the Rammer Jammer. Wade was ecstatic.

However he didn't have any other bands booked for this Saturday. He called some of the local bands to go on first but all already gigs that were pretty far away. He called Lilly Anne and asked if she would sing with his band. Luckily, she had taken a break from touring. Mattress Police would be opening for Lady Antebellum. Wade calls Lemon and tell her she would have to take care of operations since he would be playing until his set was over. In a matter of hours, Lemon had a regional radio spot, posters throughout Bluebell and Fairhope. Wade had extra cases of beer and bourbon delivered. He made sure that they had enough staff, calling in a special favor from Shelley seeing if she could come work one night because she could bartend while he was playing. She agreed...she loved Lady Antebellum. Lemon and Wade were business partners and best friends. They worked so well together. One's strengths was the others' weaknesses. It was a match made in Rammer Jammer heaven.

Saturday night came and there was a line 200 people deep by 7pm.

Mattress Police was going to start playing at 9:30 for an hour. They let in the first 150 people for a $20 cover. They opened all of the doors to the patio where you could hear the bands but not get a great view for a $10 cover. In reality, this was a steal. Lady A was doing this for a flat fee because they really just wanted to give back to their fans. As people would leave for one reason or another, the next in line would be let in. The kitchen was swamped. The bar was swamped. Wade and Shelley didn't have time to talk to their customers. At 9, Wade, Lilly Anne and the rest of the band got together behind the bar and talked about what songs they would sing. Wade let Lilly Anne know, in no uncertain terms that she was not playin Run from Wade or any other song inspired by him. They made their set list.

At 9:30 Lemon introduced Mattress Police. The locals loved Wade and were proud of Lilly Anne making a go of her music career. The cheers from the crowd gave everyone on stage confidence. They started off with Bonnie Raitt's 'Something to talk about", then played some of Lilly Anne's originals. Then that led into the duet. " Picture" by Sheryl Crow and Kid Rock. Wade was nervous but there was no way he was going to spiral out of control like he did the last time at the Battle of the Bands. He didn't drink a drop all night. He started off the song. The crowd quieted down and was mesmerized by the performance Wade was giving.

"Living my life in a slow hell

Different girl every night at the motel

I aint seen the sun shining in 3 damn days.

Been fueling up on cocaine and whiskey

I wish I had a good girl to miss me

Lord, I wonder if I'll ever change my ways"

Wade was singing this song with passion and feeling. I mean this was him. It was not who he had become since meeting Zoe except for that one night. The whole time he is singing , Zoe keeps flashing through his mind. Little did he know that this was being live streamed.

Lilly Anne sang her verse and they ended with the last few lines of the song.

" I just called to say I want you to come back home

I just called to say I love you

Come back home"

The crowd is silent for what seems like forever. Then erupts in a standing ovation. Lilly Anne eats it up but Wade is in shock. The whole time he was singing, he really never even thought about the crowd. He just thought of Zoe. Lilly Anne thanks the Bluebell crowd and then Wade says there will be a 30 minute intermission until Lady A comes on stage.

Lemon rushes to Wade and hugs him but then says " I would love for you to have time to basque in the sunshine over that performance but Lady A called and the Lead male singer, Charles Kelly has laryngitis and is out for the next week or two. The tour bus is at Lavons but Charles Kelly can't sing tonight. Shelley live streamed your performance and Hillary Scott wants to know if you will play and sing with her tonight?"

Are you kidding me, Lemon? I aint good enough to be singing with Lady A or even playing with them." Wade was in shock.

"Well Wade Kinsella, you ARE going to play with them, you ARE going to sing with them because these people paid to see Lady A and if you don't then they won't play at all. So put on your big girl panties!" Lemon snapped.

He saw his dad out on the patio. He walked out to him and his Dad hugged him.

"I am so proud of you son. When something comes from the heart, you can't go wrong."

"Dad, I have to play with Lady A tonight. I know most of their songs but I am scared I will screw up. " Wade said almost inaudibly.

"Take a chance son, you deserve it. You just showed that there is much more to Wade Kinsella than just strumming the guitar a little. More than your past ways. You are a talented musician and businessman and a person that everyone loves being around. Your momma is looking down on you and she is shedding some proud tears right now."

Wade took the stage with Lady A at 11pm. They had run through the set list order. Since he learned to play the guitar just by listening, no formal training, he could pick up anything he didn't know. At least he hoped he could. Lady A played until Midnight. Wade held his own.

The crowd went wild. The group stayed around talking to members of the audience. Wade went immediately behind the bar, started doing a little cocktail shaking and girl in the place was trying to get Wade's attention but he was not going back down that rabbit hole.

He smiled that Wade KInsella smile, poured their drinks ,and thanked them for coming and went on to the next customer. Wade gave Lady A lift back to their tour bus at the plantation, They invited him on the tour bus to talk business, He had thought Lemon had taken care of the money. He walked in… this looked nothing like a bus. This was like a 4 star hotel on wheels.,

Hilary said " look we want to know if you will fill in for Charles Tuesday and Thursday and Friday this coming week. We will be in Lexington, KY on Tuesday and then New York City on Thursday and Friday"

"Me?, What? Are you serious?

"Yeah , we will work out a payment. We will cover hotel, food and anything else you need. It will pay more than the Rammer Jammer makes in a month. We already talked to Lemon and she will cover for you here. Oh and lastly we will sing "Picture". That was an incredible rendition. I hope I can do you justice" Hillary said sincerely.

" Well it seems like I don't have an excuse to say no. Sure, what the hell. I know that i am way below your league so I appreciate the confidence you have in me." Wade said in disbelief.