Play Me : A Standalone Romance (Spotlight Collection Book 1)

by Cary Hart

  This bingo is to stimulate certain sections of her brain, but it’s still an activity that residents loved.

  “Grans, I need to talk to you about something.” I reach out and carefully grab her hand. She squeezes it, squeezing my heart.

  “What’s on your mind, my sweet boy?” I close my eyes at the sentiment.

  “The house?”

  “Oh yes! How is it holding up? Did you grandfather put a fresh coat of paint on the porch?” she asks, her good day slowly fading.

  “Not yet, but I can do that for you.” I smile.

  “That’s my boy. Always so helpful.” Grans raises her hand to ruffle my hair. “You make your Grans proud. You know that?”

  Choking back the tears, I reply, “I try.”

  “You are going to make a fine husband someday. Just like your grandfather.”

  “I hope so, Grans.” I turn and swipe the tears away.

  I was hoping I could talk to her about selling the house, give myself the peace of mind to do so, but I can’t. If I were to be honest, I’m not sure if I’m ready to give it up anyway.

  “So, about the house, is there anything you want me to bring tomorrow?”

  “Biscuit. I sure do miss him.”

  “Grans, Biscuit is…” I search for words that won’t upset her.

  “Presley, the pillow.” She rolls her eyes. “Geesh.”

  “I’m sorry.” I’m at a loss for words. Sometimes I’m not sure how to handle these situations, afraid I will be the one to trigger her.

  “Scoot closer, Presley.” She waves her hand at me. “Tell your Grans everything your grandfather has been doing since I’ve been locked up.”

  “Well...” I place my arms on the bed, settling in for a couple hours of stories or until the nurse kicks me out. I’m not quite sure how old she thinks I am, but I dig deep and recall a few funny ones that I’m sure will make her smile.

  Making me smile.

  It’s been a month since I last saw Ellie. We’ve only been able to talk a couple times due to our conflicting schedules. With work and the flipping project, and her recording through the day and playing at night, sometimes texting is our only option and it’s been about a week since we have said more than the typical “Hey!” or “I can’t wait to see you.”

  Me: I’ve been counting down the days.

  Normally it takes her hours to respond to one text. I usually get a response before her nightly gig, but right now, I see the three dots of hope: A pending message.

  Ellie: They pushed my schedule back. :(

  Me: That sucks. Any certain reason?

  Ellie: Can’t rush perfection.

  Ellie: How’s Grans?

  I want to tell her all about it. Tell her how Grans had a great day, but I need more than questions from her. I need to find out when she’s coming home.

  Me: She’s hanging in there.

  Ellie: Have you talked to your mom?

  I have a feeling she already knows the answer to this. Last week I ran into mom while visiting Grans, and instead of brushing her off or giving her the cold shoulder, we actually had a nice conversation. I found out that she works in a bar that Ellie plays in.

  Leave it to Ellie to help from hundreds of miles away.

  Me: Yeah, just last week.

  Ellie: That’s good. ;)

  Me: Actually, it really was. Thank you.

  Ellie: I have no idea what you’re talking about ;) xoxo

  Me: Have you talked to your parents?

  After finding out my mom took the bribe money from Ellie’s dad, I instantly went and withdrew it and returned it, minus the cash Mom used for the payment.

  The shocker? Mrs. Hawthorne apologized for all the trouble they put me through. I told her it wasn’t me who they needed to apologize to.

  Ellie: My mother flew out this past weekend.

  Ellie: Lee, it was nice.

  Me: That’s great news.

  Ellie: She even got up on stage and we did a duet. She killed it.

  Me: Can’t wait to see it. You two taking the stage when you come back?

  I drop a hint, hoping she will give me a little something. Anything.

  Ellie: Maybe ;)

  Ellie: Oh hey! They are hollering for me. TTYL.

  I start to type that I miss her or “see you soon,” knowing she won’t see it until later, but then the dots pop back up.

  Ellie: I miss you so much, Lee. xoxo

  Lee: Same here!

  Ellie: xoxo

  Sliding the phone back into my pocket, I try not to let it get me down and ruin the day I’m having. Each day she’s gone seems longer and longer. I feel my hope starting to slip. But then I have days like today when I see Grans and I know I did the right thing. For both women in my life.

  Grans may not realize it but I’m still learning from her. She showed me what being selfless really is, and letting Ellie go was me doing that. Putting someone I love first. Just like my Grans did all those years.

  I keep holding on and waiting for the day she comes home. To stay.

  Epilogue

  Lee

  Two Weeks Later

  I walk into Spotlight after searching for a parking space for what seems like forever, before saying screw it and parking in Ellie’s old spot. A spot that fortunately remains vacant. Of all the places to grab a beer it had to be a place that reminds me of the girl I love, the one girl who wanted to stay. The girl I encouraged to leave.

  It was for the best. It’s what she needed to do. Prove to herself what I already know, what everyone knows — that she can make it.

  And I needed to deal with my Grans, and even my mom. I needed this time to live for me. Make something of myself, so I could be the man she needs. Someone not living in the past.

  Kyle waves me over, and I shake off the pity party. “Hey man, you made it.”

  “Yeah. Turns out I didn’t have plans after all.” I try to hide the disappointment in my voice. Ellie didn’t make it home this weekend, she has some big gig she’s excited about. I’m happy for her, but damn I’m dying to see her.

  Hold her.

  She said she would only be gone a month, but now it’s been six weeks.

  I thought about driving down to surprise her, but with work, this flip project and now my furniture business taking off, I just couldn’t swing it. Thanks to Ellie and her recommending my guitar stands, I’m getting all kinds of calls about custom pieces.

  I feel a little guilty that I’ve been zoning out. She’s invading my thoughts like she always does. So I focus and catch up with Kyle. We go over the coming week’s projects and discuss the possible early sale of the current flip. An out-of-state corporation wants to come in and buy it as-is. Drew and Kyle want to sell, but they said I have the final decision since I was counting on the full profit.

  I’m all in. It’s still enough of a profit to finish paying Ellie’s dad back and tuck a little away for later.

  “Enough shop talk. How about another beer?” Kyle suggests.

  “Sure thing.” I glance around the restaurant area, which is starting to fill with bar patrons. I can’t help but really appreciate this place. The architecture. The mixture of old and new. Wood and steel. Multiple levels, something for everyone. “I think I’ll take my chances at the bar, place looks swamped,” I comment, standing to go for the drinks.

  “Some big performance tonight, I guess.” Kyle shrugs.

  Walking to the bar, I hold up my beer and two fingers, trying to get Chloe’s attention. Jake finally let her get behind the bar. I laugh to myself at how overly eager she appears to be, but she seems to make all the regulars happy. It appears to be irritating the hell out of Jake.

  The bar is standing room only now, completely packed. “Hey,

  man!” I holler when I see Jake come around the corner. “Who’s playing tonight?”

  Jake turns to face me at the same time the crowd roars. He smiles but I can’t hear what he’s saying over the clapping and whistles. Then I hear the open
ing chords of a song begin to play, just a soft melody. But not just any song. I turn toward the stage and my eyes confirm what my heart already knows. It’s the same one I heard in the park that day.

  “It feels so good to be back at SPOTLIGHT!” Ellie croons into the mic. The crowd goes wild, my heart doing the same.

  I can’t believe it. She’s back. Why wouldn’t she tell me? If Kyle wouldn’t have—

  Kyle?

  Shaking my head, not believing what I’m seeing, I turn to find my boss giving me a big thumbs up, wearing a cheesy-ass grin. Our table is now filled with his wife and the rest of the crew, people who are more than coworkers and friends, people who are like extended family. They pulled through for me when I needed them most.

  Something jabs me in the ribs. “Damn!” I grab my side and look next to me. It’s Rain.

  “Surprise, lover boy.” She wears a smile that honestly scares me a little.

  “This was planned?” I ask, even though I already know the answer. She did this. She came back.

  See you later.

  Today is my later. Later is now.

  “Well, duh!” Rain shouts over the crowd, which keeps getting louder the more Ellie talks about being back and missing home. “What are you waiting for?” she shouts after me. But I only hear one voice. Hers.

  Get to her. Now.

  Just knowing she is here I can’t think straight. I push my way through the crowd; I can’t get there fast enough. She is all I need.

  It’s her.

  It’s her.

  It’s her.

  “And you know what I figured out while I was gone?” Ellie coos to the crowd, strumming her guitar as she catches me standing in the middle of the floor. Her breath hitches, her smile widens. “I can sing from anywhere in the world. I can write anywhere. Record almost anywhere. But there’s only one place I’m inspired. Here. See there’s this guy.” She keeps strumming and every chord makes my heart beat louder. “He’s not just any guy, he’s the guy. I met him when I was performing, and he walked away.” The crowd boos and I cringe, not sure where this is going. She smiles sweetly and continues, “Then I saw him again, right here in this very place. After falling in love, I was the one who walked away.” The crowd gets quiet. “Not because I wanted to, but because he wanted me to. He was trying to be selfless and push me to follow my dreams, my heart. And I did.” A lump forms in my throat.

  “It led me back here. And this time, no one’s walking away.”

  She may be talking to the crowd, but those words are for me. And I drink them in like a man dying of thirst as I inch my way closer, pulled by the sound of her voice saying words that mirror my feelings.

  Ellie sets her guitar down and hops off the stage and just like some cheesy movie the crowd parts. I stand there mesmerized as she rushes into my arms. “I’m back!”

  “About time.” I begin to twirl her as the band starts to play.

  “Wise men say, only fools rush in...”

  I tense, but not because of the song.

  “Lee, stay with me.” Ellie reaches up for my face.

  “Is that?” I can’t believe what I’m hearing.

  Ellie nods excitedly. “It’s our moms.”

  Just six weeks ago, I would have been upset, scared, angry, hurt, but right now I can’t help but feel happy. Everything happens for a reason and this girl, my girl, saved me from myself. Saved me from a world of regret and helped me to see forgiveness.

  My mouth finds hers in a kiss that can only be described as coming home. Ignoring the catcalls, I grip her tighter, pulling her body against me. The house lights dim and everything else fades away as I hold her in my arms. My entire world.

  My life.

  “Welcome home baby,” I murmur against her lips.

  “It is, you know? My home.” Pressing my forehead against hers I look into her eyes. Eyes that are filling with tears. “You are my home, Presley Aaron Scott.”

  A blinding spotlight lands on us, and colors and smoke surround us on the dance floor.

  “And you’re mine, Ellie Hawthorne.” I show her a promise of what’s to come later with my lips.

  I swear I hear Rain catcalling to get a room, which causes Ellie to giggle, the sound vibrating against my mouth. I lean back, so I can see my girl smile.

  “You ready to go?” Ellie already has my hand in hers, pulling me along.

  Yanking her back, I wrap my arms around her waist. “Did you just come from Nashville?”

  “You know I did.” Ellie is confused.

  “I thought so.” I wink. “Because you are the only ten-I-see.”

  Works every time.

  The End

  Acknowledgements

  To all my readers - Forgiveness is a crazy thing. Sometimes we go our whole lives waiting for someone to ask for it. For the apology that never comes, but true forgiveness – comes from within. It doesn’t have to be asked. An apology doesn’t need to be said. We are in charge of when and if we decide to move on. So forgive yourself, forgive them, but most of all don’t let the past control your happiness.

  This book hit close to home with me. Even though I have never dealt with the same issues as Lee or Ellie, the meaning behind the story is still the same. Forgiveness. This book, did that for me. It made me see that it’s my choice.

  We choose to wake up happy, we choose who we are friends with, we choose what to eat each day. So why not choose to forgive?

  I guess I have always known this. Hell, I’m sure I have given this advice a million times, but to actually practice what I preach? It’s hard.

  So, I did it. What I was dealing with? I forgave. I moved on and the peace I feel with it. It’s good. I feel free.

  So, thank you to these characters for changing my mind. This story – it was supposed to be sexy, flirty, fun and when I started to

  write – they put a stop to it. Lee and Ellie had something else in store for us. For me.

  Thank you!

  Cary xoxo

  To my VIP Review Team – You guys rock! You have hand your hands in this book from the beginning. From naming the characters to spreading the word. Thank you for being on the team and for loving Lee and Ellie. xoxo #VIP #TeamWorkMakesTheDreamWork #IHeartYou

  Brittany - What would I do without you? Thank you for being you! #BFF #TwinningIsWinning #CalmTheFuckDown

  Stephanie – you whore! What can I say about you? You are the Timberlake to my Fallon. My Damon to my Kimmel. The end. #HippyShit #GirlsRule

  Christy – (insert evil laugh here). #EnoughSaid #TalkSoup

  Marla – thank you for being you! You worked around me when I changed it up so many times. This book has been crazy, but I promise you. It won’t always be like that. xoxo #WinkWink

  Let’s not forget Spotify – Music is my life. Without it, I can’t think. I can’t write. I can’t feel. My mood is my music or maybe music is my mood. Thank you Spotify! I will never leave you! You are my forever! #MusicIsLife

  Last but not least... To my husband and kids – I love you guys so much. Thank you for your endless support. You picked up where I left off and brought me coffee, food and made sure I had time to focus on this story. I love you guys to the moon and back… I DID IT! Mommy’s back!

  What’s Next?

  Spotlight Series

  Protect Me – July 2018

  Make Me – September 2018

  Hotline Series (2018)

  To be the first to now of upcoming releases, please join: Cary’s Newsletter The Pulse

  Or

  Follow her on her website: www.authorcaryhart.com

  Need to Find Cary? Send her an email: caryhartbooks@gmail.com

  About the Author

  Cary Hart hails from the Midwest. A sassy, coffee-drinking, sometimes sailor swearing (Shhh…don’t tell.), wine-sipping, Spotify addict, lover of all things books!

  When not pushing women down the stairs in the fictional world, Cary has her hands full. She is blessed to be the sports mom of two wild and crazy
, spoiled kiddos, and wife to the most supportive husband (took a few years to train). In addition to working full-time, she bakes cookies on the side to fund her newly found love of writing and to keep her Sephora VIB Rouge status. The addiction is real, folks!

  Believe it or not, writing was never a dream for Cary. Reading was something she never enjoyed growing up. All it took was one friend, who went MIA for a weekend on a book binge, to share her passion and loan an ebook, lighting a fire inside her. Two years and hundreds of ebooks later, she connected with one of her favorite authors, who patiently listened to her plot ideas. Her encouragement and saying those three little words — “You write it!” — changed everything!

  So, welcome! Hop on board, and enjoy the ride!

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