Page 55 of Love Medley (Med Wreck Romance #1)
Chapter forty-four
Lucy
W rapped in Jake’s strong arms, more satiated than I’ve ever been, I feel at peace. It’s probably been close to an hour since we came up here, and it’s already been one of the best hours of my life.
“My brother Wyatt came over the other day,” Jake says, stroking my back.
“Really? He’s a lawyer, right?”
“Yeah. And…he to ld me he was gay.”
I lift onto one elbow to stare at Jake in surprise. “Wow. Did you have any idea?”
“Not at all. Although, looking back, it makes a hell of a lot of sense.”
“Do you think he’ll tell your parents?”
Jake laughs. “Funny you ask.” He briefly recounts his conversation with his brother and then the showdown with his family. “And…he told me to get my head out of my ass and go after you.”
I laugh. “I need to meet this guy. I’d love to meet someone from your family who actually supports you and gives you great advice like that—not like Sterling.”
“Yeah…it’s funny. I thought for the longest time that my life would be perfect if I could just be like Sterling.
But now, that’s the last thing I’d want.
He has his job…and I guess my dad’s approval.
But me?” He looks at me tenderly. “I not only have the two best jobs in the world, but I also got the girl.”
We smile at each other. I’m sure if anyone saw us, they would shake their heads, thinking we were the cheesiest couple on the planet. But I don’t care. Maybe we are.
“What about your mom…do you think she may eventually accept Wyatt?”
Jake sighs. “I thought that she always sided with my dad, but maybe not. After all, she connected me with my therapist and got me piano lessons behind my father’s back. And she even thinks I’m a good teacher. ”
“You are! I mean, you really helped that PCT, Thomas.” I pause for a moment as an idea flits through my mind. “Wait! Is there any way for you to combine your teaching skills with nursing?”
Jake’s eyes widen. “Are you a mind reader?” He fills me in on his discussion with Alicia and the possibility of going back to school for a teaching degree.
“That would be perfect for you! You should do it!” This career plan has Jake written all over it, and I couldn’t be more thrilled for him.
“And…I won best employee of the month.” Jake looks flushed but proud.
I shriek and shove his shoulder. “Oh my God, Jake! Congrats! You deserve all of that and more! I am so proud of you.”
“I guess we had more to catch up on than I realized, but I’m done. Your turn.”
I grin. “I guess both of our brothers have been playing matchmaker.” I tell him about my recent conversation with Peter.
“I’m so glad you finally connected with him,” Jake says, holding me close. “It sounds like you guys worked out a lot of stuff that’s been hanging over your heads for years.”
“Definitely.” I had no idea how much I needed that conversation with Peter.
Because of it, I’ve had the courage to move forward with my life…
and with Jake. “I finally realized that I was blaming myself for something that wasn’t really my fault.
And that shame has dictated how I live my life for way too long. ”
I reach up and touch his face. “Being with you helped me realize that not only should I trust my own instincts, but I also need to stick to my guns and hold fast to what I believe in. Not just fold at the first sign of conflict. Every time Weston or my parents disagreed with something I knew was right for me, I caved to their way of thinking immediately. Because of this, I ended up losing myself. But now? You helped me remember how to believe in myself. So thank you.”
Jake smiles tenderly at me. “You’re welcome. But you did all of the hard work. Don’t forget that.” He bops me on the nose. “And I’m always happy to help, even if it’s a fake date.”
I roll my eyes, my lips curving upwards. “And actually, that reminds me. I do have a request to ask of you.”
“Anything.”
After I tell him, he grins. “That’s hot. Let’s do it.”
I grin back. “I only realized I could be this brave because of you.”
After Jake and I get dressed, we head back downstairs. Glancing at my phone to check the time, I see it's been a couple of hours, but the party is still raging, with the audience screaming the lyrics of “Pour Some Sugar On Me.”
Jake immediately heads to the stage, where he has a whispered conversation with Andy.
Zoe, Iz, and Amelia are in the audience at a table in the front row, and they turn towards me when I stop by their table.
“Did you two kiss and make up?” Iz grins .
I blush. “You could say that. Were you responsible for the rose petals?”
Iz waves a hand. “A lady never divulges her secrets.”
“Lucy and Jake, sitting in a tree,” Zoe starts to sing. She must have had one too many mojitos.
“Hush, you two,” Amelia says and reaches over and squeezes my hand. “I’m so glad you guys worked it out. Take a seat!”
But I shake my head. “Not yet.”
And with that, I step onto the stage, joining Jake who’s already seated at the other piano.
The heat of the lights is beating down on my shoulders, and a bead of sweat collects at my brow.
Fortunately, all I can see is the darkness around me and shadowy shapes in the audience.
For some reason, it was easier when I was singing to Jake earlier, lost in his eyes, like only the two of us were there.
But this time, I’m alone under the spotlight, staring out into the darkness.
To my right, Jake gives me a reassuring smile, those dimples deepening on his cheeks, his earring twinkling under the spotlight.
His obvious support and pride warm me from the inside out.
I marvel that I now have the confidence to stand tall.
A few weeks ago, I could barely speak into a mic without shaking. But now? I want the world to hear me.
“My favorite woman in the world is going to sing us our next song. Give it up for Lucy Chang!” Jake calls as he plays the introductory arpeggios up and down the piano to “I Will Survive,” by Gloria Gaynor.
The first few words tumble out of my mouth, tremulous and faint.
But as the song continues, my voice becomes more commanding as I gain steam.
The lyrics resonate deep in my bones—they encompass all that I’ve been through this year.
It is the rallying cry of women everywhere who have found the courage to break out of bad relationships that have been holding them down for so long.
I refuse to bow down to everyone’s expectations of me—my parents’, Weston’s.
But if I’m completely honest, I was the one who created my shackles.
Now I’m ready to break free. I’m stronger than I ever knew, and it’s time to take center stage in my own life.
The screams and catcalls of the crowd buoy my spirits, Zoe, Isabelle, and Amelia hollering the loudest of all. The audience is with me, cheering me on, echoing the words that hurl out of me like a call to arms—my battle cry.
I am me.
I am Lucy Chang.
And I am powerful.