Chapter 35
Chapter Thirty-Five
Austin
“How’re you doing there, Boss?” Cassie asks, taking a seat beside me and laying a comforting hand on my back.
We both worked the first half of the Saturday night shift, but now it’s almost nine-thirty and time for us to go on stage.
She left to change out of her uniform a few minutes ago, and since then I’ve been sitting on the sofa in my office trying not to let my nerves get the better of me.
If people could stop barging in without knocking, Cassie could have just changed in here, but she didn’t want to risk it—not that I blame her.
Unfortunately, the silence in the wake of her momentary departure allowed space for my doubts to grab hold of me.
Even knowing the practice run for our friends on Thursday evening went well isn’t enough to comfort me now.
I’m doubled over with my head between my knees, forcing deep breaths past the tightness in my chest. “Remember when you said you threw up before your first show?”
“Yes,” Cassie replies warily, rubbing my back in gentle circular motions.
“There’s a strong chance I might follow in your footsteps.”
“Oh boy.” She bravely moves to kneel in front of me, taking my clasped hands in hers.
“Look at me, Austin,” she commands softly.
I lift my gaze from my boots to her baby-blues.
“You’re going to be fine. We’ve practiced these songs so many times you could perform them in your sleep.
” Her voice is warm and reassuring as she reminds me of our hours of preparation. “Take a deep breath with me, OK?”
At my nod, she inhales slowly, maintaining our eye contact, holds her breath for a few counts, then exhales. It takes a couple of attempts, but soon enough I’ve matched my breathing to hers.
“That’s good. Here, have a sip of water.” Cassie presses a glass into my hands, making sure I’ve got a good grip on it before she lets go.
The cool liquid washes away the dryness in my mouth.
“Better?” Cassie asks.
“Yes, much.” I pass back the glass. “Thank you.”
“It’s time. Do you need another minute, or are you good to go?”
Pausing before answering, I mentally take stock of myself. “I’m good.”
“You’re going to be great.” She smiles, stealing the breath from my lungs. “Don’t forget to have fun.”
Before I know what’s hit me, we’re there beneath the hot stage lights, and Cassie’s looking over at me with reassurance.
“Evening everyone. My name’s Cassie and I’ll be playing for you all tonight, but first, Bowman’s very own Austin has agreed to join me for a couple of songs.” Someone—probably Dev—whistles loudly while a few people clap in encouragement. Cassie leans away from her mic. “Ready?”
Giving her a tight smile, I nod. It’s now or never.
We make it through the first song without any hiccups, and I’m able to relax enough to enjoy performing the second one now nobody’s tried to boo me off the stage.
Keeping my focus on Cassie, I sing to her and only her, shutting out the crowd and imagining this is just another practice session in my living room.
If the lights illuminating the stage area are bright, then Cassie is incandescent.
She really does transform when she’s singing.
My mind drifts back to the conversation we had on our first proper date.
I don’t know why Cassie thinks nobody wants to hear her original songs, but I’m going to make it my mission to encourage her to keep sharing them here as often as she likes.
Bowman’s might be a much smaller stage than she deserves, but it’s the only one I can offer her.
While she certainly has the talent and fire to take her far beyond the borders of Pine Grove, I know her well enough now that I’m no longer afraid she’ll get bored and move on to bigger, shinier things.
She might be happy on stage, but she’s happy here too.
As our voices blend in perfect harmony, I thank whatever lucky star is shining down on me that this incredible woman who hides her big heart behind an even bigger attitude chose me.
Three minutes later, the final chord lingers in the air as the crowd gathered closest to the stage erupts into applause.
Stepping away from her mic, Cassie looks up at me, her eyes shining with pride. “You did it.” She grins.
“We did it,” I correct. There’s no way I would have ever made it up here without her.
“Now finish your set and show them how it’s really done.
” Leaning in, I kiss her rosy cheek before striding offstage.
Cassie may have been right about me enjoying singing with her, but I’m more than ready to hand the spotlight over.
* * *
Cassie
Tonight’s crowd was wonderful and reminded me of everything I used to love about playing smaller venues.
Austin did an amazing job with the songs we practiced, and now that we’re both done and ready to head home, a few people are even asking if he’s planning to do a full set of his own.
The blush on his cheeks as he makes awkward refusals is adorable.
Jittery with nerves, I hover by Austin’s side until he’s said his goodbyes to the friends who came to support him, eager for us to get back to his place.
The performance may be over, but as far as I’m concerned tonight is only just beginning.
There’s no putting it off any longer—it’s time to tell Austin who I really am.
“Have I told you how amazing you look tonight?” Austin asks, locking the front door behind us.
Smiling at the compliment, I take off my boots and set them to one side in the small entrance hall.
“And here I thought you were too nervous to notice,” I tease, but the tone of my voice sounds off even to my own ears.
Before we went on stage, I felt great in this outfit.
It’s one of the things I picked up when Mei, Daphne, and I went shopping together.
The moment I tried on the black satin slip dress, with a fringe overlay that spans from my waist to a couple of inches above my knees, I knew I wanted to wear it for a performance sometime.
When I paired it with my cowboy boots and denim jacket, I felt like the perfect blend of both versions of myself—normal girl Cassie and country music star Melody.
Now I just feel like a fraud. I’m terrified, but it’s high time to tell Austin the truth. I owe it to him.
“Are you OK?” He steps closer to peer down at me, his hands finding their home on my waist. “You were quiet on the drive home.”
I take a small step back, and his frown deepens. “Can we sit down and talk? I—I need to tell you something.”
We move through to the living room in silence.
Where I’d usually curl into his side, we now sit at opposite ends of the sofa.
The distance might be small in actuality, but it feels like we’re oceans apart.
The longer Austin and I sit without speaking, the more difficult it is to find my words.
I practiced this so many times, but now, faced with the knowledge that I might lose him over this, my mind is painfully blank.
Always one to get to the heart of the matter, Austin breaks the silence first. “Are you leaving?”
“No.” His relief is palpable but short-lived. “I want to stay in Pine Grove, but it’s complicated.”
“Then talk to me.” Frustration leaks into his voice, and I don’t blame him. He’s been more than patient. “Tell me what’s really going on with you. We’ll figure it out—together.” His steady resolve is almost painful to witness, knowing I’m about to turn his world upside down.
Letting out a slow breath, I brace for the worst while daring to hope for the best. “There’s no easy way to tell you this, so I’m just going to spit it out.
Before, when I said I worked in the entertainment industry and you assumed I was an agent or talent manager—that’s not the truth.
My real name is Cassie St. James, but I also have a stage name. Melody Night.”
Silence. Green eyes blink at me in confusion. “Isn’t she, you know, rich and famous? You still haven’t saved up enough to have Gem fix your car—you can’t be her.”
I thought this might happen. After all, the situation is completely unbelievable. Luckily, I came prepared. Holding up my phone, I show him a paused video interview of Melody. “I’m being serious. Look at this. Now look at me. Imagine if I lost the glasses and dyed my hair blonde.”
He’s shaking his head in disbelief, but his eyes give him away. He knows I’m telling the truth but doesn’t want to accept it—not that I blame him. His disbelieving laugh breaks the silence. “No, this can’t be you. You’re not some famous singer. You can’t be.”
“Play the video. I’m speaking in a higher voice and putting on a stronger accent, but that’s me. I know you see it.”
Austin runs a hand down his face. “What is this? You’ve been working in my bar for crying out loud. Why would you do that if you’re her? Is this all a joke to you?”
“No. All of this—us—is real, I swear.” Unshed tears sting my eyes, but I refuse to let them fall. I’m the one who made this mess. I won’t cry in front of him as though I’m the injured party when he’s the one having the rug pulled out from under him.
“Why would you do this? I don’t understand. How the hell did you even end up in Pine Grove of all places?”
“I’m sorry.” My voice cracks. I clear my throat and try again.
“I never meant for this to happen. When I came here, it was because I needed a break. I’d just finished my tour, but Miranda—my mother—went back on her promise to give me time off.
My friend Liam really did stay here with his girlfriend last Christmas.
He’s a well-known actor, but nobody bothered him while he was here.
We thought this would be a good place for me to lie low while I figured out what I want. ”
He’s quiet for a moment, chewing that over. “Why the… disguise?”