Epilogue
Upon hearing his name, Brock turns and pulls Sadie against him for a bone-crushing hug. When he pulls back, he kisses her, then swoops her into his arms and heads for the stage. After he joins the other finalists, he sets her down and pulls her into his side. She wraps her arms around his waist and rests her head on his shoulder while Lee explains what will happen for the last part of the contest.
“Each contestant will have two weeks to write one more song,” he says. “Then they’ll come to our studio to record it. Once the track is finalized, it will be released on our website where anyone in the United States can vote on their favorite. Three weeks from today, we’ll be back here to announce the winner. Good luck, everyone.”
The final four congratulate one another and spend some time talking with the band. Before Brock and Sadie leave the stage, Lee pulls them aside. With a bright smile, Brock introduces Sadie.
“This is Sadie Smith,” he says warmly. “She’s the reason I started writing again.”
Lee takes her hand in both of his before he speaks.
“Thank you,” he tells her. “My wife inspired me to write again, too, when we first got together.”
“Oh, how nice,” Sadie says.
“It’s more than nice,” he chuckles. “I don’t think muses ever realize how important they are to an artist. But I hope you stay Dr. Rush’s for a long time. Even if he doesn’t win,” he says as he turns to Brock, “we already decided to ask him to collaborate with us and some of the other artists we’ve signed to our label.”
Brock’s eyebrows fly up in shock. But he’s quick to shake Lee’s hand and accept the opportunity. With that, he and Sadie head home to celebrate. And of course, while they make love late into the night, Brock’s next song practically writes itself. With Sadie close by, he finalizes it in only three days. The following Friday, when they finish their day, Brock and Sadie drive to Homegrown’s recording studio where they present him with a contract to be a collaborative songwriter for their label.
“There is one catch,” Lee says. “If you sign this contract now, you’ll forfeit your eligibility in the songwriting competition. But the decision is yours and we’ll respect it, no matter what.”
“There’s no decision to make,” Brock laughs. “I entered the contest because of Sadie and her faith in my ability. I don’t need to win a contest, because having Sadie in my life is more important than anything else.”
Sadie smiles as tears prick her eyes. Brock kisses her softly, then asks Lee for a pen. And even though his song won’t win, they still move forward with its release on the website with the others. When the day rolls around to announce the winner, Brock and Sadie’s families come with them to the theatre. There will be food and dancing afterward, so as soon as all the contestants are settled, they come to the stage to announce the winner.
“John Adams!”
Brock is one of the first on his feet to cheer. John is clearly shocked, but quickly makes his way to the stage to be congratulated. When he’s at the mic, he thanks his family first, then he finds Brock in the crowd and just shakes his head.
“I couldn’t have done this without my professor, Dr. Brock Rush,” he says. “He helped me every step of the way, even though he was competing himself. I still can’t believe I beat him.”
Brock smiles wider at this as he pulls Sadie close. Later on, when the dinner is over and the dancing has begun, Lee smiles when he tells them that John really did win the contest over Brock, but by less than one hundred votes. Then he whispers something in Brock’s ear. Brock nods and pulls Sadie to the dance floor. She goes willingly, because it’s simply the dynamic of their love. But when a song she’s never heard before starts to play, she gasps when Brock starts singing to her.
He smiles as he delivers the lyrics. Some of them the words that are tattooed on his chest.
“I believe that dreams can come true, because they do when I’m with you,” he sings. “And everything I am is because I have you in my life. You’re all I’ll ever need, sweet Sadie, say you’ll be my wife.”
When he sings that line, he drops to one knee in the middle of the dance floor and offers her a ring. With a beautiful smile on her face, she nods her head.
“Yes,” she whispers. “I’d love to be your wife, Brock.”
He slides the ring on her finger and kisses her hand. Then he rises and takes her face into his hands as she lightly grips his waist. Tears of joy are streaming down both their faces.
“I love you, Sadie,” he says.
“And I love you, Brock,” she whispers. “Always.”
“Good,” he smiles. “Because that’s the title of my first song Roll With It is going to record.”
She laughs and they kiss again.
Always.