“Got it.” I tried to smile but could only manage a lopsided grin.
Nessa squeezed me into a hug. “This is going to be beautiful. She’ll love it.”
I hugged her, then hung back as the rest of the band filed out the door. I had to suffer twenty backstage minutes before my turn. Waiting would be a special type of torture.
At least that’s what I thought until a smiling face appeared in the doorway.
“Summer!” I was so happy to see her I didn’t even think about lurching across the room to pull her against me. The guitar was between us, but it didn’t stop her clinging to my shoulders and hugging back. “Oh, man, I’m so happy to see you.”
“Sorry I’m late. I was supposed to be here when you arrived, but Mom was late getting ready and then traffic…” She pulled back in time for me to see the end of her eye roll. “Anyway, I’m here and I’m not missing this epic moment.”
Having her there was just what I needed. She distracted me with her funny chatter until the guy with the headset came back to collect me. He said Summer could watch from the side. The nerves I’d managed to ignore kicked back in, exploding in my stomach and making me want to pass out.
“You can do this.” Summer took my hand, giving it a little squeeze and then hanging on to it as we walked to the stage.
Thousands of people packed out the stadium, and I could hear their roar thundering through the air. It only ignited me, making me feel a heady rush of excited and petrified.
We slowed to a stop at the edge of the curtain. Jace was finishing up his drumroll and Jimmy was talking into the mic. He and Nessa kicked into a little banter. They were about to introduce me.
“Oh, shit,” I murmured.
“Don’t worry. Just enjoy it.” Summer grinned at me. “It’s an adrenaline rush, man. Just go with it.”
With a quick swallow, I pulled her into a hug and whispered in her ear. “Thanks for being my best friend.”
She pulled back and lightly punched my arm. Her cheeks were so red I could see them glowing even in the dim light. “Just get your butt on stage and kick ass, okay?”
I grinned.
She winked. “Thanks for being my best friend too.”
We stared at each other for a second, and I got this warm buzz in my chest.
Then Jimmy said my name. “My man, Felix!”
*****
Troy
The crowd let out an almighty roar, and my heart started pounding. This was it. The moment I’d been planning since Cassie came back to me. That morning we’d made love had been nothing but confirmation. I drove her home, walked her to the door, and kissed her goodbye. As I shuffled back to my car, I knew it would only get harder and harder to leave her…and so I figured I may as well become a permanent feature in her life.
But simply telling her that felt way too unromantic for the epic way she made me feel, so I decided to pull out all the stops and get my brother and Felix involved.
Felix cleared his throat into the mic and adjusted his guitar strap. “H-hey, LA.”
The crowd cheered and Cassie grabbed my arm, giving it a squeeze. I grinned down at her. She looked so nervous and alive at the same time. She was practically glowing with pride.
“I, um…” Felix scratched his neck. “I wanted to thank Chaos for letting me play this song for you.”
Jimmy patted his shoulder and gave him a big brother smile.
So then I started glowing with pride too. Seeing them up together on the stage like that was an extra gift on top of the one I was hopefully going to get in a few minutes.
Nerves skittered through me, and I glanced down at Cassie again, praying she’d hear my heart.
“I’d like to dedicate this song to my Aunt Cass. She rescued me when my mom died, and I’m so grateful for everything she’s done.”
Cassie gasped and covered her mouth. Tears were already brimming in her eyes. She’d be a write-off as soon as she knew the song we’d chosen.
“But this song isn’t just from me.” Felix looked to where he thought we were standing. With the bright lights in his eyes it was impossible for him to see us, but it didn’t matter. He was doing exactly what we’d planned. “Aunt Cass, this song’s from Troy too. We love you.”
He stepped back from the mic and strummed the first few chords of “Hole Hearted” by Extreme. The crowd let rip with a huge cheer as Felix got into the song and Jimmy stepped forward to join him.
Cassie looked up at me, finally catching on that something was a little different. I grinned at her, pointing to the stage when Felix started to sing.
She gasped again, a huge smile dominating her face. I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and pulled her against me. She fit perfectly, and it boosted my confidence. This was meant to happen. All the little threads that were broken and torn ultimately brought us together…created a family out of three lost souls.
Felix killed it, nailing the harmony he’d practiced with Jimmy. When “Hole Hearted” came to an end, the cheers rose to deafening. And then the spotlight swung around to face me.
It was the easiest thing in the world to drop to one knee and pull out the ring Felix and I had chosen only a week before.
The crowd’s cheering only escalated when Cassie and I appeared on the screens. I didn’t look to check; it was only an assumption. In that moment I only had eyes for Cassie.
Taking her hand, I pressed my thumb into her palm and hoped my voice didn’t shake too bad. The cheering was so loud I basically had to yell my proposal.
“I know it’s quick. I know it’s the last thing you’re expecting, but I love you, Cassie Grayson. You fill my heart to overflowing, and I want to be your husband. I want to look after you, to love you, to make you laugh, to hold you when you cry. I want to be a family with you. So…will you marry me?”
*****
Cassie
I was so numb with shock I could barely breathe, let alone speak.
But the answer was an easy one.
I nodded, and Troy slipped the ring on my finger.
The crowd went ballistic, and Chaos kicked into a quick rendition of “Hole Hearted,” playing the final chorus while Troy stood and lifted me into his arms. I held his face and kissed him. Tears streamed down my cheeks, but they were fueled by an inexplicable joy.
The spotlight flew back to the stage, coating us in darkness again. I wrapped my legs around Troy’s waist and kept making out with him.
I couldn’t believe I was going to marry such an amazing man.
I couldn’t believe I had gone from a woman trapped in a world of order, too afraid to even be touched. And there I was, in a packed stadium, becoming the fiancée of Troy Baker after watching my amazing “kid” perform like a rock star.
I was smart enough to know that life was never perfect. Keeping my past at bay was going to be a daily decision and sometimes an all-out battle, but I wasn’t riding the roller coaster on my own anymore. I had a family again, people to love and who’d love me back.
I was healthy, I was whole, and I was rich in all the things that mattered.
Crystal had been right all along…we were the lucky ones.
*******
Thank you so much for reading Hole Hearted. If you’ve enjoyed it and would like to show me some support, please consider leaving an honest review.
KEEP READING TO FIND OUT ABOUT THE NEXT SONGBIRD NOVEL…
The final Songbird Novel belongs to:
Nixon & Charlie
RATHER BE
Due for release in April 2017
But while you’re waiting for their story, keep an eye out for the second Chaos novella…
COMPLICATED
Flick is used to women swooning at his feet—have a little fun, a little sex, and they can be on their way.
He isn’t used to hanging out with an intelligent, opinionated feminist who has a major chip on her shoulder. Felicity “Fliss” Chapman is going to be his biggest buzzkill on the summer tour. He can either go out of his wa
y to avoid her (pretty hard when they’re sharing a bus) or he can try to pull the stick out of her ass and show her what a good time looks like.
Fliss never wanted to go on the Chaos summer tour, but after being publicly dumped and humiliated by her college sweetheart, she’s ready to get out of town for a while.
But she doesn’t count on Flick being such an ass (like all men except her father and brothers). She’s determined not to let his sexy little smirk get under her skin. All guys do is burn her and walk away from the ashes. She won’t let herself become another victim of the cocky musician.
Too bad neither of them knows that sometimes love can take down even the most resistant souls. As these two go into battle they unwittingly start to break down each other’s barriers, stirring a whole new pot of complications neither are ready for.
This novella is an exclusive story for my newsletter subscribers only. If you’d like to receive the story in February 2017, then please sign up to become a Songbird Novels Reader.
You’ll also receive a free copy of Angel Eyes (Chaos novella #1) when you sign up.
I want to become a Songbird Novels Reader
MELISSA PEARL’S SONGBIRD NOVELS
THE SONGBIRD NOVELS CAN BE PURCHASED ON AMAZON
FEVER
Cole & Ella’s story
BULLETPROOF
Morgan & Sean’s story
EVERYTHING
Jody & Leo’s story
HOME
Rachel & Josh’s story
TRUE LOVE
Nessa & Jimmy’s story
TROUBLEMAKER
Marcus & Kelly’s story
ROUGH WATER
Justin & Sarah’s story
GERONIMO
Harry & Jane’s story
NOTE FROM THE AUTHOR
Dealing with such a sensitive subject matter made this a really challenging novel to write. I was blessed enough to grow up in a very loving home with parents who treated each other with love and respect, and who showed me every day what honest, healthy love looks like. It breaks my heart to know that not every child gets this same courtesy. I believe it is the right of every human being to be raised in a loving home. But unfortunately it doesn’t happen.
Because I have not experienced Cassie’s horrors firsthand, I had to base all my writing on research and what I imagined it must be like. I wanted to be respectful in the way I constructed this story. Hopefully I have been.
Cassie and Crystal are amazing women, and I know there are others out there who are just like them. They have my utmost respect and admiration. The human spirit is strong and can overcome so much.
I hope this story has inspired you in some way. Love does have a thousand faces, and watching Cassie and Felix figure out how to live together and love each other was precious to write. Troy is one of the sweetest, most patient characters I’ve ever written. He reminds me of my dad, with a heart too big for his chest and a true compassion that is often rare.
I hope you enjoyed seeing characters from previous Songbird Novels in this book, and I look forward to writing the final book soon. It will be very strange saying goodbye to a series that has kept me going for nearly three years. Thank you for your love and enthusiasm towards these books. It will be a bittersweet end to a very long journey. :)
xx
Melissa
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
Thank you so much to everyone who had input in producing Hole Hearted.
My critique readers: Cassie and Rae. Your insights were so helpful. Thank you for always giving me so much time and making me think about how I can make the story the best it can be.
My editor: Laurie. Thanks for another job well done.
My proofreaders: I love you guys. Thank you for your time and attention.
My advanced reading team: You guys are seriously the best!
My cover designer and photographer: Regina. You are magic.
My fellow writers: Inklings and Indie Inked. I love that after all this time, I can still check in with you guys for advice and encouragement.
Songbirds & Playmakers: My daily interactions with you guys are so much fun and you make this job so amazing.
My family: I needed extra love and encouragement while working on this project. Thank you for always being there with your loving words and warm cuddles.
My maker: I’m so incredibly grateful for the life you’ve given me. Thank you for my family and the constant love you’ve poured into my life. Thank you for taking my past and giving me new mercies each day.
OTHER BOOKS BY MELISSA PEARL
The Songbird Novels
Fever — Bulletproof — Everything — Home — True Love — Troublemaker — Rough Water — Geronimo — Hole Hearted
Coming in 2017: Rather Be
The Space Between Heartbeats
Plus two novellas: The Space Before & The Space Beyond
The Fugitive Series
I Know Lucy — Set Me Free
The Masks Series
True Colors — Two-Faced — Snake Eyes — Poker Face
The Time Spirit Trilogy
Golden Blood — Black Blood — Pure Blood
The Elements Trilogy
Unknown — Unseen — Unleashed
The Mica & Lexy Series
Forbidden Territory — Forbidden Waters
Find out more on Melissa Pearl’s website: www.melissapearlauthor.com
ABOUT MELISSA PEARL
Melissa Pearl is a New Zealand author who trained as an elementary school teacher but has always had a passion for writing and finally completed her first manuscript in 2003. She has been writing ever since, and the more she learns, the more she loves it.
She writes young adult and new adult fiction in a variety of romance genres—paranormal, fantasy, suspense, and contemporary. Her goal as a writer is to give readers the pleasure of escaping their everyday lives for a while and losing themselves in a journey…one that will make them laugh, cry, and swoon.
CONNECT WITH MELISSA PEARL
You can contact Melissa Pearl online:
Website:
http://www.melissapearlauthor.com/news
YouTube Channel:
https://www.youtube.com/user/melissapearlauthor
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/melissapearlauthor
Melissa Pearl Fan Club:
Melissa Pearl Fan Club on Facebook
Instagram:
https://instagram.com/melissapearlauthor/
Twitter:
https://twitter.com/MelissaPearlG
Pinterest:
http://www.pinterest.com/melissapearlg/
Hole Hearted (A Songbird Novel) Page 22