Page 84 of Rising Star

“My trauma isn’t the same as Justine and Mika’s, but I can relate to them. Even though it sounds crazy.”

I resumed my breathing, the knots around my stomach loosening.

“Somehow, I know I haven’t landed into your lives by chance. I cared for a lot of kids in the past, but I never bonded with them as much as I bonded with your daughters. Like we can understand one another. Like we connect on a deeper level. Back when we were kids ourselves, it took years of therapy for Emily and me to come to terms with what we went through. That’s why we were so resilient at such a young age. We fought to survive and decided early in life we wouldn’t settle for less than what we deserved. And that we would reach our goals. Our parents decided to homeschool us because, for a long time, the idea of being sent to a classroom full of students, too many people cramped together, was a trigger for my anxiety. It turned out to be the best decision for us. We healed. We got stronger. I’m not mad at my biological parents. They had us before they turned twenty. It didn’t excuse their behavior, but I guess they didn’t know any better. Thanks to them, we grew up with the parents we were always meant to be with and who couldn’t have children of their own. The ones who love us unconditionally.”

Madison closed her free hand over our joined fingers, and my knuckles traced her cheek.

“Maddie, I don’t know what to say. It breaks my heart. For the younger version of you. For your sister. I’m so sorry you had to go through this. Wow, I’m speechless. It’s tragic but beautiful at the same time. How can it be both?”

“I could say the same for you guys. If Lisa hadn’t left, we wouldn’t be here right now, having this conversation. As I said once before, I believe, you and I, we were meant to meet.”

“No,” I said. “You and I, we were meant to not only meet, but also to love each other.”

“Sam—”

“No, let me finish. I love you. And I know for a fact you love me. I saw it in your eyes last night. Deny all you want. I don’t believe the lies you’re feeding yourself this morning.”

“But—”

I cradled her face and claimed her mouth. Madison stiffened against me, but soon relaxed and kissed me back.

My lips molded to hers in a breathless kiss. Shivers traveled through me. Her hand clamped on my forearm, as our tongues danced together. She purred against my mouth, deepening our connection, her other arm locking around my neck.

“Do I need more arguments to prove my point?” I asked, breaking apart for a split second.

Madison shook her head.

“Babe, I promise, here and now, you’ll never feel like a burden and be alone ever again. You have my word. You’ve found your place in this world. We’ll find all the help you need and get through this. Together.”

Her lips returned to mine, cementing the invisible link tying us together.

25

MADISON

Sam’s hand wound around my waist as I knocked on Riley and Devon’s tour bus. His lips found that spot behind my ear. “Ready?” he asked. “Let the fun and thousand questions begin.” I heard amusement in his voice. We had decided we’d tell the girls together. So it’d be easier to answer all of their interrogations.

After my meltdown earlier, Sam and I had a long and emotional conversation. One where I cried. A lot. Every word he said to comfort me soothed the fears that had tightened my insides. Sam made me believe we could defeat the circumstances that were forcing us to adapt to our new reality. That our love was strong enough to overcome what I perceived as impossible.

Confiding in him about the doubts invading me relieved a burden that weighed heavy on my shoulders. The pressure I was putting on myself to get back to my everyday activities before my body had time to heal.

I still had a long road of recovery ahead of me, but I chose to let him in. My gut told me it was the right call.

After I told the man I loved about my childhood, the weight of the secrets I’d been carrying for so long evaporated. It felt right to be completely honest with him. I should have been a long time ago. Even though I had my reasons to withhold that piece of information from him in the past, I had to lay everything out in the open if we were going to move forward as a couple.

Mikaella and Justine’s screams of joy hit me before the door was fully open. All my cells transformed into particles of glee. Yeah, I was exactly where I was supposed to be. Their contagious enthusiasm, even before they saw me, confirmed every word Sam spoke to me earlier. For now, I was choosing happiness rather than despondency. Sam and I promised each other we’d revisit this discussion later once the emotions of my comeback had settled.

The girls barreled out the door, down the steps, and straight into my arms. Standing with the help of crutches, I lost my balance, and Sam caught me before I ended up on the ground. He steadied me and never let go of my waist when I leaned forward to level my face with his daughters’.

“Maddie,” Mikaella and Justine both cheered, their arms around my neck about to choke me.

From the corner of my eye, I spotted my man beside me, his eyes filled with tears, watching us as if he had just won the lottery.

I wriggled a hand to the side and laced our fingers. The smile he aimed at me shook me to the core. Drying his eyes, he mouthed, “I love you.”

Justine grabbed my face between her hands and offered me a pointed look. “Why it was so loooong, Maddie? I missed youuuu.”

Sam led me to a folding chair, and I lowered myself gratefully into the seat. The girls eyed my splinted leg and moved closer, careful to not bump into it.