Music of the Heart (33 page)

With a wink, I replied, “It’s a surprise I plan to reveal at rehearsal.”

***

The hem of my short, chiffon white dress swirled around my calves as I struggled to keep up with

Lily. The roar of the crowd for Vindicated stung my ears as we weaved in and out of the crowded

back stage of Phillips Arena. From time to time, she would glance over her shoulder at me and grin. I

couldn’t help but smile back at her. After all, I owed everything to her for finally getting me to see the

light.

Although I’d turned a hardened heart to Jake when he’d begged and pleaded for me to forgive him,

it really only took a few words from Lily to convince me to give him another chance. She’d knocked

on the door to my suite shortly after Jake had left, so naturally I’d screamed to leave me the hell

alone. Instead, I heard her persistent voice outside. When I threw open the door, she gave me a

hesitant smile. “You know I’m on your side in this entire situation. But I just have to say this, and

when I’m done, it’s totally up to you on how to proceed.”

I crossed my arms over my chest. “Okay, I’m listening.”

“I’ve known Jake for eight years, and I’ve never, ever seen him act this way or feel this much

about a girl before.
Ever
. He’s a brilliant musician, but he’s an absolute screw-up when it comes to

matters of the heart. But if he was able to convince me how sorry he was and how much he deeply

feels for you, you can bet it’s the real deal.” At my unresponsiveness, she sighed. “Look, Abby, I was

at the same crossroads you are five years ago. I was hurt and angry about some of the really shitty

things Brayden had done. He’d screwed up so many times that I didn’t think I had it in me to give him

yet another chance when he begged and pleaded with me, just like Jake is doing with you. If I kept a

hardened heart, I would’ve missed out on the most amazing man I could ever hope for, not to mention

I wouldn’t have my two beautiful children.”

I closed my eyes for a moment before reopening them. “I’m just scared,” I admitted.

She nodded. “I know. I was too, and when it comes down to it so is Jake. But he really has a good

heart Abby—one that for the first time in his life he wants to give to only one girl. And that girl is

you.”

Unblinking and unmoving, I stared at Lily for a moment as I let the depth of her words wash over

me. Glancing over my shoulder, I eyed all the beautiful red, pink, yellow, and purple roses overtaking

my room. I thought of Jake’s countless texts along with his actions at the elevator.

Nibbling my bottom lip, I finally questioned, “So what do I do to make it right with us?”

A beaming smile filled her cheeks before she leaned over to hug me. “Well, first of all, you need a

white dress!”

And that’s how I came to be trailing behind her as we searched for Runaway Train, or most

importantly Jake. At the sight of Frank talking to some other roadies, I rushed past Lily.

“Where’s Jake?” I demanded breathlessly.

His gaze roamed over my attire, and then he smiled. “Want me to take you to him?”

“Please.”

“Sure thing, Angel.”

He led me through a series of rooms. Rhys, Brayden, and AJ were in the second one, decked out

and waiting for their call to go to the stage. When they saw me, they whistled and cat-called. I guess I

must’ve looked like I was on a mission because they didn’t try stopping me. “Go on and get your man,

Angel!” AJ called.

We’d left the room with the guys when Frank stopped. He motioned to a shut door. “He’s in there.

Of course, he’s left strict orders not to be disturbed.” With a wink, Frank then added, “But I’m pretty

sure he’ll want to see you.”

I leaned up and kissed his cheek. “Thank you.”

Frank turned and left me alone in the hallway. My nerves caused me to wobble as I pushed myself

forward. My hand trembled as I knocked on the dressing room door. “Are you all fucking deaf? I told

you I wanted to be left the hell alone, so go away!” he growled.

Testing the doorknob, I found it unlocked. I had to draw in a few calming breaths before opening it.

Jake sat hunched down in one of the chairs with a scowl etched across his face. At the sound of the

door closing behind me, he jerked his head up. “I said—” The rest of his words died on his lips at the

sight of me. His eyes bulged as he shot out of his chair. He just stood there, staring at me with an

expression of absolute disbelief.

The corners of my lips twitched in a smile. “Don’t tell me that I’ve rendered you speechless?”

“Angel, you actually came.” He then motioned at my dress. “And you’re wearing white.”

I nodded. “For you.”

He closed the gap between us in two long strides. “Does this mean you accept my apology, and

you’re willing to give a major fuck-up like me another chance?”

I couldn’t help the giggle that escaped my lips at Jake’s summation of himself. “Yes, it does.”

Jerking me to him, he planted a long, lingering kiss on my mouth. “Oh God, you make me so, so

happy,” he murmured against my lips.

“You make me happy too.”

After he pulled away, Jake’s brows furrowed. “But what finally changed your mind? I mean, I was

about ready to have my mama call you and plead my case.”

I laughed. “That might’ve helped, but it was Lily who helped me see the bigger picture.”

“Really? Wow, I’m impressed with her mad skills of persuasion.” He grinned. “Damn, I’m glad

she came through for me. I guess I owe her big time, huh?”

“No, I don’t think you owe her anything. She was just being honest about the person you really

are.”

“Thank you, Angel,” Jake replied with a smile. “Now let me get a good look at you.”

With a little twirl, I spun around to give him a view of the dress. Although the bottom was made of

chiffon, the bodice had intricate white beading and sequins. With its spaghetti straps, it did an

amazing job showing off my cleavage. It was tasteful, but sexy all in the same token.

Jake licked his lips. “Oh Angel…you look absolutely breathtaking.”

I grinned. “I’m glad to hear it.”

“Jake, it’s time,” Rhys called from the doorway.

“One sec,” he replied.

With a nudge, I pushed him to the door. “You need to go. After all, you can’t keep your adoring

fans waiting.”

Jake’s expression grew serious. “There’s something I have to say to you before I go out there.”

My heartbeat accelerated so fast I felt lightheaded. “Okay,” I murmured.

Cupping my cheeks in his hands, Jake stared intently into my eyes. “I love you, Angel.”

I jerked back at his declaration. “You do?”

He smiled as he ran his thumb along my cheekbone. “Yeah, I do.”

Blinking in disbelief, I continued to stare at him. Finally, I whispered, “Oh Jake,” before I threw

myself at him. “Say it again,” I commanded, my voice muffled against his chest.

“I love you, Abby,” he whispered into my ear.

“I love you, too. So very, very much,” I replied, squeezing him tight.

“I never thought I’d ever hear you say it.”

After he wrapped his arms around my waist, he pressed his forehead against mine. “I could say the

same about you.”

“Jake!” Rhys called again.

“Fuck, I don’t want to go out there. I just want to stay right here with you.”

“We’ll have time together after the show.”

Jake’s expression darkened. “It’s never enough time, especially since you have to fly back

tomorrow.”

“We’ll figure something out. We always do.”

“Maybe next time instead of those douchebags from Vindicated we can have Jacob’s Ladder open

for us.”

I laughed. “That would be awesome.”

“I’m totally serious, Abby.”

When he used my real name, rather than Angel, I knew he really was. “But—”

He pressed a finger against my lips to silence me. “All I have to do is bring it before the suits, and

usually when I go after something, I get what I want.”

I shook my head and couldn’t keep the smile from forming on my lips. “There you go with that ego

again.”

“Come on.” He then took me by the hand. He led me along the darkened corridors. We reached the

stage just as AJ was making his usual grand entrance. Jake pulled me almost to the edge of the wings.

“Stay here for the show, okay?”

My eyebrows shot up in surprise. “Right here? I’m practically on the stage,” I protested.

He laughed. “I’m serious, Angel.” He leaned over and kissed me. Just as his tongue brushed

against mine, we were interrupted by the announcer saying, “And lead singer and guitarist, Jake

Slater!”

Jerking away from me, he regretfully said, “Gotta go.” He then proceeded to smack my ass

playfully before strutting out on the stage with more swagger than I’d seen him use before.

Lily wrapped her arm around my shoulder. “So I take it all is well with you guys, huh?”

I couldn’t keep the goofy grin off my lips. “Yes, it is. Thank you so much for coming to talk to me.”

“You’re welcome.” She gave me a knowing smile. “I’m pretty good about spotting true love when

I see it, and you and Jake are the real deal.”

My heart fluttered at her assessment. We then fell silent to watch our men perform. When a

technician brought Jake a headset and took his microphone, my brows furrowed in confusion. I didn’t

know that they had added a different part to the show.

After he adjusted the headset, he turned to me and winked. “So as some of you may know, this is

usually the part of the show where I have a fan brought up on stage to sing to. But tonight I want to

change things up a bit.” Jake paused for a moment like he was trying to find the right words. “Three

weeks ago a girl fell into my life. Well, actually she accidentally fell into my bed, but that’s another

story.”

I gasped as the audience whistled and catcalled. “Before her, I may have sung about love,

relationships, and being with that special someone, but I really didn’t believe in it. But through her

physical and inner beauty, she taught me about the gift of giving your heart to someone.” Jake drew in

a ragged breath, and my chest clenched as I could tell he was fighting his emotions. “In so many ways,

she saved me from the hell surrounding me. She is truly an angel—she’s
my
angel.” Turning to the

wings, he met my gaze and smiled. “So come out here, Angel.”

Frozen, I couldn’t blink, least of all move. Lily had to nudge me forward, or I would have