Page 53 of Rising Star

“I gotta say you’re much happier when Madison is around than when she’s not. It’s obvious to everyone already. You’re a grumpy asshole when you’re by yourself. Now I understand so many things. So many things,” he repeated, stretching each word. “Eye-fucking each other is almost a full-time job for both of you.”

“And I thought I was being subtle.” I rolled my eyes and sighed.

“Think again.”

He shook his head, and I punched his arm unable to hide the waves of joy filling me whenever the topic of Madison was evoked.

“I’m just trying to do the right thing the right way. And now, I’m torn about leaving her. It’s hard, man.”

“Madison would want you to go on with the tour. I don’t even have doubts about it. I talked to her sister, and she confirmed it too. She’ll be proud of you, Stevens. For not walking away when things got tough. It’s a great love lesson. And for what it’s worth, I’m proud of you too. Music will do you good. It always does. Trust me, we’ll make it work.”

“You really believe it?”

“I’m convinced. And when have I ever been wrong?” He winked, and I winced at his confident poise.

Riley exited the room, and my heart banged in my chest when I returned my focus to the person I couldn’t leave behind without pieces of me staying with her.

“As you might have heard, today is the day. The one you circled on that calendar you and the girls fixed to the kitchen wall at the beginning of the summer. For a long time, it appeared so far away in time, but now that it’s here, I can’t seem to find the courage in me to leave. The girls are beyond thrilled. And I am too. But I’m also sad. It’s a weird combination.” I molded our hands together. “It’s so fucking hard, you know. I’m excited to go back there. But it feels wrong since you lie silent here.”

For a long beat, I watched her chest rising and falling, the soft lines of her profile, the shape of her lips, her smooth eyelids. I wish they would open right about now so I could lose myself in the sea-green pool of her eyes.

“I love you, Maddie. I’ll come back between my shows. I’m not leaving you behind. You have family around. You’re not alone. And I’ll come to visit. Just get better. That’s all I’m asking.”

Whatever lesson life was trying to teach me right now, I could really do without it. I already had my share of lessons. I could skip a few.

A knock on the door cut short my drowning thoughts.

“Hey Sam,” Emily said as she entered the room. “I saw Riley in the hallway. It’s time for you to go.”

I nodded, my throat so tight no word could pass the rim of my lips.

As she did every time she was around, Emily checked all vitals and the readings on the monitors. “Go. She is in good hands. I’ll never let anything bad happen to her. I’ll call you every day to keep you updated like we discussed. I promise.”

I bent over a still Madison and kissed her forehead.

“I love you. I’ll be back in three days.”

Without looking back, I walked away. Because if I did, I would never go on this tour.

* * *

It had been thirteen days since Madison’s accident. And as much as I could, I split my time between my music, my children, and the women I loved. Doris, the new nanny, was the antipode of Madison—stricter, more somber, and less energetic—but so far, she got along with my girls. That was all I could ask for right now.

Armed with my guitar case, I followed Brent through the basement-level maze toward the elevator. I knew the route by heart by now, but he still made sure, every time, I wasn’t hunted down when I visited Madison.

Her parents had gone back home two nights ago. The day before I left on tour, we had lunch together. They formed a quick bond with whom I hoped one day they’d consider to be their own granddaughters. The girls couldn’t stop bragging about Madison the entire time. Justine sat on Mrs. Prescott’s lap all through dinner after showing her around the house and parading in every princess gown she owned. And I could tell the woman relished the distraction. Just like her daughters, she had love in buckets pouring out from her.

“How is it going today, Mr. Stevens?” Mara, the nurse caring for Madison, welcomed me as I passed before the nurse station, my guitar case in hand. “We missed you around here.”

“As best as it can in the circumstances.” I placed a box of pastry in her hands. “For you guys. As a thank you for watching over her.”

“Thank you,” she called after me. “Your lady is lucky to have private concerts every time you’re in town. I know a lot of staff members who are jealous they missed the one you gave here the other night. It was very generous of you and your team to organize this little gathering. We’re all grateful.” I mirrored her smile. “Go ahead, I’ll come to see you in fifteen minutes.”

“Hey Maddie. How are you?” I asked after I kissed her forehead and sat in the chair by the bed. “The girls are asking about you twenty times a day. We miss you so much. Our new home on wheels feels empty without you. I played a concert in Arkansas last night and flew back as soon as I could. I boarded a jet at eight this morning, once the girls and Doris were set for the day. I’m flying back later this afternoon because I have a show tonight in Dallas at eight. Somehow, I’m glad I refused Riley’s offer to cancel the tour. Honestly, I didn’t think I had it in me to go back up there without you around, but I did it. I faced my fears. And I have faith it will all work out in the end. I’m doing what I know you’d want me to do if you were awake. To keep living. And thriving. Until you’re ready to join us.”

If music left my life too right now, I’d go nuts. And I’d been there before. A guy angry at the world. And I wished to never be that version of me ever again.

“Ready for your stop on the Sam Stevens’s tour? You get all the free spots on my schedule.”