Page 37 of Rising Star

“Maddie, about our story…I understand. I have a hard time telling it too. It’s okay. Don’t rush anything. I’m not a relationship expert, but if Sam Stevens is the one, you’ll know. Yeah, I believe he’ll respect you enough to wait until you’re ready to share. Don’t stress over it.”

“Thank you, Ems. For always having my back. Even when you were just a kid. I wasn’t your responsibility, but you always made sure I was safe and sound and nobody could hurt me. That I had food to eat. You sacrificed a lot for me. And you saved my life.”

“Anytime. I would do it all over again if we were faced with the same situation. You’re not only my little sister, Maddie, but also my best friend. I’ll always have your back.”

“We turned out pretty good, considering the shitty hand we were dealt with. It made us stronger. In retrospect, I’m not sure I’d change our past because we wouldn’t be standing here today if our stories had been different.”

“It feels like a lifetime ago. Are you happy?” she asked.

“I am. The reality of the tour gets me giddy, and along with that, all aspects of my life are finally clicking into place.”

“Big sister’s warning. Follow your heart, okay? It’s usually pretty perceptive and rarely wrong.”

I nodded, and my sister wrapped her arms around me.

“Everything will be fine, Maddie. I have a great feeling about this. I love you.”

* * *

“I heard my girls have rehearsed a song, and they asked if they could sing it today,” Sam announced in front of the people crowded in his backyard.

His eyes searched mine when he said “my girls.” Effervescent feelings soared inside me.

“Yeah, they’re following in my steps. I had no idea, I swear. It was a surprise to me too.” His proud grin illuminated his face. “Please give my daughters the applause they deserve.”

Justine, Mikaella, and I took the stage, aka the back deck. Jitters worked inside me. How could Sam do this for a living? Entertain a crowd. The girls looked to be in their element, though. They inherited their father’s performing genes, both of them confident and strongheaded. Even at their young age.

“The girls and I have worked hard to be ready for tonight. Sam, this is for you,” I said, my voice quivering. I held my breath. He watched me with sizzling intensity and tipped his head. I dissolved there, unable to look elsewhere. The connection we shared broke only when our gazes drifted to the girls, now standing in front of me.

Aisha Jones, whom I asked earlier if she could accompany the girls with her guitar, strummed the first chord of “Summer Night.”

Justine and Mikaella started singing like we practiced, standing tall in the middle of the makeshift stage, holding each other’s hands.

One Friday afternoon, that summer

The wind was blowing my hair

Convertible, country music, a picnic in a basket

And the girls in the backseat

The kids asked for waterfalls and sunshine

I asked for fresh air and a sign everything would be all right

We drove for hours, lost in our world...

Sam’s eyes darted to me, and he mouthed a “Wow” and a heartfelt “Thank you.”

I cupped my chest and returned his elated expression. I’d never be able to lie to myself. Emily was right. I loved him. More than logic could explain. Even after all this time, the night we got drunk in that bar, lost in each other, still haunted my dreams. The dance we shared in his living room still sent jitters to my heart. And the night when we finally gave in to the temptation painted my days. No matter however much I tried to block the memories, they came back with a vengeance, pulsing through me until I combusted.

Aisha stepped forward and joined the girls in the chorus, her voice low, making sure to not steal the spotlight.

…Sunset, laughter, memories in bulk

This is how happiness should be (yeah, it should)

As long as those smiles on their faces never falter