March 29.

  -Send out tickets to all the team members. I think they'd enjoy attending the cert, and it might help everyone bond with the cast, - Billy said. Forty-five people, grouped in one of the VIP ses, wasn't a big favor, especially knowing that some would likely cel. But Billy didn’t mind.

  -Sure, we'll send out the notifications. Hopefully, some join, though I doubt the kids will be able to attend. Still, it's a good move to have some well-known faces at the cert, - Michael Ockrs responded.

  Billy nodded. Jerry was no longer up for traveling to other tries; he preferred to stay home rather than journey abroad. He only made exceptions for U.S. tours, choosing to stay in New York whenever possible. However, he po travel to London soon to see Billy's st cert there. In the meantime, Billy had five dates scheduled over the hree weeks, with one final show in London.

  The press was already buzzing about the ret certs and speg about who might be in attenda was well-known that Billy had numerous big-name opening acts, which hi potential surprises during the shows. Among those surprises was the possibility of Jerry Wrexler, along with other old-school friends who were famous in the '80s and early '90s, joining the cert—a perfect setup for a legendary performance.

  -The first date is in Birmingham, right? - Billy asked.

  -Yes, then it's Maer, Liverpool, Sheffield, Cambridge, and finally London. We’re not hitting the coast much, but these locations are special. Jerry wao do a broader tour, at least eight cities, but the European leg is pnned for year, along with Asia and Latin America, - Michael expined.

  More certs meant more headaches, but Billy tried not to dwell on it. He hoped the tours wouldn't e too much time, allowing him to take on some ag roles.

  -Let's get ready, - Michael said as they prepared to hit the road. They'd be traveling in a rge bus, and the daily four-hour journeys were the most tedious part for Billy, who had a particur dislike fhways.

  -It’s pretty annoying, - Billy muttered as he ehe small private room irailer. The room had a bed and a small TV on the opposite wall. It was stocked with cssic movies or the best of the '90s ected to a DVD pyer. Billy spent his time on the road either watg films or sleeping.

  The trailer had three rooms, enough for everyoo sleep during the four-hour trips. For the first cert in Birmingham, Billy had chosen the fourth room to sleep in. Without Gwen in his arms, all he wanted was to drift off. In his mind, the only woman he cared for was the blohough the plication was that she was married. Meanwhile, Leight was like an angel, crossing his path, shy but willing.

  While watg the sed season of The Sopranos, Billy found himself wishing he could be part of a gangster series, something iyle of Peaky Blinders. Pying the role of a tough guy, someone who fires the shots, would be incredible—to be part of a great crew.

  -I should think about the uping series. I wish there was an awesome character out there, something I could look at and say, ‘I couldn’t have picked anythier,’ - Billy thought as The Sopranos tio captivate him with its intricate, narco-themed plot. He spent a lot of time p his move.

  He tuned his guitar and quickly pyed a few chords. The anticipation still bothered him... Needing a distra, he dialed his pho was still m in the U.S.

  -Hey, Leight, - Billy said, lying there with the phoo his ear. Maybe video calls would be more necessary now that they were apart.

  -Billy, - murmured the young woman, who hadn’t heard from him in two days. It was a surprise, to say the least. She’d spent her days staring at her phoh growing desperation, but the call eased her fragile heart.

  -What’s up? I told you I'd call. I've been keeping an eye on my phone, but the tour's kept me busy. All they do here is tour, - Billy expined.

  -Your st cert was amazing. Every time I think about it, it takes my breath away. I’m just so happy to see… things are going well for you. Be careful with the weather over there; you could catch a cold, - Leight said.

  -I think the warmth of your arms might cure my cold. How did your audition go? - Billy asked.

  -How will you sing? - Leight tered.

  -It’s not too bad. Just a shot before the cert and a few pills afterward. With some care, I’ll be perfe two days, - Billy assured her.

  They had a long, lingering versatio held nothing back, sharing every detail, no matter how small.

  ***

  When they arrived in Birmingham, they were met by a crowd already excited about the cert. Billy could tell the show would be lively just by the energy in the air. The side kept him from getting any more sleep, so he grabbed a jacket to cover his bare chest and stepped out. The rest of the band was in their own rooms, except for Spencer, who ractig his guitar as usual.

  -W on the new 'Feeling Good'? - Billy asked, listening to the mix of jazz and rock, a sharp sound with the deep resonance of the electric guitar giving it a structured feel.

  -It’s a tricky song fuitar, better suited for piano, but the band o py with it, - Spencer replied.

  -I’d like te some trumpets. You could use Jack’s bass and Egg’s drums, - Billy suggested.

  -Just don’t sing it in public, - Spencer sighed.

  -Only for the st cert. -

  Two weeks was enough time to put together a puter track, ensuring it would sound good live, with Spencer’s piano and Egg’s drums anch the song. The idea in Billy’s head required two trumpet pyers and a violin to add more depth to the orchestra he envisioned behind him.

  -Show me the guitar adjustments, - Billy said. The harmony Spencer created was one of the best he’d heard. If Billy could learn it, he might use it ter on.

  -This song has a simplicity, but if you look closely, it uses elements of jazz, Ameri balds, and a bit of salsa. Nina Simone sings it differently, but I found a rendition by Anthony Newley, and I realized why it’s so powerful. Still, it doesn’t pare to your cover. You raised the bar, adding a punch that gives it a fresher, more modern feel, - Spencer expined. He had studied the song deeply; the difference was in the beginning—the voice leads first, and the instruments settle in, with orchestral flourishes 20 seds into the song.

  -Jerry got us approval for the cover. We do a quick rec in Liverpool, - Billy said.

  ...