OPEN YOUR HEART: Material Girls 1

by Henry, Sophia

  Stunned into silence, I lift my eyes to his.

  “You grew up in this life where money can buy anything. Homes. Cars. Feelings. People. I can’t blame you for how you were raised. I can’t blame you for being confused by the tug of war between your family and your heart. But damn!” He closes his eyes as if in pain. Which makes me want to cry. “It pisses me off that you thought I might be lured by money. Not everyone can be bought. You don’t have to sacrifice your own happiness to offset your family’s fucked-up politics.”

  “You’re right, I should have talked to you instead of giving up. I was tired and angry and absolutely embarrassed. Why would you even want to be involved with me—with us?” I say, conflicted because even though I know my family can be shady, I still love them. Mama and Daddy aren’t horrible people, but they won’t hesitate to use their power or money to influence a situation. They think they’re doing it for a greater good. Too bad the greater good is their own personal interests.

  “Why? Because I love you. And I see you for who you are, not as the family that you came from.”

  “We’re intertwined. I’m part of them.”

  “Well, sure, but you have free will. And I’m pretty sure you would never bribe someone to get your way.”

  “I’m sorry I didn’t put up a fight. I wish I would have handled it differently. I wish I would have talked to you instead of assuming I knew the best thing for you.”

  “I wish you would have, too, because one of the things I love about you—about us—is that we can talk about anything—even things that are uncomfortable. Nothing is off-limits. My fucked-up brain is completely open and free around you, Liz. And we need to keep that communication and trust going.”

  I swallow hard and nod.

  “Fuck all of these complications—the miscommunications, the insecurities, the obstacles that we keep creating because we’re scared. Because all of this is actually very simple. No one—nothing—will stop me from loving you.”

  I stumble backward, suddenly unsteady in my heels. He grabs my waist and I raise my face to his, my gaze locked in his just like that first night we met.

  “When I’m looking in your eyes, everything else goes away. All I see is you and me. That’s all we’ll ever need. We can handle anything as long as we remember it’s just us. Right here. Right now. Forever.”

  I nod. Which causes a few tears that had been building up to spill onto my cheeks. “So you forgive me?”

  “Of course I do. We all jump to conclusions. We all make mistakes. I’ve made more than my share. But I need to know if you’re all in, Miss Honey. ’Cuz I need you. I need you so much my heart aches when you’re not around.”

  “I’m in,” I say firmly with complete sincerity.

  “Do you love me?”

  “I absolutely love you.”

  “Will you dance with me?” Austin offers me his hand.

  “I will always dance with you.” I slip into his arms without hesitation and he wraps me in his embrace. His facial hair tickles my cheek as I rest my head on his shoulder and nestle into the crook of his neck. Inhaling the spicy scent of the beard oil I bought him floods me with warmth. He smells like home—or my new mindset of what I want home to be.

  “Elizabeth,” Daddy says sternly from behind me.

  “I’m dancing, Daddy. I’ll talk to you later,” I say. Then I close my eyes and relax in Austin’s arms. I refuse to let my family interfere with us anymore. This is the first step on a long road of change.

  We sway together silently for two songs. Emotions flood every cell of my brain. I almost lost it all. My career. My love. Myself.

  “This is everything,” I murmur, unsure if Austin can even hear me. “This is all I’ll ever need.”

  “You’ll have this for as long as you want it. But let’s talk about the immediate future.”

  I try to lift my head, but he takes one hand off my hip and presses it back down. He strokes my hair as we sway. I smile against his shoulder.

  “I know you’re confused and hurt. I know it sucks to have to start over. But no matter what program you choose, you’ll have some time to kill until the new one starts, right?”

  “Yes.”

  A lump forms in my throat. The discussions I had with Austin led me to the program I chose. After speaking with Dr. Crowder and a few trusted coresidents about what I really want to do with my medical career—and where I would fit best—I decided to apply for the family-medicine residency. With that, I can move forward with my personal goals as a physician.

  “I think you should use the free time for an epic adventure,” he says.

  The power and confidence in Austin’s voice brings me back. He tethers me to reality.

  In the months before I met him, my head was a mess—swirling with confusion and hurt. What I truly wanted from my career got buried under a mountain of expectations I was too ashamed and insecure to confront. Instead of having a conversation with my parents, I allowed the perceived disappointment and failure to weigh me down. I’d been so buried by guilt, that I would never be what they expected of me, that I couldn’t see my injury as a blessing in disguise. Until Austin.

  “What kind of epic adventure?” I ask.

  “Come on tour with me and be our merch girl.”

  “You want me to come on tour with you?” I ask. This time I lift my head and look at him with wide eyes.

  “Absolutely. I don’t want to live without you, babe. I want you next to me every fucking time I wake up.”

  “And I want you fucking me every time you wake up.” I pinch his waist teasingly.

  “Every time?” His smile widens.

  “Within reason.”

  “Deal,” he says and presses his lips onto mine.

  I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him closer. When the songs ends, he says, “I should probably get up there, eh? This music blows.”

  “Are you sure? You don’t have to do this, you know.”

  “I know. I want to do it. I will be here for you whenever you need me, in any way that I can be. When one of us is down, we help the other rise up.”

  “Thank you.” We intertwine our fingers and shuffle through the crowd, making our way toward the stage.

  “Do you mind if I take this jacket off?” Austin holds his coat open like he’s got a superman logo underneath and looks down with a frown.

  I grab the jacket, slide it down his arms, and fold it over my forearm. Then I remove his bow tie and undo three buttons on his crisp, white shirt so his neck and chest tattoos are clearly visible. I stop to take in his appearance and decide it’s not quite right. Reaching out, I un-cuff each sleeve and roll them up three quarters. Biting my lip, I inspect him one final time.

  “Now you’re ready,” I say.

  “I’m not gonna lie. You undressing me in public is fucking hot.”

  I wink before walking up the two stairs to the stage. Taking the mic in my hand, I greet the crowd. “Good evening, everyone. For those of you who don’t know me, I’m Liz Commons, the founder of the For When It Rains Foundation. Thank you all for being here to help us raise money to assist local families with catastrophic medical-care bills. Over the last three years, your generosity has helped almost one hundred families in the Charlotte area.” I pause, smiling graciously as I allow the crowd to applaud the impact of their donations. “There’s an old saying, ‘when it rains, it pours.’ That’s where I came up with the name for the foundation. We could all use a little help when it rains, right? When it feels like nothing will ever go right and there’s no light in sight. It started sprinkling on me a few days ago when the band we had lined up to play tonight had to cancel due to illness. Thankfully, a beautiful friend stepped up to help me out. Please welcome Austin Williams, the talented singer of Drowned World, the love of my life, and the person I can always count on to keep me afloat.”

  Austin’s head snaps up, obviously surprised that I introduced him that way. He’s beaming as he crosses the stage. I start to move away f
rom the microphone to let him take over, but he grabs my hand and pulls me into his arms like we’re ballroom dancers. Then he wraps an arm around my back and dips me, planting his lips on mine as the blood rushes to my head. I’m dizzy and exhilarated—and alive!

  And for the first time, I truly don’t care what anyone in this crowd thinks about it—or him. I’ve found my happily-ever-after with my soulmate, and I’m ready to embark on all the adventures life will bring.

  Epilogue

  Liz

  THREE MONTHS LATER

  Maddie calls just as Austin unlocks the door to my house. It’s our first time home after three arduous months on the road. All I can think of is climbing into my bed, curling up against Austin, and sleeping for a week.

  Instead I answer the phone, because I know she just wants to make sure we got home safe. Our week-long sleep can wait five more minutes.

  “Hey, Maddie!” I greet her.

  Austin enters behind me, wheeling my suitcase in, before setting his Tumi bag on the floor next to the door. I can’t understand how he’s still standing. I was just the girl selling merchandise at the show. Austin was running around the stage, night after night, expending more energy than a toddler who got into some coffee espresso beans.

  Since he’s a seasoned professional, I followed his lead the entire time. Even though we went to bed as early as we could most nights, worked out whenever we had the chance, took plenty of naps, and ate a fairly healthy diet, the entire trip was still utterly exhausting.

  “Are you home? Or still at the airport?” she asks.

  “Just walked into my house.” I glance at the stacks of mail on the counter. Emily and Maddie have been coming by to take in the mail and feed my cat. Speaking of Oliver—I’m surprised he hasn’t run out to meow his displeasure at us for leaving him so long, while weaving between our feet to trip us into falling onto the floor to pet him.

  “I’m so glad you’re back! I missed you! How was it?”

  “Amazing and exhausting.” I kick off my sneakers.

  “I thought you just went to a yoga retreat?”

  She’s right. After a grueling three months on the road, we bid the guys and the van adieu and stayed in San Francisco for an impromptu weekend yoga and meditation retreat. I’ve never meditated in my life, though I do believe in the benefits of it. Before, I could never get my mind to slow down long enough for it to work. The fact that I was able to relax so easily in the classes was a huge sign about how much taking a break from the medical program has helped my stress levels.

  “We were, and it was amazing, but you wouldn’t believe the toll three straight months of being on the road takes on the body.”

  “Almost like three straight years of a residency, eh?” she quips.

  I manage to squeak out a tired laugh. “Might have been worse. I can’t believe I thought I had it rough.”

  Had Austin suggested we end the trip with a few whirlwind days, walking the hilly streets of San Francisco, I would’ve thought he was crazy, but the retreat was perfect—just what the doctor ordered for our weary minds and bodies. Plus, it gave us some much-needed alone time to reconnect on a completely different level. I wouldn’t trade that peaceful, romantic getaway for anything.

  “I’m laying by the pool right now. It’s nice and relaxing. You guys should come over later.”

  Austin comes up behind me and grabs my hips. Then he pulls me back into his chest and places soft kisses along my neck. I tilt my head to give him better access.

  “I would love to, but I’m so completely exhausted right now, I just want to pass out.” She doesn’t need to know that I’ll pass out completely satiated after sex with my Energizer Bunny boyfriend.

  “No worries. Trent just got here anyway.”

  “I’ll call you—” I begin, but stop abruptly when I hear distant yelling on the other end of the line.

  “How could you do this to me, Madeline?”

  The tone of Trent’s voice makes my entire body stiffen. Over the years he and Maddie have been dating, I’ve seen how angry and intense he can be. Though I’d never seen him hurt her physically—and she’s never said that he has—his temper has always freaked me out.

  I’ve noticed a pattern with Trent. When he yells at her, he’s usually wrong—and drunk.

  “Maddie?” I ask firmly.

  “How could you fucking do this to me?” Trent yells.

  Maddie’s voice shakes when she answers, “Do what, Trent? I—”

  “This is the last fucking time you will ever—”

  Suddenly there’s a crash on the other end and I jump.

  “Maddie?” I ask. I swallow hard and my heart pumps faster. “Madeline?” I ask, using her given name instead of her nickname.

  But there’s no response from the other end. No sound at all.

  “Liz?” Austin asks. “Is everything okay?”

  My exhausted body is on high alert. Our eyes meet when I spin to face him. “We’ve got to get over to my parent’s house. Now.”

  “Let’s go,” he says.

  I shove my phone into the back pocket of my jeans and bolt toward the house to grab my keys. Austin doesn’t hesitate to follow or stop me to ask more questions. He knows me well enough to understand that if I’m dropping everything right now—something is very wrong.

  Live to Tell

  The Material Girls series continues with Maddie’s story in

  LIVE TO TELL

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  Pilots Hockey series.

  Thank You

  IF you enjoyed reading OPEN YOUR HEART as much as I enjoyed writing it, it would rock if you would consider leaving a review on Amazon.

  WHY? I love knowing that people loved my book! It’s the best feeling! Also, I’m an independent author, and it helps a ton when readers leave a review.

  HOW? When Amazon sees that an author’s book is getting reviews, they adjust their algorithms in my favor to help me reach new readers.

  WHERE? Amazon and Goodreads. :)

  THANK YOU so much for reading OPEN YOUR HEART and for even considering leaving a review! I truly appreciate every single one of you. Thank you for taking the time to read my book.

  Playlist

  Complete Playlist on Spotify: SophiaHenry313

  Material Girl – Madonna

  Open Your Heart – Madonna

  Darling (feat. Missio) – Said the Sky, Missio

  Say It – Illenium Remix – Flume, Tove Lo, Illenium

  Aristocrat – New Politics

  Badlands – The Born Love

  Last Nite – The Strokes

  In Your Room – Depeche Mode

  Say You Won’t Let Go – James Arthur

  Tonight You’re Perfect – New Politics

  Bills – Grandson

  So Close – Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness

  Talk Too Much – COIN

  Ringer – The Unlikely Candidates

  Out of My Head – The Griswolds

  Echo – Foreign Air

  Vowels - Hunny

  Breaking Free – Night Riots

  Hell, Yeah – Nothing But Thieves

  7 – Catfish and the Bottlemen

  Cocoon – Catfish and the Bottlemen

  White Dove – Koda

  Nothing Wrong With Me – Unlike Pluto

  Waves – Krrum

  Next To Me – Imagine Dragons

  Ride or Die (feat. Foster the People) – The Knocks

  Temptation – New Order

  Simplify – Young the Giant

  Other Books by Sophia Henry

  Material Girls Series

 
OPEN YOUR HEART

  LIVE TO TELL (Coming Soon)

  CRAZY FOR YOU (Coming Soon)

  Pilots Hockey Series

  DELAYED PENALTY

  POWER PLAY

  INTERFERENCE

  UNSPORTSMANLIKE CONDUCT

  BREAKAWAY

  Acknowledgments

  First, I want to acknowledge YOU! Thank you for picking my books, reading them, recommending them to others, and for all of your kind messages. It means the world to me. Thank you! Thank you! YOU ROCK!!

  My boys, Boo Boo and Chachi: You two are my heart. Even though I write for a living, I don’t have words to express how much I love you. I appreciate every second of every single day with you. You continue to inspire me and show me how to be a better person. Thank you for being proud of me.

  Rhonda Helms, Kathy Bosman, and Tandy Boese: Thank you all for your kindness, enthusiasm, and guidance in helping to make Open Your Heart the fun and fabulous story it is today. I truly appreciate how each of you helped me polish this book to make me look like an English pro. I’m so grateful your keen eyes catch the areas where I trip up.

  Elizabeth, Amber, Kristen: Thank you for beta-reading and critiquing Open Your Heart. I value your opinions and honesty, and appreciate how wonderful you are at kicking my butt into shape, while still being kind. Thank you for all of your encouragement and support. It means the world to me.

  Sunni: Thank you for your encouragement, positivity, and kindness. And for coming up with the awesome new name for my readers group. I’m so grateful our love of Missio, and other amazing bands, brought us together.

  Missio. (Matthew and David): I first heard your music in January 2017, when I was going through an extremely difficult time in my life. Your music, along with your genuine kindness and openness, helped me on my path to discover who I am and who I want to be. Thank you for being a light for me and countless others. I appreciate you more than you’ll ever know.