Jaybird,
Em tells me prom is the most important dance of the school year. I can only offer you the same advice as I did for your Homecoming dance. Have fun and make lots of memories. You have my vote for Prom Queen.
Love you always,
Daddy
P.S. Tell your date to keep his hands to himself.
I SURVIVED A vicious attack and the possibility that I’d never sing again. I’d almost accepted that as my fate, but every day I was reminded by the people who love me, that defeat wasn’t an option. I’m going to get up on that stage tonight and show my classmates that I’m not only Jaybird, I’m a King.
We don’t cower.
We conquer.
PROM NIGHT IS upon us and I can’t believe it’s already been a year since I was here with Reagan. I shudder at the thought. This year it will be so much better because I’m here with my girl.
Cherry approaches with caution, making sure Jay sees her before she reaches for her hand. Although Jay is doing much better and the nightmares are gone, she’s skittish and startles easily. “You ready, Jay?”
“Are you sure you want to do this?” I ask.
“Yes, I’ll be fine.”
“I’ll be right in front so you can see me. If you need me, just say the word and I’ll get you out of here. Okay?”
She nods. “I’m fine, Z. Relax.”
I pull her tight to my side and nuzzle her neck. “I love you, my beautiful, strong, stubborn girl.” I pull back and she tilts her head and pushes out her lips. I press a kiss to her lips and smack her on the butt. “Go on before I change my mind, throw you over my shoulder, and take you back home.”
Yes, home. I’m still living with her. I’m never leaving.
She rolls her eyes and snorts a laugh. “Horndog.”
I hold my breath, watching as Cherry leads Jay backstage. “Hey,” Cole says beside me, following my gaze. He shakes his head. “She’s amazing.”
“She’s stubborn.” I laugh. “And she doesn’t like to lose.” I remember her words from our first date.
“Where’s Harper?” I look around.
“She’s backstage with the other girls. Em’s back there, too. They wanted to surprise Jay and have some girl time with her before she gets on stage.”
“Are you guys back together?”
Cole shrugs. “It’s complicated, but I love her.”
“Yo!” Brad says as Evan grips my shoulder and smiles. “Is our girl gonna sing tonight?”
I nod, suddenly feeling an overwhelming wave of emotions.
Cole hooks his arm around my neck and leans in close to my ear. “You all right?” I nod. “It’s okay if you’re not. It’s only been a few months. You might not have taken the physical blows, but that doesn’t mean you weren’t hurt, too. Everyone who cares about her has been affected in one way or another. Thank you for sticking by her and going through the motions. I know it hasn’t been easy, but you have no idea how much my family appreciates it.”
“You don’t need to thank me. I love her. I’m never leaving her.”
Cole smirks. “You signed?”
I nod. “You?”
Cole grins and tugs me closer. We’re gonna be teammates again.
Sometimes you have to make sacrifices for the people you love. Football isn’t forever but Jay is. I still haven’t told her yet. I’m waiting to until after graduation to tell her the news.
The Gulf Coast University football program is fairly new compared to other universities. The football team isn’t bad, but with Cole and me on the team, they’ll be a whole lot better.
Principal Avery takes the stage with a few short announcements. He skips over the rules, telling us to just enjoy ourselves—but not too much, of course. The man hasn’t stopped smiling since his son came home and they discovered Harper was their granddaughter. She’d been under his nose the whole time, just like Alex had been with Jay.
Things between Alex and Jay have been good. They laugh a lot, and now that the secret is out, it’s obvious they’re siblings.
The girls come rushing out and find us in front of the stage. “I’m so nervous,” Lexi squeals.
“Why are you nervous? You singing tonight?” Evan asks sarcastically.
“Shut up, Evan. I’m nervous for Jay.”
“She sang at Zach’s birthday,” he reminds her.
“She sang ‘Happy Birthday.’ This is different. You know everyone is curious to see if she’s still got it.”
“Is she nervous?” I ask.
“Doesn’t seem that way,” Harper answers and Lexi nods in agreement.
Ashton walks up hand in hand with her boyfriend. “Is Jay gonna sing tonight?” she asks.
A lot changed the day Kali and Jay were attacked. People, too. Including Ashton. It’s like she had a personality transplant. I’m not used to her being so… tolerable.
“Yep. She’s up first,” Lexi tells her.
“Zach!” I look over my shoulder to see Kali squeezing through the crowd, making her way over to us while dragging Lucas behind her. I chuckle. He’s gotta be hating life right now, but like I said, sometimes we make sacrifices for the ones we love.
I notice the curious looks he’s getting, knowing it’s only a matter of minutes before he gets mobbed by a bunch of high school girls.
He must be aware of it, too, because he says to Kali, “I’m gonna go hang backstage with Eva.” He gives her a kiss, glancing at me over her shoulder and rolling his eyes. “I can’t believe I’m actually at prom.”
“Hey.” She slaps his arm playfully. “You never got the high school experience either. At least now you can say you went to prom.”
Lucas groans. “Let’s just see how it goes for now. I’ll see you in a few,” he says before heading over to where Eva is standing with Alex.
“Do we know what she’s singing tonight?” Kali asks.
“The one she wrote for Zach, ‘Piece of Me.’”
I smile at that. God, I love her so much.
‘Piece of Me’ hit number one within the first week of its release and remained at number one for twelve weeks straight.
The lights fade out and the sound of a piano drifts from behind the curtain. The curtain pulls back and there’s my girl sitting at the piano in her beautiful champagne-colored gown. Cherry and Olivia are singing backup.
‘Piece of Me’ blends into another song and someone elbows me. “I know this song,” Lexi squeals. The girl is like a musical encyclopedia. “It’s called ‘Fight Song.’” When Jay sings about scars, she runs her finger across the scar in her hairline. When she sings about pain, she presses her hand over her heart. As the song comes to an end, my girl stands up, flexes, and points to the “Conquer” tattoo on her bicep and the whole room erupts in cheers.
Eric walks out and takes over the piano and the music switches to “The Fighter” by Gym Class Heroes, and ends with “So What” by Pink. The whole place goes nuts and sings along. People love and care about her. It fills my chest with pride. When the song ends, Jay throws her arms around Eric and he swings her around and kisses her on top of her head. They turn, facing the crowd and when she smiles, I see her eyes are lighting up. When her eyes find me, she blows me a kiss and mouths, “I love you.”
My girl is definitely back.