after Yara, who’d melted down over the unsatisfactory table set-
tings, so the mood at the table was more relaxed than it would
have been otherwise. Phillip was working on his second bottle of wine and talking too loudly about himself to Antonella. Occasionally he’d glance over in what he seemed to think was a sub-
tle manner at Steph to see if she was listening. She didn’t seem to be. Christopher kept stroking the exposed skin of her neck and they kept whispering into each other’s ears. Cheyenne thought
they made a sweet looking couple and was glad Christopher was
bold enough to show up.
When Yara and David reappeared looking lovey-dovey,
Bret clapped his hands together and stood. “Surprise time.”
Phillip, Nathan, and Scot all joined him and they all moved
toward a piano that was conspicuously placed close by. Scot
pulled out an upright bass from an oversized case and Phillip and Bret produced acoustic guitars. Cheyenne beamed at them. She
had no idea they were going to play. It was a terrific surprise, and she could tell by the look on the faces of the bride and
groom that they were touched.
“Dave. You’re our brother from another mother, and we all
love ya.” Nathan began, as he took his seat behind the piano,
“Yara. You’re just the woman he needs to keep him in line. We
wanted to play a couple of songs from the album for everyone to
celebrate your blessed union.”
Bret piped in. “Phillip wrote this song for Rage. They
weren’t going to let us include it in the album. They said it was too light or too soft or…something. After they wouldn’t pull the
“Fire Woman” video, Phillip put his foot down and we all
backed him.”
Cheyenne and Steph exchanged shock glances at the men-
tion of the video. Christopher rolled his eyes and frowned.
“No one messes with Fury.” Nathan interjected. Everyone
chuckled.
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Bret continued. “We all think it’ll be the biggest single.
This one’s called ‘If Only U Were Here.’”
Nathan began to play a driving melody. Cheyenne thought
he looked very at home behind a grand piano. Phillip stared at
the ground as he began to strum the rhythm guitar, but when Bret started singing lead, Cheyenne nearly fell over. Though all the
guys had great voices, no one ever sang lead but Phillip. As
Bret’s clear voice rang out with the first line, the hair on the back of her neck stood on end.
I wonder what you're up to tonight; you're not where you
said you'd be.
Liam clapped happily as Bret proceeded to sell Phillip’s
song. The lyrics were obviously a regretful post break-up song.
The second verse started, and it seemed to get to Stephanie, who took a long drink of wine.
Well, we both said some things that we did not mean, none
of which were true.
But in the heat of the battle, you blame me, and I blame you.
The melody was stunning, and Cheyenne had to agree the
hook was going to shoot this one straight up the charts. She stole a sideways glance at Steph, whose cheeks were rosy as Bret
launched into the chorus with Phillip harmonizing.
Now I see things different, now the sky is clear.
And how I could make it up to you, if only u were here.
As Phillip strummed the last chord of the song, the tabled
erupted in applause. Yara was crying, and David had the world’s
happiest smile on his face. Cheyenne winked at Scot when he
tossed his hair and shot her a look that seemed to ask “how about that?”
Bret and Scot came back to the table, but Phillip and Nathan
remained by the piano. Phillip put his guitar aside and started to speak the minute the clapping died down. “This is another one I
wrote. It’s called ‘4 U.’”
Cheyenne saw Christopher flop back in his seat with an
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uncomfortable sigh. Steph glanced at Christopher who shot her a
knowing look and shook his head. Nathan launched into a light,
sweet melody. Phillip appeared nervous to perform, which was
about as common as unicorns in Time Square. When his
passionate voice lit out into the night like fireworks, Cheyenne literally gasped.
Many's the time I've wanted to tell you how I feel,
I never had the nerve to say.
Never was sure of what my heart was telling me,
now I know I feel this way.
All my life I've been dreaming of the one I love.
Now you've opened the door for me; you were sent from
above
Nathan harmonized the chorus and when Phillip’s eyes
traveled in Stephanie’s direction, Cheyenne felt compelled to
follow them. Stephanie sat straight as a board, looking down at
her feet. She looked a bit like an animal with its foot in a trap.
Christopher flung his arm around the back of her seat, but she
didn’t seem to notice.
And I just wanted you to know
that I love you.
Can't you feel the fire burn inside?
I've been waiting oh so long just to tell you;
now I know that this feeling just can't hide.
Yara sniffled loudly, and Cheyenne didn’t blame her. The
blatant earnestness in Phillip’s voice and the aching emotion on his face made her want to root for him. Steph’s eyes flicked in
his direction and then quickly returned to her navy stilettos.
By the time they’d reached the last verse, Steph finally
seemed unable to fight against Phillip. She watched him openly.
He sang the last line directly to her and launched into one last round of the chorus. Cheyenne had to disagree with Bret: if this song made it onto Rage, this one would be the biggest hit, hands down.
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I never felt this way before, and I won't again.
I hope and pray you'll hear the message that I send.
And I just wanted you to know that I love you.
Can't you feel the fire burn inside?
I've been waiting oh so long just to tell you;
now I know that this feeling just can't hide.
The tension was palpable
