The labels people give us are hard to overcome. I knew that better than most. But I was so freaking proud of Layne for breaking free of her chains. I had a feeling she was going to inspire quite a few people in this very room to do the same.
For someone so small, her presence took up the whole stage. The spotlight illuminated her, and my heart glowed as I watched her sing her heart out. It was just her, her guitar and my leather jacket. But that was more than enough. She was wearing my fedora too. She’d had it on when we sang karaoke and started calling it her lucky hat, because she told me that was the night she first knew she was falling for me.
I told her I was a goner long before then. Probably from the moment she barged into my mother’s office in her cute dorky glasses. She was wearing them now as she belted out the song that had changed my life. She may be wearing my fedora for luck, but she didn’t need it. And as I looked around at the captivated audience, I knew Layne had this in the bag.
The place was spellbound. And rightfully so.
We were witnessing magic.
Chapter Sixty-Four
Layne
Singing my song to a live audience and having them leap to their feet to applaud, left me breathless. I was trembling with joy as I waved and walked off stage. It was one of the coolest experiences of my life.
No matter what happened, I’d always have this moment. I’d done it. I’d faced my fears and chased down a dream. And I’d done it to the best of my ability. I could rest knowing I’d given it my all out there on that stage. And just knowing that made me feel like I’d already won.
The only thing better than the feeling of playing my music on stage, was leaping into Wyatt’s arms when I was done. He met me backstage and swept me off my feet swinging me around in celebration.
We were immediately shushed, so I let him lead me outside where we whooped and kissed until our hearts’ content.
“You nailed it!” Wyatt said, setting me back on my feet after I gave him one of my now famous victory kisses.
“I thought so, too!”
“Layne, you were amazing. And I’m not just saying that because I’m your boyfriend.”
“And musical partner,” I reminded him.
He waved me off. “Everyone knew I was just up there for moral support.”
“And sex appeal,” I teased.
A healthy blush crept up Wyatt’s neck filling the hollows of his cheeks.
“Wyatt Nash, are you blushing?”
“Um, yeah. A rockstar just called me sexy.”
I grinned and twined my hands around his neck. “I prefer the term diva.”
He barked my favorite kind of laugh and gave me one more toe-curling kiss. “Come on, my little diva. Let’s go watch the rest of the show.”
Wyatt and I sat in the front row and watched the rest of the performers in the singing and songwriter categories. There was so much talent in this room, but instead of making me anxious it filled my heart with joy. This was where I was meant to be, and I couldn’t be happier to be here with Wyatt.
I didn’t know what the future held, but I knew that I wanted him to be a part of it. And as he held my hand, tracing circles across my knuckles, I knew that no matter what the results of the competition were, that I’d walk away a winner, because I was walking away with Wyatt—a boy who gave me his heart, and taught me to chase my dreams.
Before I knew it, I was back on stage with the rest of the songwriters, taking our final bow as the judges prepared to deliver our scores. I wished Wyatt were up here with me, but it was just the six of us songwriters. Each of us linked hands as we awaited the verdict.
Honestly, I was just blown away to be standing here next to these talented individuals. I’d listened to all of their songs and had been truly inspired. And as if that weren’t enough, I was standing in front of two of my personal legends—Broadway hopeful, Marissa Munns, and Country queen, Tessa Hart.
Lola was going to die when she found out Marissa was one of the judges. She was Lola’s idol. Marissa had gone to Northwood and won a diva scholarship when she was a senior. She was in college now and had already starred in a bunch of off-Broadway shows. The girl was going places.
I was so relieved the judges’ identities weren’t revealed until after we’d performed. I think my stage fright would’ve been much worse if I knew who I was singing to. Especially, Tessa Hart. The woman was my hero.
Like Marissa, she was from the Northwood area. I’d grown up listening to her band, Mason Jar Hart. I’d never been able to see her perform live even though I tried to win tickets to her hometown shows every year, but knowing I’d just sang a song in front of her, completely made up for that. I could die happy now.
There were three more guest judges whose music I wasn’t as familiar with, but I was sure they were equally accomplished in the music industry. And from the applause the crowd gave them, I’d say they might even be more popular than my personal favorites.
Finally, the excitement over the judge reveal died down and it was time for the moment of truth. I clutched the hands of my competitors and whispered good luck as the judges passed their score cards to the MC. He jogged up to his spot at the podium on stage and took a deep breath. His face looked hesitant as he read the results.
My heart was beating double time in my chest as I watched him frown and speak into his headset like he was verifying something. Maybe that was normal. I hadn’t paid such close attention to the other results. I just knew the judges gave their scores and, in our case, our popular vote percentage was added to that and then the winner was determined.
I supposed the popular vote factor added another variable that might be causing the delay, but I knew I had nothing to worry about there. I’d won the popular vote by a landslide thanks to my song being on the radio.
Finally, the MC cleared his throat. “Well, NRSDA is nothing if not exciting. I’m going to get right to it. Please hold your applause until I finish with the announcements. The songwriter with the highest overall score determined by both the popular vote and our esteemed judges, is . . .” I held my breath. “Layne Hall. However . . .”
I gasped when I heard my name, but the fact that is was followed by the word ‘however’ made my knees knock together.
“Due to circumstances just brought to our attention,” the MC continued, “The songwriter scholarship will not be awarded to Miss Hall. Sadly, the fact that her song has been played on a nationally syndicated radio station makes her ineligible for the competition, based on the rules strictly outlined in the bylaws.”
A murmur rippled through the auditorium, and I felt my face flush as everyone on stage turned to look at me.
The MC cleared his throat. “So, without further delay, the scholarship will be awarded to the songwriter with the second highest score. Congratulations to—”
My pulse was pounding so hard in my ears that I couldn’t hear the name of the winner. I only knew it wasn’t me. I hadn’t won. Well, I had, but then it was taken away on a technicality.
I stood in place trying to digest what had just happened.
Chapter Sixty-Five
Wyatt