Chapter 7 Showtime
They arrived at the Grand Hyatt hotel in NYC. It was nicer than anything he had ever stayed in. Even better than 31C in Lexington.
They would arrive at the Bar/ Concert around 9 and start getting set.
Wade had a million thoughts running through his head. This was his chance to win Zoe back to openly show her what he means to her and how far he has come since that terrible night at Battle of Bands. He texts her real quick.
W- Doc, can't wait to share my news tonight. Have fun doing a quadruple bypass.
Z- You have really built this news up.
W- At the very minimum, you will be smiling later tonight.
Z- How do you know?
W- I know you Zoe, inside and out.
Zoe could feel an electric sensation move through her makes her feel everything.
Z- gotta go, not a bypass but an emergency appendectomy. I am on pins and needles, as you Alabamians say
W- go get em Doc!
Zoe got off at 2pm. She headed home for a shower and to relax a little before Gigi got there to head to the concert, She was happy that Gigi was trying to learn about her Bluebell world by going to a country concert. Zoe loved Lady Antebellum. Plus Wade won't be off at the RJ to talk until at least 11:30 or 12 since it is Thursday night at the Rammer Jammer. If he calls before the concert is over, she will just run outside or ask if she can call him back in a minute.
Zoe picked out her clothes, She chose some tight fitting ripped jeans, some swanky high heels and a red blouse that had a deep v neck that was see through and her black bralette underneath, She knew it would be hot in there. SHe thought how Lemon would not think that was appropriate attire and laughed to herself. She wondered how Gigi scored these tickets? Capacity was Only 500 or so people. Gigi said she had gotten them free. Well she is a party planner so it is makes sense.
Gigi texted and said she was running late but to meet her there.
UUGH, Zoe thought, I hate to go alone.
Z- " I am supposed to go to a concert tonight to see Lady A with Gigi but she is flaking telling me to just meet her there.
W- Doc, go, have some fun. We will talk after. No worries.
Just then Edward called up and said 'Your car is here to take you"
"OK Edward" said Zoe
Z- Well a car that I didn't call is here to take me
(Not knowing Wade had sent the car).
W- great, Gigi probably felt bad and sent a car. We will talk tonight.
Zoe rode the elevator down. Edward was at the door.
"Well don't you look marvelous Miss Zoe"
"Thank you Edward, I hope to be home early , Wade has something to tell me tonight. Evidently something good has happened. "
"Isn't that wonderful. See ya tonight",as he opened the car door for her.
She got in the car and there was a single red rose laying on the seat.
Then she noticed that Can't Shake You by Gloriana was playing.
She got lost in the song. Thinking about what Wade meant by asking her to listen to the song, I mean I know he still cares about me and 10 weeks ago, he told me he loved me but has he tried to move on? Has he slept with other women? She can't believe it has been that long since she has seen him and they had that wonderful night..
Before she knew it, she arrived at the venue.
Zoe called "Gigi, I am here, what do I do?"
"Zoe, just give them your name, you are on the VIP list"
Zoe walks in and they escort her to a table filled with friends.
Gigi, Adam, George, Brynn, Turner, Lavon, AB and Lemon. What? This is not making sense.
Looking at Lavon, AB and Lemon, "what are you guys doing here?"
Lemon says" well we wanted to pay you a surprise visit, that is what friends are for!" Zoe thinks to herself, Lemo and I aren't really friends, weird. I guess she just wanted to come NYC. She was excited to see them and hugged them all before she sat down in the open chair ( the chair that Wade had picked). They all chatted and ordered drinks.
L- The Doc has landed
W- good, that is half the battle, thx man
Lavon tells Zoe that they are staying through Saturday. Is there anyway she can get off on Friday. She is so thrilled and tells him that she is already scheduled off. He knew that, but didn't want to give it away since she might realize that only Wade knew her schedule.
The MC comes out and announces the opening act. Kasey Musgraves! Zoe, Lemon and AB couldn't have been happier. They loved her music and her vibe.
As she sat listening and enjoying the music, Zoe realized that Wade was right. She would be smiling tonight. Even though she knew he was talking about something else.
Wait, maybe he was asking about her nights off so that Lemon Lavon and AB could surprise her. I can't wait to hear his voice, he seems so excited. I wonder what he has to tell me.
The table orders round 2 of drinks. An hour had passed and she was thoroughly enjoying herself . She hadn't realized how much she had missed her friends from Bluebell. During Kaseys intermission, the table of NY and Bluebell friends were acting like kids in a candy store.. Just happy. Even George and Lemon were letting go a bit.
Kasey exited the stage after her last song and the MC came back on and asked for a warm New York welcome for Lady Antebellum and Luke Bryant!
What? Luke Bryant… Wade was really right… I am SMILIN!
They sang Need You Now. The song wasn't lost on Zoe. She remembered that she needed Wade for what turned out to be her last night in Bluebell. She wasn't drunk but she did need Wade at that moment. She needed to feel safe and wanted.
The NY crowd was up on its feet and yelling in approval. Luke cleared his throat and told the crowd that he was a special guest for that one song. "Ya see, I am good friends with these wonderful people and I have a concert in Buffalo tomorrow so I just wanted to be able to sing with them and then enjoy their music." The crowd was clapping in unison. Then Luke Bryant said , " Charles Kelly is still under the weather with laryngitis so please welcome WADE KINSELLA to the stage!
Zoe's whole table was standing up cheering. Zoe felt like she was in a dream. She actually said " What is going on? What is Wade doing?" b No one could hear her as they were at a concert and yelling is a part of it. Her friends looked at her still sitting down and AB pulled on her arm to get her out of her chair. Zoe was clapping in disbelief.
She looked at Wade and he gave her a grin that definitely made all the girls at the church social swoon. But let's face it, Wade had not been to a church social. Wade was in his element, he could make almost every girl swoon. He was strumming the guitar, Zoe looked around at her table of friends and they didn't seem shocked. Wade had set this up. This was his good news. Wow!
They start off with All We'd Ever Need.
Then she realized Wade was singing too. What? Singing lead in parts of the duet.
I should have been chasin you
I should have been trying to prove
That you were all that mattered to me
I should have said all the things
That I kept inside of me
And maybe I Could have made you believe.
That what we had
Was all we'd ever need
During his part, Wade did not take his eyes off of Zoe.
All of her friends were staring at her. Were they pitying her for what had happened? She was so confused. Nothing was making sense. Wade was on stage singing and playing with Lady A. Singing a song that sounded like he could have written it himself about the two of them. Tears were filling her eyes.
It was all we'd ever need
It was all we'd ever need.
Everyone was !
Hilary was talking to the crowd, " Friends tonight's concert is going to be different. Lots of our family and friends are here and we are going to celebrate by playing more cover tunes than usual. Each song we have chosen to play tonight represents a memory or feeling that we have shared with one of the people here in the audience, during our life, including' All We'd Ever Need'. We hope you like the show. We promise you a memorable night"
Then they played 5 or 6 other songs. Some had everyone on their feet dancing in their spot. Zoe could not take her eyes off of Wade Kinsella. Hilary announced an intermission, "back in 15 min, get some drinks, and enjoy your friends!" she said.
At that moment a guy walked over to Zoe and asked her to come with him. A member of the band wanted to see her.
Her friends didn't know anything about what Wade was going to actually do, except that he wanted to surprise Zoe.
Backstage
"Zoe" Wade said with a sheepish grin
"Wade, this was your BIG NEWS? This is bigger than big, It's incredible. That song, I, I don't even know what to say."
"Say you won't leave until after the show, no hospital emergencies, no running away, no putting out other peoples fires. Tonight is about, well it's about enjoying the moment" Wade pleaded.
"I am here for you Wade, to support you. I promise I won't leave early." Zoe said staring into his hazel eyes which tonight she noticed were little more on the caramel color than green. His eyes changed color based on what he was wearing. She always thought of it as a surprise every time she saw him. She loved the way those eyes danced when he looked at her.
The man escorted her back out to her table. She noticed that Gigi and George were flirting. And Lemon was talking to Adam.
Lemon and Adam would make a good match. He is a banker, always has to go to dinner parties and galas with rich people. She would fit right in. George and Gigi may be more like a hook up, which may be just what George needs. George had whispered that he wanted to ask Gigi out. I guess he has or he is getting there. Umm when did he get over me. Maybe when ….
And the band came back on stage. Hilary, yells into the mic, " I expect everyone to sing this with us! 1.2.3"
They played " All My Rowdy Friends" by Hank Williams Jr. The crowd was singing or in some cases yelling the words. Then they sang the Alan Jackson song, "Its 5 o'clock Somewhere"
The place was rocking, country style.
Zoe realized that this was the first time, other than at home or in the garage, that she had heard Wade play and sing. This band fit his voice.
Lady A slowed things down with a Sugarland/Matt Nathanson song called RUN.
This time Zoe is no longer in shock and ready to really watch Wade and listen to that voice. Wade starts singing. He tries to look somewhere other than Zoe but he just can't on this song. It is all about her.
I wanna watch you undress
I wanna watch you glow
Let your hair down All around
and cover us both
You come in waves
We crash and we roll
You surround me
Pull me , drown me
And swallow me whole
You turn, turn, turn, turning me on
Like a slow fire burn
I know that it's wrong
Still I run, run, run, run right into you
Yeah, I run, run, run, run right into you
Wade's fingers feel every vibration of the strings. These words are exactly how he feels. He remembers their first time, when she blows the fuse. He wants to ..
Zoe is remembering also. Flashes going through her mind. The makeout session in the car, the heat wave, the barn, blown fuse which led to their first time, talk about a slow fire burn. She is getting worked up just listening to him sing. His voice is a little raspy yet smooth. He is so good!
Good lord, what is this man doing to me?
Then Hilary is up
You pull me in close
You buckle my knees
I shake and I shake and I shiver
Just to feel you breathe.
You trace my lines
Wade: I trace your lines
Stirring my soul
Shoot sparks at the heart of the world
And I watch it explode
Wade: I watch you, I watch you
You turn, turn, turn, turning me on
Like a slow fire burn
I know that it's wrong
Still I run, run, run, run right into you
Yeah, I run, run, run, run right into you
Oh oh oh
I'm amazing (oh oh oh)
When you're beside me (oh oh oh)
I am so much more
And I feel your fingers
Pound like thunder (oh oh oh)
And I am so much more
I am so much more
You turn, turn, turn, turning me on
Like a slow fire burn
I know that it's wrong
Still I run, run, run, run right into you
You turn, turn, turn, turning me on
Like a slow fire burn
I know that it's wrong
Still I run, run, run, run right into you
I run, run, run, run right into you
Oh love oh love
If I run, run, run, run right back to you
Turning me on
Like a slow fire burn
Wade ends the song and is completely flushed. He had put everything into the song. He had to turn away to get a drink of water and get himself under control. His nights with Zoe were always amazin'. The crowd was mesmerized. They were on their feet applauding once could feel everything that Wade was feeling, perhaps drawing on their own memories. Wade turned to Zoe and gave her his trademark wink and smile. Zoe felt like she needed a shower after that one.
How can he do this to me when we are 15 feet apart at least? Slow Fire Burn…
You could tell that Gigi was wanting more from George. Lavon and AB were also having a moment. Brynn and Turner were newlyweds and had only dated for 8 months before marrying. They were still in that honeymoon phase anyway. Lemon was leaning on Adam. They had no history so it seemed appropriate and sweet. Zoe was alone, Wade was alone., separated by the stage and a few steps. The song had everyone tingling.
The concert continued with some Lady A songs that filled the 2nd half set. Hilary, says " Hey y'all, tonight has been a blast. We hope everyone is having loads of fun, singing, dancing and drinking. We are going to close out with a fun Garth Brooks song, 'I've got Friends in Low Places'.
The crowd shows their appreciation as the song comes to a close singing every word with the band. The band turned to leave, waving and mouthing the words thank you..
Then the clapping, cheering and yells for an encore wouldn't stop. The band returned quickly. Hilary speaks softly into the microphone. " We are going to play one more song. We are hoping for a happy ending. I guess we will have to wait and see. Ladies and gentleman, 'Picture' by Kid Rock and Sheryl Crow. (Wade and the band has already started playing)
Spotlight on Wade Living my life in a slow hell
Different girl every night at the hotel
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
I put your picture away
Sat down and cried today
I can't look at you while I'm lying next to her.
Spotlight on Hilary I called you last night at the hotel
Everyone know but they won't tell
But their half hearted smiles tell me something
Just aint right
I've been waiting on you a long time
Fueling up on heartaches and cheap wine
I Haven't heard from you in 3 damn nights
I put your picture away
I wonder where you've been
I can't look at you while I'm lying next to him.
I put your picture away
I wonder where you've been
I can't look at you while I'm lying next to him.
Spotlight Both I saw you yesterday with and old friend
It was the same ol same, how have you been?
Since you've been gone my world's been dark
And grey.
You reminded me of brighter days
I hoped you were coming home to stay.
I was headed off to church
I was off to drink you away
I thought about you for a long time
Can't seem to get you off my mind
I can't understand why were living life this way
I found your picture today
I swear I will change my ways
I just called to say I want you to come back home
I found your picture today
I swear I will change my ways
I just called to say I want you to come back home
I just called to say I love you
Come back home.
Lady A and Wade Kinsella have the crowd captivated. The guitars are still playing softly, drums playing lightly, Wade barely hears the cheers. Here is his chance. The band quits playing, the spotlight fades to Wade, it's glow is like candlelight. Wade is alone with his guitar.
Wade looks at Zoe like they are the only two in the room and continues the with his own verse
.
" I found your picture today
I swear I changed my ways
I just called to say I want you to come back home"
Wade walks towards her extending his hand and says "Come 'ere"
She takes his hand and he pulls him to her and sings
" Zoe Hart, I just came to say I love you
Come back home"
She is blown away, awestruck. Speechless that Wade would sing to her in front of hundreds of people. It seems as though minutes have passed and the crowd is at a hush, wanting to hear what was happening.
" I love you Wade Kinsella"
Everyone can hear because of Wade's microphone.
The crowd goes wild, crying and cheering for two people they don't even know but they can feel the love, the sparks and the need for forgiveness. Wade and Zoe didn't hear anything. They were in their own world kissing for the whole world to see. Finally they were practically knocked over by their Bluebell friends and congratulated by many.
Hilary thanked everyone for coming to this special concert and reminded them that they would be at Madison Square Garden for a large concert tomorrow. "Also we want to thank Wade for helping us out this week. He is so talented and can play with us anytime."
Shouts and whistles from everybody, especially the Bluebell crowd.
Wade took off his guitar and sat Zoe on his lap. He and Zoe had a drink with their friends before leaving to start on their reunion.