“Can you guys believe how crowded it is out there?” James asks, shouting despite the fact that we can hear him just fine.
“Logan and Reggie have been promoting the show,” Eric explains. “They wanted to give us a packed house.”
“Well, it worked!” I say with a laugh.
Eric nods, his face overjoyed. Even though he told me that the agents bailed on the show, he’s still determined to play his heart out up there. He hasn’t told his band yet, but I have a feeling it won’t keep them down for long. Even without agents scouting the show, the band is sure to get some good exposure with a crowd like this.
“This is the first time I’m playing without a buzz,” Alex says nervously as the men get ready to head back to the stage.
It was incredible how supportive the band was. They decided to quit drinking when Eric admitted he had a problem.
Eric cuffs Alex playfully on the shoulder, smiling at his bandmate. “Then that means we’re gonna be able to rock all the harder.” He turns back toward me for one more kiss, which I relish. “Besides, you’re the only drug I need, baby,” he whispers with a wink before his band pulls him away.
I blush and watch him leave, my heart thundering against my ribs as it always does when he’s near.
Alex and James had apologized for destroying my note. Had they realized how good we would be for one another, they’d said they never would’ve done such a thing. I accepted their apology immediately. There was no reason to be upset with them, not when Eric and I were finally together.
“Have you told Eric yet that you’ve gotten a few auditions for modeling?” Stacy asks when I take my seat beside her again.
I shake my head. “I wanted to wait until after his big show. Besides, they’re just small auditions.”
“But they’re something, and you’re doing this all on your own. You should be proud of that,” Stacy says firmly.
I smile at her and nod. I’d heard through the grapevine that Hanson went under shortly after I quit, which was a good thing, as the remaining models in his agency including Charlotte, had all gotten blacklisted due to his shady business practices. I, on the other hand, remained free and clear.
Though I hadn't gotten my big break yet, I could sense it coming. I’d never been good at being patient, but this time I had a positive path in my life to keep me focused on forging ahead instead of worrying constantly.
That familiar, amazing voice of Eric’s drifts across the stadium as he and the band take center stage, making the crowd go absolutely wild. They chant Eric’s name, making his entire face gleam with raw delight. I’d never seen someone so happy, nor had I ever felt so entirely happy for someone else. Watching his dreams come true right in front of me fills me with more joy than I ever thought possible.
“That’s your man!” Stacy cries as Eric and the band rock out, belting out their songs with so much heart that all of us end up on our feet, dancing and screaming along with the songs. By the time the concert is winding down, my throat is raw and my legs are tired but I’ve had so much fun I don’t even care.
“Encore, encore, encore!” the crowd chants.
Eric laughs, glancing toward his band, then to the VIP area where we’re all standing. “Alright,” he says coolly. “I’ll play an encore, but it’s not gonna be anything you’ve heard yet. I’ve met someone special, and I wrote her a song. Would you guys like to hear it?”
I turn bright red, my hands flying to my cheeks as the crowd again goes crazy, clapping loudly. A few people grasp at their hearts, their faces elated for me and the sweet gesture. I feel like I’m dreaming. I can’t believe Eric wrote me a song.
Alex leads in, his drumsticks peppering a beat that James joins.
Still gazing over at me, Eric winks and then grins before starting to sing. “Fate, baby, it can be a cruel thing . . . saw you dancing in the crowd and needed to bring you closer.”
Eric lets go of his guitar and reaches toward me, his grin going even wider as he gestures for me to join him on stage.
Is he crazy?
“Come on, Morgan!” he calls, “Get up here with me!”
All too eagerly, my friends push me forward over the small wall separating us from the stage. Before I know it, I’m grabbing Eric’s hand as he pulls me up on stage. The crowd starts to scream, calling both our names and oohing and awing at the sight of us dancing together just like we did at the dive bar.
The jumbotron overhead lights up with our faces as we dance together. Eric takes me in his arms, continuing to sing.
“But fate is what brought you back to me and now I’m not ever saying goodbye. You’re my one and only, my whole life.”
Every word is a Cupid’s arrow right to my heart.
When it’s over, the crowd again goes wild and starts demanding another encore.
“Sorry, everybody, but I’ve got more important things to do right now.” He winks at me and pulls me in for a kiss. “I’m sure you understand,” he says playfully into the mic.
With that, we all head offstage. He scoops me into his arms as soon as we’re behind the curtain, spinning me and kissing me deeply.
“Did you like the song?” he asks.
“It was amazing!” I gush, still high on adrenaline. “It was the most beautiful thing I’ve ever heard!”
“And I believe it’s going to be a hit,” says a voice from nearby.
We turn to see a woman with a slick black ponytail and a business suit. She grins at us with red painted lips. Behind us, Chloe, Donovan, and Stacy rush backstage to congratulate the band on their amazing show.
Though I have no idea who the woman is, Eric suddenly drags in a shuddering breath. “You’re Melinda McCreery! You’re with one of the top record labels in the country!”
The woman grins. “Reggie Smith gave me a call. He said if I missed this then I’d be missing the opportunity of a lifetime. He was right. I want to sign you and your band.” Melinda pauses and gives me a good look over. “And you, have you ever considered modeling?”
I almost laugh but her face is so serious that I choke on it. “Yes! I’ve got a portfolio and headshots and everything—”
Melinda cuts me off with a shake of her head. “I won’t need any of that, I just need you. You’re going to be the face for the album and advertising campaign I want to put together for the band.”
Eric’s hand suddenly finds my waist as I stumble, almost blacking out from pure elation.
Is this real life?
“I run an advertising group in town if you need help with the campaign, Mrs. McCreery!” Donovan interjects. “I’ll volunteer my services, anything to support my incredibly talented buddy, here,” he says grinning at Eric.
Melinda smirks and nods, handing out her card to each of us and promising to call in the morning. “I have a feeling with this team; we’re going to make billions.”
As she leaves, I turn toward Eric and we wrap each other in a tight embrace while sharing kiss after kiss. This is it, I realize. This is our dreams coming true. Chloe and Stacy had been right. All I needed to do was keep the faith.
Delighted tears streak my cheeks as Eric and I grin at each other.
“Dreams do come true,” he whispers in his own state of shock. “We have each other and now we have this opportunity.”