Star Crossed (Starlight #3) (23 page)

Chapter 30

As Deven and I stand before the judges, the atmosphere is electric. The results of the phone vote are in. But first we get to hear our feedback.

Deven
goes first, and Kieran Hill clears his throat.

‘
You don’t need me to tell you that was a great performance,’ says Kieran. ‘Just listen to the audience.’

Kieran fans his arms out to the crowd and the audience whoops and applauds in response. There’s no doubt that
Deven has an army of fans out there.

‘
I’m so proud of you,’ chips in Lisa. ‘We worked on a few things this week. Building up your voice. Delivering true star quality. You did it all.’

More cheers surround Lisa’s comment.

‘Great job Deven,’ says Adam, clapping his hand together. ‘I know a chart-topper when I hear it. I guarantee your song will hit the top ten next week.’

Deven
beams and thanks the judges. But I sense he’s despondent behind the smiles. I guess Deven thinks I’ve won.

The spotlights shift to me.

‘Summer,’ says Kieran, smiling at me. ‘You looked beautiful tonight.’

I blush under my make-up and I notice Adam frown.

‘I think you’re the deserved winner,’ continues Kieran. ‘You blew us away with that song.’

The audience clap and I can’t stop the huge smile. It feels amazing to have the praise of a famous singer.

‘I loved your voice tonight Summer,’ says Lisa. ‘You started out as a pop star. Now I think you’re a true diva. In the best possible way of course,’ she adds with a wink.

There’s more applause. But when it dies away there’s a pause. I realise the judges are all staring at Adam, waiting for him to speak. But he seems to be struggling with the words.

‘I’m so proud,’ he says eventually. ‘You poured your heart into that song. I could see how much it meant to you.’

I can see Lisa and Kieran looking at Adam a little strangely.
Like they were expecting stronger praise from my mentor. But I know what he means. We lock eyes with each other and I give him a little nod, channelling my thoughts.

I got you babe.
I meant every word of that song.

‘
Ok,’ says Adam. ‘Let’s put everyone out of their agony. Time to find out who’s won the show.’

There’s a tense moment and a long drumroll.

And then a screen behind the judges’ panel explodes in lights.

They spell a
name.

Summer Evans.

My hands fly to my mouth and I give a loud shriek of joy.

I won! I actually won
Sing-Win!

It feels like a dream. I’m grinning at Adam and he’s smiling back. Then I turn to
Deven and crush him with a hug. I don’t care anymore about his past behaviour. It’s all forgotten.

‘
You were really good,’ I say.

‘
Not as good as you,’ says Deven, making the first modest statement I’ve ever heard out of his mouth. ‘The best singer won.’

I release
Deven and turn back to the judges. I’m itching to throw myself into Adam’s arms, but the restrictions of the show mean I can’t.

Through the cheers of the crowd the judges are all congratulating me, and
no-one looks more proud than Adam. But there’s a tinge of sadness in his face too. And I realise what he’s thinking.

That’s we’ll be spending more time apart as I work on my career. And suddenly I’m filled with so much love for him, that I want to shout it from the rooftops.

More lights flash, and then the show’s presenter swoops in next to me with a microphone. She makes a short congratulatory speech to camera and then holds the mike in my face.

‘
So,’ she beams, ‘any thoughts on how you’ll be celebrating?’

‘
Actually yeah,’ I say slowly. I turn so I’m facing out into the audience. ‘I want celebrate by making an announcement to a very special person.’

The presenter smiles widely.

‘You want to thank someone in your family?’ she suggests.

I shake my head.

‘No,’ I say. ‘I want to tell everybody, that I’m in love with Adam Morgan.’

Beside me, I feel the presenter freeze. A silence washes over the audience.
They can’t believe what I’ve just said.

I turn to Adam now.

‘I love you,’ I say simply. ‘I don’t want our relationship to be a secret. And,’ I smile at him. ‘The answer is yes. I will marry you.’

Adam’s face moves through disbelief, wonder and then into the happiest smile I’ve ever seen on him. Slowly he stands.

‘You will?’ he says, his eyes shining.

I nod.
‘Yes. I will.’

In one smooth movement, Adam vaults over the judging table, and then he’s lifting me into his arms.

The audience go completely wild. But I hardly notice. All my attention is for Adam.

‘
Summer Evans,’ he murmurs, bringing his face close to mine, ‘you are something else.’

Then he kisses me
and the whole world fades away.

I vaguely hear cheers and loud applause booming around us.

‘Everyone is watching,’ I say hazily when we finally come up for air.

‘
I don’t care,’ says Adam kissing me again. ‘I’ll bet this is the best closing credits a TV show has ever known.’

We melt into each other, and the only thing that matters is him. He is my whole world. No matter what comes at us, we’re forever.

A word from JS Taylor. Thanks for reading Starlight!

I really hope you enjoyed this series. The good news is that it doesn’t have to end here!

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