“That’s the price you pay for being famous,” Harry shrugged, frustrated.
“Then you’re right—maybe I didn’t want any of it.” I shook my head and laughed. “This has nothing to do with Kara, does it? You’re not angry with me because of what happened to her. You’re pissed because it was me that got discovered and not you.”
“Fuck you,” he growled, standing up. “You don’t know fucking shit about me, okay?”
“I know enough to recognize jealously when I see it.” I laughed again. “You have a lot of growing up to do, Harry. You think I fucked up my life? You’re heading down the same path with yours, only you’re too blind to see it.”
I turned around and stormed out.
Chapter Thirty
Micah
Don’t leave. I’m ten minutes away and I’d really like to talk.
My heart pounded as I reread the text. I glanced at the time again. 10:56.
This was the slowest moving ten minutes ever. What did he have to say to me? Was he going to end this? I swallowed, the lump in my throat growing.
Stace had left about an hour earlier. I honestly wasn’t sure why I was still at his house. I hadn’t heard from him all day. If that wasn’t a sign, I didn’t know what was. So I’d sent him a text saying I was leaving, and that was when he’d responded.
Don’t leave.
Don’t leave.
Pushing myself up from the sofa, I paced the length of the room. I felt sick. My stomach was in a knot and I could feel my heart fluttering in my chest. Wiping my sweaty palms down my jeans, I looked up as I heard the sound of the front door unlocking.
He walked in and offered me a small smile. He looked tired, his blue eyes filled with so many emotions. “Thanks for staying,” he said.
He walked over to me and as his lips brushed over mine, I felt my body relax. This had to be positive, didn’t it? He wouldn’t be kissing me if he were letting me go, right?
“I don’t want to be anywhere else but here,” I replied evenly. My eyes locked on his. “But what do you want, Sax?” I refuse to cry. No matter what the answer is, I refuse to cry.
He reached out and took my hand. “I just went and saw Harry. For so long, I thought he hated me for what happened with Kara. But you know what I realized?”
I shook my head, struggling to understand how this connected to us.
“I realized that his hate toward me had little to do with Kara. He was—is—jealous of me. Everything he wants, I’ve had. His lifelong dream I’ve lived, and fucked up. That’s what he can’t forgive me for.”
“How does this relate to us?” I asked quietly.
He pulled me close, his fingers dipping under my shirt and running along my bare skin. His mouth found mine, and I sighed as he kissed me, my lips tingling at the feel of his on mine.
“I’ve made a lot of mistakes in my life. Things I’d do anything to be able to change. I’ve refused to forgive myself because I’d hurt so many people. I’m the last person who should be judging you, Micah. I was angry because you lied to me, but I do understand.”
“So, what you’re saying is…?” My heart thudded in my chest as he smiled at me. I knew I was being silly, but I needed to hear him actually say it. I couldn’t let myself believe it until I heard it from him.
“I’m done with depriving myself of living. It’s not what Kara wants, and it’s not what I want.” He smiled as his fingers curved around the back of my neck. “Now, the question is, are you willing to give this old idiot a second chance?”
I giggled and kissed him, not bothering to hide my glee. “What do you think?”
Chapter Thirty-One
Micah
“Are you ready?” Harry muttered, peeking out and into the crowd from where we stood on the edge of the stage.
“Are you?” I retorted.
“Fuck, yeah. I don’t get stage fright,” he boasted. “This?” he said, waving his arm. “Bring it on. I live for this shit.”
I shook my head and laughed. “You’re an idiot,” I giggled. “And I think you’re doing something wrong if a small part of you isn’t terrified right now. We are about to open for Mission Statement.”
Harry snorted. “They’re good and all that, but come on. Are they really any better than us, or have they just had a hell of a lot of good luck?”
I sniggered as the lead singer for Mission Statement clapped his hand on Harry’s shoulder. “Tell us what you really think, dude. I mean, don’t hold back.”
Harry’s face went white, then a deep shade of red. “I didn’t mean—”
“Sure you did,” he cut in. “And it’s cool. Just don’t fuck up out there, yeah? Don’t want to make us look bad.” He winked and wandered off, leaving poor Harry looking like he was going to pass out.
“You could’ve told me he was behind me,” he groaned, running a hand through his thick hair.
“And let you miss out on looking like the world’s biggest douche?” I giggled. “Consider that payback for telling Sax we had a hot date.”
“He told you about that?” Harry winced.
“Of course he did. He was livid.”
“Yeah. Sorry about that.”
“It’s all good,” I said with a grin.
“So, you and Sax worked your shit out?” he asked.
“Yeah. Have you?” I shot back.
“It’s possible I have some of my own issues I need to work out,” he said. “Sax might have had a point. Maybe I am jealous of his success. I’m not saying things between us will be all rosy and shit, but I’m willing to try and figure out my problems.”
“Good for you,” I said, genuinely happy to hear that. Just then, we were introduced to the crowd.
Harry flashed me a smile. “Let’s smash this.”
Here we go.
I ran out onto the stage, soaking up the huge cheer that had erupted from the crowd. I closed my eyes as the guys lead into our first number, the beat of the music pulsating through my veins.
Nothing could match this feeling. I started sing just as my eyes fell on Sax near the front corner of the stage, and I smiled.
Well, almost nothing.
***
By the time our set ended, Sax had disappeared. Dee and Stace almost choked me in a hug as I ran backstage. I laughed and struggled free, trying to catch my breath.
“That was insane,” screamed Dee, jumping up and down on the spot. “Oh my God, M, you totally owned it!”
“That was really awesome,” agreed Stace. “But now you have to come with me.”
Huh? She giggled as she led me out the back and down the steps. Dee was still going on about how ‘epic’ and ‘amazing’ our performance had been.
“And God, could Harry be any sexier?” she sighed, a dreamy look on her face.
I gaped at her. Harry?
“What?” she shot back, her face going red. “I’m allowed to look. Anyway, aren’t you concerned about where she is dragging you off to?” she said, pointing at Stace.
Her blatant attempt at diverting the conversation off her worked.
“Where are we going?” I asked Stace suspiciously.
She shook her head. “No questions. Just follow me and shut up.”
I rolled my eyes but let her drag me what felt like halfway around the grounds. I still had no idea where Sax was. We weaved our way through the crowds of people, finally stopping at the edge of stage three.
“What are we doing?” I asked wearily.
“Just trust me, okay?” Stace said, patting my arm. Dee giggled on the other side of me. I shot her a look and she shrugged. So not helpful. I might seriously have to re-evaluate my friend’s loyalty.
I glanced around. It was hard not to get caught up in the atmosphere. Since it was one of the smaller stages, the crowd of people was less intense so we could actually breathe. My body was still buzzing from the high of performing, and I felt like I’d had ten coffees and half a dozen red bulls.
The soft strum of a guitar caugh
t my attention and I looked up on the stage. My eyes widened and I almost lost my balance.
Sax?
What the hell was he doing?
He smiled at me and began to sing, every last word driving through me like a freight train. He was singing. In public. More than that, he was singing to me.
Watched you run away—
You took my soul that day
I stand in the light
wondering where you are,
how I lost you,
how I could win you back,
But it’s not me, not forgotten,
Couldn’t love you more than I do now.
You took my all, you give me all
I have nothing left to be...
Never alone, not forgotten
Not the first, but not the last
Broken, but not shattered
Ruined, but you saved me…
It was beautiful. It was perfect. It was the most wonderful moment of my entire life. Half the people standing there listening probably had no idea who the hell he was, but it didn’t matter, because it was clear that I was the person he cared about, and was sending me a message in front of all these people. This was all for me.
The song ended and I ran up to the edge of the stage. Laughing, he moved across the stage to me and lifted me up. I wrapped my arms around his neck.
“Are you going to kiss me?” he smirked.
“In front of all these people? No. But get me off this stage and I won’t be able to keep my hands off you,” I teased.
He raised his eyebrows and grinned at me. Waving to the crowd, he walked off the stage, his fingers linked in mine. We stood behind the set, unable to keep our hands off each other. He leaned down and pressed his lips against mine. His blue eyes twinkled as his lips twitched into a grin. “The look on your face when you looked up and saw me? Gold.”
“I’m going to kill that sister of yours for aiding your little plan there,” I muttered, kissing him.
He laughed. “Hey, don’t blame her. I had to use a lot of ammunition to get her to help me.”
I giggled and kissed him. My stomach flipped with every touch. Everything about him made me crazy. I looked up as someone cleared their throat. A man stood by the edge of the stage, an embarrassed expression on his face.
“Sorry, I don’t mean to interrupt. Saxon, can I steal you for a few moments? This won’t take long.”
“Sure,” Saxon replied, pulling away from me. He raised his eyebrows at me before walking off with the man.
Leaving them alone, I went in search of Dee and Stace, who were listening to the next performer on stage. I gave Stace a playful punch on the arm.
“Hey,” she complained, grinning. “I had no choice. He was threatening to share things that should never be shared.”
“You owe me,” I grumbled, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Where’s Sax?” she asked, looking around.
“Talking to some guy in a suit,” I said, a twinge of anxiety hitting my stomach. Who was he, and what did he want?
Chapter Thirty-Two
Sax
My eyes widened. Had I just heard this guy right?
“Representation?” I repeated.
“Yes. I’m familiar with your success with Severed, and I also know about your, uh, problems following your departure from music, but I think you have a real talent as a solo artist. You have a very unique sound, and the good thing about you is you already have a very steady fan base from your days with Severed.”
“Wow. I’m flattered, but I don’t really know what to say.”
“Has getting back into music ever crossed your mind?” he asked.
“Well, of course it has. Music means everything to me. But the fame…I’d happily leave all that,” I muttered. I rubbed my forehead. Even the thought of it was giving me a headache.
He reached into his pocket and pulled out a business card, pressing in into my hand. James Archer, Amtrax Records. “Look, just think about it. Take as long as you need. If you want to discuss anything, give me a call.”
I nodded and shook his hand. I watched him walk away, not sure what to think. Hell, I wasn’t even sure how I felt about what just happened.
I wandered around the front of the stage and found Micah.
“What’s wrong?” she asked immediately, her face dropping.
“Nothing,” I assured her, taking her hand. “That guy was a producer for Amtrax Records. They want to represent me as a solo artist.”
“What?” squealed Stace, throwing her arms around me. “That’s amazing! That’s huge!”
I laughed and shrugged her off, turning to Micah.
“How do you feel about it?” Micah said. She studied my face.
I shrugged. “I have no idea. I’m shocked, to be honest. I don’t know if I can put myself through all that again,” I admitted.
She smiled, curling her arms around my waist. “How did you feel up there, singing?” she asked.
“Amazing. But that’s because I was singing for you,” I said with a grin.
She laughed, her eyes sparkling. “You’re so smooth. But if singing is what makes you feel alive, then I say do it. Are you the same person you were back then?”
“No.”
I was older. I had more maturity, more life experience under my belt. I also knew what I wanted. I knew the things that made me happy. One of those things was standing in front of me. The other was music.
She shrugged. “So, this time make it different. Learn from your mistakes and do it right. Sing because you love what your music does to people. Do this because you can’t imagine doing anything else. Do it because you know you can.”
I narrowed my eyes and smiled at her. “Are you sure you’re only seventeen?” I whispered in her ear. I took her hand. “Come with me.”
“Where are we going?” She laughed as I led her away.
“I want to show you something.”
We walked around the outside of the grounds. The park was huge—much bigger than I had realized. She glanced at me, as if trying to figure out where I was taking her, but I wasn’t giving anything away.
“Just up here,” I murmured as we walked down a small path that opened out into a clearing. “Over there.”
She looked to where I was pointing, her expression confused as she stared at the series of rocks that overlooked what used to be a pond.
“That spot right there was where I was first discovered. I was sitting there playing my music, and a few people were standing around, listening. One of them was an agent who was looking for a front man for a new band.”
“Severed,” she murmured.
“Yep. That means twice in this park I’ve been offered a potentially life-changing opportunity.” My hands curved around her back as I pulled her against me. “The difference is, last time something was missing.”
“Your maturity?” she teased, cocking her head.
I laughed. “Okay, so a few things are different this time around. I really feel like I can make something of myself, M. A big part of that is having you by my side.”
“I know you can do it. I’ve always believed that,” she said sincerely.
I leaned in and kissed her, my fingers stroking her cheek as her lips touched mine. I couldn’t imagine things getting any better. I had the girl and I had a second chance to do what I was born to do. Sing.
How many people get one chance to do what they love, let alone two? I wasn’t going to mess it up this time. Because with everything single thing I did, I knew she’d be right there with me, just as I’d be there for her.
Together, we could accomplish anything.
Epilogue
“Saxon, thanks for meeting with me. I must say, I was surprised when I received your call.” James sat down opposite me and pressed the intercom on his phone. “Sally, can you get me a coffee. Would you like anything?” he asked me.
“A coffee would be great. White, no sugar.”
“And one for Saxon too, ple
ase. The same as mine.” He rubbed his hands together. “Okay, let’s get down to business, shall we? Am I right that considering you are here, that you’re interested in what we discussed the other day?”
“I’m interested in learning more about your proposal,” I responded carefully.
“Good. That’s a start. As I said, I don’t expect you to go rushing into this. Now, what I have in mind is a few small shows to get you comfortable with performing in front of a crowd again. I’d like to release a track. Have you been working on anything during your absence?” he asked. “The song you performed at the festival, was that one of your own?”
I nodded. “I have probably a dozen songs I’d consider strong enough to stand alone as a single.”
“Good, that’s what I was hoping you would say. Have you thought about how this is going to affect the band? Obviously it wouldn’t be possible for you to continue as their manager, though I can suggest some reputable people in the industry who might be interested in that role.”
“Yes, I understand that.” I hesitated. “My girlfriend is the lead singer of Resurrection, and my cousin is the lead guitarist. I’m hoping I’ll be able to use some of my own exposure to help them out.”
A knock on the door interrupted us. I smiled as his assistant walked in carrying two cups. She set one in front of me, and the other in front of him. He thanked her and she left.
Turning his attention back to me, he nodded.
“That’s fine, but you need to understand it might take time to get you to that point. Also, my main concern is you. I like that you want to help your cousin and girlfriend, but your focus needs to be yourself. There will be times when you’ll be in one part of the country and they will be in another. Are you going to be able to handle that?”
Wicked Innocence Page 17
