Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
QUINN - SIX WEEKS LATER
“Thank you, Nashville! You’ve been amazing tonight.”
Looking around, cheers echo around the intimate venue where I’m performing tonight. It’s an out-of-body experience. The crowd, the lights, the music. Everything feels different. Better. Euphoric.
All evening, everyone has been singing along. I was so worried about tonight, having put it together on such short notice. By the time I came back out for the encore, every single person was on their feet.
“I can’t tell you what this moment means to me.”
It’s my first show in over a year as more cheers ring out. Lights from phones and signs held up shine from the seats.
“It’s been a long time since I’ve been in front of a crowd like this and to do it in front of my adopted home crowd?
It’s the best feeling in the world. I love all of you and I love this city.
” Glancing over to the side of the stage, even though I can’t see him, I know exactly where Jasper is.
Having just gotten back into town from a road game, we had little time together before the show tonight.
With the Knights heading to the playoffs, our lives are going to get even busier. It’s why I decided to do one show here in Nashville to raise money for the team’s charitable foundation. I mean, that’s how Jasper and I met, so I figured it’d be the perfect way to get back into things.
Having signed with NASH—Nashville Artists Studio House—I’ve been able to start recording again. Who knew falling in love with the right person could make some damn good music? Better than anything I’ve done in the past.
“I want to thank you all again for coming out tonight. You sold this place out when I was worried none of you would show up.” More raucous cheers.
“Before I go and close out tonight, I want to debut a brand-new song for you. I’ve been keeping this one close to the vest. It’s reminiscent of the journey I’ve gone through, and I thought tonight would be the perfect opportunity to debut it. ”
The crowd goes wild as the opening chords of “Plastic Smile” come on even though they’ve never heard the song.
It’s only me on the stage. No backup singers and only a single spotlight shining down on me. I get lost in the words as I sing.
When I come to the first bridge, my voice wavers. No one but me would notice it. A broken heart. Shattered. Crushed.
It’s something I haven’t felt in a long time.
Because I feel safe. Loved.
The world can throw anything at me, but with Jasper, I can handle it.
When I get to the chorus again, the fans are already singing along. Emotion clogs my throat as I try to sing, but I can’t.
I hold the mic out for them to sing and they respond in kind.
One time and they know the words. It’s why I have the best fans in the world and love getting to do this. They’re supporting me as I get back to where I want to be.
Then you came walking in
Open arms, safe and sound
A place to land
The home I never had
Tears are pouring down my face as I get to the part about falling back in love. I can’t help it. I’m feeling everything tonight.
I lean into the music as I hit the final note. Opening my eyes, I look out and the crowd is going wild. It only makes more tears fall. Goose bumps break out on my skin at the excitement coursing through me.
“Thank you, Nashville!” I yell one more time before running off stage.
Jasper is waiting for me with open arms, tears in his eyes. All of our friends are waiting behind him, cheering me on.
“That was phenomenal. They loved you.”
He sweeps me off my feet, spinning us around.
“I can’t believe I got to do that.”
“They loved you,” Claire calls out.
“Fucking brilliant,” Bode agrees.
“I have chills, Quinn. Chills,” Chloe says. “You were incredible.”
“Thanks, guys. I’m so glad you were here.”
Over the last few weeks, I’ve gotten to know all of them well. We’ve been spending a lot of time together while the guys have been traveling for games. It’s nice to not feel so alone in the world.
“Do you think you’re ready for this every night?” I ask Jasper.
“Hitting the road with you? I’m ready.”
“Wait, hitting the road? What are you talking about?” Noah asks.
Jasper groans, resting his forehead against mine. “Why does he always hear everything?”
“Because you don’t whisper,” Noah fires back. “What’s going on?”
“Are you ready to tell them?” I ask.
Jasper tucks a lock of hair that escaped my bun behind my ear. “Yeah.”
We turn to face them, and all eyes are on Jasper. Looping my arm through his, I give him a reassuring squeeze.
“I’m retiring,” Jasper says evenly.
He’s had his moments of wavering, but since he finally made the decision, he’s at peace with it.
“You didn’t discuss this with us,” Bode says.
Marcus looks at Jasper and nods, like he knows it’s time.
“I’m old,” he says. “We all know it. I can’t keep putting myself through this. Hockey has been my everything for most of my life, and it’s about time someone else gets that attention.”
“Aww. Jasper, I’m so happy for you.” Harper comes over and gives him a hug. “The team won’t be the same without you.”
“You’re not leaving before the playoffs, right?” Graham asks. “We need you.”
“After the playoffs. No matter what happens, I’m hanging up my skates. I’m hoping we can make a run for it.”
Everyone knocks on wood and I bark out a laugh.
I’m not going to tell them to change things now, because the team is looking good.
While Jasper heads to the playoffs, I’m heading back to the recording studio.
The court released part of the funds I’m owed from Eric, but the rest?
It’s going to take more time to sort out.
And I’m okay with it. The buzz for my new album is putting my old songs into the top one hundred again. It’s helping with the cost of the tour this fall.
A smaller one here in the states before hitting Canada in the spring and Europe next summer.
Spending the summer with Jasper abroad? I can’t think of anything better.
“You’re not going to move away from Nashville, are you?” Dax asks. “That would really suck to lose you.”
I shake my head. “We’re not going anywhere. Nashville is home.”
“Does that mean you’re going to kick off your tour here?” Stevie asks, coming to my side and pulling me in for a hug.
“Damn right we are.”
“We all better get tickets. I plan on going to every show we can,” Claire says.
“Don’t worry.” I laugh. “You all will have VIP tickets whenever you want to come.”
“Then I think this calls for a celebration,” Marcus says. “Sin Bin?”
“For a little while,” Jasper says.
“Man, you are getting old,” Noah says. “You can’t hang out even for a few hours?”
Bode smacks him in the head. “You realize we have practice in the morning, right?”
The guys all walk ahead of us as they leave the venue.
“I need to do a quick decompress and change before heading out.”
“Is that all you have time for?” Jasper asks, wrapping his arms around my waist.
“Do you think we have time to fool around?” I fire back at him.
“Quinn, there is always time to fool around.”
“That means you have to stay out later, otherwise the guys will never let you hear the end of it.”
He smiles at me. One that settles everything inside of me because I get to love this man.
“You might have to prop my eyeballs open, but I think I can manage it.”
I roll my eyes at him. “I don’t know. I might have to take you home. I don’t know if you can handle staying out that late, old man.”
“Hey.” He smacks my ass. “Is this you respecting your elders?”
I wink at him as I run to the dressing room.
“Damn straight. Let’s go, Casper. Because I want to show you just how much I respect you.”
“Hell, yeah.”