Our Song

by Runow, Lauren

  The hotel is only a few blocks away, and when we arrive, the chaos is no different than the place we left. Though there’s no longer a red carpet, limos and taxis line the streets. Security tries to keep the fans at bay as celebrities pour out of every car that lines the entrance.

  We wait our turn as people scream from behind the ropes the hotel set up.

  “We love you, Adam,” a group of girls screams when he rolls down the window to wave.

  Maggie loves all of the excitement, but I can tell my parents are a little overwhelmed by the entire experience.

  The limo comes to a stop, and the bellhop opens the door for us. Adam hops out first, only to be met with screams so loud that my dad covers his ears.

  They’re letting people out of their rides in rows of three, and we’re the last ones in this batch, so we have the longest walk to the entrance. The hotel is handing out gift bags, and Cailin runs ahead to get one.

  Adam and Linda jump to chase after her, but Linda calls over her shoulder, “I got her,” so Adam backs off and pulls me close as everyone else exits the limo. Maggie is quick to smile and wave at everyone who looks her way.

  People from all around are screaming Adam’s name, begging for him to look their direction. He waves at a few before wrapping his arm around me to pose for a picture.

  We continue our walk when I feel a firm hand grip my shoulder. When I turn, I see my father with his eyes soft and glistening in the lights that flash all around us.

  His slight smile as he stares at me means more than any word he could say right now.

  A camera crew runs our direction, holding a microphone out toward us after saying, “You must be Sarah’s father. Tell us, how proud are you of your daughter?”

  My dad blinks a few times, before glancing down at me and pulling me closer to him. “We couldn’t be more proud of our little girl.”

  I lean in for a hug. “Thanks, Daddy.”

  “And this man right here.” He reaches out his arm from around me to touch Adam’s shoulder. “He’s been a huge blessing in our lives, in more ways than one.”

  Seeing my dad welcome Adam into our family makes a tear slip down my face. I wipe it away, smiling big at the camera.

  The woman’s eyes crinkle at the sides as she gives me a closed mouth grin. “Congratulations, Sarah. You’ve made it.”

  I turn to my dad, then Adam. Yeah, I finally have.

  Epilogue

  Sarah

  Seven Months Later

  “Let’s blow this popsicle stand!” Cailin shouts as we head toward the bus, ready to head to the next venue.

  Life has been both a dream and a whirlwind since our song was released. The record label wanted us in the studio to create an album as soon as possible, and it was released two months ago.

  With it being summer and Cailin out of school, we’re on tour to promote the album, so we’re living city to city, performing as much as possible and loving every minute.

  Since the guys in Devil’s Breed helped with the album, they are here, right alongside us, and play a few of their songs while we’re onstage. Even Max has rejoined the guys and hangs out with us most nights.

  The blend of our music has been a true blessing. People who love my and Adam’s music have fallen for the craziness that is Devil’s Breed and vice versa.

  The best part is having Cailin by our side the entire time. She’s no longer in the shadows, hiding from town to town. We still had to hire a nanny to watch her while we prepare and perform, but that nanny sits to the right of the stage with Cailin during the show, so she doesn’t miss a thing.

  As we enter the bus, I hear everyone scream, “Surprise!” making me halt in my footing.

  I search around the bus to see my parents, my sister, and even Maggie as well as people from our record label. I turn to Adam to see what’s going on. His grin tells me he was totally in on something and left me out of the loop.

  “Look!” Cailin says, grabbing something from the label’s publicist and bringing it to me. “It’s a gold record!”

  My eyes widen as they fill with tears. “Seriously?” I scream with joy before wrapping my arms around Adam.

  His laughter just makes me cry more happy tears. “I wanted everyone to be here to join in on the celebration when you found out.”

  I quickly kiss him before running to my parents, giving them each a hug. “I’m so glad you’re here,” I say, trying not to be a blubbery mess.

  “Us too, sweetheart,” my dad says while rubbing my back.

  I give my sister a hug and kiss my nephew, who is sleeping in her front baby carrier.

  When I get to Maggie, we both scream and jump up and down in celebration.

  “I’m so proud of you!” she says when she pulls me in for a hug. “And believe me, I tell everyone that you’re my best friend and that I helped make you what you are today.”

  I laugh out loud, knowing she’s teasing but also knowing it’s the goddamn truth.

  “Love you, girl.” I tightly hug her.

  “Shall we pop some champagne?” Bruce, our manager, says, holding up a bottle of Chandon.

  “Oh! Can we, Daddy? Please, please, please?” Cailin bounces on her toes with her hands in front of her chin and her little lip sticking out.

  I laugh out loud as I turn to my parents, who look a little shocked by what she just said. “After we finish every song in the recording studio, we spray each other with water, pretending it’s champagne. She’s always wanted to try it with the real stuff.”

  “Oh,” my mom says, but my dad still looks unsure.

  I grin while softly hitting his shoulder. “Don’t worry, Pops. It will never happen.”

  I walk up to Adam and run my arm around his waist, bringing my head to his chest. My smile is so big that my cheeks hurt as I take in the people around me. It’s hard to believe the path that led me here. I never gave up faith and knew God had a plan for me. In the end, it’s exactly what it should be.

  * * *

  Do you want more of Adam and Sarah? Subscribe to my newsletter to receive a bonus epilogue to Our Song and stay up to date with upcoming releases. Make sure to enter your birthday for a free book on your special day!

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  * * *

  Thank you so much for reading Our Song! If you want more rock star romances by Lauren Runow, check out Gravity that is out now and on KU!

  http://amzn.to/2tTvNLm

  GRAVITY

  Gravity is not your normal, sweet romance of childhood friends to lovers. Spanning over twenty years—it’s raw, it’s real, asking the question if soul mates really exist.

  Lily

  At eight years old, the boy next door changed my life. He was the force pulling me toward him despite our differences. It was like magic.

  We understood each other, supported each other and in the process became everything to each other.

  But in chasing Trevin’s dream, I lost myself along the way.

  Trevin

  Through tremendous heartache, she was there. Through fame and fortune, she was there. Loving Lily was the one thing I got right.

  Eclipsing her in my shadow, I took from her until she was empty. Now I must do anything to prove I can be the man she wants, no, the man she deserves.

  About the Author

  Lauren Runow is the author of multiple Adult Contemporary Romance novels, some more dirty than others. When Lauren isn't writing, you'll find her listening to music, at her local CrossFit, reading, or at the baseball field with her boys. Her only vice is coffee, and she swears it makes her a better mom!

  Lauren is a graduate from the Academy of Art in San Francisco and is the founder and co-owner of the community magazine she and her husband publish. She is a proud Rotarian, helps run a local non-profit kids science museum, and was awarded Woman of the Year from Congressman Garamendi. She lives in Northern California with her husband and two sons.

  You can also stay in touch through the
social media links below.

  www.LaurenRunow.com

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  Make sure to enter your birthday for a free book on your special day!

  Playlist

  Don’t Need You – Bullet for my Valentine

  Sarah listens to this when she turns on the car in the first chapter.

  Riot – Three Days Grace

  Inspiration for the Devil’s Breed song that calms the riot.

  All Star – Smash Mouth

  The first song Cailin sings with the wrong lyrics.

  Listen to the Music - The Doobie Brothers

  When Linda is explaining who Cailin’s dad is she sings the wrong lyrics to this song.

  HandClap - Fitz and the Tantrums

  Adam and Cailin sing the wrong lyrics during their first dinner home.

  Tears Don’t Fall – Bullet for my Valentine

  Inspiration for the Devil’s Breed they discuss while driving to the zoo

  Like a Nightmare – Deadset Society

  This plays on the radio as they drive to the zoo

  Power - Elevation Worship

  Sarah sings this in church when she has her breakthrough.

  Turn the Page – Bob Segar

  Adam sings this when he thinks no one’s watching. He learned how to play it for Linda.

  Hear Me Now – Bad Wolves featuring DIAMANTE

  Inspiration for the song they sing together!

  Bring Me To Life - Evanescence

  Inspiration for the song she sings on her own.

  Cailin – Unwritten Law

  Inspiration for Adam’s solo song for his daughter.

  Acknowledgments

  This book started in my real life three years ago when I was chastised for taking my kids to a Papa Roach concert. We got to hang out backstage (they are from my hometown) and someone grabbed me saying I should be taking my boys to Disneyland not rock concerts. With Jacoby (Papa Roach’s lead singer) only a few feet away, I tried to defuse the situation saying this is our version of Disneyland and excuse myself from her presence.

  I grew up going to concerts with my mom. It’s still my favorite thing to do, and I love bringing my boys. I hate that rock music is looked down upon by some due to their loud beats or tattoo covered singers. I would much rather let my boys listen to the meaningful lyrics of rock music than the “popular” music out today.

  And that’s why the idea of this book was born.

  Thank you to my boys, Mason and Leighton, for always rocking out with mom! And to Leighton, who was the inspiration for Cailin. He’s always making up lyrics to songs and singing them every second of the day. I’m his Sugarplum and he’s my Chestnut—nicknames he made up for us. Love you, Chestnut!

  I published my first book, Unwritten, four years ago on September 15. The series was about a couple and their love of a little known band called Unwritten Law. It’s so fitting that here I am, four years later almost to the day, releasing a book that I based off of Unwritten Law’s song Cailin that’s about the love of the lead singer’s daughter. And yes, there was no doubt that I was going to name Adam’s daughter Cailin.

  It’s amazing to think I’ve been writing for four years, and this is my thirteenth book. I wouldn’t want to be in this author world without my bestie, Jeannine Colette. We met through the book world but have become so much more than co-authors. Being able to talk through a book with someone is HUGE and I’m so glad to have her in my life.

  I’m a member of Private Party Book Club (join us on Facebook if you haven’t already!) and am so thankful for the authors I’ve met there. When I put out a call to see if any of the authors had time for a beta read I was excited when Christi Barth offered to read Our Song. What she did for this book was SO MUCH MORE than I expected, and I’ll forever be in debt to her!

  Thank you to Stefanie Pace, my amazing beta reader and the one person I can count on to tell me straight up, “That’s a crappy ending. Change it!” LOL.

  Yes, it took me a few other beta readers before I listened to her but in the end, she was right and I changed the ending. Thank you to Cole Robitaille, Stacey Spence and Autumn Gantz for being those extra beta readers.

  I have no clue what I would do without Autumn Gantz with Wordsmith Publicity. She keeps me in line, helps me plan things out and makes things happen. She was in the middle of Hurricane Dorian’s path and planning this release out early just incase she lost power for a few days. Autumn, thank you for everything!!!

  To my proofreaders, Grey Ditto and Allisia Wysong, thank you for helping an indie author out! The things you find are amazing!

  And to all the blogs, readers and instagramers who signed up to help promote Our Song, THANK YOU! I was blown away by the support this book received! I normally have to send hundreds of review requests, but with this one the sign ups poured in all on their own. You have no idea how much that means to an Indie Author, thank you!