Our Song

by Runow, Lauren

  “Mmm,” she sighs into my kiss. “Give me another one and then tell me.”

  I grin, kissing her again before saying, “They loved it.”

  “Who’s they?”

  I lower my head to stare into her eyes, waiting for it to sink in.

  Her eyes widen when it does. “The song?”

  I pick her up to swing her around. “Yes, the song. They fucking loved it! They want to release it right away on YouTube but with a music video to go with it.”

  She pauses as her hands grip my arms. “A music video?”

  I can sense the internal panic brewing and lean in to kiss her worry away. “It’s going to be okay. They just want us in the studio. Nothing over the top. Just us recording the song and showing the process.”

  She bites her bottom lip. I pull it out with my thumb.

  “Don’t be nervous. It will be amazing, just like you. I know it.”

  I pull her in for a hug again, hoping to stop the thoughts in her head because there should be none. This is her time, and I want her to enjoy it. The fact that I get to stand by her side, saying she’s mine, makes me so fucking proud.

  * * *

  We enter Jack’s studio on Saturday, ready to record the music video.

  Sarah has been so cute all week. We went shopping multiple times with Maggie on FaceTime to find the perfect outfit. After ten different outfits, she finally settled on the sexiest one we’d found. And not because it shows off her body, but because it doesn’t. The small black jacket hides the sexy crop top shirt she has on underneath, and we get the slightest peek every once in a while, but it leaves the rest up to imagination.

  What surprised me the most was that she wanted to color her hair back to darker brown like she’d had it when she lived in New York. She loved it that way but said it was too hard to look in the mirror because she wasn’t able to be that girl anymore. When she had brunette hair, she was the rocker she always wanted to be.

  When she shared with me that she’d been having her hair cut by her sister for the last seven years to avoid people seeing her scar, I finally got what a big deal this really was, and it made me even more excited for her.

  Jack gives her a hug before asking, “You ready to show the world who you are?”

  Seeing the camera crew makes her stop in her tracks.

  “Let it shine, girl. You’ve got something special. Own it. Rock it.” He sticks out his tongue and holds up his rock-star fingers.

  His antics put a smile on her face and ease the moment as I introduce her to everyone.

  Cailin jumps up to her spot. We even bought her a new dress for the occasion. Bruce wasn’t sure if it was a good idea to have her in the video, but I insisted. She was just as big a part of the original recording, and she needs to be here now.

  I’ve kept her from the limelight, but it’s time people know she exists. No matter how many times I thought about letting the secret out, I never could have imagined it would include me dating someone at the same time. The world can be cruel, but knowing I also have a woman in my life has seemed to soften the blow.

  We go over where the cameras will be, making sure one angle isn’t seen in the other’s view frame. I’ve done this time and time again, but when I glance over to Sarah, I see the apprehension written all over her face.

  After walking up to her, I kiss her forehead and wrap my arm around her. “Just be yourself. Once they’re set up, they won’t move, so you’ll forget they’re here.”

  She lets out a sarcastic laugh. “Easy for you to say.”

  “Okay, all set up,” the lead cameraman says. “We’re just going to hit record and let you guys do your thing. We’ll edit it all together in post.”

  I turn to Sarah, smiling. “See? Simple.”

  She laughs nervously. “So, I just have to act natural? How is that even possible, knowing I’m recording something that the entire world will one day see?” She bites her lip as she takes in the cameras around her.

  I hold out my hand to her, leading her to our spot in the booth. She comes willingly, and when we’re behind closed doors, I take advantage and push her up against the wall where I know Cailin can’t see us.

  Her head tilts up, meeting my eyes. With one hand above her head against the wall, I slowly raise my other hand, moving her hair away from her face. My finger slides down her cheek to her neck and down her cleavage.

  I keep my vision locked to hers. When her lips part, I grip my hand around her right hip, bringing it against me.

  I tilt my head, lowering just slightly so I can brush my lips against hers. Grinding into her again, I whisper, “Just breathe. I got you. I promise.”

  I kiss her again, letting her take what she needs from me in this moment so she can relax and be herself.

  My hand reaches around to her backside, and I pick her up, swinging her legs around my waist and pushing her against the wall. Her fingers run through my hair before pulling softly.

  When my dick gets harder than I intended, I pull away just enough to inhale a deep breath. I place my forehead to hers, trying to calm the fire burning within me. “The things you do to me, Sarah,” I whisper.

  “Um, can we actually get this thing going, or are you two going to hide in the corner the entire time?” Jack asks over the loudspeaker.

  We both chuckle under our breath, and I release my hold, letting her feet slide down to the floor.

  Our eyes meet one last time, and she rises to her tiptoes to give me a sweet peck, quietly thanking me for calming her nerves.

  With my cock as hard as a rock and a grin covering my face from ear to ear, I turn to see the red light on the camera glaring back at me. I wonder for a quick second if they caught our little tryst, but then I hope they did. This is a love song, and I want the world to know it was not written with just anybody in mind.

  Only her.

  With the music track running, Sarah and I are going to sing into the microphones just like we would if we were recording it for real. You don’t get the same passion and expression when lip-syncing, and we want this to be as real as possible.

  The song begins with my portion, and when Sarah joins in, the feedback from our original recording rings in her ears, catching her off guard when she hears her own voice.

  She covers her mouth in horror, and I rush over to her, picking her up and swinging her around. I want to make this experience as fun as possible for her because that’s what this is all about.

  Following your dreams is hard work, but it’s also fun. We’ve done the hard work already, creating the song. This is the reward we get.

  Showing our mess-ups and the fun we have together—that’s what this video is all about. I want people to see us, the real us. We had a good time recording it the first time, but things were more serious as we made sure every note, every lyric was right. Now, we’re more relaxed, more comfortable, and just having a good time.

  After a few takes, she relaxes and even starts to have some fun herself.

  On the second verse, I close my eyes, holding the headphones to one ear, lost in the moment, and when I open them, I see she’s out of her seat. Quickly, she covers my eyes and leans around to kiss my cheek, completely messing up my lyrics. As fast as I can, I swing my arm around her, pulling her to my lap, and kiss her, almost making both of us fall off the chair. I steady myself and hold on to her tightly as she drops her head back, laughing at the entire scene.

  Seeing her like this is a dream. She’s floating on cloud nine, and knowing I had something to do with that makes me feel good inside.

  I’ve never made a music video like this. With Devil’s Breed, it was big productions, tons of setup, and recording the same lines twenty times to get different angles. This is just about the song—no show, no lights, just lyrics and us.

  Once we make it through the song, we get a few shots of Noah on the drums as well as Jack and Cailin at the mixing board, going over things and high-fiving each other. Seeing them together, like they always are but knowing
the rest of the world will see this, too, makes me such a proud dad. My little girl is something else, and I want everyone to know it.

  When the cameraman suggests she pretend to play the drums, she jumps at the chance. Her little face lights up when Noah hands her the sticks and puts the earphones on her. If the song doesn’t go viral on its own, it will just for the takes of her in it.

  Seeing the smiles that cover both my girls’ faces is all I need to make it the perfect day.

  * * *

  Sarah

  “Sarah, will you read me a book tonight?” Cailin asks after we get dinner cleaned up.

  “What am I? Chopped liver? I wrote a song about you, remember? What did she do?” Adam teases, making Cailin giggle.

  She wraps her little arms around her dad’s neck. “I love you, Daddy. Thank you for the song.”

  “Love you too, baby girl. Sweet dreams.”

  I grab her hand and head upstairs. She picks out a book, and we read it together. When it’s finished, I kiss her forehead and walk toward the light when she stops me.

  “I’m really happy you’re here, Sarah.”

  I turn, a sudden weightlessness overcoming me. Hearing her say that means more than she could ever know. I give her a hug. “I’m happy I’m here too.”

  “My daddy has always been fun, but he’s happier with you around. I can just tell.”

  Yes, that’s the sound of my heart doing the biggest, happiest dance it’s ever done. If it got any fuller, it would explode.

  “That really means a lot to hear you say that.”

  She smiles big. “Nighty-night.”

  “Nighty-night, sweet girl.”

  I exit her room and head back down to Adam with a grin covering my face.

  I hear Adam on the piano and get an idea. If we’re releasing this song on YouTube, we should have some other content ready to go with it, stuff that shows him truly being himself.

  If he’s ready to show off his daughter, I want people to also see the man I’m falling in love with.

  I grab my phone and sneak into the back room. The simple tune of “Turn the Page” begins, and I start recording. It’s not the same without the saxophone, but when his voice starts, my body melts into his soothing tone.

  I sit in hiding while he pours his heart into the song that means so much to him. There are no lights, no fire, no other instruments, just him putting his soul out there when he thinks no one’s watching.

  From behind, you can see how he sings with his entire body. The passion is unmatched by anything I’ve ever seen. Chills cover my body as he hits every note with ease. The man is beyond talented, and I pray he allows me to show the world what I’m seeing now.

  He finishes the last note, and I hoot and holler in celebration, walking up to him with the camera still running.

  I sit next to him and hold the phone out, so I’m in the frame with him. “Yes, you heard that right. That wonderful rendition was the Adam Jacobson singing in his den when he thought he was alone. I know you think it was amazing too. If you didn’t already love this man, I know you do now. Just like me.”

  I beam in his direction, and he instantly leans in, kissing me so passionately that I have to grip the phone so I don’t drop it.

  His forehead falls to mine as he whispers, “I love you too, Sarah.”

  My eyes widen as I take in what I said first and then what he said back.

  I turn to the camera, smiling so big that I think my cheeks are going to crack. I laugh as I say, “And that’s a wrap.”

  I press the red button to turn off the camera and wrap my arms around him, kissing him with everything I have.

  33

  Sarah

  Adam’s record company wants to keep everything very hush-hush before we release the song, but I’ve still been living in a whirlwind the past few days.

  Since we’re releasing it on YouTube, they’ve decided to create a channel just for us to keep things separate from Devil’s Breed.

  I would have thought YouTube was no big deal, but I’ve quickly learned how much money can be made on the channel and how that will be handled. These YouTubers are raking in the dough! Thank God Adam has been here to guide me through the contracts and how everything will work.

  I’ve had PR people combing through my Facebook and Instagram accounts, making sure everything is in line. I had no idea how much of an invasion of privacy this life can be.

  Today’s the day though. At five o’clock tonight, the song will release, and a massive social media push will happen.

  Maggie’s been texting and calling about it every day, and I finally broke down and called my sister a few days ago. The fear of her being on my dad’s side was almost enough for me not to say anything, but I want my family to know. I want their support.

  She was more excited than I could have ever imagined. She even told me she was proud of me for standing up for what I wanted out of life.

  There’s no going back now. In a few short hours, I won’t be Sarah Russo, daughter of Pastor Russo and a kindergarten teacher from a small town no one’s ever heard of. Very soon I’ll make my mark on the music industry. Whether I fall flat on my face or stand high on a pedestal is in the hands of millions of people I’ll never meet.

  Knowing I have Adam by my side to pick me up if this fails is the only thing getting me through the day.

  As we sat in class, I tried to ignore the looming video premiere and went about my day, but the nerves rolling around in my belly were almost too much to handle. Cailin was good at keeping our secret. I was very thankful whenever she noticed my internal struggles and popped up to give me a hug throughout the day.

  Now, I’m at Adam’s place, wiping the counter for the fifth time from the sticky lasagna I made in the oven.

  Adam steps up behind me, wrapping his arms around my center. “It’s going to be fine,” he whispers in my ear.

  I drop my head back on his chest. “I’m sorry I’m such a spaz.”

  His laughter tickles my ear. “I kind of like it actually.” He grips me tighter. “Seeing you all worked up is getting me all worked up.”

  He tries to slip his hand under my shirt, and I swat him away. “Down, boy. Cailin doesn’t go to bed for a few hours.”

  His lips trail kisses around my neck, sending chills throughout my body and creating an urge I didn’t have three seconds ago.

  In the blink of an eye, he grabs my hand and yanks me away from the kitchen and upstairs. I close my hand over my mouth to hide my laughter, peeking to where Cailin and Linda are playing a board game.

  “They’ll hear us,” I say once we’re in his room.

  He closes the door before turning to me and seductively removing his shirt. “Then, you’ll have to be quiet.” His eyes twinkle with mischief.

  I giggle and cover my mouth again, shaking my head.

  His smirk is sexier than ever when he yanks my shirt over my head. “Then, they’ll know what we’re doing, and I’ll blame it all on you, saying you couldn’t keep your hands off me one second longer.”

  “Adam!” I gasp, playfully hitting his chest.

  His lips meet mine as he slides my pants and panties down my legs in one fell swoop.

  When his boxers go next, his cock springs free, and all worries I had of us being heard fly out the door as I lie down and grip the pillow next to me, practicing my screams into it.

  Adam’s shoulders bounce as he climbs on top of me. “You’d better keep that right there, sweetheart.”

  He slams into me, and I pull the pillow halfway over me as he has his way with my body. He’s super playful, yet his thrusts are punishing. We’ve never had a quickie, but hot damn, if this is what I’ve been missing, we need to sneak away more often.

  Adam runs his fingers under my neck, tightly holding me as he pounds quickly into me. I catch his arms in my eyesight, his muscles pulling tightly and his biceps bulging as he uses my body for the workout of a lifetime.

  When he slows his pace and grinds i
nto my clit, I officially lose my shit and grip the pillow as my orgasm races through me, clenching around his shaft and releasing throughout my entire body.

  He’s quick to follow, and when we’re both sated, he falls on me, trying to catch his breath as I lie like a wet noodle underneath him.

  My mind is completely empty as I enjoy the release he just supplied me. His laughter brings me back to reality. When I feel his breath on my neck, my lips grow to a huge grin.

  “I’m not sure I can move,” he teases, trying to lift his chest off of me.

  I grab him and hold him there. “No, not yet.”

  He kisses my cheek, staying there for a few breaths before pulling back. “So, you’re okay that I attacked you that way?” He chuckles under his breath when he sees his pants are still wrapped around his legs.

  “Okay? Please. I welcome anytime you want to do that.” I slowly make my way up to a sitting position, not wanting the relaxation floating through me to end yet.

  He leans down to softly kiss me. “So, it helped?”

  I hold him there to get one more kiss. “Absolutely. Thank you.”

  “Ha! Being thanked for giving you an orgasm.” He purses his lips and slightly nods his head. “That I could get used to.”

  I playfully hit his arm as I slide off the bed and reach for my clothes.

  “Good, because guess what? It’s five.” His eyebrows rise up and down, making butterflies swarm instantly in my belly. “Come on. Let’s go see the magic.”

  Adam saw the final cut but said he wanted me to wait until it released, so I could experience everything for the first time. He said the excitement dies when you can’t share it with the people you love. He knew I’d want Maggie to see it, so we could celebrate together, and now that it’s time, he couldn’t be more right.

  We get dressed and head back downstairs, hand in hand.

  “You guys ready?” Adam announces our arrival.