Our Song

by Runow, Lauren

  Cailin jumps up. “It’s time?”

  “Yep. Let’s do this.” Adam turns on the screen and clicks the YouTube icon on his smart TV. He has to scroll a little since it’s a new video, but when it comes into view, we see it already has over three thousand views.

  “Is that right?” I sit next to him and ask. It’s only been out for five minutes.

  He grins my way, his blue eyes shining brightly. “Just wait. I bet it’ll be hundreds of thousands by the end of the night.”

  He clicks the video, and it goes full screen on the wall-mounted television.

  The screen flickers with the title “Hear Me Now” seconds before Adam appears, and the piano begins. When I see myself next to him, a flush covers me from head to toe.

  He wraps his hand around my knee, leaning in to whisper, “You look absolutely breathtaking.”

  I tuck my hands under my legs as they start to shake from his words, from the emotions running through me, and from this moment. I’ve never been so happy in my life, and I feel like it’s all going to burst out of me if I don’t contain it somehow.

  We watch as the video cuts between us singing and working on production. To my surprise, the camera caught our quick make-out session, but the way they cut it into the song totally works. It doesn’t even make me blush because it’s so obvious, the feelings we have for each other, and it fits perfectly with the song.

  When Cailin appears on-screen, high-fiving Jack, we all cheer, and she jumps up to take a bow in front of us.

  Everything about right now is perfect, and when my phone rings, showing Maggie calling, I feel like my world is complete.

  I answer the FaceTime call to a lunatic Maggie screaming at the top of her lungs.

  “Holy shit, girl! That was fucking fantastic.”

  Linda jumps to cover Cailin’s ears, making us all laugh.

  I can’t talk because I feel like if I do, I might burst the dam I’m barely holding back. Instead, I just laugh, looking over to Adam, who’s grinning from ear to ear.

  Adam takes the phone from me and stares right into it. “We have a star on our hands.”

  “Hell yeah, we do! You guys are amazing together.”

  He leans over, kissing my lips and pulling me onto his lap. “You got that right.”

  “Oh my God, Sarah. I’m so fucking happy for you right now. Please tell me there will be more.”

  Adam glances to me and back to Maggie. “Only if she’ll have me.”

  Maggie’s eyes open wide. “Yes. I’m saying yes right now. She’ll have you, and I’ll kick her ass if she doesn’t.”

  We all laugh, and I grab the phone from him, so I can talk to her better. “Thank you for watching it and calling.”

  “Are you kidding me? I’m pissed I’m not by your side right now to celebrate properly. Next time you have a life-changing event, try to remember I live on the opposite coast, and I can’t get there with a week’s notice.”

  I smile so hard that my cheeks hurt. The support I’ve gotten from her since day one is unreal. “You got it.”

  “Love you, girl. I’m so proud of you.”

  I blink away a tear. “Thank you.”

  I blow her a kiss, and we end the call.

  Cailin runs over and wraps her arms around my waist. “You were so amazing. I think this is the best song yet.”

  Adam picks her up, so we can all hug together.

  Linda holds up her phone. “Let me get a picture of you three.”

  We all smile big as we mark the moment with a picture taken of the three of us together.

  * * *

  I didn’t get a wink of sleep last night. I was too happy to even try. Adam and I stayed up late, watching the numbers climb on views as well as the social media posts that followed.

  I had expected the naysayers and the haters, but overall, the response has been amazing. People are loving seeing Adam finally in love and sharing his life with his fans. Girls keep saying how jealous they are of me, and I can’t blame them one bit.

  Hell, I’d be in their same shoes if this wasn’t my actual life.

  Our surprise made front-page news on a few music journals, and it’s also mentioned on Billboard Magazine’s daily blog.

  As we’re drinking our morning coffee, still flying high from the night before, a buzz at his front gate makes us turn to see who’s coming by for an early morning visit.

  Visions of my mom’s blue Honda come into view, and my face pales. I wanted so bad to call her last night but chose not to. I didn’t want anything to ruin my high, and knowing she was next to my father, it was just too risky.

  When Adam takes in my expression, he comes up to me, asking, “Is this someone you want to talk to?”

  I inhale, setting my coffee cup down and standing up. “It’s my mom.”

  He places his hands on my shoulders, leaning down to meet my eyes. “Don’t let your mind go wild until you know why she’s here. It’s very possible she’s here to congratulate you.”

  I nod, and he kisses me before hitting the button on the gate, letting her in.

  Rubbing my hands together, I make my way to the door and down the stairs, awaiting her arrival.

  Please be proud of me, Mom. Please don’t ruin this for me.

  She exits the car, and I have the answer to my prayers as soon as I see her eyes that are filled with tears.

  She heads toward me, throwing her arms around my neck, pulling me in and hugging me harder than she ever has. “You were absolutely amazing, Sarah.”

  That’s enough to break the dam I’ve been holding back for the past week, and I cry into her shoulder. Tears of joy, tears of relief, and tears of pure happiness flood my soul as I let go of all the stress I’ve had on my shoulders the past years.

  “I’m so proud of you,” she says, pulling back and wiping her face. “I must’ve watched the video a hundred times last night with your sister.” She wipes my cheeks and hugs me again.

  I inhale a deep breath. “Thank you, Mom,” I try to say, but my voice cracks.

  “Thank you, sweetheart. Thank you for continuing to follow your dreams. You will be such an inspiration to everyone around you.” She laughs, wiping her eyes. “I didn’t mean to make you cry.”

  “I know.” I blink and look up to the sky, trying to stop more tears from coming. “I’m really glad you’re here.”

  “Me too, honey. Me too.”

  “Please, come in.”

  We head back into the house where Adam is standing, waiting to make sure I’m okay. When Mom grabs Adam, engulfing him in a hug, he smiles and hugs her right back, winking at me.

  “Thank you for bringing my daughter back to us,” she says when they pull back. She’s holding onto his hands, grinning up at him.

  “Thank you for trusting me. Your daughter truly is something special. I just held her hand; she did the rest,” he responds.

  My mom pats the back of his hand. “Sometimes, that’s all you need in life—to have someone who will hold your hand through anything.”

  I wrap my arm around his waist, never feeling so proud as I am right now to stand by his side and show that he’s my man.

  Adam leads us into the kitchen where he pours my mom a cup of coffee, and we go over the entire process and what’s happening next. My mom’s face lights up at every turn, and there’s no question if she supports me. The way she keeps reaching for my hand, clasping it with the biggest smile across her face, is the most assurance I’ve ever needed.

  When I notice my mom starting to sit back and pause, I look at her in question. “What’s going through your mind?” I ask, praying it has nothing to do with my dad.

  “I have a suggestion if you’re up for it,” she says nervously.

  Adam and I glance at each other before encouraging her to go on.

  “Now, I’ve already spoken to Principal McAllister, and he was okay with it, but obviously, I don’t want to step on your toes, and it’s absolutely up to you.”

  “What’s up
to me?”

  “I’d be honored to help you by taking over your classroom, so you can focus on your music.”

  My eyes widen as I sit up straighter. “What was that again?” I must not be hearing things properly.

  She places her hand on mine, giving me that motherly stare that comforts my soul, no matter what emotions are running through me. “This isn’t your dream. I’ve seen that since the day I retired. I saw the passion in your eyes on that video. I want to see more of that in you. Besides, I miss those little rug rats. You know I can’t stay away.”

  I place my other hand on hers. “But what about Dad?”

  She blows me off. “Let me worry about him. I was made to be a teacher, not some sit-at-home, retired housewife. I’ve been going crazy and can’t take it anymore, which he was going to eventually have to pay for, so he’s going to have to be okay with it.”

  I pull her in for a hug. “Thank you, Mom.”

  “Thank you, sweetheart. You’re following your dreams, and I’m not giving up on mine. You’ve taught me a lot these past few weeks. I should be thanking you.”

  I pull back to meet her eyes, sighing at her selflessness in this moment.

  I lean in to kiss her cheek. “I love you, Mom.”

  “Love you too, sweetheart.”

  34

  Adam

  Holy shit, things haven’t stopped since that video released. Our social media accounts have been blowing up, and the record company hired someone to take them over, especially Sarah’s.

  She’s not used to this world. Unfortunately, some haters have reared their ugly heads, but that was to be expected. Most of the feedback’s been amazing, and people are begging for more.

  She was a genius when she filmed me singing Turn the Page without me knowing. I would have never put that song out there, but with our song taking off so much, when they asked for more, she suggested the personal video, and they loved the idea.

  I even got a call from the man himself, Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Bob Seger. Linda about died when I told her. You’d think she’d never met a rock star before. It was pretty cool to tell her I spoke to him though, and he promised he’d send me a signed album for her.

  They want us to start on a music video for the song I wrote for Cailin, and Sarah and I are currently working on her solo song. She’s titling it Bring Me to Life, and I’m fucking digging it. It’s all about how I woke her up again and saved her from what she had been becoming.

  Lying on my couch, she holds up the notebook to me that she’s been writing in. “Right here, I think it’d be cool for you to come in and have a small piece.”

  “But this is your solo,” I say, making sure she knows it doesn’t have to include me.

  She gives me a coy smile. “I know, but it’s all about you bringing me back. I want you to have your spotlight in it too.”

  I lean in to kiss her as my phone dings. It’s a text message from our publicist, saying they’re setting up a photo shoot for tomorrow. I show Sarah, and her face goes pale.

  “What kind of photo shoot?” she asks.

  “One of us that they’ll use as our promo shots.”

  She glances down at her outfit. “What am I supposed to wear?”

  I scroll through my phone to the picture Jack showed me of her last band and hold it out to her. “Don’t worry about it. They’ll have stylists there, but just in case, please tell me you still have these shorts and these boots?” I raise my eyebrows to her, making her giggle.

  “Yes, I still have them.”

  “Good. Then, it’s done. Wear those and hopefully they don’t have anything else that fits.”

  I wink, and she takes the phone from me to examine the picture closer as she sits up, crossing her legs underneath her. When she runs her finger over the two guys in the photo, I sit next to her, placing my hand on her knee.

  “You know they’re smiling down on you right now,” I say, kissing her head.

  She sighs and gives me a small grin. “Just doesn’t seem fair.”

  “Life’s not fair. I’ll be the first one to admit that. But things come together. You have to move forward.”

  “You have to have faith …” she says, barely above a whisper.

  “Nah, faith has nothing to do with it. You make your own destiny.” I stand up, heading to the kitchen to grab a water.

  She follows me. “You really don’t believe in God or a higher power, do you?”

  I take a swig of water, trying to think of how to answer this. I don’t want to offend her, but I don’t want to lie either. If I want to spend my life with her, I need to be forthcoming about my feelings on the matter.

  I step closer and grab her hand. “Just like me being straight edge, I don’t care if my friends drink around me. That’s their business. I feel the same way about religion. But no, I don’t believe. If there truly were a God, then why the hell would he have put me through the way I was raised? Believe me, no God I’ve heard of would have treated a child that way.”

  I feel her tense, so I step closer, putting my other hand on her cheek. “But just because I don’t believe doesn’t mean I think you’re crazy that you do. If that’s how you feel, I’d never fault you for that, just like I hope you wouldn’t fault me for my feelings.”

  She takes a deep inhale and stares into my eyes. “It breaks my heart to hear you say this. Not for my beliefs though, but for you. You’re right. No kid should have gone through that, and I hope, one day, you can forgive and open your heart.”

  “I don’t need to forgive. My mom’s dead. My life changed the day Cailin was born. She’s my true angel, and now that I have you, my heart is full.”

  She grips my hand tighter, making sure I don’t walk away. “If you believe a god punished you with an imperfect childhood, do you think you can also credit him with a perfect daughter? He gives life. He doesn’t tell us how to love that life. That we do on our own. All you need is faith.”

  I take in what she said, thinking about her words and beliefs, but decide this is not a conversation we should have all at once. I’ve told her my feelings. Instead of stating them again, I kiss her forehead and turn to grab my water once more, hoping I didn’t just upset her with my truth.

  * * *

  Linda agrees to watch Cailin after school, so we can head to the photo shoot. My eyes keep roaming to Sarah’s legs in the seat next to me.

  Those short shorts and high gray boots are officially my kryptonite, and I have to remind myself to keep my eyes on the road.

  I run my fingers up her thigh, and she laughs, pushing me off her, knowing exactly what my intentions are.

  When we arrive at the spot, I put the car in park and lean over, needing at least one taste of her before I exit.

  Fuck, is that a mistake. Now, my cock is rock hard and pushing uncomfortably against my jeans.

  I lean back only slightly to inhale a deep breath and about come in my pants when Sarah grabs my dick, rubbing softly up and down.

  “I will fuck you in these boots tonight,” I growl.

  “Promise?” she teases, reaching up to bite my bottom lip.

  I have to close my eyes to gain self-control before falling back in my seat and hating the fact that we’re in a public parking lot and not somewhere I can take her in the backseat right now.

  I hear her laugh as she opens the door. “Are you coming?”

  “I was trying to!” I deadpan back to her.

  Her giggle does nothing to help my libido right now.

  When we enter the studio, I introduce her to everyone, and they instantly take her back to hair and makeup.

  I follow them and whisper into her ear when she sits in the chair, “Enjoy being spoiled. You deserve it.”

  She grins from ear to ear before talking to the hairstylist and makeup artist about how she wants to look.

  I lean back in the doorway of the room, crossing my arms as I take in the woman I love. She’s beautiful without a drop of makeup, but I know this is the way the
world works.

  Sarah is absolutely radiant with one woman behind her curling her hair and the other standing in front of her, doing her makeup. I can see the glow she’s radiating across the room.

  Seeing her happy is the best feeling on earth.

  When the artist starts to apply her lipstick, I have to leave the room. Seeing her pouty lips slightly sticking out makes my cock jump at the thought of them wrapped around me, and I just got the thing to finally go down.

  The photographer is going over some ideas as Sarah enters the room. I glance in her direction, and my heart stops.

  She looks fucking to die for.

  I’d love to strip her of her clothes and fuck her right here, but I know I can’t, so I drop to my knees at her side and playfully bite her shorts.

  She laughs and tries to push me away as the photographer jumps to get his camera.

  “Hold that pose!”

  I gladly hold the pose and take full advantage by running my fingers up and down her leg.

  Her laughter only makes me want to continue.

  The photographer takes his shots. “Perfect! Love it. Okay, now, let’s get some head shots and some together.”

  I rise to my feet and kiss her again, whispering, “Definitely fucking you in these boots for the next month. Get ready.”

  She eyes me, but I know she’s dying like I am right now.

  35

  Adam

  “I hope you’re sitting down,” I announce as I enter the kitchen where Sarah and Cailin are fixing dinner.

  Sarah is standing at the kitchen stove when she turns my way. “Uh-oh. Should I sit?”

  I run up and grab her in my arms, swinging her around. “Guess who iHeartRadio wants to perform at their Thanksgiving concert to raise money for the Feed the Hunger benefit that’s televised worldwide?”

  Her eyes narrow. “They want Devil’s Breed for that show?”

  I laugh out loud. She’s right to question that; it’s not really our crowd. “No, silly.” I set her down and tap my finger to her nose. “They want us. Me and you.”