The Infamous Ellen James(84)
"What's going on? He's not going to make me stand on top of the bar while he sings again, is he?"
"I don't have a clue, but I got your back, girlfriend. No way in hell will I let him pull a stunt like that again."
I start to say something to Amy but stop when I hear the first beats of one of my favorite Ray LaMontagne songs start to play over the bar speakers. I'm a little pissed off at the asshole that is going to attempt this song; I mean, who in the hell thinks they can even come close to Ray LaMontagne? I've decided that if they really screw this up, I have no qualms with heckling them on stage. I'm not afraid to be the cunt in the crowd. Ray LaMontagne is my man. He's the best, and when you try to mess up the best, well, you have some hell to pay. I look over at Amy and Lizzy and they are both grinning like Cheshire Cats, staring at me. I give them a "what the fuck” look before hearing a very familiar voice start to sing the first lyrics.
My eyes quickly dart up toward the stage, but no one is standing up there.
The husky voice continues the song, and I know exactly who is singing. I'm in shock and I think my heart may have stopped beating for a moment before quickly speeding back up and nearly pounding out of my chest.
I look back at Amy and Lizzy; they are both knowingly watching me, letting me know that they were in on this.
And then I see him. Trent.
His bright blue eyes are beaming as he belts out the lyrics to my favorite song. He is now standing on the makeshift karaoke stage, front and center.
His eyes are on me. He's watching for my reaction, and all I can do right now is gawk at him. My jaw is basically sitting on the table. I can't believe he's doing this. He's singing this song, of all songs, to me. The song he knows is my favorite, the song he's heard me gush about. The song I've told him is the most perfect, most romantic song. Tears are filling my eyes as realization hits me. This isn't goodbye. Trent is forcing me to hear what he has to say, what I've been avoiding for fear that he would reject me. He's not rejecting me; this is his way of screaming through a megaphone and making me hear how he really feels.
He's a terrible singer by the way, completely ruining the song. He's missing verses and his voice cracks as he attempts to hit notes that only Ray LaMontagne could make sound good, but I don't care. This is the biggest, most romantic gesture anyone has ever done for me. This is Jerry Maguire on steroids. This is un-fucking-believable. This man deserves a thousand blow jobs for this.
I feel Amy wipe a few of the tears off of my cheeks, but I can't even take my eyes away from Trent's to look at her. He's got me riveted. His horrible, terrible, off-key singing has me so hooked that I can't even notice anyone else in the bar.
Baby
We've come a long way
And baby
You know I hope and I pray
That you believe me
When I say this love will never fade
Trent finishes the song and I'm still sitting on my barstool, gaping at him. Shocked. Surprised. Elated. I'm more in love with him in this moment than I have ever been with anyone in my entire life. I love Trent Hamilton.
My thoughts are interrupted by the hoots and hollers from the bar, then Trent clearing his throat loudly. Oh god, first he serenades me and now he's got a speech?
He raises his hand, smiles at the crowd. "Thank you. My album will drop next month." He nervously laughs with the bar before locking his eyes on me. "Ellie, is this loud enough for you?" He smirks at me and continues talking into the microphone. "I know I said megaphone, but Johnny wouldn't let me, said it would clear out the bar."
Johnny yells from behind the bar, "Even with just the mic you almost accomplished that, dude!"
Trent laughs and gives Johnny the middle finger. "Anyway, where was I before that rude bartender interrupted me?" He grins at Johnny and then sets his sights on me again.
I'm still in astonishment and even feel Amy give me a quick nudge to make sure I'm still with her. I just nod my head yes and intently watch Trent, waiting for what he's going to say.
"Ellie, I don't want to be your knight in shining armor, your prince on the white horse. You don't need saving, baby. You're the strongest woman I know. The last few weeks have been rough—really rough—but together we're going to get through it. You're everything I could have ever hoped for, and just knowing you has made me a better man. I'm in awe of you, Ellie. Your beauty, your grace, your feistiness, your adorable charm, and your kind heart. Your outspoken personality and spitfire attitude that constantly keep me on my toes, mostly for fear of what you'd do to my balls if I pissed you off." His eyes beam with amusement and I'm internally giggling. "I know you have your doubts, I know you're scared, baby, but I'm still going to ask you, beg you. Be with me. Love me. Let me stand by your side and experience this crazy life together. I want you, Ellie girl. I want all of you. I want every piece of the incredible jigsaw puzzle that makes you the amazing woman that sits before me. I can tell by the look on your face right now that you're a little shocked, a whole lot surprised, but I just needed you to hear me out. I needed you to hear that you are it for me. No hesitations, no doubts, no second thoughts. I'm staying in Charlotte because I love you. I love you so much that I can hardly breathe—"