Behind the Strings Read Online Free PDF

couches tuning their guitars. The dark-haired guy came over to Logan and did the whole half-hug, half-pat on the back thing guys do these days.
    “It’s good to see you, man,” he said to Logan. “And who do we have here?”
    “This is my friend Celia. Celia, I’d like you to meet my friend, Jesse Rockford. He’s a phenomenal songwriter. Helped me write a couple songs for my album.”
    “Very nice to meet you,” Jesse said.
    The thick stubble surrounding his smile almost hid a single dimple that appeared on his right cheek. I reached out my hand and looked intently into his deep-set blue eyes. He waved my hand away and leaned in to wrap his arms tightly around me, pulling me against his broad shoulders. I breathed in the smell of his cologne and prayed he couldn’t feel the intensity of my heartbeat.
    When we pulled ourselves away from each other, the smile was still on his face. I felt myself blush as I realized I was beaming as well. Thankfully before anyone else noticed, we were interrupted by a knock at the door. In walked the manager, giving the band a five-minute heads up. It was almost time for me to see if Jackson’s Soul was as great as Logan was making them out to be.
    About thirty minutes in, I was hooked. The band played mostly covers, but Jesse’s voice had a tone to it that any girl would want to be serenaded by for hours. The wisp of black hair that kept sweeping in front of his eyes made him even more intriguing than I already thought he was. I hadn’t noticed it in the dressing room, but a hint of light reflected off of his ear, revealing a single silver hoop. Dressed in black jeans and cowboy boots, he carried an air of mystery with him. I swore every now and then I would look up and find him staring right at me. He’d give a little wink and go back to picking his guitar. After a quick break Jesse started talking to the crowd, which now filled every inch of the bar.
    “I’d like to slow things down just a little bit for a minute and give you a special treat tonight. I wrote a song a few months back with a good buddy of mine and thought maybe he’d like to come up here and play it with me.”
    Logan looked up at Jesse and without hesitation he climbed up onto the stage. The noise level raised a few decibels once people realized who he was. A couple of stools were brought up for them and Logan traded his whiskey and coke for a guitar and leaned into the mic.
    “It’s really an honor to be back here playing tonight, especially with this guy right here.” Logan placed his hand on Jesse’s shoulder.
    As soon as the music started, the crowd began to simmer. My stomach churned as I looked at all of the faces around me. It was one thing to have watched Logan play in a stadium, but this moment right here, this intimate moment where it all began, with all of these people who believed in him before he may have even believed in himself…it was a feeling I couldn’t even comprehend. With every word sung on that stage, I grew more and more confident of the fact that I had made the right decision all those years ago. Logan was exactly where he belonged.
    You taught me how to love you
    Drive you crazy wild
    Taught me how to turn you on
    And how to make you smile
     
    The song was beautifully written and both Jesse and Logan sang it with such emotion that when it was over there was slight hesitation before the crowd erupted in applause. I smiled up at both of them as Logan stepped out of the spotlight and joined me back in the front.
    I was on my third gin and tonic by the time Jackson’s Soul finished their final set, but the night was still young. I could barely keep up with Jesse and Logan as we meandered from bar to bar, but I sure as hell did my best to try. Most of the night disappeared from my mind after I downed my second shot of whiskey. Vaguely I remember Jesse leading me into a cab. A little more clearly I remember throwing up right outside my driveway and feeling my way through the dark of