This is what I’ve longed for, and even if this is all I get—one song with Campbell—I’m going to savor every single second of it.
Because of how I feel. Overjoyed.
I pour all that joy into the song, and the crowd can feel it. I can feel their joy, like we’re trading off, sharing the most epic emotion.
I’m pretty sure Ally can feel it, because she’s right there at the edge of the stage, singing along. Singing all the words we sang to each other in bed.
But this time, we finish the lines.
“Don’t you love me like crazy?”
This wasn’t how I planned it. I was going to tell her onstage how I felt. I wasn’t going to do it through this song. But plans change, and I can’t wait.
I switch it up. I change a word as I gaze into her eyes. “I love you like crazy.”
“I love you like crazy,” she mouths to me, a wild grin stretching across her face. That grin makes my heart jet to the stratosphere.
When we finish, I’m made of nothing but adrenaline and the wish to have this woman for the rest of my days. I grab her hand and pull her up. The crowd is chanting and cheering, but I have blinders on, and eyes only for her. “Ally Zimmerman, I love you like crazy.”
Chapter 36
Ally
“I love you too. So much,” I say as tears streak down my face. A dam bursts. I’ve been holding so much in, and I can finally say it all.
He cups my cheeks. “I love you, and I love Chloe, and I love the package deal, and I want it all. I want all in with you. Will you have me?”
I gasp, and I try to speak, but my throat is clogged with emotions. They’re overflowing in me. I didn’t expect he’d tell me he loved me tonight. I wasn’t sure he felt the same at all.
“Say yes!” someone from the audience shouts.
“What do you say?” he asks again, a smile on his face, his hands on my cheeks, his forehead touching mine.
I’d say I’m floating. I’d say I’m falling. I’d say this feels so unreal.
“I want to be your man. Do you want me?” he asks.
“I do,” I blurt out through tears of joy. “I want that so much.”
My skin is buzzing, my heart is galloping, and the entire world is singing love songs tonight. “I love you, and that’s why I wanted to give you this gift for Christmas.”
“What gift?”
Campbell plays another note, the start of another song. “Coming Together.” It’s the one Miller wrote for us, but it sounds so much better when he sings it with his brother.
I grab his mic and turn to the audience, collecting myself. “Ladies and gentlemen, what would you think of the Heartbreakers getting back together?”
A momentary hush falls over the crowd, and seconds later, the silence spins into a roar.
Jackson captures every second on video, and I couldn’t be happier that he’s nabbed an even better story than before.
As Campbell plucks out the chords, I whisper to Miller, “I knew this was what you wanted more than anything. I want you to be happy. I want you to play with your brother. So I asked him, and he said yes.”
He stares at me with mad love in his eyes. “I love you so fucking much.”
Chapter 37
Campbell
For the record, I’ve been thinking about getting the band back together for a while.
How could I not? Miller’s been asking me for a long time. He’s been wanting to reunite since we broke up. I didn’t want to then. I didn’t even want to a few months ago.
But it took a certain woman. Or really, two women. Wait, make that three women.
Mackenzie, my daughter, and Ally.
They didn’t convince me, per se. Instead, they showed me the way. Yesterday, when Ally, Mackenzie, and Sam sat me down, they played me the video from the coffee shop, and Ally asked, “How did you feel then?”
As I watched, I remembered having an absolute blast with our impromptu song. It felt right and good to sing with Miller. I couldn’t contain my smile when I answered her question. “Happy. I felt happy.”
Mackenzie squeezed my hand. “And how about when you sang with your brothers in front of the Christmas tree?”
I’d pictured the three of us around the tree, rocking out to holiday tunes, and my heart somersaulted. “I loved it.”
“And you guys both have notes from the same song tattooed on your body,” Ally added. “From your first hit song.”
“Are you saying that’s a sign?”
Mackenzie laughed as she shrugged. “You told me you had the tattoo done ten years ago. That was after the band broke up. Miller had his done afterward too. Maybe you’ve both been missing it. Maybe it was meant to happen again.”
The more she’d shared, the more spot-on her observations felt. They’d resonated inside me.
Then my daughter had played the clip of us singing “Coming Together” in the studio.
That was the final lightbulb moment. In that clip, I looked like I was having the time of my life. Fact is, I’ve always loved playing with Miller, and with Miles too.
Even years after we’d split, I’d savored the little moments when we had a chance to sing together again.
But it wasn’t till I saw those moments reflected back that I realized there was an ache inside me too. A longing to have that once more, but to have it be different this time around.
“What if you could have that again?” Mackenzie suggested.
I looked to Sam, swallowing hard. “I don’t want that crazy life.”
“Dad,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be crazy. You guys can do it on your terms, like Ally and Miller were doing it on their terms. Be local and do online videos. The internet is where the action is, anyway.”
I keyed in on one word. “Were? You and Miller were doing it on your terms? Does that mean you’re done, Ally?”
She shrugged, but it was a mostly happy one, with only a hint of sadness. A lone tear rolled down her cheek. “You guys were meant to play together.”
I scrubbed my jaw, considering her suggestion. Could I still play with the guys in the Righteous Surfboards? Sure. Why not do both? Could I still teach? Of course. It’s my life, and my schedule. And could I play with my brother again, making videos for the Web and playing shows in New York City?
“Can I do this?” I asked Mackenzie.
A huge smile spread across her gorgeous face. “Campbell, it makes you happy. And Sam is fourteen. You don’t have to worry about her. Plus, you have me to help. We’re a family.”
My heart soared like a hot-air balloon. Could there be a more awesome woman by my side? I curled a hand around her head and kissed her.
“Dad!” Samantha squealed.
I moved away from her and shrugged. “What can I say? I love her, and she’s right.”
As I’ve been learning, the women in my life are usually right.
Then I gave them my answer.
Hell to the yes.
Now, I turn to my brother. “Want to get back together?”
He laughs. He smiles. He can barely speak. All he manages is a raspy, “Yes,” followed by, “Am I dreaming?”
“It’s real,” someone shouts from the audience. “Play ‘Hit the Road.’”
My brother and I finish out the set to thunderous applause.
* * *
Miller
I didn’t see this coming. I had no idea she’d do something like this. When the show ends, I find her in the wings, back her against the wall, and kiss her senseless.
“This is the coolest thing anyone has ever done for me,” I say once we come up for air.
She beams, her fingers playing with the hem of my T-shirt. “I wanted you to have what you wanted most.”
“I do want this.” I reach for the belt loops on her jeans, then her ribbon, bringing her close again. “But you’re wrong, baby. You’re what I want most.”
She wriggles against me. “Then have both. You can have me, and you can have this. Package de
al.”
“Like you and Chloe?”
She nods and smiles, the kind that can’t be contained.
I press another kiss to her lips, then another, and one more. “You’re my best friend, my lover, and my girlfriend, and I will look out for you and for Chloe because I’m going to be there for both of you. You know that, right?”
“I do,” she whispers.
I arch a brow, wondering what this means for Hot Stuff. “What about you? You don’t want to perform with me still?”
She shakes her head. “Why don’t you and I focus on being together and being in love?”
I can’t argue with that, so I don’t even try.
* * *
Later that night, I show Ally all the ways I love her. I tell her all the things I didn’t say the other evening. I slide inside her, whispering words of love.
If I thought the first time with her was out of this world, I was wrong. This is galaxies better, because when you can both say I love you, it’s simply the best.
Afterward, I run my hand through her hair. “So, we’ll pick up Chloe tomorrow morning. Together?”
She laughs. “We will.”
“Can we tell her we’re a thing?”
Smiling, she answers, “I think she’s going to be quite happy.”
“I think so too.”
The next morning we take Chloe out for breakfast. Over pancakes, Ally clears her throat. “There’s something we need to tell you. Miller and I are involved now. We’re a couple.”
Chloe snort-laughs. “It took you long enough.”
Epilogue
Ally
I wrap my hands around a mug of tea and take a drink as Chloe searches under our little Christmas tree for a gift.
“Hmm. What should we open next?” she asks.
With my slippered feet tucked under me, I peer at the Christmas loot, hunting for a pretty green box containing a silver necklace I bought for her. It has a camera charm on it, and I hope she likes it.
“Miller, can you grab the green box with the silver bow?” I ask.
“Ho ho ho,” he says in a deep voice, and Chloe laughs. Then he whispers something to her. She nods excitedly.
“Don’t tell her what’s in it!” I chide.
A chuckle comes from Chloe, who covers her mouth, saying nothing.
“Found it,” Miller declares.
“Wait,” Chloe cuts in, grabbing another gift I can’t quite see. “You forgot this one from Santa, Ally.”
I set down my mug on the coffee table and wait to see what Chloe wants to give me from the jolly man in red. It’s a small white box with a red bow.
“Santa is so smart,” Chloe says.
“He really is. I wonder what he brought me,” I say, but really, I wonder what Miller bought me since he must be pretending to be Santa for her sake.
I unknot the bow, rip open the paper, and freeze.
My lips part, and wild hope rises in me. It’s a blue velvet box.
This can’t be . . .
I blink as I click it open, gasping when I’m blinded by a stunning diamond.
In a split second, Miller’s down on one knee, taking my hands in his. “Ally, you’re my best friend and the woman I adore. I’ve been falling in love with you for six years, and I don’t want to wait any longer for us to have this beautiful life together that I know we can have. Will you marry me?”
“Oh, my God. Oh, my God. Oh, my God.” My soprano voice hits a new high, and tears rain down.
Chloe claps and squeals. “Is that a yes?”
I laugh and cry, throwing my arms around Miller. “Yes. I want that more than anything.”
“Good.” His eyes find Chloe’s. “I want us all to be a family.”
“We already are,” I say.
“Then this makes it official.” He slides the ring on my finger, and it’s stunningly beautiful.
I hug him and kiss him chastely. Chloe jumps on the couch, sliding in next to me and staring at my ring. “I helped him pick it out.”
I laugh. “You’re an amazing ring elf. And you two worked fast.”
She leans her head against my shoulder. “Can I give you a gift now?”
“Of course.”
Chloe hands me a package, and when I open it, I find her smiling selfie inside. Only it’s not alone. She framed a picture of all of us in the coffee shop, with whipped cream on our faces.
“I love it. It’s perfect.” I give her a kiss on the forehead, then rub my hands together. “Okay, let’s see what else Santa brought.”
Chloe drops a hand on my knee. “Ally, I need to tell you something.”
“What is it?”
She takes a deep breath and fixes me with a serious stare. “I know Santa is really my mom.”
She thinks Santa is Lindsay? Oh God. I’m going to need to call Dr. Jane again. “Chloe,” I say quietly, but Chloe continues.
“Everyone knows that Santa is your parents.” She points at me. “So you’re Santa.”
My hand flies to my mouth. My eyes widen to moons. I can barely speak. As she roots around under the tree for another gift, I turn to Miller, mouthing, “She called me Mom?”
He nods. “Merry Christmas, Ally.”
I have more gifts than I ever expected, since I have everything I’ve ever wanted right here.
Another Epilogue
Ally
I scurry around my room, hunting for my favorite red sweater.
“Chloe, have you seen my red sweater? The one with the little pearl buttons?”
“No, but your phone is ringing,” she shouts from the living room.
“Crud. Can you answer it?” It’s probably Miller, but I’m going to be late to the New Year’s Eve party if I can’t find my sweater.
Seconds later, Chloe appears in my doorway. “Sure, Angie. She’s right here.” Chloe covers the phone to whisper, “Angie from Butler Press.”
I startle. She’s calling me on a holiday? I grab the phone as I fling open my bureau drawers. “Hey, Angie. Happy New Year.”
“It will be if you can say yes to a huge new opportunity.”
“Tell me what it is.”
As I hunt through my closet, I nearly drop my phone when she makes me an offer—an offer that’s going to do more for my future than a band would ever have done.
Just so I’m clear, I ask her, “You want me to be the voice for the lead singer in Girls Rule?”
Chloe shrieks, and I can barely hear Angie, but I make out enough. “Butler Press is owned by the same media conglomerate. The lead actress on the show has some vocal problems, and while she can still act on camera and do the speaking bits, she can’t handle the singing. So when they were looking for a voice actress to record the songs, I thought of you immediately. We need someone who sounds like a teenager and has a gorgeous singing voice. That’s you.”
And as Chloe bounces on her toes, I say yes to being the voice of the lead singer in an all-girls band on TV.
I don’t regret that I’m not being hired to be sexy, or to read a romance novel. They don’t need my vocal gymnastics.
I’ve won a job by being who I am.
* * *
A little later, we’re at Campbell’s toasting the New Year with the whole crew. Jackson is here with a Diet Coke, and I congratulate him on winning the scholarship.
“It’s a dream come true,” he says.
Sam passes out cinnamon eggnog, and Roxy chats with Mackenzie over cookies. Chloe plays Bananagrams with Kyle, and this is officially the best life ever. Miller slides up next to me, wraps an arm around me, and kisses my cheek. “Nice ring, future Mrs. Hart.”
I laugh. “Am I taking your stage name rather than your real name?”
“Ally Zimmerman, Ally Hart. All I care is that you’re mine.”
“I’m yours,” I whisper. “In fact, maybe we can convince Chloe to stay the night here, and you can take me to your place and use that ribbon you like so much.”
He growls in my ear. “Happy Ne
w Year to me.”
We kiss again, and I’m so glad we sang together once upon a time, and I’m so glad it didn’t work out. It’s better this way.
As the clock ticks closer to midnight, there’s a knock on the door.
“Who’s that?” Campbell asks as he strides to the door. “Everyone’s here.”
“Everyone’s not here,” a familiar voice shouts from the other side, “until you open the door.”
When Campbell unlocks the door, Miles strides in, a grin on his face, his son’s hand in his.
Campbell brings in Miles for a bro hug. “Good to see you, Dodgeball. What are you doing here?” When he lets go, he scoops up Ben and ruffles his hair.
Roxy gives a little wave, smiling. “Yeah, I thought you were in London?”
“I was, but I have a reason to be back.” Miles parks his hands on his hips and pins his gaze to Campbell’s. “You didn’t invite me to the party.”
“You were across an ocean,” Campbell says, as if he’s trying to sort out what his little brother is talking about.
Miles laughs. “I didn’t mean this party.”
Miller strides over to his brother, saying hi and clapping him on the back. “What party, then?”
Miles points to his brothers. “I hear you’re getting the band back together. Did you forget someone?”
My jaw drops.
Every jaw drops.
“Are you serious?” Miller asks, wonder in his voice.
Miles grins. “I want in.”
The guys tumble together for a brotherly hug, and when they let go, Miller strides up to me. “And I have you to thank.”
Seems like all the Heartbreakers are getting back together, and I can’t wait to see their first show.
As I glance around at my family, I catch a look between Roxy and the youngest Heartbreaker, one where she smiles at him and he can’t seem to take his eyes off of her. I wonder if this next phase of Miles’s life is about to get a lot more interesting and complicated.
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