“You act like it’s a mystery.”
“You haven’t asked.”
“We looked at rings!”
“Yeah. We also looked at gig bags, athletic shoes, and clearance swim trunks.”
“Ugh. Fine. Callie Roland, will you marry me? One day.”
Callie leans back and crosses her arms. “That’s your speech? You’re a freaking songwriter!”
“I didn’t plan a speech! You didn’t give me time!”
“Ugh! Fine! Yes, Casey Barrett. I will marry you. One day.” She turns back to Holland. “Great news. We’re engaged. One day.”
I can’t stop laughing and shake my head. “Oh my god, that’s the best proposal I’ve ever seen. Congratulations, guys. I think.”
Their grins are priceless as they exchange a quick kiss, their first as a somewhat engaged couple. One day. Holland finds my hand under the table and laces her fingers with mine. I squeeze, still enjoying the glow of the most unromantic semi-proposal of all time.
“What about you two?” Callie asks, eyeing us next.
Holland and I straighten in unison.
“Engaged? Heck, no,” she laughs.
I grin and shove her with my shoulder. “Well, you don’t have to be quite so passionate about it.”
“Ok, duh,” Callie says, rolling her eyes. “But some day?”
“Callie, please,” I scoff. “I just figured out yesterday and am still trying to work out today. It wasn’t so long ago I didn’t even have a future to think about.”
I glance over at Holland and something moves inside me. Something deep, something strong. Something freaking epic.
I smile. “But for today? Yeah. …Today.”
Holland squeezes my hand and gives me that smile that links my soul with hers. That makes me believe my life might actually be more than a maybe. That turns my future into a conversation instead of a punch-line. The smile that refused to believe my lies.
I steal a solid kiss from that perfect, inspiring, hypnotic smile. Return one of my own.
But I’m Luke Craven.
Dandelion.
Train-Wreck.
Liar.
Gravedigger.
Believer.
Beautiful Moment Destroyer.
“Besides, Holland warned me right from the beginning that she doesn’t hook up with other musicians,” I tease, ducking away from my girlfriend’s indignant swipe.
“Oh really? Hey, Luke.”
“Yeah?”
“I said, ‘I don’t hook up with other musicians.’ I never said I wouldn’t fall in love with one.”
The Encore: Part II
It’s deafening. I pull out my in-ears so I can truly listen, absorb. I know I should be leading into what’s next, but my heart is pounding too fast, the blood searing through my body and blocking all coherent thoughts in my head. I let the screams course through me, spark life in every cell of my being. Stare out over the massive crowd wild with the same excitement bursting in my heart. This moment. I’m living this moment.
I’m living.
So this is it. The comeback I never saw coming. The comeback no one believed. No one except Callie Roland. Casey Barrett. Holland Drake. The comeback I still can’t accept I deserved, but have determined to grasp until my last breath anyway. It’s a gift, a miracle, and right now it’s put me in this place, in this moment. Stolen history for a man who’d given up.
“Let me hear you scream, Toronto!”
I hold my hand to my ear. “I can’t hear you!”
“One more time!”
I grin. “Now, that’s what I’m talking about!”
I shove my in-ears back in and point to Casey.
It’s history time, baby.
1-2-3-4.
Explosion.
Note from the Author
Depression is a serious illness that can go unrecognized by the victim and surrounding loved ones.
If you, or anyone you know, have plans to harm yourself, or you just need someone to talk to, help is available. Please know you are not alone, and help is just a phone call away.
The National Suicide Prevention Lifeline 1-800-273-TALK is the United States based suicide prevention network of 161 crisis centers. It provides a 24-hour, toll-free hotline available to anyone in suicidal crisis or emotional distress.
Seek help, and know that you are important and you are loved.
Sincerely,
Alyson Santos
Acknowledgements
Since the beginning of my journey, I’ve been blown away by the amount of support from new friends, readers, bloggers, and fellow authors. I can’t possibly see this as my accomplishment, but as an incredible blessing thanks, in large part, to all of you. There are so many people in my heart, and I wish I could list every one of you, even though I know it’s impossible. Please know that I treasure you all and take nothing for granted.
To my amazing husband who is always there to support me, without you I would not be writing these words. I love you and look forward to many years ahead of continuing Life together.
To Jon Meckes, the genius behind “Greetings from the Inside” and my music bro for industry inspiration, information, and brainstorming. Oh, and let’s not forget his suggestion of the name “Tracing Holland” for Holland’s band. Even after all these years your talent continues to amaze me.
To Evie Woods, Eli Peters, Tesrin Afzal, and Darlene Avery, your friendship and support mean more than I can ever say. I can never thank you enough for the incredible impact you’ve had on my life.
To Beth Flynn, Tracy Justice, Julie Solano, Sunniva Dee, and Kate Sterritt, I’m overwhelmed by your support and friendship. You’ve often given me the courage to take the next step.
To Era Media Co. (Jenny Castner, Pablo Farnan, and Paul Ney) who have done it again and perfectly captured my vision for the cover. With a special, enormous thank you to Jenny Castner, our perfect “Holland.” Thank you for bringing Holland to life both behind the camera and in front of it. Unbelievable.
To Gabe Gennace, forever Luke, and once again showing us a new dimension of our tragic hero.
To Denise Milano Sprung, I’m not sure what words can express my gratitude for your support of me and Night Shifts Black. Your tireless effort to raise awareness for mental illness is inspirational and does not go unnoticed.
To Tyler Van Horn, the muse for our talented (and underappreciated) guitar store Forgotten Man, Nowhere Man.
To Hannah Whalen, thank you for your friendship, keen eye, and honesty.
To Tinsley and Mike Fehnel, for your support and “insider knowledge” on the Charlotte venue.
To the “epic” members of ABC (Aly’s Breakfast Club), I can never thank you enough for your encouragement and support. You always bring a smile to my face and remind me why I do this. I love you hard!
A special thank you to the following who have each contributed so much in their own unique way: Roxie Madar, Jennifer Mirabelli, Jamie Lynn, Heather Peiffer, Leagh Christensen, Edi’s Reading, Lexy Storries, Judith M. Torok, Michel Prosser, Jenn Hewitt, Brenda Travers, Christine Baham Pappas, Adriana Leiker, Alice Rizzi, Louise Husted, Lorena Keep-Barron, Nisha Reading, Nicola Jane Treme, TL Smith, Yessi Smith, Barbara Fogarty, Kris Johnston, Sheila Kehinde, Danielle Long, Gill Melling, Gloria Gaisser-Stramiello, Brandi Harvey, Kristy Jakeway, Anna Richardson Henson, Nicole Sands, Elaina Lucia, Jeryl Witek, Heather Witek, Jackie Wright, Lauren Kimberly, Pinky Ann, Nancy Young, Denise Bailey, Zulma Garcia, Maritza Torres, Ashley Brinkman, Kayla Meckes, Pam Brooks, Marina Skinner, Kali McQuillen, and so many others.
To all my readers, I wish I could thank every one of you. Thank you for taking this journey with me and I would love to hear from you!
Alyson Santos
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Tracing Holland (NSB Book 2) Page 28