The club’s smoky, and like always, the strobe lights are giving me a headache. Techno music pumps through the speakers as bodies gyrate to the thunderous beats of the bass. This place is so not my scene, but it’s Vanessa’s, and Vanessa always gets what she wants.
“Finally,” someone purrs in my ear.
It’s Vanessa’s friend. I forget her name. She leads us through the curtain to the VIP area. It smells of alcohol and weed and sweat.
“Corbin had to stop to sign autographs,” Vanessa says, rolling her eyes.
She hands the friend a vial. The girl giggles and drops to her knees, pouring the white powder onto the glass tabletop. She expertly cuts the lines and passes a straw to me. Shaking my head, I pull my own straw from the pocket of my jeans.
“Such a boy scout,” Vanessa coos in my ear. “Always prepared.”
Corbin bolted up in bed, sweat rolling down his face. He pulled the blanket close to his trembling body. He hadn’t had a nightmare since detox and had forgotten how terrifyingly vivid they could be. Placing a shaky hand over his pounding heart, he closed his eyes and took long, measured breaths, willing his body to relax.
When his head started to clear, he remembered that he wasn’t alone in bed. He opened his eyes to find Jolie sleeping soundly next to him. He wrapped his arms around her and breathed her in, letting her strawberry scent calm his body and mind.
Why the nightmare?
He knew his late-night discussion with his father was to blame. Corbin had promised to sleep on it, but now he regretted that decision. Perhaps the dream was a grim warning. A cautionary tale about the dangers of signing his soul to the devil.
But it didn’t have to be that way. Not this time.
It was just past dawn, but Corbin could already hear his parents talking downstairs. He placed a soft kiss on Jolie’s cheek and pulled the blanket close to her chin before slipping out of bed. Corbin dressed quickly and headed to the kitchen.
“Good morning, son,” his dad said.
To their credit, his parents hadn’t blinked an eye about the sleeping arrangements. Hadn’t even suggested that he might want to sleep in one of the guest rooms.
“Morning. Where’s Mom?”
“In the basement. Tearing down the house looking for a picnic basket.”
Corbin’s forehead creased with confusion as he poured himself a cup of coffee.
“Okay . . . why?”
“That’s a fine question. Unfortunately, I don’t have an answer.” Samuel smiled. “Son, you’ll learn that a woman’s mind is a mystery. It’s best that we just go with the flow and wait for instructions. We have waffles if you’re hungry.”
Corbin sat down at the table. “I’m not.”
“Jolie still sleeping?”
“Yeah.”
“Good. She needs to rest.”
Corbin nodded. “Did you tell Mom about the contract?”
“No, that’s your story to tell.”
“I appreciate that.”
“I hope you consider it carefully. It’s a big decision.”
“What’s a big decision?” Maggie asked, walking into the kitchen and holding a picnic basket that Corbin recognized from his childhood. His mom used to love making picnic lunches and taking the family down to the river on Saturday afternoons. After they ate, the kids would swim while his mom and dad sat on the shore. At the time, Corbin had no idea just how idyllic those moments were, but the memories brought a smile to his face now.
“What’s with the basket?” Corbin asked.
“What’s the big decision?” Maggie leaned down and kissed the top of Corbin’s head before placing the basket on the table. She walked over to the counter and poured herself a cup of coffee before sitting next to her son.
“I was offered a recording contract. One album. Three-month tour.”
Maggie and Samuel exchanged pointed looks.
“And you’re considering this?” she asked quietly.
“I wasn’t.”
“Wasn’t?”
“I am now.”
Maggie nodded thoughtfully and sipped her coffee. Silence hung in the air until Corbin finally cleared his throat and told his parents about the record label’s offer.
“Corbin, do you think you’re ready for that?” his mother asked softly. He could hear the apprehension and fear in her voice, and he understood it. After all, he’d been to hell and back and had taken his family with him.
“I don’t know if I’m ready. That’s why I turned it down.”
“Then why are you considering it now . . .” Maggie’s voice trailed off as realization dawned. “The bookstore. You want to save Jolie’s bookstore.”
Corbin nodded.
Samuel reached for his wife’s hand. The two of them exchanged worried glances, but Corbin thought he saw something else, too. Something in their eyes that resembled pride and joy.
“You love her,” his mom whispered.
Corbin was amazed how easily both his parents jumped to that conclusion when he had no idea whatsoever.
“I . . . don’t know.”
“It wasn’t a question, Corbin James. You are in love with this girl. Why else would you be so willing to risk your health and happiness?”
“I care about her, absolutely.”
Maggie snorted. Corbin’s eyes widened at the very unladylike sound coming from his mom. His dad chuckled and folded his paper, tossing it aside.
“I think you should have a lawyer look over the contract before you mention this to Jolie,” Samuel said. “Make sure it’s a good deal.”
“That’s a good idea,” Corbin said with a nod. “Who do you suggest?”
“Seth Butler,” his mom replied. “I’ll find his number.”
“Thanks.”
Samuel glanced at his watch. “Sweetheart, if you’re still wanting to go to Gatlinburg, we should probably—”
“Oh, we can’t go now. Not with Jolie so upset.”
“Of course. That’s fine, dear.”
“Gatlinburg?” Corbin asked.
“Your mother wanted to do some antique shopping this weekend.”
“You should go.”
“We’ll go another time,” Maggie said.
“Mom, there’s no reason to change your plans. I’ll take care of her.”
Maggie sighed softly and gazed at her son.
“Why are you looking at me like that?”
“Like what?”
“Like . . . I don’t know what.”
Samuel chuckled. “Corbin, I don’t think you understand. I’m pretty sure your mother has been praying for this for a long time.”
“Praying for what?”
“Praying that you’d find a reason to grow up. A reason to settle down. A reason to stay. The fact that reason is Jolie is just icing on the cake.”
“But I might be leaving.”
“But you’d be leaving for a very good reason,” his mom said. “What you want to do for Jolie—”
“I’d do anything for Jolie.”
The words were out before he could stop them. But he couldn’t take them back. He didn’t want to, because saying them aloud only cemented the thought in his soul.
I would do anything for Jolie.
And that’s when he knew that he could.
He would.
Jolie woke up abruptly, disoriented, and entirely too warm.
Where am I?
Her head ached and her throat was sore, as if she’d spent the last twenty-four hours crying. With a groan, she opened her eyes against the dim sunlight and tried to focus on her surroundings. She tried to climb out of bed, but a set of strong, loving arms tightened around her, holding her in place. She might have panicked if not for the fact that she spotted Corbin’s guitar case propped against the wall in the corner of the room.
It was all starting to come back to her.
In the back of her mind, she knew something was wrong. Something was devastatingly wrong. But she chose to ignore it for now. Instead, she allowed Corbin’s soft snores against her ear and the warmth of his arms to push the dark thoughts away. The sweet, gentle rhythm of his breathing was as soothing as the softest lullaby, and the warmth of his arms brought solace to every inch of her skin.
She sighed contentedly and melted against him, praying she could lose herself in his sweet smell and his gentle embrace. Jolie wanted to concentrate on those things—those things that were wonderful and right—but instead, her thoughts invariably drifted to her bookstore, and with that came the painful acceptance that she’d done everything wrong.
Growing up, Jolie and her mom had loved visiting bookstores. The smaller the store, the happier they’d been to bury themselves within its holy aisles. She used to sit for hours, reading her favorite stories with her mom by her side. There was just something about reading those classics within the walls of a real bookstore that always made her feel at home. After her mom passed away, Jolie wanted to honor her memory by recreating the feeling they’d shared. To offer other book lovers that same kind of happiness. Opening Turn the Page seemed like the perfect way to do just that. Besides, the closest bookstore was nearly an hour away. Riverview needed her bookstore.
Jolie started to shiver uncontrollably as her anxiety threatened to swallow her whole.
“Shh . . .” Corbin whispered against her ear, his arms tightening around her. “I’ve got you. Everything’s going to be okay.”
She turned over, slipping her arm around his waist as he pulled her close. His brown eyes looked so tired, and she felt a twinge of guilt.
“I’m sorry I took your bed.”
Corbin kissed the tip of her nose. “Never apologize for that. I’m glad you’re here.”
“You are?”
“I am.”
She smiled shyly as he brushed a lock of hair away from her eyes.
“What time is it?”
Corbin glanced at his watch. “Just after nine.”
“Holy crap, I slept . . . how long did I sleep?”
“A long time. Mom gave you a sleeping pill.”
“I vaguely remember that. I was a mess.”
“Are you hungry? Mom made waffles.”
“I don’t think I can eat yet. Are your parents downstairs?”
“No, they’re gone to Gatlinburg.”
Jolie smiled. “Oh yeah, they were going antique shopping. Maggie told me.”
“They didn’t want to leave you. I had to convince them to go.”
“I’m glad you did.” Her voice grew small as she snuggled deeper into his arms. “Did they tell you everything? About the bookstore?”
“Yeah.”
Tears filled her eyes.
“It’s going to be okay, Jolie. I promise.”
“Don’t promise that.”
He kissed her then, sweet and reverent, and for just a moment, she allowed herself to believe him.
“Jolie?”
“Hmm?”
“We need to talk.”
Her heart clenched painfully. She didn’t know if she could handle more bad news. Not right now. She gazed into his brown eyes, frightened by the internal battle she saw raging within them.
“What’s wrong?” she asked, her voice shaking.
Corbin pressed his lips to her forehead. “Shh. Nothing’s wrong. I think I know how we can save your bookstore.”
“How?”
“Do you promise to hear me out? Let me finish before you get all pissy?”
“Why would I get pissy?”
“Because you’re independent and strong and probably the bravest woman I’ve ever met.”
“Oh.” Are those bad things?
“And stubborn. So stubborn you won’t even let your dad help you.”
“It’s not my dad’s problem to fix.”
“Just hear me out. Please?”
Jolie nodded.
Corbin tightened his arms around her.
“I’m considering signing that contract with Callum Records.”
It was the last thing she expected to hear.
“That’s . . . great. Honestly. But I thought you said you’re not ready?”
“I still don’t think I am.”
“So why the change of heart?”
“There’s a signing bonus. It’s not a lot, but it’s enough.”
“Enough for what?”
“Enough to get the bank off your back.”
Realization finally dawned.
“Corbin, no . . .”
“And once the tour ends, I’ll have enough to buy the bookstore. You’ll never have to worry about mortgages or the bank or Gavin Massey ever again.”
She couldn’t believe her ears.
“But you don’t want to go?”
“No.”
“Then there’s no reason to discuss this. Because you’re not going for me.”
Jolie scrambled out of bed, taking the blanket with her and wrapping it protectively around her body. She walked across the room and stared blankly out the bay window.
With a sigh, Corbin climbed out of bed and joined her.
“You promised not to get pissy.”
“You haven’t seen pissy yet. You’re not doing this for me.”
“Not just for you. It’s for me, too. There’s some land for sale at Echo Point. I want to buy it. Build a house. Put down roots of my own. Write my songs and live a normal, quiet life.”
“That sounds wonderful, except for the fact that two days ago you told me you didn’t want to go.”
“A lot’s changed in two days.”
“All that’s changed is that I was served with foreclosure papers.”
“And that was just the kick in the ass I needed.”
“You don’t even want to go!”
“Of course I don’t want to go! It terrifies me to even think about it. I’m scared to death that I’m not strong enough, or that I’ll suck and get booed off stage, or I’ll get so damn lonely that I’ll do something completely stupid . . . because honestly, that’s what I do. I get lonely and stupid and screw up everything because I’m weak and irresponsible.”
“Then why even consider it? Why tempt fate?”
Corbin closed his eyes. When he opened them again, she saw something there that made her heart pound and her body tremble.
“Because as scared as I am, I also want to believe that I have a reason to resist whatever temptations may find me. That I have a reason, for the first time in my life, to be truly selfless. That I have a reason to use whatever talent I might have to actually do something good with my life.”
Jolie’s eyes filled with tears as Corbin’s arms encircled her waist. He placed a soft kiss just below her ear, causing her to softly sigh and melt against him.
“I want to believe that I have a reason to stay clean,” he whispered tenderly. “And that I have a reason to come home.”
Jolie’s voice trembled with emotion. “You do. You have your family.”
“And I love my family. But they aren’t the reason. Not the only reason.”
Corbin sat down in the bay window and gently pulled her into his lap. Wrapping the blanket around them, she sighed as he nuzzled his nose with hers.
“I want to do this for you. You need to let me.”
“Corbin, I—”
“Do you know how much you mean to me?”
Stunned, she shook her head.
“You’re my best friend, Jolie. But it’s more than that. And I wish I could put it into words. You’d think I could since that’s what I’m good at, but, when it comes to this—whatever this is between us—words fail me. Because I’ve never felt this way. I’ve tried to ignore it, because I’m nowhere near good enough for you. But I want to be. I want the chance to deserve you. Because I’m crazy about you.”
Tears trickled down her cheeks.
“Corbin, you don’t have to prove anything to me. I’m crazy about you, too.”
He grinned. “Yeah?”
“Please. Like it’s not obvious.”
“Not to me. Women used to throw themselves at me, but I wouldn’t recognize sincere affection if it slapped me in the face.”
“Then I’m just going to have to prove it to you.”
“And I’m going to prove that I deserve you.”
“Corbin, you don’t have to.”
“Maybe not. But I have to prove it to me.” Corbin smiled against her lips before kissing her softly. “I want to show you something. Come with me?”
She was physically unable to say no to the man, especially when she was nestled in his lap and wrapped in his blanket.
“Okay.”
Jolie was surprised when Corbin stopped the car and turned off the ignition.
“So?” he asked quietly. “What do you think?”
She eyed him curiously, but he gave nothing away as he gazed out the windshield. She had no idea what she was looking at. All she could see was brown, vacant earth, surrounded by tall trees. Spruce, maybe? Or were they pine? She couldn’t tell.
“Where are we, Corbin?”
Giving her hand a squeeze, he smiled and climbed out of the car. She watched as he walked around to her side of the vehicle and opened the door. He offered his hand again, and they walked together along the cleared land. When they reached the edge of the property, Corbin pointed over the ridge. Jolie gasped when she saw the river roaring beneath them, with its gentle waves rushing over the rocks.
“It’s beautiful,” she said softly.
Corbin smiled and turned her around, wrapping his arms around her waist as the two of them gazed at the land. His breath was warm against her neck, and she couldn’t help but sigh when he kissed her shoulder.
“What do you think, Jolie?”
“I think it’s beautiful. Is this the land you want to buy?”
“It is.”
“It’d be a great place for a house.”
“You think so?”
“Definitely. So secluded and peaceful.”
“What kind of house?”
Jolie closed her eyes, trying to imagine it.
“Something simple. Homey. Not a log cabin, necessarily. But woodsy. Rustic.”
“What else?”
Opening her eyes, she leaned against his chest as she considered the possibilities.
“A porch, definitely. With rocking chairs. Or a swing. Can’t you imagine sitting on the porch, playing your guitar, and listening to the river?”
“I have imagined it, yeah.”
Jolie turned around in his arms. “You could buy it . . . if you signed that contract.”
“Yes.”
“You could build a house.”
Corbin nodded. “And I could save your bookstore.”
“I don’t want that to be one of your reasons.”
“But it is. I’d be helping make both our dreams come true. Don’t you think that’s a good reason?”
Jolie didn’t know what to say. She was too overwhelmed with the enormity of it all. Afraid to say no. Afraid to say yes. Afraid of losing him. Afraid of loving him.
Afraid she already did.
Could she?
Could he?
The man was standing there, showing her a blank piece of earth, just waiting for someone to stake their claim. To bring it to life. To make it a home. She might be a naïve romantic, but Corbin brought her here. He wanted her to see it. He wanted her to love it.
And she did.
“Jolie, I know you don’t need me to take care of you. I know you’re proud and strong. You don’t need me to play the hero. But I want to take care of you. And I want to build a house, right here, and I want to make it a home. I’ve never wanted any of those things . . . until I met you. I know it’s too soon to talk about the future, but I need to be honest with you. I want you to know how I feel. I want to give you the world.”
“I don’t want the world, Corbin. I just want you.”
Corbin took a long, steadying breath and pressed his forehead to hers.
“I want you, too. I can’t imagine sitting on that front porch with anyone else.”
Tears filled her eyes as his sweet words settled themselves in her heart. It wasn’t an I-love-you. In so many ways, it was better. It was hope. Hope for his dreams. Hope for her bookstore. Hope for their futures.
Together.