Listen to Me

Addie has some amazing people in her life.

And having them here is like having a piece of Addie here too, and I don’t give even one fuck about how silly that sounds. I’m desperate these days.

I hope their dropped jaws are a good sign. I know it’s a great song. I feel it in my bones, the way I do when I know that a song is going to be a hit. This song is that good, but will Addie like it? Because that’s the most important thing.

When the last note fades, all three girls stand, applauding. Cami wipes a tear from her cheek.

“Yeah?” I ask, hope surging in my chest.

“Oh yeah,” Cami says with a nod.

“Not just yes, but hell yes,” Mia agrees. “It’s so beautiful, Jake.”

“You know,” Tiffany says as all three girls approach the piano and lean against the side. “I’ve heard your love songs before. You’ve written songs that have won Grammys that were gorgeous love songs—”

“But they never felt like this,” Max finishes for her, smiling at her. “That’s what I told him too.”

“It’s special,” Cami says with a nod. “She’s going to love it, Jake.”

I nod, relieved. “I hope so. This has to work. It’s my last option.” I glance at Mia. “Did you talk to Mike?”

Mia, Cami, and Addie’s friend Mike have agreed to take on the weekend gig at Seduction until they’re able to replace me with someone steady.

“Yep, and he said that he’ll play ‘Drops of Jupiter,’ and you can come up onstage after that. He’ll be ready for you, and you can use his guitar.” Mia grins, then shakes her head. “I can’t believe you roped us into helping you so much this past week.”

“I couldn’t have done it without you,” I reply honestly.

“We’re doing it because we think you’re perfect for her,” Cami says. “And when she finds out, we might all be killed.”

“Let’s hope it doesn’t go that way,” Tiffany says with a laugh.

“I have to warn you,” Mia adds. “Don’t expect a scene out of a romance novel, Jake. This song is awesome, and all of your gestures have been very romantic, but it may take her a little while to process it all.”

“So he shouldn’t expect her to run up on the stage and throw herself into his arms?” Tiffany asks, raising a brow.

God, I should be so lucky.

“Probably not,” Cami says with a cringe. “I mean, we could be wrong, and she might run dramatically up onstage, throw herself into his arms, and pledge her undying love to him.”

“You know her the best. That’s why I asked for your help in the first place.” I look down at the keys and take a deep breath. “I just hope she doesn’t run off screaming in the other direction.”

“Or punch you,” Max suggests. “I mean, this could just piss her off.”

“Thanks, man.” I glare at my best friend. “Thanks for the encouragement.”

“She won’t hit you,” Cami says, but her face doesn’t look too confident. “She’s not usually the violent type.”

“She did hit Robert Valenetti in the fourth grade when he stole her pencil sharpener,” Mia reminds her.

“Well, Robert had it coming.”

I probably have it coming too. “Right now, I’d settle for any kind of communication from her. I haven’t heard one peep from her. How is she?”

Mia and Cami share a glance.

“She’s good,” Cami says with a smile.

“She’s sad,” Mia says with a shrug, earning a glare from Cami. “I won’t lie to you, Jake. She’s sad. But she’s okay. And Jake? You need to know that whether she’s with you, or without you, she will continue to be okay. Because that’s who Addie is.”

“And that’s just one more thing that I love about her, Mia. I wouldn’t have it any other way. I want her to be more than okay. But I hope she chooses to be awesome with me, because we will be so much better together than we would be apart.”

“Wait.” Max grips my shoulder. “Are those feelings coming out of your mouth?”

“I love her.” I shrug. “It’s as simple and as terrifying as that.”

“Well then, win your girl, handsome.” Tiffany smiles and pats her belly. “Because I like her. And I want her to stick around.”

I kiss Tiff’s cheek. “Me too, friend. Me too.”

I’M SO FUCKING nervous I can’t see straight.

“I don’t think I’ve ever seen you like this,” Christina says with a frown as she watches me pace in the parking lot of Seduction, pushing my hands through my hair. “I mean, I know that you sometimes get a little nervous, but not like this.”

“Is that sweat on your lip?” Max asks, then breaks out in laughter. He’s going to bust my balls for this. “Mr. Cool and Collected has stage fright.”

“Fuck you.” I glare at Max, then take a deep breath and laugh. “Yeah, you’re right. I do. My palms are sweaty. And for the first time in my life, I think I might need to throw up.”

“The song is awesome,” Tiffany reminds me. “Seriously, Jake, it’s so beautiful. You have no reason to be nervous.”

“I don’t think he’s nervous about the song,” Kevin says. His arm is wrapped around Christina’s shoulders. “It’s the woman he’s singing it for.”

“It’s going to be great.” Christina gives me a smile. The one she used to give me before gigs in our early days, when I still let the nerves take over. “I can’t wait to hear it.”