Heart Beats

by Davidson King

Three months later

  Ledger

  “Let me hear you, Joker’s Sin,” Atlas shouted into the mic. He was in a ruby-red suit, and the feeling of Christmas was in the air.

  I started playing my Christmas dance mix and everyone cheered. Atlas loved celebrating everything, so every Saturday in the month of December, he celebrated a different holiday from Christmas to Hanukkah to Kwanzaa. I found the music; he ran the show.

  Tonight was all about the red and green and jingling all the way. I looked over toward the bar, and Shane was wearing his sexy elf costume. All the bar staff were elves, and Atlas was Jolly old St. Nick, but he was a sinful Santa. Toby was Mr. Claus, currently watching his man entertain the crowd.

  “Have you all been naughty or nice this year?”

  A cacophony of both was shouted, and I laughed into the microphone. “Sounds like Santa has his hands full this year.”

  “He sure does.” Atlas smiled at me. “I think this calls for a dance-off, wouldn’t you agree, DJ Edge?”

  “Most definitely.”

  “But first,” Atlas said before I could hit the button. He was going off-book. He loved doing that, and it kept me on my toes. So I waited and watched the master work.

  “I have someone very special who’d like to come up here.”

  I looked around, trying to see who, but didn’t see anyone right away. Then the spotlight fell on Shane, who turned bright red, but he had a microphone in his hand, so he wasn’t surprised.

  “Hey,” he shouted, and the club cheerfully echoed “Hey” back, and he chuckled into the microphone.

  “Come on up here, Shane.” Atlas shot me a wink. What was going on here?

  I watched as Shane made his way onto the stage. He gave me a little wave, which I returned but still had no idea why he was there.

  “Stage is all yours,” Atlas said and walked off, leaving Shane there.

  “Hi, everyone, I’m Shane, your happy bartender.” I could hear how nervous he was, and I wanted to go to him, but I didn’t want to ruin whatever he was doing.

  “You’re probably all wondering why I’m standing here, taking away valuable dancing time. I promise I won’t take forever.”

  The club cheered. No one cared—they loved everyone who worked here, and if Shane wanted to read Moby Dick, they’d listen.

  “All my life, I have felt like I was jumping from one thing to another. I was never meant to be in the family I was born into—I’m certain of that.” A collective hum of understanding rumbled through the crowd.

  “I’ve made some amazing memories, though, met lots of people, but again I jumped. I honestly thought I’d be jumping forever. When I met Toby, I felt like I gained a brother. One who liked me for who I was. But I still feared something would happen, and I’d be taking a bus to another place, and that would be that.”

  I slipped my headphones off and left my booth. The club was silent as they listened to Shane speak, and I was enthralled.

  “Movement, you know. Like a fish. Keep moving, and you’ll be okay. Then Toby got me a job here, and that’s when I met the family I was supposed to be born into, and the person I wanted to spend the rest of my life with.”

  I hadn’t realized how close I’d gotten to him until he turned around, and I could see the red glittery eyeshadow he was wearing. He smiled and it was like looking into my future.

  “I hope I won’t be jumping anytime soon, but if I do, I hope you’ll jump with me…as my husband.”

  Was he…?

  Shane got on one knee. Max slid a box to him and cackled when I spared him a glance.

  “Ledger, you make my heart beat to a rhythm played by your hands. I feel you in everything you do and want to spend the rest of my life with you. Will you marry me?”

  Breathe. Oh, my God! “Marry you? You want to marry me?”

  Everyone laughed, as did Shane.

  “Yes, more than I want anything. Will you jump with me?”

  I got down on my knees to be on the same level with him. “No.”

  His smile fell, and there was a loud gasp heard through the place.

  “Let me finish. No, I won’t jump with you. I’ll anchor you. Here is where you belong, and I would love to be your husband.”

  Shane wrapped his arms around me and kissed me so hard I fell back against the stage, not caring that people could see us. He kissed me until my lips were swollen and Atlas had to break us apart.

  “Okay, no sex on my stage,” he said with a smile. “For the first time ever, I’m glad you didn’t charge your earpiece, Ledger—that way this could be a perfect surprise. Congratulations, you two. Now get that ring on, and go take a break.”

  When I opened the box, there was a platinum ring with musical notes etched through it. The inner part of the ring read, You’re why my heart beats. Love, Shane.

  He slid it on my finger, and I knew it would stay there forever.

  Author’s Note

  There will be a special holiday short with Ledger and Shane coming soon. What DOES happen when they surprise Ledger in the most hilarious way? Check it out in my group:

  https://www.facebook.com/groups/DavidsonKingsCourt/

  There are giveaways, exclusive material, teaser, and so much more. Hope to see you there.

  Also, keep up with my new releases and info on book, translations, audios, and more by joining my newsletter: https://www.davidsonking.com/subscribe

  Thank you so much for reading Ledger and Shane’s story. Feel free to leave a review. I’d love to know what you thought.

  Other Books by Davidson King

  Haven Hart Series:

  Snow Falling

  Hug It Out

  A Dangerous Dance

  Snow Storm

  From These Ashes

  Triple Threat

  Raven’s Hart

  Joker’s Sin Series

  My Whole World

  To Die For

  Heart Beats

  Collaboration with JM Dabney

  The Hunt

  Standalones

  New Tricks (Book 10: Ace’s Wild multi-author series)

  Sticky Fingers

  Acknowledgments

  There are so many people to thank, especially this year when some days were harder than others and finding my characters’ voices in the brain fog was tougher. Definitely my family. We’ve been in this year together and while no one could breathe being quarantined together half the time, they kept me sane. They are my life. I want to thank Jenn and Lori for reading this book in it’s most rawest form and always supporting my words. Anita, who probably reads this book more than everyone. She’s the first eyes and last eyes before publishing. Flat Earth Editing, Hope and Jess, as always worked tirelessly on Heart Beats and once again it was a pleasure working with them. And of course, I have to thank Designs by Morningstar for the cover. She always nails it with my covers.

  I love what I get to do for a living but without my amazing readers, it would never happen. So, thank you.

  About the Author

  Davidson King always had a hope that someday her daydreams would become real-life stories. As a child, you would often find her in her own world, thinking up the most insane situations. It may have taken her awhile, but she made her dream come true with her first published work, Snow Falling.

  She managed to wrangle herself a husband who matched her crazy and they hatched three wonderful children. After being a dog lover who whole life, imagine her surprise when she rescued a cat and found herself the best writing assistant ever.

  If you were to ask her what gave her the courage to finally publish, she'd tell you it was her amazing family and friends. Support is vital in all things and when you're afraid of your dreams, it will be your cheering section that will lift you up.

  Check out my Linktree for all links: https://linktr.ee/davidsonkingauthor

 

 

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