Amber
Hey, this is Amber :)
Amber
OMG! I am so sorry. I think someone gave me your number as a prank.
Hunter
It was that Hunter guy, wasn't it? Country stars are such jerks…
Amber
Lol wait…is this the real Hunter Shaw?
Hunter
Glad to see you weren't scared away by my good looks and charming personality ;)
Amber
Or the fact that you're a celebrity.
Hunter
Well yeah, that too.
Amber
Aren't you supposed to be warming-up for the big concert or something?
Hunter
Nah, I've got plenty of time before I go on stage.
Amber
Ummm…according to my watch, it's already 8:46…
Amber
You're following the opener at 9, right?
Hunter
Like I said, plenty of time!
Amber
Lol, you don’t have some pre-concert ritual or something?
Amber
I thought all you rock stars do.
Hunter
Hey listen, I’m my own man! 😉
Hunter
But yeah…I have one. It's not much though.
Amber
Lol, what's on the list? Texting random girls from the meet and greet?
Hunter
I usually eat a huge burrito and chug a Mountain Dew.
Hunter
And then relax by watching an episode of Gilmore Girls.
Hunter
What can I say? I’m all about a good guilty pleasure.
Amber
Oh yeah? What episode did you watch then?
Hunter
The one where Rory and Dean break up for the first time.
Amber
Aw! How are you going to get past this heartbreak before you perform?
Hunter
Haha, to tell you the truth, it’s gonna be a challenge…
Hunter
But I’m a man of talent.
Amber
Lol, you’re ridiculous. Also, t-minus ten minutes to show time…
Hunter
That’s right! I should probably get out of the crowd and make my way backstage.
Amber
Wait, you're in the crowd?!
Hunter
Sure am! It’s another part of my pre-concert ritual.
Hunter
And to be honest, probably the biggest one.
Hunter
I like to stand in the crowd to get a good sense of the energy.
Hunter
It reminds me of the days I used to sit back and enjoy the show, rather than run it.
Amber
That makes sense I guess. But how do you not get recognized?
Hunter
Promise to keep it secret?
Hunter
I have a wig. And a fake beard.
Hunter
Makes me look like I'm a creepy 40-year-old.
Amber
Lol, what?? Why that disguise?
Hunter
Idk…it keeps people away!
Amber
I'm not convinced though…
Amber
If you're in the crowd, where are you?
Hunter
Look towards the middle section…
Hunter
I’m about three quarters of the way toward the back. I’m waving.
Amber
You're right, you totally give off the 40-year-old creepy guy look.
Hunter
:) Hold on a sec. Gotta run.
Hunter
OK. Backstage and ready to go.
Amber
And you're still texting me?!
Hunter
Of course. Why wouldn't I be?
Amber
Umm…because you're about to sing??
Hunter
What can I say? I like texting you.
Amber
Then I have to ask…
Amber
Why did you want my number in the first place?
Hunter
Ahhh, I wondered when we would get to that.
Hunter
Amber, the minute you walked into the meet and greet, I knew you were special.
Hunter
I couldn't look away.
Amber
OMG stop. How could you possibly know feel that way, just like that?
Hunter
I'm serious! And I wasn't just moved by your beauty.
Hunter
There was just something about you…
Hunter
About the way you treated the people around you.
Hunter
Usually, girls that come to meet and greets are ready to tear each other's eyes out for the first autograph.
Amber
Someone thinks highly of himself ;)
Hunter
Haha no! I am just saying.
Hunter
Maybe I was eavesdropping on you. Maybe a little…
Hunter
But the way you talked to people…
Hunter
It was like you got to know total strangers in a matter of minutes.
Amber
Lol, my friends make fun of me for that. They say I could talk to a wall.
Hunter
I think it’s a skill. You have so much energy!
Hunter
When you got to me, you looked me right in the eyes.
Hunter
You gave me a real smile.
Hunter
I just about asked you on a date right then—
Hunter
In front of everyone at the meet and greet crowd.
Hunter
But then I realized you'd probably be murdered by the other fans if I did that.
Amber
Lol, still so modest, I see.
Amber
Though it’s also the truth 😝
Hunter
In that moment, I wished it wasn’t.
Hunter
Anyway, that’s why I signed your poster with my number on it.
Hunter
Thank GOODNESS you actually texted me!
Amber
Big star, big ego. Seems like a lot of drama to me ;)
Hunter
Well, thank you for changing your mind :)
Hunter
Really though, I'm glad you texted.
Amber
Glad you gave me your number.
Amber
Uh oh! Lights are going dim!
Hunter
That they are. Pause for a moment…deal?
Amber picks her head up from her phone, letting herself get lost in the world around her.
She watches Hunter Shaw stride onto stage, his walk casual and cool.
He drags his voice, like gravelly honey, across the microphone as he sings his first song.
And after the song comes to a close…
His voice reverberates through the sound system as he speaks to the audience.
Hunter
I’m gonna try something a little bit different here.
Hunter
Will y’all bear with me?
The crowd erupts into a cheer.
He starts singing the next song, immediately stepping off the stage as he hits the first note.
He stalks through the crowds, looking so impossibly sexy.
Amber is completely entranced.
Before she knows it, the song has ended.
And Hunter’s stopped directly in front of Amber.
Again, his voice echoes over the mic.
But this time, it feels like they’re the only ones in the room.
Hunter
Are you gonna join me on stage or what?
Hunter picks his head up looking around at the crowd.
Hunter
Oh no, looks like the lady’s feeling shy.
Hunter
Can I get some applause from all y’all so she’ll feel welcome to join me on stage?
Hunter
I need to show her how I feel.
There’s an audible gasp and then the crowd breaks into a raucous applause.
Shaking her head, Amber stands slowly.
Her legs feel like jelly.
But somehow, she follows Hunter Shaw up onto the stage.
Under the bright lights, she feels the crowd’s energy pulsing through her veins.
And then the whole arena goes completely silent when Hunter starts to sing.
It’s a brand new song and it’s…beautiful.
And she knows that he’s singing it just for her.
Hunter and Amber are huddled together backstage.
His eyes dance across her face.
Amber
One of the best concerts I’ve ever been to.
Hunter
WHAT?! Not THE best??
Amber
Haha I’m just kidding. That was amazing.
Hunter
Thanks. That song was for you, by the way.
Hunter
Wrote it after the meet and greet.
Hunter
Way. And I have something for you.
Hunter holds out a calloused hand and Amber hesitates.
Biting her lip, she places her hand in his.
And feels like she’s found home.
Hunter stands up, pulling her with him.
They race down a long hall and take a right at the end.
Hunter pushes open a door.
Hunter
Just a candlelight pizza dinner with a country boy and his guitar.
Amber
No wig or fake beard, huh?
Hunter
No wig. And I guess I don’t have to put the fake beard on either.
Amber
Oh no. Put the fake beard on.
Amber breaks out into a fit of giggles.
But Hunter grabs the beard off the counter and solemnly hands it to her.
Inches away so she can wrap the disguise around his face.
Before she can lift her hands up—
His lips are on her lips, devouring her.
And his stubble scrapes her chin like gravelly honey…
