Epilogue
KATE
Sweat is dripping down my back, and my hair is stuck to my neck.
The early summer humidity is out in full force tonight.
My frizzy hair never stood a chance. I inhale deeply, taking in the muggy air that reeks of beer, grass, and bad decisions.
My ears are ringing from the noise of the last couple of hours, making it nearly impossible for me to hear what the people next to me are saying.
And I’ve never been happier. There is nowhere I’d rather be than standing on the side of the stage, watching Jake perform.
He’s kicking off the first weekend of his summer tour, and I’m along for the ride—or, at least, most of it.
Our plan is for me to fly out to wherever his concert is on Thursday evenings, work remotely from the bus on Fridays, and spend the entire weekend with him.
I’ll fly home early Sunday morning to either Chicago or Nashville, depending on what works for my schedule and his.
It’s not a perfect solution, but it’s one we’re committed to making work.
Tonight’s another big step for us in our relationship.
It’s the first time I’m appearing in public with him when he’s playing the role of Chase Elliott.
While we’ve been able to fly under the radar for months, that’s about to change.
It’s only a matter of time before pictures of me on the side of the stage surface on socials, and the internet sleuths figure out my identity and his legal name.
The level of scrutiny we’re about to face will skyrocket.
His publicist, Anna, has tried to prepare me for what to expect, even though she keeps reminding me to think of it as a baptism by fire.
Apparently, I won’t really understand until I experience it.
Definitely not looking forward to watching the internet pick apart every aspect of my life, but I’ll take whatever they throw at me because our relationship is worth it.
He’s worth it.
My love for Jake grows exponentially every day. There isn’t a doubt in my mind that he’s my soulmate. The man I’ll spend the rest of my life with. My future husband. The future father of our children.
The crowd erupts in cheers as the last song plays, and he strolls off stage straight into my arms, not caring who sees us.
“There’s my girl,” he croons, wrapping his arms around me and kissing me. The feeling of his lips on mine is pure magic.
“You looked great out there,” I reply, locking my arms around his waist. “I could watch you every night for the rest of my life.”
“That’s the plan,” he says with a wink, grabbing my hand as we walk backstage, toward his tour bus. “I’m going to get you up on stage with me one of these nights. Let everyone meet the woman who has stolen my heart and is the muse for my new album.”
My cheeks flush as my smile grows. The next chapter of our lives will be full of ups and downs, but I’m confident we’ll figure it out together. As a team. Our life may not be perfect, but it’s exactly what I want.
I’m done chasing the illusion of perfection.
No more trying to be the person everyone else wants me to be.
I’m focused on being exactly who I want to be.
And Jake loves that version of me.