by Taylor Hart
Her hand squeezed his stronger.
"She's waking up." Shay said, turning to her father. "We have to get the oxygen off of her."
Her father looked confused, then rushed to the door, signaling a nurse. "My daughter is waking up."
They were in the VIP wing of the hospital and a nurse came quickly.
Jaycee's eyes were wide open now.
Relief coursed through Shay. "You're awake." Gratitude filled him. "You're awake."
"Excuse me." The nurse paused next to Shay.
He moved so she could get by. She worked to get the oxygen off of Jaycee and lift up her bed.
"Sweetheart," her father said. "You're okay."
The nurse gave Jaycee a cup with a straw and she sipped, then pulled back. "I'm o-kay." Her voice was croaky.
Emotion stuck in Shay's throat as he watched her drinking and breathing and trying to talk again.
"I'm o-kay," she said, again, smiling at him.
The doctor came and did an exam, checking her oxygen and listening to her lungs. "She looks good," he said to her father before excusing himself. "Give her time to rest, I'll be back to check on her."
Her father moved to her side pulling her into a hug. "We were so worried, sweetheart."
Jaycee looked between her father and Shay. "I'm okay. I … what happened?"
Her father turned eyes full of blame to Shay. "Faulty wiring," he said flatly, turning back to her. "But everything is going to be okay now." He pulled back.
She looked at Shay.
Shay moved to her other side, taking her hand and forcing himself not to cry more tears. "I was so … I…"
"I remember you picking me up," she said, her eyes filling with moisture. "You saved me."
He leaned in, holding her, kissing her cheek. "I'm so glad you're okay. I'm so sorry."
Her father cleared his throat and moved away from the bed. "Um, Shay, I still need you to leave for a bit, I need to have Jaycee give a statement to the police and—"
"No," Jaycee said instantly. "No, Shay's not leaving me."
Her father hesitated.
Every part of Shay wanted to agree, to make a case that he needed to stay, but he let this challenge stay between Jaycee and her father; she clearly had more sway with the man than he ever would.
Duke bursted in the door, rushing at Jaycee. "You're okay?" He hugged her.
Shay was shocked by how upset Duke had been during this whole ordeal.
Jaycee hugged him back. "I'm okay."
Duke pulled back, his eyes blood shoot. "I'm so sorry. I should have kept better track of you. I should have …" He frowned at Shay. "No thanks to you and you're shoddy wiring job."
Shay wanted to hit him, every part of him wanted to clock the guy, but he sucked in a long breath.
"Stop," Jaycee croaked out. "Please." She held Duke's eyes.
"We'll give her some time," her father said, interceding by putting a hand on Duke's shoulder. "Let's go get something to eat and then come back."
Duke hesitated, then turned to his father. "The whole Summerville clan is here, demanding to see her."
Surprised, Shay tugged his phone out of his pocket and saw a million texts from his family.
"No," her father said quickly.
"Please?" Jaycee asked. "Can I please see his family?"
Her father hesitated, then nodded. "Fine. Ten minutes, then I'll need everyone to leave."
Shay's heart rate picked up. He was so grateful his family was here and she was okay.
Her father and Duke left and shortly after his family appeared.
“Hey," his mother grinned at both of them, her eyes shining as she walked in first.
His father held the door for the rest of the family that all trailed in.
As his mother hugged Jaycee and put her hand on her forehead, doing the motherly fever check, Shay grinned at the rest of his family making their way in.
Each took turns hugging Jaycee and telling her how they'd been worried about her.
Kira moved next to Shay. "We prayed for you, " she said reaching for her hand.
Jaycee hugged her, smiling at Shay with tears in her eyes.
His father was the last to hug her. "We don't know how that wiring went bad, but we accept full responsibility for all of this, Jaycee." He blinked and Shay could tell his father was trying not to cry. "I just feel so horrible."
"No," Jaycee said, holding to his father's hand. "No one is to blame. I'm okay. Everything is fine."
His father took a step back, nodding.
It got quiet for a moment.
Liam had moved next to his side and he nudged him. "Uh, I know this might be a bad time, but … can we share some good news?"
Shay frowned at him.
"Of course," Jaycee said, smiling at Liam. "I think we need good news."
Shay looked around the room at his siblings, who all suddenly looked like they were excited and on the verge of smiling. "What?"
Leah held up her cell phone. “Check it out. The radio stations have been playing your song."
Confused, Shay turned to face all of them. “What?”
Leah shoved her phone in his face. "I sent it to a couple of my contacts. The song just hit top fifty." She turned to Jaycee and let out a light squeal. "Your song just hit top fifty!” She did little jumps.
"Calm down, Leah," his mother said.
His heart raced as he listened to their song playing. "What?"
"Shh," Noah said, shushing everyone.
“Tragic, furious …”
The song blared out and Shay laughed, turning to Jaycee.
A huge grin filled her face. "I can't believe it."
His siblings were suddenly all talking over each other.
He laughed and held tightly to Jaycee's hand, their eyes locked. "I can't believe it, either."
Jaycee grinned at him. "I'm so happy for you."
"For us." Shay corrected her. "It's your voice that made that song perfect."
Her grin widened.
His phone suddenly buzzed in his pocket and he reached for it, checking the number, then almost dropped it.
"Who is it?" Jaycee asked.
"No way." Shay turned to his family. "Quiet!"
All of his siblings stopped talking, turning to him.
His hand shook, but he answered it on speaker phone. “Hello.”
“Is this Shay Summerville?”
“Yes,” he said, dazed.
“My name is Texas Waters. I heard your song, and I want to sign you and your family to a deal.”
Leah squealed, but put her hand over her mouth. Shar and Noah grabbed his shoulders. Liam put both hands in the air in celebration. Kira giggled and threw her arms around Shay's waist. Shay nearly dropped the phone.
“Are you there?” Texas asked.
“Yeah.” He’d been shocked back to reality. “Sorry.”
Texas let out a low laugh. “That’s fine. Listen, my assistant says he's listened to all of your messages over the past year or years and he says you're in Rutherford, Massachusetts. Could I send a jet tomorrow and you and your siblings could come out to my house and we can discuss some things."
Leah squealed again. “Yes!”
Shay met Jaycee's eyes, unable to believe it. "Umm?"
Texas laughed. "Did you hear me?"
"Yes," said Liam leaned into the phone.
Texas laughed, again. "I guess there's all of you on the line."
"Hi Texas," Shar said, leaning into the phone.
Liam pushed her back. "Chill."
Texas laughed again. "Hi there."
Shay still couldn't believe he was talking to Texas Waters. "Sorry, Texas."
"Are you there, Shay?" Texas asked.
Shay refocused. “Ah, the song …” His mind was a blur. “The song was sung by myself and Jaycee McCade. She's in the hospital, we should wait until she's better before we come."
"No," Jaycee immediately croaked out.
Shay stared at the woman he loved.
His family was trying to be quiet, but they were all holding each other and hyped up, pressing into him and the phone in his hand.
“I'm sorry to hear that about Jaycee, you're right, maybe another time is better?" Texas said.
"Go," Jaycee said, again, squeezing his hand. "I'm fine."
Every part of Shay didn't want to leave her side, but … he turned to his family, seeing the hope on all of their faces.
Leah gripped Shay’s arm, whispering in his ear. “Say yes, Shay. Say yes for all of us.”
"We'll do it," Shay finally said.
His siblings silently cheered.
"Great," Texas said. "Then I'll see you tomorrow night."
Still not able to believe it, Shay nodded. "Okay."
"Bye now."
The phone call ended.
His siblings instantly cheered.
Shay was overwhelmed and fell into Jaycee, who was halfway laughing.
"That's so great," she said.
He pulled back and laughed, unable to believe it and wanting to kiss her but not wanting to hurt her.
Tears filled her eyes. "I'm so happy, you're getting your dream."
For a few moments all of his family took turns hugging and laughing.
Then her father walked in, looking none too happy. "Excuse me, I've given enough time to you all. I need you to all leave please, Jaycee needs rest."
Shay's heart raced and all he could think about was how he didn't want to leave her … he never wanted to leave her.
His family started filing out.
"Wait," he said. "I … just wait everyone."
Her father scowled at him. "I said everyone needs to leave."
His family seemed uncertain.
Then he was getting down on one knee and probably doing the craziest thing he'd ever done.
"Shay?" Jaycee asked.
"I just … I just have to ask you a question, a question I should have officially asked you yesterday."
CHAPTER 26
Shock coursed through her. A shock that erased all of the heaviness in her chest from the smoke damage. A shock that made her forget how angry her father looked right now. A shock … that made her sit up and wonder if he was really, really doing this.
"I want you all out!" Her father thundered through the room.
Jaycee only stared at Shay.
He stayed on his knee.
His family didn't seem to hear her father's outburst.
"Shay?" Jaycee questioned, again.
"Ohmygosh," Liam flashed a huge smile at her and put his hand over his mouth. "This is awesome."
Shay stared at her, tears in his eyes. "Jaycee, I know this isn't the perfect time to do this, but I when I thought …" he broke off, stifling his emotion.
Emotion filled her, just thinking of how she would feel if it had been Shay in the fire.
Shay blinked. "When I thought I would lose you, I … I only knew I wanted you forever. Jaycee, will you marry me?"
Tears were already spilling down her cheeks. "Yes!" Jaycee said, still in a croaking voice but as loudly as possible.
The room erupted into shouts and applause.
Shay was up, crushing her to him, but clearly trying not to hurt her. He gently kissed her.
She laughed, still not able to believe it.
"I love you," Shay whispered. "And maybe now I have a shot of being the kind of man that's good enough for you."
Warmth filled her. "I love you, too." She sniffed. "You've always been the best man for me."
Her father cleared his throat and moved to her other side.
Shay pulled back.
"Well," her father said, looking back and forth between them.
Nerves tugged at her. She could tell her father wasn't happy.
"Sir," Shay nodded at him. "I should have asked you first, sir."
Her father narrowed his eyes. "Yes, you should have."
She didn't want to have drama with her father. She really didn't want that. "Dad, I love him. I want to marry him."
Her father put a light hand on her shoulder. "Then I guess that will have to do." He looked around the room, seeming completely uncomfortable. He pulled out his phone. "I have to run now, Jaycee. I'm being called away on important business." He turned to leave. "I'll leave Duke to look after you."
Disappointment filled her, but she kept her eyes on Shay. "That's fine." She wished her father's acceptance could be more than that, but the truth was she didn't care. She loved Shay and she would marry him.
He was staring at her, a smile on his lips. He leaned in, pressing his forehead to hers.
His family was still celebrating in the background and the music was already starting to come out of them.
She grinned. "I think you just got all of it, Shay. The label, the girl."
Softly, he brushed his lips to hers. "I think I did." He flashed a grin. "I'm overwhelmed you would say yes."
Everything was feeling happy and light and she was already feeling so much better. "Hey, remember it was my idea."
He squeezed her hand. "True, but you need to rest now." He stood, kissing her one more time. "You rest and when you wake up we'll start planning the rest of our lives."
"Solid gold, baby, that's what our life will be." She whispered.
He laughed and leaned in again, kissing her again.
She put her arms on his shoulders. "Don't leave yet, Shay." Tiredness was falling upon her. "Don't leave."
"Okay, I won't. I'll stay. I'm right here, Jaycee. I'll always be right here. Forever."
She let herself relax, closing her eyes. "Forever sounds good to me."
I HOPE you enjoyed Shay and Jaycee First Love!
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SNEAK PEAK HER COUNTRY STAR COWBOY SECOND CHANCE
Chapter 1
“Shay … Shay … it’s time to do the after-show meet and greet, man.”
Shay jerked to a sitting position. “How long have I been out?” After doing the concert, he’d come into the dressing room and crashed on the couch. Now he steadied himself and stood, putting his hand to his head.
His brother Liam moved to his side. “Dude, you’ve been out of it for forty-five minutes, but we have VIPs we’ve committed to meeting with, so you have to pull yourself together."
"Right." Shay still didn't move.
Liam put his hand lightly on Shay's shoulder. "Look, I know seeing that Instagram post about Jaycee was rough on you yesterday, but you can’t continue to be this rattled because of her,” Liam said, his voice tentative. “It's been almost a year and she’s engaged to another man now. That’s how it is, Shay.”
Shay glared at his twin brother. ““Oh, that’s how it is, Liam? That’s how it is when my heart is ripped out? I need to just focus on the VIPs, right?”
Liam’s face darkened. “You know I hate it, dude. You know that, right? We’ve all had our hearts ripped out for you. We all hate Jaycee McCade so much.” He clenched a hand into a fist and swore.
Shay’s own anger dissolved at seeing Liam so upset. He turned away, feeling guilty for how much pain he’d put his siblings through. His whole family had been hurt right along with him.
Liam sighed. “Look, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve wished so hard that you never met that chick. That I would have been the one driving the stupid tow truck that day, not you. That—”
“Enough.” Shay couldn’t take it. His mind flashed to the Instagram post again.
She finally said yes. My true love and I will be married.
Kurt's post. The guy her father always wanted her to be with.
Shay’s mind went hazy and he felt nauseated.
“Okay,” Liam said. “Ge
t your bearings, and then we’ll go out to the VIP group. They’ll wait; you know they will. I’ll be back in a sec.” He left.
Part of Shay couldn’t believe that he was so famous that people would wait to see him after a show—not just wait, but pay a lot of money. For his whole life, he’d dreamed of putting out his music with his family. They’d strived and strived for it until last summer, when he’d met Jaycee.
Last summer, they’d laid down their first hit single, “Tragic, Furious.” It’d become a craze that swept the country. The song had given his family a surge to viral fame on the internet. Texas Water's record label had come calling. Now they were on tour.
Shay remembered the day he’d signed with Texas Waters’s label, joining the greats like Sloane Kent. It was humbling and overwhelming and awful at the same time, because Jaycee wasn’t with him.
She'd left him.
When he'd gone to Jackson to sign the paperwork with Texas Waters … she'd just left. Gone to London of all places. And out of his life forever.
She wouldn't answer calls or texts.
And that letter.
She'd left a letter that still made no sense to him, telling him she couldn't go through with the marriage. Telling him she wanted to finish her last year of schooling at Oxford. Telling him … there was someone else.
He hadn't believed the letter, but when he'd gone to London and tried to find her. She wasn't there.
Anywhere.
He'd finally gone to the police and they'd told him that Senator McCade would file a restraining order if he kept stalking his daughter.
Stalking?
Anger surged inside of him and he clenched a hand into a fist as he thought of Kurt's instagram, again. She couldn't be marrying him.
She couldn't.
“You ready, Shay?” Liam poked his head back in.
He tamped down on his anger. “Yeah. I’m coming.” He waved toward the door. “Give me five. I’ll be there.”
“It’s been five.”
Shay stared his brother down.
Liam nodded. “Fine.”
Memories swarmed Shay, letting him see Jaycee as clearly as if she were standing in front of him. Her fire-red hair. Her aqua-green eyes, the color of the prettiest ocean views in the world.
He cringed, transported back to the fire. The smoke. The feel of her in his arms.
Late at night, he would still call her old number. It always went to voicemail within one or two rings, which meant that he was blocked—he’d figured that out from Google. When he tried texting her, the message never said “delivered.”
