Holding On To Hope

by Mystique Roberts

  I brush her cheek gently, “You’re right. You’re one of the strongest people I know, but promise me one thing?”

  “Yes?” She says, leaning back to look me in the eye, giving me a bright smile.

  “No more car accidents.” I say softly.

  Her brow creases in concern and she lifts her hand, crossing over her chest in an x motion.

  “Cross my heart and hope-”

  I cover her mouth.

  “Don’t you dare say it.”

  She licks my hand, causing me to lift it off of her mouth.

  “I won’t say it.” She whispers.

  “Good. With you by my side, we can handle almost anything...but I don’t ever want to go through that again. The thought of losing you…” I trail off.

  “Hey…” She places her hand on my face and forces me to meet her gaze. “I’m not going anywhere.” She promises.

  “Not without me.” I say.

  Ariel walks up the stairs interrupting our moment. “You ready lovebirds? Ryker’s taxi just pulled up, so everyone’s here.”

  “Ready.” Hope says.

  “All set.” I agree.

  We have all been busting our asses the past six months to make Rising Aggression stronger than ever. Even Hope was working from the hospital bed on promos, the website and merchandise design with Aiden and Cole. The rest of us have been working on new music, and Ariel put together a great tour for us. We have a new band opening for us, Into the Shadows and The Destroyed is joining us. The next four months are going to be full of late nights, friends and hopefully sold out shows.

  “Great. I just want to check that everything we need is here. The trailer is hooked up and Mike and the crew will follow in the van, so we should be good. Let’s get on the road. We only have two days to get to our first stop.

  I look around and smile, realizing everyone who is important to me is right here. This is all I need. Well, besides my dad, but he will be at the show near home. My relationship with him has improved greatly and although we haven’t talked about Mom much yet, we are working on it. He is retiring next year and I made him promise me to let me help with things. So far, he’s been keeping that promise, but not by much...I’m working on it. After this tour and the release of our new record in a month and a half, things will really be looking up.

  “Aiden, you’re eating already? We’ve been driving five minutes.” Ryker questions, laughing as Aiden is pouring a bag of chips in his mouth.

  “Fuck off. I’m hungry.” Aiden says, flipping Ryker off.

  Hope tilts her head back in laughter.

  “I swear you guys act like annoying brothers.”

  I look at her and smile.

  “Of course, we’re family. What do you expect?”

  She smiles and rests her head on my shoulder and we all talk about different places we want to see and things we want to do over the next few months.

  I look around and take in everyone laughing and joking while the girl I love is next to me. I never thought I’d get everything I ever wanted, but I did. Hope was the key. She managed to rearrange all the broken pieces until they fit together again. Except, this time Hope is the glue that keeps them together.

  The End

  PLAYLIST

  Key To My Heart - Jessica Jarrell

  Let Down - Palisades

  The Lines - Beartooth

  Alone - I Prevail

  Rise Up - Andra Day

  The Legacy - Black Veil Brides

  Wanting More - Memphis May Fire

  Modern Love Affair - Too Close To Touch

  Restless - Too Close To Touch

  Waiting For Superman - Daughtry

  I Am - Hands Like Houses

  New Romantics - Hands Like Houses

  Bloodlines - Hands Like Houses

  The Lighthouse - Jamies Elsewhere

  Hard Feelings - Palisades

  You - The Pretty Reckless

  Speechless - Memphis May Fire

  Drift - Hands Like Houses

  In Between - Beartooth

  Take Me Down - The Pretty Reckless

  Won’t You Listen - Too Close To Touch

  Poisons - Too Close To Touch

  Perfect World - Too Close To Touch

  Up In Flames - Blessthefall

  They Said A Storm Was Coming - Jamies Elsewhere

  Bring Me To Life - Evanescence

  Giants Among Common Men - Jamies Elsewhere

  Don’t Wait For Me - Youth In Revolt

  What If - Adam Friedman

  Can I Be Him - James Arthur

  We Don’t Have To Dance - Andy Black

  Fall - Palisades

  Moving On - Asking Alexandria

  Breathe Into Me - Red

  I’ll Be Okay - Nothing More

  Losin Control - Russ

  If It Means Alot To You - A Day To Remember

  Say You Won’t Let Go - James Arthur

  I Can Feel It - Ky Rodgers

  Little Do You Know - Alex & Sierra

  Lights Down Low - MAX

  Pierce The Veil - Circles

  Some Kind of Drug - G-Eazy

  Heart On Fire - Jonathan Clay

  Talking Body - Tove Lo

  If I Was The One - Ruff Endz

  If I Have To - Avery Wilson

  Can I Be Him - James Arthur

  Starving - Hailee Steinfeld

  Light Me Up - Ingrid Michaelson

  The Art Of Eye Contact - Too Close To Touch

  Lifelines - I Prevail

  Adore You - Miley Cyrus

  Fade Away - We Came As Romans

  Stay - Zedd ft Alessia Cara

  Give - You Me At Six

  Stay With Me - You Me At Six

  Memories - We Came As Romans

  Certain Things - James Arthur

  Better Things - Memphis May Fire

  Back To Me - Of Mice and Men

  Would You Still Be There - Of Mice and Men

  You’re Not Alone - Of Mice and Men

  Rebel Love Song - Black Veil Brides

  Look After You - The Fray

  You Found Me - The Fray

  Fair Weather Friend - Beartooth

  No Parallels- Hands Like Houses

  There’s Nothing Holding Me Back - Shawn Mendes

  I Like Me Better - Lauv

  Coma - Issues

  Slow Me Down - Issues

  Electric Touch - Arizona

  Miss Your Face - Too Close To Touch

  This Could Be Heartbreak - The Amity Affliction

  All Of The Stars - Ed Sheeran

  Photograph - Ed Sheeran

  Found You - Kane Brown

  ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS AND WORDS FROM THE AUTHOR

  Thank you so much for reading, I hope you enjoyed Hope and Chase’s story… well their first chapter ;). You will read the rest of their story in part two of the Second Chances Duet, Finding Forever, coming next year. This style of writing was a first for me, as you know if you read my first to novellas. I enjoyed writing Holding On To Hope so much, it is my favorite of my novels so far, I think. I questioned myself a lot during this process, wondering if I could ‘really do this’. After a few bouts of writer’s block, pushing the release…twice and just stepping back and letting the words flow I finally finished a story I’m extremely proud of. I fell in love with these characters and truly poured my heart and soul into this book.

  Some people don’t know, but I’ve written ever since I was younger. Words in general are my passion and have been for as long as I can remember. Whether it be reading them or writing my own, I am one hundred percent a logophile. I’ve been writing bits of this story for a few years, but never knew if would ever become anything. What started out as a way to write out my feelings from a bad heartbreak and moving on, turned into a story about chasing dreams and following your heart. At first this was just going to be from Hope’s POV. Hope is me in a lot of aspects. Her love for music, traveling and coffee are definitely me. Also, her soft heart and passion to chase her
dreams. I really threw a lot of my passions, mind and soul into her. After unexpectedly getting some inspiration for the other half of this story (Chase’s) I knew I had to tell it from both point of views. Chase was a challenge for me to write at first and sometimes throughout. I really didn’t want him to sound like a female voice. I found myself writing Hope’s sections for the longest time and going back and filling in Chase. It wasn’t until I really remembered how Chase’s character and backstory came to be that I was able to get into his head so to speak.

  Chase’s back story is based off of a friend of mine actually, who is a musician. This person really inspired my love for writing again after seeing how passionate they were chasing their own dreams. I saw everything he went through and although it differs slightly from Chase’s, he went through a very traumatic accident, nearly losing his life. Seeing him throwing everything he had into chasing his dream and getting back to his music truly inspired me. So, I took pieces of him and bits of me and molded them together to form Chase Franklin. I hope you really enjoyed both his and Hope’s story. You will get a lot more background from Chase in the sequel, Finding Forever, due out 2019. I really only touched on him here, because I felt like this story was more about Hope in some ways. I can’t wait to continue my journey in contemporary romance with my next upcoming novels. Exposed will be out later this year!

  I want to take a minute to thank a very good friend of mine, Sarah Cole. Girl, I cannot put into words how grateful I am for you. You have helped me enormously with my writing and just this author life in general. You are one of the kindest people I know and I am so glad we reconnected again. Twenty plus years of friendship and I know it will only grow from here. Thank you for being there to listen to me whine, push my writing and help me when I am completely stuck. I am so happy we are going on this journey together, no matter how many miles apart we are physically. Love you! If you have not read any of her works, go check them out. You can find her on Facebook for more information.

  Also, to my girls that I have connected with through this whole author journey. My best bitches. I love you all so much and thank you for every ounce of support you show me. Thank you to my friends and family for supporting me as well. Having support through something like this is important.

  Finally, but most importantly. Thank you to my readers. I write for myself, because I truly love the feeling I get creating something with my mind; but to be able to share it with you all really means so much. I love hearing your comments and encouragements. You all push me to continue on with this journey and the messages, comments, shares and outpour of love means so much more than I could ever tell you.

  Thank you for diving into a little piece of my soul. It can be terrifying to share something so important to you, but it is also the most amazing feeling. I can’t wait to give you more stories in the future.

  XO – Mystique

  Read on for sneak peeks from my next two upcoming novels. (Disclaimer: These are unedited and could change before publishing.)

  Coming soon by Mystique Roberts

  Exposed - A romantic comedy

  releasing Summer 2018

  Finding Forever - The Second Chances Duet

  book two releasing late 2018

  Exposed: A Romantic Comedy

  Prologue

  “Another round ladies?”

  “Yes, one more I think!”

  “Damn Zoe, I thought the last one was the LAST one!”

  “Oh shut up Kaleigh, tomorrow is Sunday and I’m fully prepared to spend my day curing a hangover.”

  I laugh, shrug and take a sip of my martini. The girl has a point. All I plan on doing is lounging in my pjs and ordering take out.

  “Now, back to what I was saying…” Sarah slaps her hand on the table. “I’ve been in this city for a few weeks now and someone hasn’t been on one date. I mean it’s San Francisco, there are plenty of men out there.”

  Zoe laughs as Sarah gives me a pointed look. “If you and my brother don’t drop it already…” I reply, annoyed.

  “Hey I did meet my fiancé here, so she has a point.”

  I roll my eyes. “Zoe, you are one of the lucky ones, Scott is amazing. I mean he made partner at his firm, he’s sweet and gorgeous. Count your blessings girl and just hold on to that one. My dating history is horrid.”

  Kaleigh looks at me curiously, “What do you mean? You write romance, it can’t be that bad.”

  I nearly choke on my drink from laughing. Sarah shakes her head. “Well...she has had some bad dates...but that’s everyone.”

  “Sarah...some!?” The waiter brings us our round and I take a big gulp of my drink, nearly emptying the glass. “Remember T-Rex!?” Her face falls in defeat. Yeah...don’t tell me ‘some’, I know my life thank you.

  “Wait...T-Rex?” Kaleigh and Zoe say in unison.

  I sigh, “Yes...the worst date of my life. WORST, that was my last time on Tinder, let me tell you.”

  “Sounds like we need a shot and you to spill it sister.” Zoey says and before anyone can protest she has the bartender at our table and we’re all downing some sort of fruity alcohol.

  “Okay.” I cave because I know they will not leave me alone until I tell them about T-Rex...or Tom as he is known to everyone else.

  “So, I matched with this guy online and he seemed nice enough, semi cute, at least in pictures and we had some things in common, so after talking for a bit, I met him for drinks. I told my friend Stephanie to be on standby if I needed an out and thank God she was, because I did. First of all he was boring and I was ready to leave twenty minutes in, but I wasn’t going to, then I realized shortly after he was just weird!”

  “Come on Raimey. Are you sure you weren’t just being picky!?” Kaleigh interjects.

  “I asked myself that, but no I wasn’t. He was just something else. I’m not kidding! The man couldn’t tell me anything about himself without saying ‘fun fact’.” I use my fingers to make air quotes and Kaleigh bursts into laughter, so loud the table near us gives us questionable looks.

  I bury my face in my hands and hide my embarrassment. “Anywaayyy…” I continue. “For example, he said ‘ oh and another fun fact about me, I have T-Rex arms.’ Yes he told me himself that he had T-Rex arms. I hadn’t even noticed his arms, he was too busy creeping me out with his talking. But, once he pointed it out, I couldn't stop looking at them. I texted Stephanie and told her ‘code red’ and to save my ass; or at least join us at the bar so I didn’t have to be rude. So, I tell him she messaged me and is meeting us after all.

  I swear I’ll never go on a blind date or online date ever again. To top it off, he tells me before Steph gets there that actually he has a house party to go to, so ‘he can’t stay’, but if I wanted to join him, I’m more than welcome; but it’s with a bunch of guys. Finally, after a few more agonizing minutes Steph gets there and he orders her a drink even though she politely protested to pay for it herself. Then he leaves and says to text him if I decide to join.

  I was planning on texting him after Steph and I finished our drink, telling him that I was tired...but when I think the disaster is over, I head to the bathroom and when I go to wash my hands I sit my phone on the dryer. It falls off, shattering my digitizer, so the screen is completely black, therefore I have to drive home with no phone.”

  The girls burst out laughing and Zoe has tears rolling down her cheeks. “Okay, I’ll give it to you, that’s pretty bad, but it makes for a hilarious story.”

  “Yeah...mhm. Sure does. Not.” I finish my martini. “That’s not even the end of it,” I continue and they stop laughing and wait for me to go on.

  “So, I get home, switch to a spare phone and when I turn it on I have seven text messages from him. I’m about to text him sorry and explain, but I read his first. The first one asking if I was coming. Then he proceeded to degrade me, telling me ‘I used him for free drinks for me and my friend.’ That I was ‘a whore and to go fuck myself.’”

  Zoe’s mouth drops in shock
and I nod, “Wow.”

  “Oh, yeah.” I say. “After that I decide to tell him to fuck off, that I broke my phone and just got home to use my old one. That I couldn’t text him at the bar because I didn’t have his number memorized and I was in the process of texting him that and apologizing, but I actually didn't want a second date anyway. Also, to never text me again. So, he sends me a few more messages saying he could do better, that I was boring and when I stop responding he says ‘you wouldn't know intelligence even if you had Einstein’s dick in your mouth.” I raise my eyebrows and shrug.

  I told them but no they didn’t believe me, they better now.

  “Are you fucking kidding me?!” Kaleigh exclaims.

  I shake my head. “Nope, couldn’t fucking make that shit up if I tried. Like I said, worst dating history ever. So, let’s drop it okay? I love my life right now, you guys are all I need. That and sleep. The bar closes soon let’s head home.”

  The girls agree and we sit a few minutes longer while waiting for our Ubers.

  “You know…” Sarah says as we walk outside to get in our rides, “Maybe you just need to sign up for The Bachelor or Bachelorette.”