Chapter 49
Easton
Hollywood—Lewis Capaldi
Rayne isn’t answering her phone, even though I’ve been trying to reach her for hours. My texts aren’t going through either, and she hasn’t responded to the message I left on her voicemail. I’m trying not to freak out, but it’s damn hard.
It’s so hard that eventually I text Jase and ask him if Rayne is okay. His reply comes quickly, but it only calms me down a little.
Jase:
Don’t worry, she’s out with Zoe and Mae. Zoe said it was a girls’ night out as a distraction.
A distraction from what? Has she made up her mind and it’s over, or she hasn’t made up her mind and doesn’t know if she’ll be able to? My thoughts are racing. I need her to get in touch before I lose it.
But she doesn’t call, and I can’t sleep. My friends and I are lying in our beds in the suite Redrock booked for us. I can hear Jax snoring softly. We got back to the hotel late after spending the whole day with Constance and Amy, celebrating.
They have big plans for us: an album, more social media marketing, TV appearances, interviews.
They want us to tour as soon as the album is finished.
We’re supposed to move to LA as soon as possible so we can start working on our songs.
Constance said several times that she would love for Rayne to be involved.
I reach for my phone, for what feels like the thousandth time in the last few hours, and bolt upright when I finally see a reply.
Rayne:
Are you awake?
Easton:
Yes. Where were you?
Rayne:
Out. Sorry I didn’t get back to you sooner. Can you do me a favor?
Easton:
Anything.
Rayne:
Can you drive to Santa Monica Beach and take a video of the sunrise for me?
I stare at her last message in disbelief, a tingling sensation spreading through me as a foolish, foolish hope starts to blossom.
Easton:
Give me half an hour.
Rayne:
Sunrise is in 23 minutes. Hurry!
I get out of bed and dress quickly, sneaking out of the suite quietly so I don’t wake my friends.
* * *
Even though it’s so early, Santa Monica Beach is already busy, mostly with surfers trying to catch the first waves of the day. It’s strange to see so many people on the beach so early.
The sky is just getting light as I take off my shoes and feel the cool sand under my bare feet. The salty air fills my lungs. I think back to the two nights I spent with Rayne by the sea, how she said she always feels at home here.
Here it is again, that foolish hope I just can’t let go of. My heart beats excitedly as I jog along the beach looking for Rayne. She has to be here. There’s no way she asked me to come here just to take a video of the sunrise.
She’s here, I’m sure of it.
But she’s the one who finds me.
“You’re not taking a video,” I hear her say.
I whirl around, and there she is, right in front of me. Here. There are dark shadows under her eyes, she looks tired, but she’s smiling, and she’s beautiful. So beautiful.
“You’re here,” I say, taking a step toward her, reaching out my hand. I need to touch her to make sure she’s real.
Her fingers lock with mine, and I know it’s true.
“Yes,” she says. “I’m here.”