Total pages in book: 42
Estimated words: 38445 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 38445 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 192(@200wpm)___ 154(@250wpm)___ 128(@300wpm)
My facade crumbles with his sweet words, sending tears streaming down my cheeks. I lean forward, pressing my mouth to his in a hard kiss.
Caleb's lips are warm and soft against mine, his hand cupping my cheek as he deepens the kiss. My heart feels like it's going to burst out of my chest as I cling to him, my whole body trembling with emotion. He's my heart too.
We break apart for air, our foreheads pressed together as we catch our breath. I feel his thumb gently brush away a tear from my cheek.
"Do you know anything about country music?" I ask him, pressing my face into his palm.
"Not a fucking thing," he admits, making me smile.
"Can I see your phone?" I peek over his shoulder, realize we're still outside of the store, and then frown. "Actually, can we leave first?"
"Shit. Yeah, Sunshine," he says, immediately jumping into action. He helps settle me into the truck again, buckling me into my seat. His hand runs down my arm before he presses another sweet kiss to my lips. He lingers there for a moment, breathing me in. "I love you."
Those three little words are a balm to my soul, filling me with conviction. Telling him is the right thing to do. I should have told him days ago.
"I love you too."
He grins at me and then closes my door before jogging around to climb in. I glance at the storefront and see Darla standing at the door, watching us. My stomach churns with anxiety, but there's nothing I can do about it besides send up a quick prayer that she keeps my secret for me.
"Here, Sunshine." Caleb hands his phone over to me, pulling my attention away from Darla.
I take the phone from him, scrolling for his music app. "How do I make it play through your speakers?"
"It'll do it automatically."
I nod, satisfied by his answer, and press play on the song I chose. The first few notes of the duet my parents recorded all those years ago spill through the cab of the truck as their voices blending together effortlessly. Would You Stay, their most famous duet, remains a hit in the music industry even after all this time. Its melodies are instantly recognizable, even to those who aren't familiar with country music.
Caleb listens intently as he drives, not speaking. When the final note of the song dies, he sends an inquisitive look in my direction.
"Do you know who recorded that song, Caleb?"
"Cami and Bentley Reyn…Jesus Christ."
"My parents," I whisper when realization dawns in his eyes. "That's the first song they ever recorded together. It won a Grammy. It's not their only Grammy. They have dozens of them."
My fingers fumble over the screen of his phone, searching for a song that holds my heart. With a shaky breath, I press play and my voice fills the cab of his truck. For once, I'm not singing to a crowd or putting on a show.
This time, it's just me pouring my soul out through the lyrics and melody, vulnerable in a way I've never been before. I'm used to playing to crowds, but
this man's opinion holds a weight that no one else's ever has before. As the last chords fade away, I hold my breath, waiting for his reaction.
"Jesus Christ, Sutton," he breathes, his voice shaking. "That's you."
"Yes." I swallow the lump in my throat. "I signed a record deal right out of high school. I'm not on the same level as my parents yet, but I won my first Grammy earlier this year."
"That's why you're so goddamn afraid of being recognized," he says, pulling into the driveway of my house.
"My parents are superstars, Caleb. They did everything they could to protect me and my siblings while we were growing up, but we've never had a whole lot of privacy in public. Once I decided to follow in their footsteps, my life became fair game," I explain quietly. "I can't even go to the grocery store without someone snapping a photo."
"Fucking hell," he growls, killing the ignition. He unlatches my seatbelt, pulling me into his arms.
"Everything I do is a source of gossip." I meet his gaze, my heart pounding. "If I smile at a man, suddenly, the whole world thinks I'm dating him. If I go out to lunch with one, we're on the verge of marriage."
"Well, that's going to piss me off."
A ghost of a smile dances across my face. "It's not my favorite thing, either."
"Yes," I admit, feeling vulnerable and exposed. "I finished a tour a few weeks ago, and I needed a break. I was exhausted."
"I can understand that," he says, running a hand through my hair. "But isn't it hard? Being away from it all?"
"It is," I say with a sigh. "I miss my family like crazy. And I know it doesn't sound like it, but I really do love what I do. There's something magical about being on stage. But it's nice to have a little peace and quiet for once. I feel normal here. I've never had that before now."