Chasing Dreams started off the show, bringing back fond memories for Josie when she was in high school. Chase had his wife, Addie, come up on stage while he sang her the hit song “Make Believe.” It was sweet and evident how much he loved his wife.
As he sang, Josie closed her eyes and listened to the lyrics, remembering Colin singing her the same song a few days earlier. It didn’t seem possible that she’d only just met him. It felt like she’d known him forever.
The evening progressed as Phillip Jacobs joined the band on stage, singing a few of his hit songs, many of them written by Chase Nichols. Josie was growing more and more anxious for Colin and his performance with Scarlet. It was driving her crazy not to know what was going on backstage. At least his grandmother was having a good time. Violet loved the food and seemed to enjoy the entertainment, especially since it was country music.
After Phillip’s set, it came time for some of the local talent discovered by Chase and Phillip to perform. Most of them had been signed to the record label after being contestants on The New Voice of Country Music. Others were YouTube sensations they’d discovered. Josie hoped Colin was next to sign with them, preferably without Scarlet.
There was a brief intermission, and Josie wanted to go backstage to find Colin. Violet had gone to the restroom with Sydney, so now would be a great time to sneak off. If only she knew where to find him.
She was relieved to see Jackson and Beau coming to join their table while the next band was getting ready to go on stage.
“Hey,” Jackson said, sliding into the seat next to Josie. “I think you might want to go backstage to see Colin.”
Josie’s insides churned with anxiety as she looked into Jackson’s sober face. “Is he okay?” she said, hoping it didn’t involve alcohol. Colin had confided in her that stressful situations were the hardest for him. Plus, he was in a music club where alcohol was flowing freely.
“Yeah, he’s not sick or anything like that.” Jackson pursed his lips together. “Not sure how to say this, but I think your stepsister is giving him grief about his relationship with you.”
“What is she saying?” Josie asked.
“It’s more like threatening.” Jackson got up from the table and pulled Josie’s chair out for her. “Let me take you to him.”
“Okay.” Trembling, Josie followed Jackson, wondering what Scarlet was up to now. She cut a quick look across the room and saw Ford and Monica still sitting at the table, their heads bent close to each other as they probably hatched more evil plans.
It got quieter as Jackson led her behind the stage to the dressing rooms. Josie recognized Scarlet’s voice, but couldn’t quite make out what she was saying.
Jackson stopped and put a finger to his lips, indicating for her to be quiet as they stopped just outside the door.
“It’s simple, Colin, either you give me what I want, or I won’t go out on stage with you,” Scarlet said in a demanding voice Josie had heard more than once. “The recording deal is for us as a duo. Do you really want to blow your chance at a comeback for someone like Josie?”
“I thought you wanted a record deal too?” Colin said in a placating voice. “If you don’t go out with me and sing the song we agreed to perform, then you’ll lose out on the contract as well.”
“I’m not worried,” Scarlet said. “Ford assures me I can make it on my own.” She paused, making Josie want to burst through the door to confront her stepsister. “You, on the other hand, need me. ‘Rescued’ sounds much better as a duet, even you admitted that once we cut the demo. Besides, Chase Nichols doesn’t want you as a solo artist. He wants us together. So decide right now. Dump Josie, and I’ll sing with you,” she said flippantly. “Stay with her, and you’ll go out there alone.”
Several intense seconds passed, Josie’s heart pounded so loudly she was sure it was audible. Part of her didn’t want to hear Colin’s decision while the other part hoped he’d choose her.
“You can’t do it without me,” Scarlet said again. “Our harmony is what put the song over the top. Remember that before you make a decision.”
Jackson turned and looked at Josie, one eyebrow lifted in disbelieve. “That’s harsh,” he said in a low voice.
Josie wanted to laugh. He had no idea the things Scarlet and Monica had done to her. Taken away from her until she gave up and created a whole new version of herself that Scarlet or Monica couldn’t touch. Scarlet was too selfish to think about others, but Josie had found her calling by helping people who felt invisible. She was lucky to have James and Shelby Dalton backing her up.
Drawing in a fortifying breath, she knew what she had to do. It wasn’t fair what Scarlet was asking of Colin, and Josie needed to set him free. She loved Colin Wilde. Loved him enough to give him up so he could be happy.
Before she had a chance to say anything, Colin finally spoke, making Josie’s heart nearly stop beating. As soon as he uttered his reply, Josie knew there was one way she could help him if it came to that. She just hoped she had the courage to follow through.
Chapter 22
Colin
Colin rubbed his thumb over the shamrock of the coin in his pocket and stared at Scarlet, feeling chilled to his core. She was colder than winter in the Highlands of Scotland. Every muscle inside his body was tense as Scarlet repeated words he’d heard from his father so many times. He wasn’t good enough.
“You can’t do it without me,” Scarlet said, her eyes like iced coffee. “Our harmony is what put the song over the top. Remember that before you make a decision.”
She might be right. The song did sound better with her harmonizing. And Chase and Phillip were sold on Scarlet and him as a duo. Still, out of all the decisions Colin had ever made in his life, this one was the least difficult. “I want Josie,” Colin said, letting the sobriety coin slide through his fingers. “I choose her.”
Fury darkened Scarlet’s brown eyes, making them appear like chips of obsidian. She uttered a few offensive curse words that he’d heard before, just not out of the mouth of someone supposed to be a lady. “You’re making a big mistake,” Scarlet seethed. “Go ahead and go out there by yourself. I’m going to sit on the front row and watch you end your career.” She lifted her hand, and Colin figured he was about to get slapped. Instead, she poked him in the chest. “You are nothing without me.”
“Actually,” a sweet voice said from behind them. “I wholeheartedly disagree,” Josie said in a British accent.
Colin smirked at the use of his word. Scarlet didn’t find it as funny.
“You are so weird, and nobody cares what you think, Josie,” Scarlet said, a few drops of spittle coming out of her mouth. “I promise that you and your so-called fiancé will regret ever crossing me.”
“Been there, done that,” Josie said with a sarcastic laugh. “Anything else?”
“Go ahead and laugh,” Scarlet said. “Because of you, Colin is going to crash and burn.” Scarlet stormed toward the exit, bumping Josie in the arm as she left the room.
“I’m sorry,” Josie said.
Colin narrowed his eyes. “Do not apologize for that woman ever again.”
He was prepared for her to lash out at him, so the dazzling smile she gave him nearly knocked him off his feet. “You chose me.”
“You heard all of that?”
“Yes.” She walked toward him. “And you picked me.”
“I did.” Colin wanted to tell her that he loved her, and then kiss her senseless, but someone knocked on the door before he got a chance.
“Sorry to interrupt,” Jackson said. “But you’re up in ten minutes. The stage manager is freaking out that you’re not out there yet.” Jackson grinned and patted the doorframe. “By the way, you chose wisely.”
“You heard that too?” Colin said, feeling the back of his neck heat up.
“Fraid so,” Jackson said. “For the record, I think you’ll do great on your own. The song is solid, and you’re good.”
Fear made the blood in Colin’s veins go cold. He’d
only written the song the night before and had only rehearsed it as a duet. He wasn’t sure he could do it.
“Thank you,” he said, wishing Jackson and the other members of his band would come on stage with him. Colin hadn’t performed on his own in a very long time, at least not in front of a live audience. Or with two of the best music producers in the industry sitting in the audience. “Give me a minute, and I’ll be there.” He still wasn’t sure he could go through with it alone.
Jackson nodded and wished him luck. Once he and Josie were alone again, Colin shook his head. “I don’t think I can do it.”
“Yes you can,” Josie said, reaching out and taking his hand. Her skin felt like hot coals compared to his icy fingers. “Jackson’s right. You’re good, Colin, and the song is amazing.”
“It sounds better with harmony.”
“Okay, but it also sounds fantastic with just your voice.”
“What if I make a mess of it?” He squeezed her fingers before letting go and shoving his hands through his hair. Fear of failure was closing in on him like the room was shrinking smaller and smaller. “I can’t go out there alone, Josie.”
She studied him for a few seconds, tenderness filling her blue eyes. “I’ll be just off stage,” she said, moving close enough to him to smooth his hair with her fingers. “You can angle the stool so you can see me.”
He caught her hand and placed it over his heart. “I wish you could come out on the stage with me,” he said, feeling desperate to have her near him. It was kind of ironic that he was in a pub and had not once craved alcohol. It was Josie he craved. Needed. Loved.
Some of the color faded from her cheeks as a flicker of distress crossed her features. “I would if I didn’t think you can do this on your own.” She touched the side of his face. “You’ve got this, Colin. I know you can do it.”
Her faith in him bolstered his confidence, and he wanted to tell her that he loved her but knew this wasn’t the time. He could hear someone outside the door asking for his whereabouts. Tugging Josie to him, Colin captured her mouth with his in a quick, hard kiss. “We need to talk,” he said, pressing another kiss to her lips.
“Somebody find the final act!” a frantic voice said outside the door. “They’re up in five.”
Josie pulled away and met his gaze. “We will, but first we have to get you out there.”
Nodding his head, he grabbed his guitar just as an assistant to the stage manager stuck her head in the door. “I’ve been looking everywhere for y’all.”
“Sorry,” he said, crossing the floor. “We’re coming.” Holding Josie’s hand, Colin followed the assistant to the left-wing of the stage.
“Wait,” the girl said, taking a good look at Josie. “Where is Miss Graham?”
“She changed her mind about performing,” Colin said. “I think she’s sitting in the audience.”
The girl looked like she was about to lose it when Jackson McCall appeared. “It’s okay, Darcy,” Jackson said. “I talked to Chase and told him that Colin’s doing this solo.”
“If you say so.” Darcy glanced at Josie. “Sorry, ma’am, but you need to find somewhere else to stand during the performance.”
“I need her here,” Colin said. “Where I can see her.”
“It’s okay, Darcy,” Jackson said. “I’ll stick close to her.”
“Make sure you keep her out of the light,” Darcy said before walking over to direct the stage crew.
Gripping his guitar, Colin mentally prepared himself for the performance as the all girl’s band finished their song. Beads of sweat dotted his hairline as the audience clapped loudly. The rush from a live audience used to charge him. Now it terrified him. He swallowed hard, his insides a jumbled mess as Chase Nichols came out on the stage to make the introduction.
As if someone had swiped his memory clean, Colin’s mind blanked out. What was the opening chords to the song? Or the lyrics? He couldn’t remember the opening verse. Panicked, he looked at Josie. “I can’t go out there.”
“Yes you can,” Josie said. “You’ve got this, and I’ll be right here.”
Colin wanted to beg her to come on stage with him, but Chase had just told the audience a special guest many of them might know was here all the way from the United Kingdom. The audience clapped loudly as Chase looked at Colin, motioning for him to come out on the stage.
Squeezing Colin’s hand, Josie let go and brushed a soft kiss to his cheek. “I love you, Colin Wilde, and you’re going to kill it out there.”
“You love me?” he asked, not sure he’d heard her correctly.
“Yes,” she said softly.
Josie loved him. Those words shot through Colin like a bolt of lightning, jumpstarting his heart. He could do this. For her.
“Dude,” Jackson said before Colin could at least kiss Josie. “Get out there.”
Putting the strap of his guitar over his head, Colin stepped out on the stage and waved to the audience as he met Chase in the middle.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Chase said with a grin. “Please give a Georgia welcome to Colin Wilde.”
The crowd went crazy as Chase walked off the stage, leaving Colin all alone. As he situated the stool and adjusted the mic, he glanced over and saw Josie watching him.
She loved him. That meant more than anything in the world.
“It’s an honor to be here tonight,” Colin said, sitting down on the stool. His hands shook as he strummed a few chords. “There are times when all of us feel like we’re alone and drowning in darkness.” He licked his lips. “I wrote this song for the girl who saw me as someone worth saving. It’s called Rescued.”
A hush fell over the audience as Colin began playing the haunting melody and started singing. “I’m broken. Hands empty, with nothing left to give. Shattered. Heart empty, not sure I want to live.” He glanced at Josie when he sang the next verse. “Then you saw me. The real me. The one I never knew.” Colin’s throat felt thick as emotion slammed into him, making it hard to breathe. His voice broke as he tried singing the next line, the words barely coming out as a whisper. “And I’m rescued as you take my hand and pull me up to you. Rescued. I’m rescued. All because of you.”
Colin blinked back the tears and looked at Josie again. His vision was blurry, and he couldn’t clearly see her face. He was sort of a mess and hadn’t counted on his feelings being so raw. His fingers tripped over the chords, and he had to play the intro to the second verse over again. This was the part Scarlet sang, and he hated that he was so handicapped without her. Maybe she was right, and he couldn’t do this alone.
Feeling like a broken man, Colin strummed the last note and dropped his head. He’d failed. Just like his dad had told him he would do. Murmurs from the crowded pub reminded him he had an audience witnessing his failure.
Then everything went still as a beautiful raspy voice sang the next verse a cappella. “Invisible, and hollow. Nowhere to call home.”
Colin’s head snapped up. At first, he thought Scarlet had come on stage to help him. But there, standing in the spotlight and holding a mic, was Josie. She’d come to his rescue once more.
His fingers automatically strummed the tune as Josie continued walking toward him, singing the next line with a rich and melodic voice. “Lonely. Heart empty, don’t want to be alone.”
Colin stood up as she finally reached him, allowing him to share her mic as they sang in perfect harmony. “Then you saw me. The real me. The one I never knew. And I’m rescued as you take my hand and pull me up to you. Yeah, rescued. I’m rescued. With only me and you.”
Their eyes locked as he transitioned into the bridge. As if they’d rehearsed it a million times, they sang the next stanza in harmony, each word driving home that love had rescued them both.
“There was no light. There was no hope. I was drowning in the dark. But you saw the truth, reached out your hand and rescued me with love. You saved me. Loved me. And healed my broken heart.”
Colin’s fingers stilled, know
ing the next couple of lines needed to be a cappella. Instinctively, Josie let him sing it solo. “I found you. The real you. The one meant just for me.”
He plucked at the guitar strings, and Josie came in on the next verse. “Surrounded by your love. Our hearts now beat as one.”
Moving closer, their foreheads nearly touched as they sang the final line together. “Rescued. Yeah, rescued, no longer all alone. Rescued. Rescued. Two hearts that beat as one.”
Breathing deeply, Colin let his forehead touch Josie’s as the last note faded. Time suspended as silence fell over the entire room, and Colin finally understood the meaning that one could hear a pin drop. Something incredible had just happened, and the audience seemed to understand that.
The silence broke as thunderous applause erupted. Colin and Josie didn’t move, still wrapped up in a cocoon of magic that bound them together in a way that went beyond words or physical contact.
Chapter 23
Josie
Josie was so caught up in the moment she couldn’t hear anything over the beating of her heart. Had she really just sang a duet with Colin? She still couldn’t believe she’d actually come out on stage. But she couldn’t just stand there and watch him throw his dreams away. Not after confessing he’d written the song for her.
Colin had started off so strong, his voice sounding incredible and confident. Even when his voice shredded on the next stanza, his emotions made the song so real and moving. But then he missed the cue for the second verse and clumsily played the intro over. From the wing of the stage, Josie sang the next lines under her breath, hoping he’d somehow hear her and come in strong.
“Go to him,” Jackson had whispered. “He needs you.”
“I can’t sing with him,” Josie said, even though she’d promised herself she would do whatever she had to do to help him.
Jackson shook his head. “I heard you singing, and you’re good.” He held out a wireless mic to her. “You know the part.”
Moonlighting with the British Rock Star: A Georgia Moon Romance Page 18