I shove those depressing thoughts away. I have a good life. It might not be the life I dreamed of as a child but it’s good. And I’m happy. Mostly.
“The natives are getting restless. You ready?” Alaia asks.
“Is it okay if I sing an original song today?”
Her eyes light up. “An original Addy Price song? I can’t wait.”
“It might suck.”
She snorts. “You haven’t met the Addy Price I know.”
I grab my guitar and follow her to the stage.
“Mermaids and smugglers! Are you ready for aBootleggerexclusive! Our very own, Addy Price, is singing an original song today. Put your hands together for Addy!”
When I hear a wolf whistle, I glance around. My gaze catches on Gage. He’s standing in front of the stage with his teammates.
He’s here. I should probably be annoyed with him. Every time I turn around, he’s trying to run my life and control me. But my heart doesn’t care. It’s beating out of control at his close proximity.
“Addy!” Alaia hollers again and I tear my gaze from Gage’s to walk on the stage.
She hands me the microphone. “You got this girl.”
I settle on the stool in the middle of the stage and strum my guitar. “This isIf I Asked.”
I close my eyes and blow out a breath. I push all my worries about my family, about Gage, about my dreams not coming true away. And begin to sing.
You said you’d stay if I asked you to
But I never learned how to need the truth
I kept my hands full, my head down low
Loved you quiet so I wouldn’t owe
My gaze clashes with Gage’s as I continue to sing. The rest of the room fades as I sing this heartbreak song to the man I wish I could have. If only my life were less complicated. If only we had time. If only he wasn’t leaving at the end of the summer.
The crowd bursts into applause as I finish the final note.
“Encore! Encore! Encore!” Gage shouts.
I roll my eyes. Did he forget this isMermaid Karaoke?I stand and wave to the crowd before jumping off the stage and making my way to the back office, where I collapse on the sofa.
My heart is pounding in my chest and my breaths are choppy. I did it. I sang an original song in front of other people. And, judging by their applause, they liked it.
Maybe I can do this. Maybe I can become a songwriter. Maybe my dreams can come true after all.
There’s a knock on the door before Gage peeks inside. “Can I come in?”
The joy of the performance – the joy of seeing him – pours through me. But then I remember. He’s trying to control me.
“If you’re here to run my life, you can turn your tight end around and leave.”
“Whoa. I’m not a tight end. I’m a running back. Do I look like I weigh nearly 300 pounds?”
“I know you’re not a tight end. I spent last night listening to my brother go on and on about how you’re the best running back the NFL has seen in decades.”
He grins and his dimple makes an appearance. That damn dimple is going to get me in trouble.
