Love is a Lyric (Rockstars Anonymous)

by Michelle MacQueen

  “She’s tearing it all down.” Even as he said the words, he couldn’t help feeling like it needed torn down. He wasn’t ready for Fate to end, but they’d built their careers on someone else’s words without giving credit to the most talented person they all knew. Piper deserved for the world to see her.

  Quinn cleared her throat, and the reporters quieted, straining to hear what she had to say. “I’m Quinn Hayes, lead singer of the band Fate, and I’ve come to you today with a confession and a story.” She flicked her eyes to Conner, who gave her an encouraging nod. “The last six years have been more than I could’ve imagined. Being a part of this band with the two best guys I know has been the kind of ride few people experience in their lives. But we didn’t do it alone. Most of you know I have a sister.”

  Ben sucked in a breath, and Chase stilled beside him.

  “There are eight years separating me from my sister, but she has been everything to me since our parents died when she was ten. This, right here, is me trying to be everything to her for once in our lives. You see, she takes care of me. She was my assistant for a few years, but that’s not exactly what I mean.”

  Her fingers twisted together, and Ben recognized the nerves flittering across her face.

  “I’m just going to rip off the Band-aid. My sister, Piper Hayes, has written every one of Fate’s songs.” Her face flushed as the reporters shouted out questions. She held up a hand. “Not the music. Ben Evans truly wrote that. But the lyrics are not mine. I didn’t tell my bandmates until recently, but it’s time to own up to what I’ve done, to try to make things right with the one person who has always looked after me.”

  “She did it,” Ben whispered, resting his elbows on the counter.

  “Bro.” Chase nudged him. “I don’t think she’s done.”

  He was right. Quinn’s hard eyes shone as she stood against the onslaught of questions, not answering a single one. Melanie appeared on stage to calm the reporters.

  When Quinn spoke again, there was a new strength in her voice. “That was my confession. Do you want to hear the story?”

  This was the Quinn Hayes he knew, the charming girl who talked Fate into a record deal, not the cold woman fame had made her.

  “Did you know Ben Evans believes in fate?” He sucked in a breath. “I’m not talking about the band, but actual fate fate. You’ve watched our love story unfold and rooted for more, and we went along with it because we care about each other. Ben is probably the only man I’ve ever loved. But there’s a girl out there, one with beautiful words in her soul, and she’s in love with him.” She held up her hand, the one where a ring once glittered. “I know our fans want our love story, but Ben… he’s a part of a different love story. Right now, he’s probably sitting at his parents’ place or his brother’s place thinking everything is lost. But he has an unfinished song that deserves an ending.”

  Piper’s words.

  Ben couldn’t breathe as he watched the woman the world wanted him to love tell the world about the woman he actually loved.

  Quinn wasn’t done. “I don’t know if Fate will continue making music, but I need you to forgive us. We love our fans, but for the first time, we’ve learned there is something more important than the music. Rockstars are more than what you see on stage. We’re just like you, looking for the person that makes our souls complete.” She smiled. “I won’t be taking any questions. Thank you for listening.”

  Melanie ushered Quinn off the stage, and the screen went black.

  Ben leaned against the counter, unable to hold himself up. “Piper was wrong.”

  Chase turned to him, a question in his eyes.

  “I’m going to write our ending.”

  29

  Piper

  Tours were exhausting, and Drew’s was only getting started.

  Piper plopped down on the couch next to Drew in his bus. “You did well yesterday.”

  Drew flashed her a grin. “I always do well.”

  She shook her head with a laugh. “But I’ve been asked to tell you not to go over your time again. You know the band doesn’t like it when you add in songs that weren’t part of the set list.”

  Drew lifted one shoulder in a shrug. “I only do what my fans ask for. They were yelling for that one.”

  “I think Jo will have your head if you do it at tonight’s concert.”

  “I can handle Jo.”

  “No one can handle Jo.” She’d grown to like the pink-haired drummer, but it was hard to be around any of them without thinking of Ben. Every time one of them answered their phone, she wondered if it was him.

  Drew looked up from the notebook in his lap. He didn’t write his own songs, but she’d never asked what he was doing as he scribbled away. He pushed blond hair out of his face and fixed his intense blue eyes on her. Most women would melt under that gaze, but Piper ignored his all-American looks to do her job. “Pipes, you okay?”

  “What? Why wouldn’t I be okay?” Could he really read her that well after such a short time?

  “Come on, Piper. We’re two hours from Columbus, and I know you saw the press conference last night.”

  She had. Quinn called her moments before she stepped onto a stage and told the world each song recorded by Fate had been written by her. And today? Piper’s phone hadn’t stopped ringing. Executives from the label. Melanie. Other people she’d met around the music business while working for Fate.

  But not Ben. Each time her phone rang, she stared at the screen, both hoping and fearing his name would light up.

  It never did.

  “I don’t want to talk about this.”

  Drew sighed. “Fine. Then, let’s talk about how you wrote Fate’s lyrics.” A topic she hated almost as much as talking about Ben. “Those songs are good, Pipe, great even. I’d never have admitted it to Ben though.” One corner of his mouth lifted into his signature half-grin.

  “They’re not mine. I gave them to Quinn.”

  “But you wrote them. Piper, you could have taken those songs and created a career for yourself. I’ve seen the video. I know you can sing.”

  Piper jumped up and paced the length of the bus, stopping at the door to the bedroom and turning back. “I just want to write. Why does everyone keep telling me I have to dream bigger, want more?”

  “You don’t. I’m sorry. It’s hard to imagine anyone else not wanting my dream. But why let Quinn take credit for your words?”

  “She’s my sister.” That was the end and the beginning. Quinn asked the world to forgive her, but Piper already had. She’d give anything to her sister. Well, almost anything. The moment Quinn said she and Ben weren’t engaged, Piper broke down.

  Drew patted the couch beside him. “Sit.”

  She did.

  “I feel like I’m going to lose my assistant.”

  “Why? Am I fired?” Because she’d lied.

  Horror flashed across his face. “No. I’d never fire you. But I don’t think you realize what’s coming. Has the label called?”

  She nodded. “Probably to fire me from your tour for letting this train wreck happen.”

  “You still don’t get it, do you? Your life is going to change, Piper. It won’t only be Fate wanting your songs. Heck, I’m tempted to have you write one for me.”

  “No one wants to hear what I have to say.”

  A laugh burst out of Drew and then another until he couldn’t stop himself. “Piper,” he wheezed, trying to catch his breath. “The truth is out now. You, my dear assistant, are in for a shock.”

  She hugged her arms across her chest, not quite sure she was ready for whatever he meant. She’d only ever written for Quinn and Ben. Would it be the same hearing someone else sing her words?

  A knock sounded on the side of the bus, and Piper stood to open the door. “Chase.” She lunged down the steps into his arms.

  If there was one person who could keep her feet grounded through all of this, it was her best friend. Chase lifted his eyes to the doorway where Drew s
tared out at him with a knowing grin.

  Chase mirrored the look, and Piper backed away, not sure how she felt about the secret in Chase’s eyes. “Um, am I missing something?”

  Chase wrapped an arm around her shoulders. “No, but I’m starving. Let’s go eat.”

  She looked back at Drew. “You need anything?”

  He shook his head. “Nah. I can handle soundcheck without you. Eat something deliciously unhealthy for me. I’ll see you before the concert.”

  “Are you sure? I could—”

  “Piper, go.”

  “Yes, sir.” She saluted, trying to suppress a grin, and led Chase away. “All right, ground rules. You are here for emotional support, but we do not discuss your brother or anything my sister said to the entire world last night. Got it?”

  Chase nodded. “Who knew Quinn had it in her to be a good person?”

  “I did. Even when she couldn’t see it herself, I always knew what she was capable of.”

  “I can’t believe I’m backstage at a Drew Stone concert.” Chase bounced on his toes as Piper stared down at her clipboard, checking items off.

  She didn’t look up. “He was at your parents’ house not too long ago. How are you still starstruck?”

  “That was different. He was there as my brothers’ friend. But now… lord, that man is hot.”

  Piper laughed and followed her gaze to where Drew leaned against the cinder block wall with a gaggle of dancers circled around him.

  “Oh gosh.” Chase grabbed her arm. “There’s Noah Clarke and Jo Jackson.”

  Piper pulled her arm free. “You’re weird.”

  Unlike Ben who transformed from sweet-looking Ohio boy to dangerous rocker before stepping on stage, Drew, Noah, and Jo had no alter egos. The person on stage was the same as the one off.

  She walked toward the table laden with food and retrieved a bottle of water before approaching Drew and pushing through the dancers. “Hydrate.” She held it out to him. “You’re on in five.”

  The opening band finished up their final song, and Drew’s dancers took their places as the sets were changed out. Drew stood behind the dancers on the darkened stage, his head bowed as if in prayer. His lead dancer, Leah, took up her position. They always started out with an upbeat number to get the jitters out by dancing.

  As soon as the music started, the crowd sang along. Before working for Drew, Piper had never seen anyone move as fluidly as him. He didn’t play an instrument, but he didn’t need to when he mesmerized his fans with each step.

  She couldn’t help comparing him to Fate, to Ben. They both commanded the stage in different ways. Ben’s fingers did the dancing as they plucked guitar strings.

  As thoughts of him and Quinn’s words overwhelmed her, Piper stepped back from the side of the stage and walked around the corner, stopping as she reached the cool wall. Pressing her back up against it, she closed her eyes.

  “You okay, Pipes?” Chase jogged to reach her.

  “Fine. Go back to watch the concert. I know you’ve been waiting for this.”

  “I don’t care about the concert. I care about you.”

  She gave him a weak smile. “Everything is messed up, Chase. Look around us.” She gestured to the behind-the-concert scene. “This is a dream. I should be happy, but…”

  “You’re not.”

  She shook her head. “I just… I don’t know what I want anymore.”

  “Him. You want him.”

  She buried her face in her hands. “I do. Even after everything, even if he has some messed up notion about my lyrics calling to him, I can’t stop this pain ripping through me.” She lifted her face. “What if he never forgives me for the lies?”

  Before Chase could answer, a roar louder than she’d heard all night came from the crowd. Drew had stopped singing.

  Piper pushed away from the wall. “What is he doing? He’s not supposed to talk to the audience until after the third song.” She’d memorized his entire routine.

  Walking back to the side of the stage, she stopped when she reached the people standing there. “Mel, what are you doing here?” They hadn’t expected her to come by the tour for a while.

  Melanie threw an indecipherable look over her shoulder but didn’t say anything as the crowd cheered again.

  Piper fixed her gaze on Drew. Sweat glistened on his face under the harsh spotlight, but a grin stretched his lips. “Does anyone here know of the band Fate?”

  They cheered.

  Drew continued. “Well, by now the interview with Quinn Hayes has gone viral, so I’m sure you’ve seen it. We’ve all been lied to ladies and gentlemen!” Piper sucked in a breath. “We’ve been told to root for Ben and Quinn, that they were the sweethearts of rock-and-roll. It wasn’t their fault we pushed them into being together. But now, as fans, we’re going to push for something else. You see, what you might not know is Ben Evans is a friend of mine. And Piper Hayes… well, she’s my assistant. So, I need your help.” He paused dramatically as the crowd hung on his every word. “Let’s give Ben a call, shall we?”

  He held out his hand, and one of the dancers put a phone in it. The ringing echoed out from the speakers.

  When Ben picked up, Piper gripped Chase’s arm for support.

  “Hello?” Ben didn’t sound surprised.

  Both sides of the call boomed out from the speakers, letting the crowd in on this story. “Ben, buddy. I’m here with the great people of Cincinnati.” The crowd cheered. “And they wanted to say hello. Think you could oblige?”

  “Sure thing.”

  The call ended but not before the people near the back entrance started cheering. The sound grew louder until it was all Piper could hear. She craned her neck to see what was happening. A lone figure raced down the aisle, his guitar strapped to his back.

  “Chase.” Piper could barely get the word out. “What…?”

  Chase only grinned. He’d known. She slugged him in the arm but didn’t say anything more as Ben neared the stage. The security guards let him pass to run up the steps.

  No gel slicked through his curly hair. He wore glasses instead of contacts, and there was no sign of the eyeliner that had been part of his persona. His eyes flicked to the side of the stage, landing on her for a moment. His lips twitched as he turned back to Drew and gave him a back-pounding hug, the thud vibrating through the mic hanging from Drew’s ear.

  Drew removed the mic and held it out to Ben with a nod.

  Ben fitted it to his ear. “Hello, Cincinnati.” He grinned. “Thanks for letting me crash your party.”

  Piper’s pulse pounded in her ears.

  “Can I tell you all a secret?” Ben asked.

  The crowd screamed yes.

  “This is me. I’ve come to stand before you not as the rocker you’ve always seen but as a guy who has screwed up way too many times with the woman he loves.”

  Woman he loves. Tears gathered in Piper’s eyes.

  “A wise man told me that I needed to figure out who I was. Only months ago, I thought I’d lost the most important relationship of my life. But I was wrong, because in the aftermath, I learned who I was and who I wanted to be. Now, Piper is probably standing at the side of the stage rolling her eyes.”

  He was so very wrong about that.

  “She thinks I’m only in love with her because her lyrics speak to me. She doesn’t understand that the day she chose me, everything changed. I only found out recently the words were hers, but I fell in love with her long before that. She doesn’t see that her kindness matters. That she is the most beautiful woman I’ve ever known—inside and out. Everything she does is for other people, but this time, I’m going to take care of her.”

  He shifted his guitar, swinging it around to rest against his chest. “I have a song only Piper has heard. It doesn’t have words yet, but that’s the point. Piper once told me we were a song with no ending, but now it’s up to her.” His eyes found Piper. “Finish our song.”

  Drew hooked Ben’s guitar into
the amp as Ben started the familiar tune. The day Piper heard him writing it was the first time she’d felt the connection between her words and his music. Her entire world shifted that day.

  “I finished it,” she whispered, the words she’d written filtering through her mind.

  “What?” Chase leaned closer to hear her.

  “We’re not just the lyrics, Chase. We’re the whole darn song.” She reached forward to grab Melanie’s arm. “I need a microphone.”

  “Here.” Jo pulled the mic from her own ear. Piper hadn’t realized she was there. “I couldn’t miss this.” Had they all known?

  Jo fit Piper with the mic, hooking the box to her waist and flipping it on.

  Piper’s heart pounded in her chest as she took a breath and waited for the right note to enter on.

  “One day,” Piper sang, stepping onto the stage.

  Ben’s entire body straightened, but he didn’t stop playing.

  “Forever together.” A roar erupted from the crowd as she stepped up beside Ben. “One Kiss. I’ll see you in my dreams.” Her eyes locked onto his as the world shifted into place. She’d never wanted to stand in front of thousands of fans, but for Ben she’d do anything. “We thought we’d found heaven. That this was where our story ends.”

  Her lyrics fit perfectly into the rhythm of his music, and that was how she knew. She’d worried he’d only love her for the words she wrote, but he was right. Her lyrics weren’t complete without his notes. Separate, their love was just words. But if they chose each other, if they overcame everything standing in their way, they were a song.

  Tears shone in her eyes as the song came to an end, and silence descended on them. Piper couldn’t see the faces in the crowd past the bright lights, but she knew they were there. And still, all she could do was stare at the man completing her music.

  “You finished my song,” he whispered.

  She shook her head, a smile spreading across her face. “I finished our song.”

  Ben lifted the guitar strap over his head and held it out to Drew. Drew took it seconds before Ben crashed his lips into Piper’s, stealing every doubt from her mind.