Page 96 of When the Stars Rise

He never claimed to be perfect, but he always stood up for what he believed in, and if he made a mistake, he was quick to apologize and make amends.

He works hard, loves harder, and never takes the easy way out.

My dad is a man of principle—an honest man who stands by his convictions and never breaks his promises.

My dad taught me how to be a man.

“I love you, Dad.” It’s been a while since I’ve said it, but sometimes you just need to hear the words.

He clears his throat and averts his head, but not before I see his eyes gloss over. My dad would sooner stab himself in the foot than let anyone see him cry. “Love you too,” he says gruffly. “Love the shit out of you.”

I used to think I was the luckiest guy in the world to be born into a family like mine, and I still am.

As far as families go, I hit the jackpot.

My roots will always be in Texas, but I’m not done wandering yet.

I’m not looking for something better. I’m just trying to get back home to the girl who once told me I would always be her home.

I want to be that person again.

The man who makes her face light up when I walk through the door.

The man who gets to kiss her good night and hold her in my arms while we sleep.

I want to be her two-in-the-morning person and her first thought when she wakes.

I want to be Hayley’s everything.

Is that too much to ask?

CHAPTER THIRTY-FIVE

Hayley

It’sthe end of the show in Denver, and I usually sing a cover song or throw in a surprise song from one of my old albums, but tonight, I want to do something I’ve never done before. It feels important.

I look out at the thousands of gold LED bracelets lighting up the arena and lean into the mic.

“Tonight, we have a very special guest with us,” I start. “I learned so much from her when I was growing up. She taught me how to play the guitar. She taught me how to use my breath when I sing, slow it down, and don’t rush it. I used to love to watch her cook. She’s just as passionate about cooking up a Cajun feast as she is about music. When I was a little kid, I wanted to be just like her when I grew up. I wanted to blaze my trail, write, and perform my own music. I wanted to be a badass.” I laugh at myself.

“I used to think that if I could shine half as bright as her, I’d be a lucky girl. Now, here I am, up here on this stage, and it feels a little bit like a fairy tale. But I owe so much of my success andwho I am today to the woman who came into my life when I was six years old.”

I wait until the applause dies down before continuing. My fans know my life story, so they know exactly who I’m talking about.

“I haven’t asked her if she’d join me on the stage tonight, and I’m sorry for springing this surprise on you.” I look over at Shiloh standing beside Noah, wiping tears from her eyes. “But I would be so honored if you would join me.”

She shakes her head a little and wipes under her eyes, taking a moment to pull herself together. Then she strides onto the stage—looking like the rock star she is in a black tank top that shows off her tattooed arms and black denim.

The entire arena erupts.

Shiloh is one of the coolest people I’ve ever known, and seeing her on a stage again, so confident and self-assured, reminds me of why I used to put her on a pedestal.

“Please welcome the one and only Shiloh Leroux.”

I don’t even think they heard me over the cheering and applause, but Shiloh waves to the audience before pulling me into a hug, and I can feel she’s shaking just as much as I am.

I don’t think it’s nerves from being on the stage, either.