by Bowie, Emily
“Everything look okay?” Brax asks, looking around at the large stage in the field where the summer carnival and bake sales happen.
“Too bad there isn’t a petting zoo here this year.” Kellen’s face is completely straight as he looks around, but I can see the tug at his lips he’s fighting. There’s another allergy joke.
Coming up to him, I make a grab to put him in a headlock. “Are you on my side or not?” I laugh as we tease each other.
“It’s going to go great. Stop worrying.” Brax comes toward us.
“Easy for you two to say. Y’all already got your girls.” I think they both forget what they had to go through to convince their women they were the right choices.
Heading back to our cars, we see two patrol cars come to the grounds. “You order extra security?” Kellen asks, looking their way.
“I did, but it’s not them.”
They walk past us, and all our eyes are on each other. “They’re just doing their job. If we leave them alone, they’ll do the same.” I start walking away, not needing to get into an old feud for no reason. My brothers reluctantly follow.
“I guess the girls saw them celebrating prematurely last time Camilla was here. Rumor was that they had that serial killer, but it ended up being a false confession.” Kellen’s still angry they brought him in for questioning. The good thing about it all was that he was completely cleared. It’s better than thinking they might try to plant something on him. He may not say it out loud, but I know he worries about that sometimes.
“The girls have Camilla and are in route,” Kellen reads off his phone.
My body feels all jittery, which mixes with the excitement and nervousness swirling around me.
“Look who’s finally grown up.” Brax laughs, neither of them ever seeing me like this.
“Let’s go so we can give Camilla a welcome hug.” Kellen throws at me over his shoulder, making my face twist, unimpressed with his mocking me.
Brax laughs, loving how the attention has turned onto me when it was on him not that long ago.
*
Once again with Camilla, I feel like I’ve been left on the outside. I watch her from afar, even in my own family’s house. For a relationship that was only for a publicity stunt, it turned more real and important to me than anything else in my life. I never expected anything to be more important than my singing, going on tour, and being there for my fans. How wrong I was. I would trade all of that in for Camilla. I wouldn’t even think twice about it. She means that much to me.
I lag, not stepping foot into the kitchen, staying in the living room where I can watch each of their interactions. Camilla hugs everyone as they greet like they’ve been a part of each other’s lives for years. Even my brothers hug her, making me want to remove their hands when they wrap around her. It’s completely irrational, considering their women are right beside them. But I can’t help it. I don’t get a hug, and I’m envious.
She turns, and I feel the moment she spots me off in the distance. Her lips purse as I see the fire grow in her, wanting to incinerate me on the spot. That fire coils between us, igniting this vibrant energy around the two of us like a force field. No one can ever accuse us of being boring, with the way we test each other and our constant pushing and pulling.
“You’re looking good, Camilla.” My mouth is suddenly dry as I watch her raise her eyebrow at me.
“Wish I could say the same for you.” She tries to poke me with her words. As she turns her back on me, my brothers shrug as she begins talking to the girls about the plans for the baby shower.
*
I figured I’d see Rhett again, but he literally takes my breath away. I hate that I’m the reason he’s standing away from his family. I hate the strain between us. Even when we hated each other, there was never this awkwardness. It was easy and our banter came naturally.
I have to turn my back, focusing on Sloan and her baby shower. I remind myself I will not be bought with flowers, songs, or impersonal actions. Even as I talk to the girls, I can feel his eyes on me. That’s the problem—I can always feel him. Even when he thinks I don’t know he’s there, I know.
“Where to first?” I ask, trying to push everything away.
“We need to get a few decorations before the lighting celebration.”
CHAPTER 44
“Hello, Three Rivers!” I call out, walking on stage. The field is crowded, as I hear cheers.
“I wanted to add something special to this year’s festivity, but at the same time, I have to admit I’m also here for a selfish reason. I’m dropping my next album next month called Whisky Moments; every song on there is about a whisky-eyed beauty who I have fallen in love with.
“The thing is I can’t get her out of my mind or my heart. But she keeps ignoring me. What do y’all say about me singing the first song on the album that’s me laying my heart out there for her?”
More applause from the crowd, whose energy is more than amped up. I look around to see my mom, Dad, Brax, and his girl Raya. But no one else. My heart drops, thinking maybe they couldn’t drag Camilla here.
I begin strumming my guitar, and the soft melody takes me away to the first days of us being together here in my hometown. Midverse, I open my eyes and I see her. She’s at the back of the crowd.
Finishing the song, I notice she has slowly made her way closer but keeps to the side, trying to stay hidden. With each new song I play, all written with her in mind, she gets a little closer. Playing another of my new songs, I stop, taking a break to talk to the crowd. This is one of my favorite parts of being on stage. It’s being able to get that personal connection with whichever city I’m in.
“If you have the internet, you already know how much I have messed my relationship up.” I hear a few chuckles and a couple random calls out to me. “I’ve been trying to become the man she needs, and that’s no easy feat because of who I am.” More laughter.
“I’ve just donated to Three Rivers a music program for at-risk youths in our town, knowing it was music that kept me out of trouble most of the time. I’ve also bought a house and plan to finally put down roots. Fun fact, I’ve never owned a home before, and I hope one day I can share it with the love of my life.”
Taking a sip of water, I see Camilla is closer to the stage, close enough she doesn’t have to fight the crowd to make it up here.
“I did have the pleasure of writing one song with Camilla Black. Could you give a huge warm welcome in hopes she will come up here and sing one more time with me?” I play on her heart, knowing if the crowd wants her, she won’t let them down.
The crowd goes crazy, chanting her name louder than they called out to me at the start.
I see my sister give her a nudge and she doesn’t budge. I hold my breath, praying she won’t kill me for this, and even more that she will come up here.
Hesitantly, she comes on stage. Walking up to her, I hand her a guitar and have to fight the urge to touch her, to hold her in a hug.
“Before we start, did you know that you have a wing at Three Rivers Hospital being named after you? It’s not anything as fancy as the hospitals in Nashville or New York, but the people here appreciate it, and I hope they remember what an amazing person you are. Camilla, you have inspired me in so many ways; I will never be able to pay you back. You turned my black tar heart into a warm beating mess. It physically hurts me that I messed up so badly. I hope you can forgive me one day.”
With that, the music cues and the two of us get lost in the chords we created our last night together. They swirl around us as the emotion of the song hits the crowd with each line.
By the end of the song, the crowd is chanting “kiss,” wanting to see the holiday magic that lives in everyone’s hearts come true on stage.
Camilla has tears in her eyes as she looks from the crowd to me. I can see the guard she’s trying to put up in fear I’ll hurt her once more. I’m so scared she’ll run and I’ll lose my chance.
Picking up her hand, I give her a small squ
eeze, which she returns. At that moment, all of the trees in the area light up, and we’re pulled in together. I can’t say if I stepped to her first or the other way around. Slowly, her soft lips touch mine and I can feel our fireworks exploding.
The chants of the crowd fade away and all I know is Camilla. My hand gently cups her face, scared this isn’t reality and some dream I’ll have to wake up from and realize I never got the girl.
“I forgive you,” she whispers for only me.
Not expecting this admission, it takes me a second or two to comprehend what she just told me. Picking her up, I twirl her around, the crowd cheering for their happily ever after story, and I kiss her again.
As I walk off the stage, I feel like I’m on cloud nine. The crowd has started to swarm the stage a bit more, but I’m not worried. I have security, and I have known these people my whole life.
Stepping into the sea of people, we get pats on the back and congratulations are hollered till I feel Camilla being tugged from my side. I turn to see what’s pulling her away from me.
It’s none other than Dick.
He has her arm in a tight grasp as she snaps, “Dick, what the hell? You’re hurting me.” She’s visibly fighting to loosen his fingers. I’m surrounded by people, and I start to move them with my hands, trying to get back to Camilla.
“Have you been getting my flowers, Camilla?” His voice is creepy, reminding me of Hannibal Lecter, and I freeze, not understanding what he means. “I thought you were strong. I hate being proven wrong.”
Finally getting to Camilla, I try to step between them. “Dick, what the fuck?” The crowd is bumping us, making us sway, no one noticing our confrontation.
“She always has to save you. It started the first day you two met. She could have chosen me. I offered her the world and would have made her bigger than you, a hundred times bigger than she is now. Then she lets you steal her song. I thought for sure you’d be ruined. But she did nothing. Even when I made sure you would get your brother’s phone call about needing a lawyer, you finally choked, but she saved you. Every time, I could have ruined you, yet she helped you come back. This time is no different.”
His motions come in slow motion as I watch him pull a gun out, moving it from me to her. Without even thinking, I stand in front of her.
“Why would you want to ruin me? I was your gravy train.”
He looks around me, trying to get a glimpse of Camilla. “See? He never learns.” The whole time he’s talking to me, his eyes stay on Camilla’s in an eerie, possessive way. “You are nothing but entitled. I would have gone anywhere with someone who deserved me, but no one would consider backstabbing perfect old Rhett. I would have made two times more anywhere else, dealt with half the headache, and got recognition for what I do. Not only that, I loved her first. From her very first audition, I fell for her. All you did was torment the girl, making me hate you more. Pick me, Camilla.”
“Put the gun away,” I coax, my heart slugging into my ribs.
“You don’t deserve her. I tried to make her see that with this whole fake dating idea. I figured for sure she’d see the real you and toss your ass.” He sneers. “This is the only way to protect you, Camilla.”
A shot rings out, and I drop to the ground as people start to scream everywhere. What I can only assume is mass hysteria erupts on the grounds. Opening my eyes, I frantically tap my chest, wondering where I was hit, praying I would make it out alive. Only to only realize…
I was never shot.
CHAPTER 45
I’m pushed to the ground at the same time Rhett falls backward and the shot rings out. My ears ring with the screams echoing in my head.
Rhett. It’s my first and only thought. He’s a foot from me, but the crowd is going crazy. I’m lucky I haven’t been trampled. Staying on my hands and knees, I crawl unable to find my feet to stand. I get kicked in the stomach as a few bodies trip over me till I reach him. He stares at me, dazed, while I check him over, looking for any signs of blood or trauma.
“Camilla?” He says it like I’m a ghost and he’s questioning if I’m here.
“Where are you hit?” I hardly get my question out as he starts checking me. Shaking my head, I can’t find my voice, happy we’re both alive.
“What the hell was that?” Rhett asks, still looking confused about what’s happening.
Security and cops quickly come into our vision. Strong hands pull me up, and I see a security guard holding me. Pulling my arm free with enough strength, I’m let go, but the security guard is still staying in my personal space, preparing to keep me safe if necessary.
“We need to get you out of here,” our security calls over the screaming crowd.
“I’m not leaving him.” Falling to my knees, I go back to Rhett, refusing to leave his side. He was willing to lose his life for me, and I would do the same. “Have you been hit?” I look for any signs but see none.
Using each other’s hands as leverage, we pull one another up. It’s mass chaos around. We both search the area for Dick, worried he’s gotten away.
“There!” I point out where Officer Rhodes is sitting on Dick’s back, cuffing him while he stays on the ground.
“I’ve been hit,” he calls into his chest area where his radio is.
The next hour goes in a daze. All of Three Rivers’s cops end up being called down to the fairgrounds. Both Rhett and I give our statements. My head feels foggy, and my feet feel wobbly to walk on. The adrenaline in me has spiked so high my nerves have no idea what’s happening.
Somehow, we end up in Rhett’s parents’ new house, which only has some lawn chairs and the drywall hasn’t even been put into place yet. Standing shell-shocked, I glance around the half-finished room, looking into everyone’s face but not seeing them.
Trying to snap out of it, I focus harder on the people around us. I do the mental tally of everyone here to finally question, “Where are Kellen and Sloan?”
They’re the only ones missing from the family. They all look around, making me feel like it may have already been said.
“She went into labor right as the shot was fired,” Mrs. Steele tells me warmly, placing her hand on my shoulder.
“I caused this.” My breath hisses out, realizing Dick was a crazed fan who didn’t understand the reality of everything that surrounded him.
“No, you didn’t.” Shay steps in. “She was feeling contractions all day but didn’t want to go home, because she had to see this plan through.”
“She’s only three weeks shy from her due date. She’ll be fine.” Mrs. Steele pats my shoulder, trying to comfort me.
The front door bursts open, making most of us scream, and I think the worst—either Dick escaped or there is something wrong with Sloan. Instead, I see my best friend in the doorway.
Instantly, I burst into tears from missing her so much and wanting to pour everything out to her. We hug it out and I won’t let go. “I had to make sure you were okay,” she tells me, squeezing me so tight it hurts.
Pulling apart, it’s only then I see the same man who was on the Most Wanted poster, Sloan’s cousin, taking up most of the entranceway with his broad stance.
“Kellie, we can only be a minute,” he grunts out before I pick up her hand, inspecting the shiny diamond on her left ring finger.
“Are you married?” I stutter as my head pingpongs in every direction from today.
“I love you. I had to see with my own eyes that you were okay. I’ll explain everything soon.” She kisses me on the cheek as I’m stunned in place. Actually, I’m flabbergasted, not knowing what to say, and watch her disappear through the front door.
Looking around the room, everyone gives me weak smiles but don’t look concerned in the least.
Rhett leads me away toward the patio door with his hand in mine. Stepping outside, we sit down in a porch swing on the freshly built deck. Bringing my hand to his lips, he presses them to my knuckles before leaning in to kiss me on the cheek.
“Did you
really buy a house here?”
“I did. I wanted us to have a home base and a place for us to escape when our jobs get to be too much.”
I feel myself bite my lower lip. I can’t deny how he has changed – all for me. Or maybe I’m just seeing the side he only shows to those closest to him.
“I even made a beautiful house outside for Mrs. Skunk. Her name is on it, and it looks all castle, princess-like.” He smirks at me, knowing the way to my heart is through my beloved “cat.”
“Camilla, I want to start something real with you. I want everything, us living together, touring together, partners in every aspect of our lives.”
“What are you saying?” I can feel my excitement build while I try to keep it under wraps.
“Will you move in with me and be my real girlfriend?”
My smile is so large it feels like it’s splitting my face in two.
His hands move me toward him so that I’m straddling his lap. I kiss him with everything I have.
EPILOGUE
We arrived a few hours ago, and for the first time, we walk into our home together. No one would have ever been able to predict I would end up settling down here.
The media is still taking a huge interest in our love life. We keep feeding into them with the roller-coaster of our relationship. Someone took a video of our duet at the festival and it went viral, causing people to need more.
Dick officially has a restraining order against him, and cannot come near Camilla or me. He has been stalking her for years, sending her anonymous flowers. He had pictures of her in his apartment plaster to the walls, along with personal items of hers that she never realized was missing. Neither she nor I ever saw the signs, he hid them well. Looking back at everything Camilla mentioned the signs where there, but she never connected the dots that it was him. Apparently, he always made himself known to her right after he would see her and I together. He eventually confessed that he told the media about Camilla’s daughter. Camilla started to cry just before his confession. She already knew in her heart. She had saw him in the hospital but never thought he was there stalking her. Dick was charged for the shooting an officer and will be spending his days in jail for now, allowing Camilla and I the comfort of knowing he’s not around to hurt her.