The stage didn’t have enough lights. Vance observed the setup from the wings, lamenting how small-scale the venue was. He knew that he couldn’t expect much from Prescott’s summer festival, but in his heart, he’d been holding out for something bigger, something more impressive, and something… well… something that would be more conducive to his comeback.

Aaron had decided that he’d go on just after the sun set, about three-fourths of the way toward the end of the lineup. Vance had agreed with his reasoning when Aaron had explained it to him months ago — the people who came during the day would stay an hour or two longer to see him perform, and anyone who was planning to come just to see him would arrive at some of the highest traffic times, creating an additional layer of excitement. With booths and activities already jam packed, and the space in front of the stage starting to fill up, Vance knew that he had nothing to complain about. Somehow, Aaron had taken a small town and turned it into something big. Somewhere out there, no doubt, were paparazzi eager for the scoop. There very well may have been talent scouts and potential agents. Vance had started making calls after Rebecca had dropped him, and so far, he’d only received vague answers. He was sure they were waiting to see what he did tonight — if he could prove that he was still relevant and newsworthy. What they’d see tonight would sway them one way or the other.

Still, he had one more call to make.

He pulled his phone from the back pocket of his leather pants and dialed. It rang against his ear, then clicked as it connected. Vance smiled.

“Hey,” Teddy said. “I can’t talk for long. I’m working on it.”

“You’re the best,” Vance replied. “It’s not going to be too long now. You sure?”

“Yep.”

“You need any help?”

“Nope. I got this under control.” He heard Teddy’s wink. Vance had only met the man once in person, but he seemed like a nice enough guy — his family resemblance to Aaron was jarring, although Teddy’s face was softer.

“Remind me later that I owe you one.”

“Don’t say that until you know how tonight turns out.”

“No matter how it turns out, I’ll still owe you one. You’re doing me a solid, and I appreciate that. I’ll find a way to get you back someday.”

“Right,” Teddy laughed. “Well, if you can hook me up with one of your massively hot and famous friends who wouldn’t mind coming to settle in a place like this, then let me know. If not, then we’re good. Don’t worry about it, okay?”

Vance wasn’t going to take no for an answer. No matter how much Teddy argued, he wasn’t going to let it go. Still, he didn’t have time to disagree. His set was going to begin soon, and Teddy still had work to do.

“I’m going to leave you to it,” Vance said. “Good luck, and thank you.”

“You don’t need luck when you’re me. It’s all natural skill.” Teddy laughed. “Alright. I really need to go. Catch you later, Vance. Good luck.”

The call ended. Vance tucked his phone into his pocket and channeled his positive energy in Teddy’s direction. The success of tonight’s performance was hinging on whether or not he could get done what Vance had asked him to do. He had faith that Teddy knew what he was doing, but he couldn’t help but be nervous. There was a high likelihood that he might not be able to do what he’d set out to do, and if that happened, then Vance’s performance would fall flat.

“Hey, Vance,” a familiar voice said. Vance turned his head to find Ethan standing there. Aaron had hired on Ethan and a few other musicians to play for Vance during the show, and Vance had been working with them over the last few weeks to make sure that everything was perfect. He didn’t want to mess this up. “You still good to go for tonight? It’s not too late to change your mind, you know.”

“I know,” Vance said. “Thanks for following up, but I haven’t changed my mind. I really appreciate you guys being with me while I do this.”

“Yeah, of course,” Ethan said. “We just wanted to make sure that it was all still okay. We’re going on soon. Like, what, fifteen, twenty minutes? I forgot to wear a watch, of course.”

Vance laughed. “Yeah, about that. Someone will let us know when it’s time to go on. I haven’t seen Aaron yet today, but if it’s not him, then it’ll be someone else. Aaron wouldn’t leave us hanging.”

“Right.” Ethan paused. “I guess it’s just… there’s a lot hanging on tonight for all of us. There will be people recording the show on their phones out there, uploading it to Youtube, and who knows what other talent is out there, watching. This could go superviral. I just want to make sure you’re okay with taking the risk. The guys and I are behind you one hundred percent, but if you’re not sure…”

“I’m sure,” Vance said. He’d spent the last two weeks searching his soul to make sure that this was what he wanted, and he couldn’t think of anything he wanted more. “We’re going to sound great out there. I’m not going to let you guys down.”

“I didn’t think you would. You’ve got a lot riding on this, too.”

“Funny how that works, right? A small-time show making a big-time impact.” Vance chuckled. “When intermission’s over and the curtain drops, I want to blow this tiny venue out of the water. You think you can do it for me?”

“Psh. That shouldn’t even be a question. Of course I can.”

“Then let’s get to it.” Vance rolled his shoulders back and jogged on the spot. Adrenaline had started to rush through his veins, and he felt the excitement that always swelled behind his ribcage before a performance. It had been a long time since he’d felt this way, and he was ready. Even if it was his last time on the stage, he’d see this through. If his career did end, he’d go out with a bang no one would forget. “Let’s grab the guys and make sure we’re ready for our cue. The last thing we want is to botch this.”

“It’s going to be a hell of a night.” Ethan slapped his back as he headed into the tiny space behind the back wall of the temporary stage where their equipment was set up, and the rest of the band members were waiting. “You got this.”

Vance grinned. “You do, too.”

It wasn’t the Vance Show anymore. He knew what he’d done wrong in the past, and he’d never make those mistakes again. From here on out, he would think of others and take their thoughts and feelings into consideration. He wouldn’t blind himself to the world anymore.

He’d changed, and it was all because of Aaron. Tonight, he intended to show him exactly how deep that change ran.