Chapter 19

"How could you agree?" I yelled at Maddy. We were still outside the venue. I was pacing around hyperventilating. "I can't do this. I can't do this", I muttered continuously. Maddy grabbed my shoulders. "Yes you can", she said, "and how could you even say no to that face?"

"Easy for you to say. You're not the one going to sing in front of millions of people". She raised her brow at me. I rolled my eyes, "okay fine, thousands". Her eyebrow was raised even higher.

"Oh whatever", I said. She sighed, "Jo relax you'll be fine". "Josie, Maddy", a familiar voice called out. We both turned to see Tony jogging towards us with a big smile on his face that dropped as soon as he took in my expression. Gosh, he looked so handsome.

"What's wrong?" He asked with genuine concern in his eyes. My insides felt warm at the thought that he was concerned about me.

Maddy responded since I was too nervous to form any coherent sentence. "Mrs Stryder asked her to sing and she's really nervous". Tony turned to me. He grabbed my shoulders since I was still pacing then he raised my chin up to look up at him.

"Princess", he called softly, "relax". I dunno how he did it but I felt a wave of calm wash over me. "I've seen you sing before. You're pretty extraordinary so what exactly is the problem?" His hand, his big hard but surprisingly gentle hand was still on my face and it was really hard for me to think.

I was staring into his dark eyes. They held a lot of emotion in them, concern, care and a few others I couldn't exactly name. I took a deep breath. "I've only ever performed with the guys and I'm afraid I'll perform badly if they're not there. I can't do it without them".

"You know that's not true. You're an awesome singer and I'm sure you'll do great, with or without the guys". "Easier said than done", I mumbled but he heard.

He removed his hand from my face and I immediately felt disappointed but that feeling soon disappeared when he took my hands in his. I had to fight the blush creeping up my neck.

"Josie, I'm sure you'll do great. Besides I'll be there in the crowd with a smile to cheer you in. You'll be fine, I believe in you".

"But what if I make an epic fail".

"You won't and on the unlikely chance that you do, I'll be there to help you back up".

I didn't know what came over me but I removed my hands from his hold and threw them around his neck. I felt him stiffen and my senses returned. I was about to pull back in embarrassment when I felt him encircle his arms around my waist.

We stayed like that for a bit then we heard a cough. We both pulled apart to find Maddy staring at us coyly. Both Tony and I looked embarrassed to be caught.

I had completely forgotten that Maddy was there. "We should probably head inside", Maddy smirked. "Uh", he cleared his throat, "we should. Come on". He took my hand.

We entered the venue and went back to our seats. "I'll catch up to you later", Tony said to us. I tried to mask my disappointment. Key word being tried. He smirked at me. "Don't worry. I'll be here before your performance". He winked and I flushed then he chuckled and left.

Maddy elbowed me in the ribs wiggling her eyebrows. "Josie's got a boyfriend", she teased. I flushed even deeper. "Stop it", I whined. She giggled. I used my hands to cover my face.

I decided to take out my phone to look up the lyrics of the song just to brush up on them. After I was done, we watched the bride and the groom make their entrance. They had both changed into their reception outfits now.

They slow danced to Versace on the floor by Bruno Mars. It was entrancing to watch that for a moment I almost forgot my nerves. They danced beautifully and so in sync with each other like their bodies were made for each other.

A while before the dance was over Tony returned. "I'm back. Just confirmed, you're on after the couple's dance". My nerves spiked again. "But don't worry you'll do fine". He took my hand and rubbed soothing circles on it with his thumb.

It worked though. I was instantly soothed. If anyone had told me that I'd perform alone in front of a crowd, I'd laugh my ass out at the person. But somehow Tony has managed to calm my nerves. The only people who could ever do that were my parents and the boys. I guess I could add Tony to that list.

We were pulled out of our little bubble by the sound of applause. Turns out the couple had finished their dance. "Here goes nothing", I muttered. Maddy turned to me. She placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "You'll be fine Jo".

I took a deep breath and nodded. The MC came on stage. "Thank you ladies and gentlemen. Please one more round of applause for Miranda and Stanley everybody". The hall was filled with applause once more. "And now on a special request from the bride.... Ladies and gentlemen, singing a rendition of Cristina Perri's a thousand years, please welcome Josie Bolton everyone".

Everyone started clapping. The cheerleaders looked at me in surprise. I stood up and took a deep breath. "You've got this Jo", Maddy whispered. Tony squeezed my hand and gave me a reassuring smile.

I put on a brave face, gave myself a brief pep talk and walked to the stage. I was handed a microphone. "Hi everyone I'm Josie Bolton and as a special present to our cheer coach I'll be singing a thousand years by Cristina Perri from the soundtrack of a movie series that we're surprisingly both big fans of, the twilight saga".

Everyone applauded again. I saw Mrs Stryder smile from where she was and for some reason I felt my nerves calm down. I looked back at the orchestra and they started playing. I took one deep breath again and began.

"Heart beats fast, colours and promises...

How to be brave......"

While I was singing my confidence grew as I saw the smiles on the faces of people. At least that meant I wasn't flopping. The smile on the face of Tony and Mrs Stryder and of course Maddy gave me the extra boost of confidence I needed.

During the performance I saw a bunch of couples stand to dance, including the bride and groom and that made me feel better.

At the end, everyone gave me a standing ovation. I saw Tony looking at me with the proudest smile on his face. I handed the microphone to the MC, took a bow and walked off the stage. "Ladies and gentlemen Josie Bolton", he said as the crowd erupted into another round of applause, "wow that was wonderful...".

I walked off the stage right into Maddy's waiting arms. "You were great", she praised. "Thanks", I replied breathing heavily. Each of the cheerleaders took turns congratulating me. After I was done with the squad or rather, after they were done with me, I made my way over to Tony who was standing patiently by our table with a smile on his face.

He opened up his arms to me and I ran into them. "Thanks a lot charming", I said into his chest. "I didn't do anything", he replied. "If it wasn't for you, I would have never been able to perform".

"Yes you would've. All I did was boost your confidence".

"Either way, I owe you one".

"Well since you mentioned it, I know how you can pay me back". He had on a sheepish grin. "How?" I quirked a brow at him. "Well I did ask you to be my date at my uncle's wedding and I remember you ditching me because you had plans..." He trailed off.

"Well you coulda told me your uncle was getting married to miss H".

"And you coulda told me you were going to her wedding".

"God. I don't even know how I didn't notice the last names in the first place".

"Anyway, since you look absolutely gorgeous, my offer for a date still stands, if you'll take it". He looked so adorable with his cheeks tinted pink and his hand behind his hair.

"Thanks and you look amazing too. And of course I'll be your date", I flushed, "lemme just tell Maddy". I walked to our seat. "I'm gonna be his date" I whispered excitedly. She grinned and gave me two thumbs up. I walked back to him. He had his hand out. "Shall we?" He asked. "We shall".

We walked hand in hand to his seat. He pulled out a chair for me. "Ooh like a true gentleman", I teased. "Only the finest for you princess", he winked. I held back a blush. We sat and talked for what felt like hours. It probably was, I don't know. We weren't bothered about the time.

"So are you guys entering the talent show?" He asked popping a shrimp into his mouth. I popped a grape into mine. "Yeah. Justin's idea but it's a great idea so I didn't complain too much". He nodded. "You know I'm subscribed to your channel on YouTube".

"Really?" I asked in excitement. He nodded once more with a mouthful of shrimp. The song playing changed to thinking out loud by Ed Sheeran. One of my absolute favorites. I started mouthing the words to the song and moving my body to it.

I noticed he was watching me with amusement in his eyes. I suddenly felt self conscious. I cleared my throat. "I love that song".

"You wanna dance?" He held out his hand for me to take. I remembered that Ed Sheeran was his favorite singer and that he probably also loved the song. My eye lit up in excitement. I didn't respond. I just smiled and put my hand in his.

A/N: Tony and Josie are so cute. Who else loves this adorable ship as much as I do?