Free The Wedding Song by Lucy Kevin

too rushed to sound check and the gear broke down just as we went on stage.”
    Sebastian nodded, obviously taking it all in, then pointed to Tyce’s instrument. “That’s a cool guitar.”
    Tyce slipped the battered and heavily customized old telecaster over his neck. “It’s all I could afford to put together back when I was gigging. I don’t play it much these days.”
    “Why not?”
    “It’s not the kind of guitar people expect when they come for a wedding. It wouldn’t look right.”
    “I bet you’ve been through a lot with that guitar,” Sebastian pointed out. “And if it’s right for you, why use something else?”
    Tyce shrugged and plugged the old thing in. He had to admit, it sounded a lot sweeter than he remembered. Turning his focus back to Sebastian’s show, he said, “The best thing you can do for yourself and your audience is just to enjoy the show you’re putting on. The people in the crowd want you to succeed, because they want to be entertained. If you look like you’re having fun, it’s easier for them to have fun. Go ahead, plug in and play. Pretend you’re out on your school's stage and everyone you want to play for is in the audience.”
    Sebastian started to play, and although the first few bars were tentative and shaky, he quickly relaxed. Tyce was glad to see that the teenager had talent. Tyce quickly fell into providing the rhythm parts, stopping Sebastian here and there to give advice.
    “Don’t be too focused on making sure your technique is perfect,” he suggested at one point. “Impressing people is fine, but what they’ll remember are the songs that move them.”
    “How do I do that?” Sebastian asked.
    “Back when I was writing songs, it was always about tapping into emotion. If I could pin down what I wanted to get across and really open up a part of myself, there was always a much better chance of connecting with the audience. Not,” he felt compelled to add, “that I’ve written anything in a long time.” Which then brought him to, “How’s Whitney doing?”
    “Good,” Sebastian said as he bent back over his guitar. Almost as a second thought he said, “Even though she cancelled her wedding.”
    “So,” Tyce said slowly, knowing he shouldn’t be mining her little brother for information, but unable to stop himself, “I guess she’s told everyone by now, huh?”
    Sebastian shook his head. “No, she’s weird about that stuff. Like Mom and Dad would ever be upset with her.”
    Tyce frowned. Why hadn’t she told her parents?
    But he knew when it was time to back off, so he went back to showing Sebastian the basics of how to use the stage to get feedback through his guitar, and talked with him through the brief talent show set list.
    “Close with your best song.”
    “Close with it?” Sebastian was clearly surprised. “Shouldn’t I start with it instead?”
    Tyce shook his head. “It’s the one people will remember most.”
    Sebastian swallowed hard. “What if I still don’t feel like I’m ready for this?”
    “Then we can keep playing,” Tyce said, “but honestly, it’s mostly just a question of attitude. Remember that you’re doing this because you love it. Sure, you’re going to be up on stage with people staring at you, but that’s exactly where you want to be. It’s just a part of doing what you really want.”
    Sebastian looked around the Rose Chalet. “So playing weddings here is what you really want?”
    No.
    The answer came so swift and so clear to Tyce and he knew there was no hiding from the truth anymore.
    What he really wanted was to be able to write a song again.
    And he wanted Whitney, too.

Chapter Ten
     
    The high school auditorium was packed by the time Whitney arrived. Fortunately, Sebastian had reserved a seat for her. Even if he hadn’t, she would have found a spot close to the stage, because she was the only member of the family in town and Sebastian needed to know his family supported his dreams. He might