Page 57 of Rising Star

I tightened my grip on her hand. “I’m sorry. If you don’t wanna go ahead with this plan, we’ll figure something out. I might just require a little more time to make it happen.”

Madison swallowed and looked away, and a tidal wave of sadness and guilt enveloped me.

“I love you, Maddie. I love you so fucking much. And the thought of losing you almost killed me. You came this close. And I was so helpless.”

“You love me?” Her glossy gaze locked on mine.

“Like crazy. I’m sorry I didn’t tell you sooner. I thought I would never get to tell you. That you were gone. And I decided it was time to be honest with myself. And with you. About us.”

“Sam, I love you so much. Before meeting you, I had no idea I could love someone this much.”

My forehead pressed against hers, and we stayed immobile for a long time.

“My home is you and Mikaella and Justine. That’s the only place I wanna be. Where I belong.” She paused. “Since I can’t wait to be with you and I need to heal for it to happen, I’ll-I’ll stay in Nashville. It’s not like I have options.”

A part of me wished she had disagreed, that she had gotten mad and forced me to bring her along with me.

I buried my face in the crook of my elbow, calming the conflicted storm raging in my core. I couldn’t let her see how much the idea troubled me.

I firmed my back, trying to project confidence. “Fine. I’ll tell Riley to set it all up.”

“Can I ask you a question?” The vulnerability in her voice rattled my core. I nodded. “Did my parents visit since the accident, or is my brain playing tricks on me?”

“You remember?”

“It’s like I dreamed of it. It’s hard to explain.”

“They did. Do you recall anything else?” I asked, holding my breath for whatever she was about to say.

“A song. It’s not one of yours even though it sounded like it. I heard it all the time. It spoke about the sky and colors and love. It was beautiful.”

My breathing hitched. “Babe, it was me. I sang to you every day I was here after you got out of your isolation and into single room ICU. Your song. It’s called ‘Maddie.’ I can’t believe you heard it.” I leaned in to drop a kiss on her cheek. “Wanna hear it?”

Her eyes shone, bringing some color to her face. And for a fleeting second, Madison looked like herself, glee radiating from her.

With my guitar in hand, I sang the melody, watching the array of emotions painting her features. From elation to joy to pride. And love.

…There’s something I gotta tell you (yes, there’s something I gotta tell you)

There’s something I can’t keep to myself anymore (no, baby, I gotta tell you)

I’m in love with you

“Sam… It’s beautiful. That’s the one. The one I held on to. When everything was dark. When I had no idea how to find my way back.”

Sobs shook her body. Her shoulders heaved. She hid her face with her hands.

The high-pitched sound escaping Madison’s lips shattered my heart.

Balancing myself beside her on the bed, I wrapped my arms around the love of my life. She relaxed against me, accepting the comfort I brought her. Never loosening my grip around her body, I rocked her until sleep claimed her once again, my lips lingering on the top of her head.

At some point, I must have fallen asleep because a nurse touched my arm, and my eyes opened. Confused by her sudden appearance, I blinked to reboot my sluggish brain.

“Mr. Stevens. We need to perform some tests and change her dressing. Can you be back in thirty minutes?”

I untangled myself from a still-sleepy Madison and kissed her cheek. “I’ll be right back. I love you. Don’t go anywhere.”

A soft tilt of her lips told me she’d heard my words. “I love you too,” she murmured.