the Velvet Rope

You keep me right outside your heart.

But close enough to touch.

Give me just enough attention.

To make me want too much.

You pull me through the side door.

Then hide me from the light.

I'm good enough to hold you.

Just not enough to call yours tonight.

I finally see the difference.

Between mysterious and cruel.

You made me feel exclusive.

When you were only making rules.

Take down the velvet rope.

Or leave me on the street.

I'm done being your after-hours.

Almost-everything.

Don't kiss me like you need me.

Then hide me when they know.

Either let me into your life—

Or baby, let me go.

I won't spend another night.

Behind your velvet rope.

You know exactly how to tempt me.

One message after two.

"Come over, nobody's here."

Like that's supposed to make me choose you.

Your room smells like temptation.

Your hands remember mine.

But damn, I'm tired of disappearing.

Every time we see daylight.

I want breakfast, not excuses.

Want my shoes beside your door.

Want something that survives the morning.

Or I don't want this anymore.

Take down the velvet rope.

Or leave me on the street.

I'm done being your after-hours.

Almost-everything.

Don't kiss me like you need me.

Then hide me when they know.

Either let me into your life—

Or baby, let me go.

I won't spend another night.

Behind your velvet rope.

You liked me best in darkness.

I started craving sun.

You liked keeping every option.

I got tired of being one.

So here's the part you won't expect:

Tonight you don't decide.

I finally learned the hottest thing.

Is knowing when to say goodbye.

Keep your midnight.

Keep your bed.

Keep those pretty words you never meant.

Keep the key.

Keep control.

You don't get backstage to my soul.

Take down the velvet rope—

Too late, I'm walking free.

You can find another secret.

I'm done auditioning to be seen.

You can miss the way I kissed you.

You can hate to watch me go.

But you don't get to keep me.

Just because you want me close.

No more waiting.

No more hoping.

No more living almost-known.

Funny—

The minute I stopped begging to get inside.

I realized I owned the whole damn show.