The show was packed every night, and people all over the city were talking about the unknown girl from Tulsa Oklahoma who had become an overnight success. Little did they know she had worked her whole life for her dreams. I was so proud of her, and I made sure she knew it every chance I got. The only problem was that I was falling more and more in love with her as the months went on. I saw the show about three or four times, and every time I did I was left spell bound. Secretly, I made sure that she got a dozen Gerber Daisies every week from a ‘secret admirer’. She never found out it was me, but there were a few times that she had mentioned them being there for her when she got to her dressing room.
Taylor noticed something strange about it though, and he wasn’t impressed. He kept saying that if he found out who it was he’d make sure that they were doing it just for encouragement and that there weren’t any dishonorable intentions to the person’s motives. That shook me up, and I decided to lay a bit low for a while, kind of keep my distance. I really didn’t want to start anything with him. We were now in the middle of recording, and if there was any tension between us it would cause a major problem when it came down to the album.
So, I avoided calling as much as I had, and I turned down breakfast and dinner invitations from Taylor and Libby all the time. I hated being away from her, but I thought it might make a difference when it came how I felt for her.
About four months later, I was in the studio at the piano during a break putzing around on a song I was writing when suddenly I felt two hands cover my eyes. I brought my hand up to meet them, and I tried to get a feel as to who they belonged to. “Ah… Mack?” I paused, “No that’s not it… the hands are too small to be Mack’s. Hmm… Libby?”
She giggled and leaned over top of me, “Hello Moron! What ya up to?” I pulled her face down to me, and kissed her lightly, Tay wasn't around to get upset, nor did I care if he was. I had missed her.
I grinned, turned around to face her and grabbed her hands, “Just working on a song. You?”
She smiled and sat down beside me, “Was in the neighborhood, and I thought I’d stop by and see how things were going over here. Where are the other two Stooges?”
I chuckled and shook my head, “Uh… Ike’s out for lunch with Megan, and Taylor’s gone blading to blow off some pent up energy” I frowned and looked her in the eyes, “That and there is no possible way that you were ‘in the neighborhood’. You’re about fourteen blocks in the wrong direction. The theater is that way.” I pointed south.
She shrugged, “Came to see what was going on. I have the night off tonight. Shelly is filling in for me. Which means, Taylor and I are going to Barbeque, and you my fair-haired friend are coming over for dinner. This is no invitation; it’s a command. You have absolutely no choice in the matter.”
I raised an eyebrow at her, “Oh, is that so? And what if I chain myself to my bed? What will you do then?”
Her cute smile turned into a devilish grin, “I’ll just have to sleep with you, and then find some way to undo the chains.”
Oh now this was too much… she had just directed the phrase 'sleep with you' towards me. I was going to have to be carried away in a straight jacket to an asylum if she kept it up. “You’d sleep with me?”
She nodded, “Chains are too kinky for me to resist.” Note to self: go buy Kinky chains.
Oh… bad thoughts…bad horrible thoughts… I needed to change the subject. I swallowed hard, “I feel like singing. Your choice my lovely lady, what will it be?”
She laughed a little and put her hand on my knee… Libby… don’t… don’t do that to me. “Zac, you’re always in the mood for music of any kind. But if you are offering, you could play my song.
I grinned; “You mean Out of My League?”
She nodded and smiled softly, “Please?”
I turned around and faced the piano. The song she picked reminded me of her every time I heard it. It was by a local Tulsa Band called Stephen Speaks. The first time Libby heard Out Of My League, she fell in love with it. She had asked me to learn the song, but up until that point the opportunity to sing it for her hadn't come up. Glad to finally have the chance, I placed my fingers on the piano keys and took a deep breath...
It’s her hair and her eyes today. That just simply take me away.
And the feeling that I’m falling further in love makes me shiver,
but in a good way.
All the times I’ve sat and stared, as she thoughtfully thumbs
through her hair. And she purses her lips, bats her eyes and she plays
with me sitting there slack-jawed and nothing to say.
Cause I love her with all that I am! And my voice shakes
along with my hands! Cause she’s all that I see, and she’s
all that I need and I’m outta my league once again!
It’s a masterful melody, when she calls out my name to me,
As the world spins around her she laughs, rolls her eyes and I feel
Like I’m falling, but it’s no surprise
Cause I love her with all that I am! And my voice shakes along
With my hands. Cause it’s frightening to be swimming in this
Strange sea, but I’d rather be here than on land. Yes she’s all that
I see, and she’s all that I need and I’m outta my league once again.
It’s her hair and her eyes today, that just simply take me away!
And the feeling that I’m falling further in love makes me shiver,
But in a good way.
All the times that I’ve sat and stared, as she thoughtfully thumbs
through her hair, And she purses her lips bats her eyes and she
plays with me sitting there slacked jawed and nothing to say
Cause I love her with all that I am! And my voice shakes along
With my hands. Cause it’s frightening to be swimming in this
Strange sea, but I’d rather be here than on land. Yes she’s all that
I see, and she’s all that I need and I’m outta my league once again!
When I finished the song, I had tears in my eyes. I sat there not knowing what to say to her, or what to do. I had never felt this much pain in my life. My stomach and heart felt like they were being ripped into pieces . All of the words in that song were true to how I felt, and I wanted to let her know that. I needed to let her know. Taylor could find a way to live with it, and maybe just telling her would help me deal with what was going on.
She turned my head towards her and looked deep into my eyes, “That was unbelievable, I have never in all my life heard you sing like that.” She paused as my head moved down so that I could look at my hands and concentrate on them not shaking. “Is something wrong?" She paused and took my hands in hers, "Zac what’s going on Hunny?”
I shook my head, “Nothing.” My voice was thick and horse, and words weren’t coming easily.
She sighed, “I know you better than anyone, something is wrong. You’ve been avoiding me. You hardly call, and it isn’t normal for you to stay home and cook for yourself. You used to eat at our place almost every night because Ike is normally with Megan. What have I done to push you away? I’ve missed you.”
Now you idiot, do it now. Don’t let her go without saying anything to her. I looked at my watch, 12:30. The other two wouldn’t be back for another half hour, which gave me plenty of time to say what I needed to. I licked my dry lips and sighed heavily, “Lib, I’m not too sure if you want to know what’s bothering me.”
She placed her finger under my chin and pushed it up so I had to look in her eyes. “Zac, there is nothing that you can’t tell me. Nothing in the world would change things, I promise you.”
Libby had no idea how wrong she was, but I decided that if I didn’t do it then and there it would never happen. “That song; Out Of My League? It um, it’s how I feel about you. I’m in love with you”
I didn’t look up to see her expression, but I could tell by the sound of her voice that she was shocked. “What? Zac, why… why didn’t you say something?”
I smiled slightly, “How could I? You’re with my brother. I didn’t want to cause any problems. You two are happy and I didn’t want to wreck that.”
She once again made me look in her eyes, and they had tears in them. “So you just bottled it up inside until now? I wish you hadn’t.”
I hated myself for putting those tears there, “What else could I have done? I ignored you to try and get over it, but I don’t think I can. It’s not fair to you though; I shouldn’t have said anything. I’m sorry.” I got up and started to walk out of the room. Libby just sat there on the piano bench watching me leave. My heart was breaking all over again, and I had get out of there.
Just as I reached the door she called out to me, “Zac, come back over here please?” I closed my eyes, and forced the tears to disappear as I walked back over and sat down beside her. God, I wanted to hold her so badly.
Without saying anything, she moved closer and brought her left hand up to my cheek. I closed my eyes and sucked in a quick breath. When I opened them, her face was only an inch away from mine and she leaned closer and kissed me. When our lips touched, I flinched at the thought of Taylor walking in on us, but that thought flew from my head as soon as the kiss grew deeper. She sucked on my bottom lip, and slowly pushed her tongue inside my mouth. My senses were on overload, and I knew that this was wrong, but I couldn’t stop. I loved it too much to stop. Placing my hands on her hips I leaned in to her trying to take control of the kiss. Her lips felt amazing against mine, and I never wanted it to end.
When we eventually broke a part, I felt my face flush a deep red. She grinned, “You never blush.”
I kissed her again, “No one’s ever given me a reason to.”
She smiled, and stood up, bending to whisper in my ear, “I’ll call you later, don’t tell Taylor I was here ok?” Before I could respond she was out the door, and on her way .
My thoughts barely registered the rest of the day. Luckily, no one noticed. All I could think about was that amazing kiss, and what was going to happen when the phone rang.
Side Note:
Stephen Speaks is a real band, and Out Of My League is one of their songs... if you haven't heard of them go check out their site... they are amazing!
www.stephenspeaks.com