“Y’all might know this next song. It’s about the first girl who ever broke my heart.” Reid lowered his eyes as the crowd booed. After a beat, he lifted his chin and flashed a devious smile. “That’s okay, though. Do y’all know why it’s okay?”
“Because karma’s gonna get you, girl!” Everyone screamed as Chloe stepped out of the shadows and began to play the familiar opening chord of the song.
Reid bobbed his head and turned to Chloe with a huge smile. The lights reflected off her white tank top and danced over her colorfully inked skin as she made her way across the stage. Her cotton and lace skirt fluttered around her legs, the dainty material a stark contrast to her chunky knee-high combat boots. The closer she moved to Reid, the more the cheers grew.
Once the pair stood next to each other, they turned to face the crowd clapping in sync with the beat of the drums. Reid watched those closest to the stage. Chloe’s violin piece was a new addition, and from what Reid could tell, it was a success. Although he wasn’t quite sure if it was the music, or the person making it. Either way, he felt a level of relief he wasn’t sure he’d have the opportunity to experience. When Chloe hit her last note, Reid began to sing.
It was the summer of ’03
and there was only you and me
Wind in our faces and the sun at our backs
we flew down the highway, young and free.
Making out in the back of my S-10 under a big oak tree,
I knew you and me were meant to be.
Then one night, under the cover of the moonlight,
I snuck to your window around midnight.
When I looked inside, you were gone,
and that’s how I came to write this song.
The lights flashed and beams of color swept over the arena as Reid’s fingers flew over his guitar. Chloe stood next to him, the pair grinning as they played off each other. Reid strummed a final note then dropped his hands to his sides and walked to the front of the stage. He clapped with the melody that Chloe continued to play and began to sing the chorus.
You played a game with my heart, now karma’s gonna play its part.
It’s gonna get you, girl, it’s gonna, gonna get you, girl,
Oh, karma’s gonna get you, girl.
You played a game with my heart and now karma’s gonna play its part. It’s gonna get you, girl, oh, you better believe, karma’s gonna get you, girl, it’s gonna get you, girl.
I hopped in my truck and drove all night,
parked by the river around daylight.
And what I saw, I’ll never forget, damn, my ego took a hit
’Cause there you were under our big oak tree,
making out with someone who wasn’t me.
I spun out of there in my old S-10, feeling like my world had come to an end.
I stopped at the store to get some gas,
and that’s when I realized karma had my back.
’Cause your daddy was there and anyone could tell
that son of a bitch was mad as hell.
He asked where you were and I didn’t hesitate.
I sent him straight to where you were on Benny’s tailgate.
I didn’t feel bad about what happened next,
you shoulda known better than to become my ex.
You played a game with my heart, now karma’s gonna play its part.
It’s gonna get you, girl, it’s gonna, gonna get you, girl,
Oh, karma’s gonna get you, girl.
You played a game with my heart and now karma’s gonna play its part. It’s gonna get you, girl, oh you better believe, karma’s gonna get you, girl, it’s gonna get you, girl.
The crowd erupted when the final notes were played and the lights dimmed and faded. Reid grabbed another water bottle and walked over to Chloe.
“You did amazing,” he said before downing the water.
“Thanks. You sure got the crowd into it.”
Reid looked back to the audience. “Are you guys tired yet?”
“No!”
“Are we staying until they kick us out?”
“Yes!”
“What about you, Chloe?” Reid asked. “Do you think they really want to stay here all night?” Chloe’s eyes widened a bit, but she recovered quickly and shrugged.
“I don’t know, Reid. Do you really think they can handle more?”
Reid swept his hand toward the crowd and smirked. “Why don’t you ask them?”
Chloe propped her violin on her shoulder and looked out over the sea of people. “How many of you out there are ready to party all night long?”
The response was deafening. “Hell, Chloe. I think they like you.” Again the crowd screamed as Reid signaled for Drew to start the intro for the next song. With a slow beat, Drew gradually brought the drums to life.
“What do you say, Chloe? Do you think they’re ready?”
Chloe stepped forward. “Only if they can make me feel it right here,” she said, tapping the end of her bow to her chest. The crowd screamed and stomped their feet as the drums hit full volume.
“Can you feel it, Reid?” Chloe asked, positioning her violin.
Reid nodded and looked to the bottle of water by his feet. The vibration of the cheers and the drums had caused the entire stage to shake. “Oh, I can feel it. One, two, three, four.”