Me: I think I’m gonna puke.
Jace: You’re not gonna puke, you got this.
Me: I can’t sit still, I think I’m having a panic attack! Did I take my meds??
Jace: You did, baby, you’re fine. This is your moment. Live it.
Me: I’m scared. What if he hates me? What if he thinks I suck! What if I forget the lyrics??
Jace: That won’t happen and it’s just a meeting, you don’t even have your guitar.
Me: What if he gives me one? What do I sing?!
Jace: My song.
That calms me a bit as I look around the brightly colored office. The lady behind the desk looks at me and gives me a smile, which I return. But then I’m freaking out again and frantically typing him back.
Me: Okay, what if he hates it?
Jace: Then he’s a douche.
Me: Jace! I’m freaking out!
Jace: lol, don’t, babe! Because when you leave that meeting, I’ll be waiting for you and whatever happens, we’ll do it together.
Biting into my lip, I know he’s right and I am so thankful he is waiting for me. I wish he had come up with me. I know, I shouldn’t depend on him, but I’m a nervous wreck. He was really against coming up, though, saying it would look bad for him to be there since this wasn’t his meeting, it was mine. Since he has been to so many meetings for different hockey teams, I decided he might be right. I know he’s only right downstairs, parked on the side of the road, but I really wish he had come with me.
Ugh, am I becoming one of those needy bitches?
Ack!
Looking back at my phone when it vibrates, I smile.
Jace: You got this.
Me: I love you.
Jace: I love you more.
I don’t think I’ll ever get used to those three words coming from his mouth. I’ve wanted to be loved by someone like Jace my whole life, and now I’ve got it. It’s freaking awesome.
“Ms. Rose? Stu will see you now.”
Whipping my head to the receptionist who is standing, waiting on me, I suck in a deep breath.
Oh Jesus, take the wheel. Please.
Swallowing hard, I get up and follow her through the office and to the empty conference room near the back. I look back at her, confused, and she smiles. “He’ll be right in. Would you like a drink?”
I shake my head frantically, but then I pause. You got this. I hear Jace saying it to me in my head, and I know he’s right. So, with a smile, I slowly shake my head, taking in a breath before saying, “No, thank you.”
“Okay, he’ll be right in. Have a seat.”
I do as she asks, surveying the room that is full of gold and silver records of some of my favorite artists. I did research on him before I came, and of course, Jelly Records is the home of some really big names.
And he called me.
Oh, hell.
Swallowing hard around the lump in my throat, I beg myself to be chill. I’ve got this. This is awesome. So many people beg for this chance, and I got it. I sort of don’t like how it came about since Jace contacted his dad to get Stu to listen. But then, why doesn’t it matter? Whatever way gets me there, I’m okay with. Well, not really. I’m not sucking dick to get to the top. I happily suck Jace’s dick, but that’s irrelevant. In this case, I’m okay with the circumstances. I just want to shine. I want to be something great.
When the door opens, I realize I hadn’t even noticed it was shut until a very tall man closes it again behind him and looks over at me with a huge smile on his face. On the phone, I thought I was meeting with an older guy. But this guy is young and huge. Over six feet, with broad shoulders and thick arms. His brown hair is long, dusting his shoulders, while his brown-eyed gaze is very intimidating. Despite his age, which can’t be over thirty, he looks distinguished. Like one of those high-up guys, and my heart is pounding so hard against my ribs as he pins me with a look.
“Avery Rose! Nice to meet ya! I’m Stu Waters,” he says, shaking my hand and I plead with myself to remember how to talk.
“It’s wonderful to meet you,” I somehow say and he grins as he pulls out a chair, setting his computer down.
“Really excited to talk with ya, feel ya out, see what you’re thinkin’,” he says quickly, his Southern drawl lacing his voice. “So, tell me your story.”
“My story?” I croak out and he grins.
“Yeah, who are you?”
I shrug. “I’m me.”
“And that is?” he asks, leaning on his hand, and I smile.
“Amazing,” I say, taking a page out of Jace’s book, and he grins back at me. “I moved here from Princeton, New Jersey to follow my dreams. My parents didn’t believe that I could or would do it when I started talking about it back in March, but I knew I was leaving. I want to be a singer or a songwriter. Maybe even both. I go to school at Bellevue, pursuing a music degree, and I start my internship at Empress Records in January. I do at least four gigs a week, and I’ve gotten pretty popular on campus—”
“Yeah, I came to your show downtown at Lyrics last week.”
I cringe. “You did?”
“Yeah, it was great. I love how you work that loop pedal.”
“Thank you.”
“Very Ed Sheeran of you.”
“I learned how to do it after watching one of his shows. I thought it was amazing.”
He nods. “For sure! Awesome, yeah. I mean, you’re great, love your style, love your voice. It’s very smoky, I love it. Kinda a mix between Alanis Morissette and Sara Bareilles.”
“Wow, thank you,” I say, and I pray he doesn’t see that I’m freaking the hell out. Those women are my idols, and he’s saying my voice is like theirs? Eek!
“For sure, and you are good lyrically. You could be better, and I think with some work, I can get you there.”
“You can?”
“Oh, yeah. I’m not sure if I can sell you, though,” he says, shaking his head as he looks me over. Sell me? Why? Am I doing something wrong? Shit, I wasn’t ready for this. “You’re like every other girl out there with this dream, a female version of Ed. And I don’t know, I don’t think it will sell.”
“I think I would sell well.”
“Yeah?”
“Yeah. I mean, sure, I’m like every girl out there, but I feel my voice is unique, rustic, and I’m likable. Plus, I have drive. I fight for what I want.”
He nods. “Yeah, I agree. I like you, but I don’t know if everyone else will. Okay, hold on. Let’s see what you think about this,” he says, pausing before leaning forward and hitting the button on the phone in the middle of the table. He then leans back in his chair to cross his arms as the receptionist’s voice fills the room.
“Yes, Stu?”
“Hey, do we have any internships open?”
“Yeah, you fired that kid last week, remember?”
He pauses. “What? I did?”
“He spilled your coffee down your shirt in front of Diddy.”
“Oh!” he says, laughing, and my eyes widen. “That’s right. But I fired him?”
“Yes.”
“Hm, seems a little drastic, don’t you think?”
“Diddy didn’t think so.”
“Then I’m awesome! Okay, and I haven’t hired anyone else?”
“Nope, you have a whole stack of applications on your desk.”
“Cool, thanks,” he says before clicking the button again and looking at me. “Blow off that unpaid internship at Empress and come work here now. My interns get eight bucks an hour.”
“Wow, sign me up.”
“That’s my girl.” He grins. “And then, wait,” he says, pausing and hitting the button again. He’s very erratic. I like it, but at the same time, it makes me twitch. I want to slow him down, make him think, but he’s working at a thousand miles an hour.
“Yes, Stu.”
“Hey, when is our next showcase?”
“March fourth,” she says and he nods.
“That’s right, thanks,” he says, clicking off and looking at me. “We have a showcase coming up. All the talent I believe in comes and performs. Invite your family, your boyfriend, and rock the socks off not only them and me but my colleagues, too. I really believe in your music, and I think it’s going to be awesome. In the meantime, though, you’ll work here, we’ll work on your songwriting, and you’ll learn the ropes. Meet people, do the damn thing, you know?”
I can only nod as my cheeks start to hurt from smiling so hard. This is happening. This is really fucking happening. Holy crap.
“Cool, so what do you say?”
Grinning, my heart is in my throat and I have to keep myself from screaming out. “When do I start?”
When I’m done with all the paperwork and I say bye, I practically sprint down the stairs and out of the building to where Jace is waiting for me. When I throw the door open, he jumps and I realize he was sleeping. But unlike normal people who wake up all slow, Jace is wide-eyed, his eyes on me as he turns to face me.
“So?”
“So! Ah!” I yelp and he grins.
“Tell me!”
“I have a showcase on March fourth, and he wants me to intern here. Now! Like, tomorrow, and he’s paying me. Like, money! I was working for free at Empress. Holy crap! And we will work on my writing and everything. Holy crap, Jace. This is happening!”
“Hell yeah, it is! Told you,” he says, taking me by my face and kissing me hard on the lips. “I’m so proud of you.”
“Thanks. I can’t believe it!”
“How? Baby, you’re fucking amazing. This was bound to happen.”
Grinning, I kiss his lips once more. “It happened because of you.”
He waves me off. “No, it happened because you’re awesome. Yeah, I had my dad contact him, but your talent got you the interview.”
“You really think so?”
His lips curve as he shakes my shoulders. “I know so. God, I’m so proud of you.”
“Eek!”
“I’ll be tearing up the ice, and you’ll be singing all over the world. Don’t forget about me when you’re big,” he reminds and I grin. “If I hear you’re dumping me for Shawn Mendes, I swear, I’ll take a hockey stick to his kneecaps.”
“God, Jace. Never!”
Leaning toward me, he kisses me. “That’s right. You love me and only me.”
The desire in his eyes is all-consuming, and all I can do is smile. “That’s right.”
“Good, I love you.”
“I love you,” I whisper, and I can’t say it enough to him. I just want to scream it in his face. Tell him how much his love means to me and how I’ll treasure it my whole life. I don’t know how I got this lucky, but I swear, I’ll never ask for anything else.
Jace is enough.
Kissing my nose, he pulls away before starting his car. I’m bouncing with excitement. I still can’t believe this. I’ve wanted this for so long. And damn it, I’m going to rock the shit out of it.
All of a sudden, I want to share it with someone else. My mom. I have to tell my mom. She’ll be so excited! Pulling out my phone, I hit her name and put it to my ear.
“Who you calling?” he asks, confusion visible on his face as he turns on to Broadway.
“My mom,” I practically sing as she comes on the line.
“Hey, honey.”
“Mom! You’ll never guess what just happened.”
“What?” she asks, and I wish she sounded as excited as I am. But she will be! I relay what just happened. It’s almost like a dream. I even pinch myself just to make sure, because it isn’t that easy. This is happening. I haven’t paid my dues yet, but I got in. I really don’t want to owe his dad anything, but I guess I do now. That doesn’t sit well with me. I don’t trust him, and I really wish he’d disappear, but why am I thinking about that? That’s not my problem right now.
No, I’m supposed to enjoy my moment.
“Honey, that’s amazing.”
From the sound of her voice, it doesn’t seem like it is, but I ignore that. “Right? So the showcase is March fourth.”
“Great, make sure to let me know how it goes.”
I pause, my heart sinking. But then, no, they have to come.
“You can’t come?”
“Honey, no. Daddy is so busy with work.”
“Okay, but can’t you come?”
“Oh no, I don’t travel without him.”
She says it like it’s not a big deal, but it is. Doesn’t she realize that? I bite into my lip as I nod slowly, looking down at my thighs and hand. When Jace’s hand slides into mine, I close my eyes. Why did I even think it was a good idea to call her?
“Oh.”
“Don’t be upset, honey. It’s okay, and plus, I’ll see you Friday. Maybe we can talk him into it.”
I shouldn’t have to talk them into it. They should want to be there for me.
“Yeah. Okay, well, I gotta go back to class. I’ll talk to you later.”
“Great. Love you, honey.”
“Love you,” I say sadly before hanging up and letting out a long breath. I can’t believe it. I really can’t, and a part of me thinks maybe it didn’t happen. But it did and that just hurts. It fucking hurts. Like, why? Why aren’t I important enough? She didn’t even want to bring it up to my father or talk to him about coming. She didn’t ask anything about it. Or even about my life. Nothing. It doesn’t make sense. When the hell am I going to matter?
When the car stops, I glance up to see that we are at Jeni’s Ice Cream. I look over at Jace to find him looking back at me with concern in his eyes. “Do you feel like celebrating?”
My lips quirk and I shrug. “Why don’t they want to be there for me?”
He shrugs. “I don’t know, baby. I’m sorry.”
I shake my head. “Oh well, you’ll be there. That’s all that matters.”
“And my family, of course,” he says, and then he is on his phone, putting it on speaker.
“Hey, baby,” his mom says, and I hear nothing but love in her voice.
“Hey, Mom. Guess what?”
“What?”
“Avery is performing downtown for a showcase for a record deal!”
“Wait? What is that?”
I smile as Jace laughs. “Like singing, Mom. A real singer, on a stage and stuff.”
“Like Taylor Swift?”
He smiles. “Better,” he says with a wink and I grin at him.
“Shut up! When? Let me get to the calendar. Is she there? Goodness me, that is so awesome.”
“Yeah, you’re on speaker.”
“Oh, Avery! Honey, I’m so proud of you. Congratulations!”
“Thank you,” I say sadly and my eyes flood with tears. Why didn’t my mom say that?
“Okay, when is it?”
“The fourth of March,” I say, wiping away a stupid tear that falls.
“Got it down. I’ll be there. Bells and whistles on! Hell, I may even have a sign, since that’s what hockey moms do. Cowbells might be frowned upon, huh?”
Jace cringes, a grin playing on his lip. “Just a bit, Mom.”
“Oh, okay. Well, I’ll be there!”
“Thank you so much,” I say, swallowing past the sob that wants to escape.
“Well, of course. I wouldn’t miss it for the world! Wow, I’m so proud. This is awesome.”
“Yeah, we’re excited,” Jace says, kissing the back of my hand. “Okay, can you tell Lucy? I’m gonna text Jude and Jayden.”
“Sure!”
“Okay, love you, Mom.”
“Love you. Love you both. I’m just so excited for you, Avery!”
“Thanks,” I say once more. “Love you too.” I expect it to feel weird, but it doesn’t.
Because when I fell for Jace, I fell for all of him.
Family included.
And really, they make it so easy to love them.
“See, you’ll have the whole crew,” he says as his fingers go to work on his text.
“Thanks, Jace,” I say softly, and his lips curve at the side. Then they press together. “Really, it means a lot. What?”
“Shit, Jude has a game the day before and after that, so he can’t fly in. Jayden says he can come, though. The Assassins have a home stint that week, so you’ll have most of my family there.”
Leaning my head to his shoulder, I let my tears fall before squeezing my eyes shut tightly. “Don’t think I’m not grat—”
“I know,” he says quickly, cupping my jaw to look me in the eyes. “I know they aren’t your family, and I’m sorry. But my family is awesome, and they will be there for you one hundred percent. If your family won’t make you happy, I will. Don’t you worry. You will be loved and supported that night.” My lip wobbles as he catches some of my tears. “Now suck it up, buttercup. You are on the fast track to the top. Now, we are going into this shop and getting some badass ice cream to celebrate how awesome you are!”
That makes my lips turn up as I slowly nod. “I couldn’t do it without you.”
He shakes his head. “Yeah, you could, you just don’t have to. You never will have to either,” he says, kissing the back of my hand again. “Now, come on, let’s go.” He winks.
He turns to get out, but I stop him, taking him by the arm. “Really, Jace, thank you.”
“Anytime, baby. I love you.”
He kisses my nose and I close my eyes, basking in the feel of his little act of affection. It’s my favorite thing he does. It’s so trivial, so little, but just the touch of his lips to my nose makes the world go round for me.
“I love you too.”
He sends me a grin, and then he’s out of the car and I’m bursting with love.
I didn’t even know I could fall any harder for him.
But I am.