As the lights dim and the applause fades to silence, I move my hands down the strings of my guitar and I look out into the crowd.
The first person I see is him.
My biggest fan.
Jace.
Front row.
Center.
The biggest grin imaginable on his beautiful face.
Around him are our families. His mom, Lucy, Angie, Jayden, and Baylor. On the other side is my family, my mom and dad with Laurence. Seth wanted to come, but he had a game, like Jude, and couldn’t make it in. He made me promise that I’ll post a video on Facebook, and I still can’t believe how much has changed in the last three months. Not only has our little girl grown and is crazy active in my belly, but my relationship with my family has grown. I don’t talk to Laurence and Seth like Jace does with his family, but we talk, and that’s enough for me.
We have had years of silence between us, and we have to learn each other again. That’s fine. I’ve forgiven them all, even Matty. I know, crazy, but I couldn’t move on until I did. I needed that closure. But we don’t talk, at all, and he still hasn’t come out. I really don’t think he ever will, but that’s his problem, not mine. Me, I’m happy. And when he decides to do that, maybe we can try to have a relationship. But I’m not holding my breath, nor am I craving his love and attention.
Why do I need to when I have all these people loving me and cheering me on?
Grinning, I look down at my set list and realize I’ve got one more song. I want to say I’m nervous, but I’m not. I’m excited, ready, and all because of Jace. He’s been talking me up since the beginning of week—hell, since we knew about the showcase—and I really do believe that is the reason I’m not curled up in a ball crying. All because of his love and support, something I know I’ll have forever. Going to the mic, I look out into the audience once more, seeing that Stu is sitting at the back with lots of guys in suits, all of them with their eyes intently on me. He has been so encouraging, so great the last few months. I know that without his help my songs wouldn’t be what they are. I’m singing nothing but originals tonight, eight songs that he and I wrote together, plus one all my own. I owe him a lot, but as my gaze falls on to Jace, I know I owe everything to that incredible man.
My whole existence.
Because he changed me. I’m better because of him. I’m whole because of him.
As he holds my gaze, I say into the mic, “This is my last song.”
“What? Seriously?” Jace exclaims and I have to hold back my laughter as I shake my head, immediately taken back to the first time he watched me do a gig.
Smiling so big my face hurts, I say, “Much to my husband’s dismay, it is. But I want to thank everyone for taking the time to listen to me. I hope to work with some or all of you in my future. And well, let’s go out with a bang, yeah?” I ask, for which I’m rewarded with a round of applause. As I meet Jace’s intense, laughter-filled gaze, I smile. “When I wrote this song, I didn’t want it to be about this guy, but it was. He inspired it. Like he inspires everything in my life. Love like ours doesn’t come around often, and this song is the heartbeat of our love. So, Jace, this song is for you. I love you.”
Moving my fingers along the strings, I close my eyes and I sing.
I sing from my soul.
My heart.
And only for Jace.
It’s insane how I started this journey, alone and scared. But now, as I open my eyes, watching as my husband sings along with me, his mother holding a sign that says I’m her baby, and a grin on the face of every person who loves me, I couldn’t feel alone if I tried. I feel good. I feel happy, and while I know my journey is not over, I’m more than glad that I have Jace beside me for the long haul.
My love.
The inspiration for every song I write.
My forever.
When I sing the last note and my fingers finish their course on the strings of my guitar, I’m met with thunderous applause as Jace stands, screaming my name so loudly, I have to hold back the tears that want to escape. Inside me, our baby girl is kicking like mad, like she always does when I sing. One by one, everyone stands, clapping loudly and hollering my name. Pushing my guitar back, I bow before turning to the band who learned my songs. They all grin at me as I bow once more and then head off the stage. Before I even reach the bottom of the steps, Jace is there, taking me in his arms and kissing me hard on the lips. I laugh as we part, and he shakes me softly.
“You did it!”
Grinning, my heart still beating uncontrollably, I exclaim, “I did. I can’t believe it.”
“You were so awesome,” he says, taking my guitar as we move off to the side. I’m still trembling, the adrenaline running through my body like crazy. He kisses me once more, and I melt against him, holding him tightly as our little girl moves in my belly. Parting from me, he laughs as he holds on to my protruding gut. “Jesus, she’s going nuts.”
“She’s making beats in there,” I say with a wink. “I’m surprised I was able to play with her getting it on.”
He smiles as his eyes fall to mine, but before he can say anything more, my dad pulls me into his arms. My mom kisses my temple, and I hug them in return before they pull back, holding me close. “I did not know you were that incredible,” my mom cheers.
“I mean, mind-blowing. Wow,” Dad says as Laurence nods, looking at his phone.
“Yeah, badass. I posted a video of the last song, Seth loves it,” he says and I’m grinning so hard, my face hurts.
“Awesome. Thank you.”
Holding me by my shoulders, my dad shakes me. “I’m so proud of you, Avery. So damn proud.”
I grin as my mom’s eyes get watery and she kisses me again. “So proud.”
“Thanks,” I gush, just as I see Stu coming for me. “Excuse me,” I say, walking toward him as he tucks his hands into his pockets. I notice he looks nervous. Shit, did I suck? Does no one want to buy my songs? Damn it. But then, it’s okay. I’m not done, I’ll continue to work, I’ll push because I will make my dreams come true.
But when I reach him, he looks up, grinning at me. “Great set.”
Smacking him playfully, I shake my head. “I thought you had bad news.”
“Hell no, I sold all nine songs.”
“Shut up!”
“Nope. Jelly wants four, and other labels want the other five. You are going to be getting one big-ass payday if you approve the contracts that should be on my desk come Monday.”
Doing a little dance, I throw my hands up as I close my eyes.
I did it.
I hadn’t even realized Jace had followed me until his arms come around me and he’s kissing me hard on the lips. Kissing him back, I push aside the tears of happiness that want to fall as I get lost in his kiss. I can’t believe it. Is this real? Am I really in love with the most amazing man in the world? Carrying his baby? And now selling songs?
Pulling back, he grins down at me and says, “Told ya.”
“We did it.”
“No. You did it,” he corrects, pressing his head to mine. “Damn it, I’m so proud of you.”
I’m proud of me too. I came from rock bottom, and with the love of this man, I’m making my dreams come true.
“Now it’s your turn,” I say and he grins, his eyes dancing with excitement at the mention of the upcoming draft. The Bullies won the championship for the third time in a row, but they lost nationals because of a shitty call that resulted in a goal. Not his fault, and thankfully, he is still prospected to go first.
“Yup, gotta make you proud,” he says with a wink and I scoff, leaning my head to his.
“I’m already proud.”
Holding me tightly, he kisses my lips. Really, how could life get any better?