8 Weeks by Bethany Lopez Read Free Book Online

Cal’s ears were bright red and he left the stage like his jeans were on fire.
    When he plopped into the chair next to me, I turned to him, the memory of the song still a smile on my lips.
    “That wasn’t so bad, was it?”
    Cal looked to me, his face totally serious, and said, “That was the most terrifying experience of my life.”
    We shared a laugh, and he gestured toward the stage with his head.
    “Your turn.”
    I gave him a smile and a nod, then went over to the familiar DJ and gave him thumbs up.
    I sang the same song every time I came here.
    I grew up loving to sing, but had never sung in public until Sasha and Gaby had brought me here on a girls’ night. Once we’d made it a regular hangout, I’d grown to love the feel of being on stage with the mic in my hand. I knew it would never be anything other than a hobby, but singing made me feel a peace, in a way not many other things in my life ever had.
    I let myself feel the music as the words that Adele had written sprang from my lips. I closed my eyes and sang from my heart. It was the most content I’d felt in weeks.
    When the music stopped, I opened my eyes to the sound of applause and was surprised to see Cal on his feet, a look of awe on his face.
    I smiled shyly and walked off of the stage.
    Before I knew what was happening, I was swept up in Cal’s arms as he spun me in a circle.
    “That was amazing, Shel,” Cal said, his voice filled with excitement.
    When my feet hit the floor I gently maneuvered myself out of his arms. My heart was pounding, and confusion filled me.
    I took a step back and said, “Thanks.”
    Cal hadn’t yet realized the distance I was trying to put between us; he was still gushing about my performance.
    “I can’t believe I didn’t know what a beautiful voice you have. I mean, you always sound good in the shower and when we’re driving, but I had no idea just how powerful it was until now.” Cal’s eyes were lit up with excitement and his grin was contagious.
    Although I didn’t want him to put his arms around me again, I did feel pride at his words.
    To try and keep the situation from getting awkward, I said, “Okay, now let’s do one together.”
    The excitement fell from his face and I laughed at the look that replaced it.
    “You’ll be fine,” I said with a chuckle. “Don’t be a baby.”
    Determination settled on Cal’s face. He was never one to back down from a challenge.
    “Okay,” he said, taking my hand and leading me back to the stage.
    Luckily, it was early enough that the only people in the audience were regulars, so we didn’t have to wait in line or fight for a turn to sing. I couldn’t imagine the terror that Cal would have felt if we had a packed house.
    Rather than jerk my hand out of his, I allowed it, but I was very conscious of the feelings holding his hand evoked: trepidation, longing, and contentment.
    I needed to focus and remember why we were even on this “date.”
    “Any duet is fine,” Cal said to the DJ as we walked passed him and up the steps.
    I grabbed the mic and watched as someone walked over and gave Cal another one. We looked at each other, then turned to the screen.
    My mind was filled with so many warnings and contradictions that I didn’t even pay attention to the music, but just started singing when the words popped on the screen.
    I looked over at Cal and when he sang, “I can’t look at you, when I’m lying next to her,” the words penetrated and I dropped the mic.
    I flew off the stage, down the stairs, and out the door, tears streaming down my face.
    “Shelly, wait,” Cal called out from behind me.
    I stopped and turned, not bothering to wipe the tears or hide the fact that with one sentence the scab that had been forming over my heart was ripped off.
    “I’m sorry,” Cal said helplessly. He ran his hands through his hair and looked around the parking lot before turning back to face me, with sorrow in his eyes. “I didn’t know what song they were gonna