Labeled Love (42 page)

“Yeah, baby, we are.”

“I can’t wait to fall asleep with you in my arms like this every night,” he says, holding me tight.

“We’re going to make it happen. It’s supposed to happen. We are meant to always be like this, Jace.” His voice gets quiet. Kissing my temple, he says, “Yeah, it was always supposed to be like this. Go to sleep, pretty girl.” A few minutes pass. Jace is quiet, but my wheels are happily spinning.

“Jace.”

“Uh-huh.”

“When do you want to get married?” He peeks over the top of me so I can see his face. “Baby, I wanted to marry you when you were twelve, so tomorrow would be perfect.”

“You’re being silly.”

“Not silly, baby. I’m just in love. When your dad gives me his blessing, that ring is on your finger.” He pulls me into his lips and kisses me gently. “Goodnight, my future wife.”

I close my eyes, snuggle into my boy, and find comfort in his peaceful voice. “Goodnight, baby.”

WEEKS HAVE PASSED
since I asked Shay to marry me. I know the proposal wasn’t formal. Maybe it wasn’t the picture-perfect proposal every girl dreams of, but for me it was the best moment. I didn’t plan it, so she had no idea, and quite frankly, I didn’t have any idea I was going to ask her. Still, it was raw, real, and everything I felt when I looked at her.

I’ve always told Shay how I feel, and my love for her overflows. I asked her once if she knew the meaning of love. For me, the meaning has always been clear, since the moment I looked into her big blue eyes. She will always be love to me.

Remember that mountain I said I’d climb for her? It’s been a steady climb. No real rough terrain. Nothing I couldn’t handle without a few bus rides and late night walks to see my girl. But, like every mountain, eventually there will be rough patches, steep paths, and rocky roads. If you look over the side of a mountain worth climbing, there is a cliff that can plummet you to dangerous grounds. You’re either going to survive or fall to your death. Falling isn’t an option for me. I just need to ask her parents for their blessing, set our path in motion, and then make my girl Mrs. Shay James. Everything else, we’ll figure out.

Pretty Girl: Hey baby! Don’t forget tonight is the grad party I was telling you about.

Me: I didn’t forget. I will be there as soon as I can.

Pretty Girl: I can’t wait to see you. I love you.

Me: Have I told you how much you mean to me?

Pretty Girl: Always.

Me: See you later baby.

I set my phone down and smile. The day I asked Shay to marry me was the day I fully committed to a career in music. She’s always believed in my guitar playing ability. I guess I just never really thought about it, but I’ve been playing for so long now, I can play anything. She taught me well. My girl is so talented, and just the thought of making real music with her has excitement flowing through me. I can’t wait for what our future holds.

There’s a knock on the door. I’ve been expecting Landon. “Come in,” I yell.

“What’s up?”

“Hey.” I look him up and down. He’s wearing a polo shirt and khaki shorts. “Bro, where do you get your clothes?”

“What do you mean? I get them at the mall.”

“I get that.” I laugh. “I’ve just always wondered.”

“Aw, Jace, do you like my clothes? All you had to do was ask, bro. I would have let you borrow them.”

I glance over at him. “I didn’t say I wanted to wear your fucking clothes.”

“I don’t know, Jace… I have a really pretty pink polo if you ever want to borrow it.”

“Seriously, do I look like I’d wear a pink polo?”

“Nah, I’m just messing with you.”

“So, where are we going?”

“I want to check out some of the local cafés around town that have open mic nights.”

“You’re really going to start playing for real?”

“That’s the plan.”

“You figured it out then?”

“Figured what out?”

“What you’re passionate about.”

“Well, I figured out a long time ago what I’m passionate about, but like you said, I had to figure out how to take care of her.”

“So, you and Shay are going to be the next hot duet?”

“She’s going to be hot. There’s no doubt about that, but wait until you hear her sing. She’s amazing. Prettiest voice you’ll ever hear. Me, on the other hand, I just want to see if I can sing in front of others. I have no problem singing in front of her, but I need to get my feet wet. Plus, I need to show her dad I’m working at it.”

“Yeah, if you can’t impress the old Pops, you’ll be screwed if you want to move in together.”

“Mr. Stark is a great man. He loves his family, and it’s obvious he wants the best for all his kids. I just need him to see that I’m working toward my goal.”

“And, what’s your goal?”

“My goal has always been to look at his daughter for the rest of my life.”

“Well, let’s go check out a moody café for you to sing sappy songs at. I need a coffee anyway.”

WE PICK UP
flyers at some of the local coffee houses. All the managers I speak with are really cool and eager for me to come check out their open mic nights.

On our way out the door of one café, a guy stops Landon and me. “Hey, I heard you say you play the guitar. We’re looking for someone in our band.”

I scratch the back of my neck. “I’m not looking to be in a band.”

“Oh, so you’re a solo guy, huh?”

“No, I’m not a solo guy.”

“How long have you been playing?”

I think about it for a minute, not really realizing I’ve been playing for as long as I have. “I guess around seven years.”

“My name’s Garrett.” He smiles. “We’re holding auditions tomorrow morning.”

“I’m Jace.” We shake hands. He has tattoos all over his arms and a piercing in his lip. Not my thing, but it works for him. “What are the auditions for?”

“Really at this point, everything. It’s me and a couple of buddies I’ve grown up with, and we’re looking for some more talent.”

“Like I said, I’m not looking to be in a band.” He keeps talking even though I’ve told him twice I’m not interested, but since he’s enthusiastic, I hear him out.

“We already have a little following at some of the local places, and we get playing time and money for the gigs. At least come out and check us out,” he says. I wasn’t going to until he mentioned money.

“All right,” I tell him. We exchange numbers. “I’ll see you tomorrow.” I don’t know what will come of this, but it’s the first step to something.

We walk out the door, and Landon looks over at me as his takes a drink from his coffee. “So, you’re going to join a band?”

“Hell no, I’m not joining a band. I want to be with my girl, not be away from her all the time. But, I will go check them out. If they do a few local venues and I can fill in until they find a permanent guitarist, then I will for some extra money.”

I’m sure Shay will be excited. I’m going to hold off telling her until I know what these guys are all about. If they’re about making music, I’ll consider playing a few gigs with them, if they like what I can do. If they’re a bunch of guys that just want to party and get girls, I’m not even going to tell her about it. This is just about getting some experience. I’m making music with my girl, not joining a fucking band.

“HOW ARE YOU
going to wear your hair tonight?” I ask Jules as she comes bouncing into my room.

“I don’t know, maybe in a bun. It’s a little humid out. I don’t want my hair to get big,” she replies.

“Get big?” I ask.

She grabs my brush and runs her long, straight, blonde hair through it, smoothing it down. Jules has amazing hair. “You know, like frizzy from the humidity. That’s why people in places like Florida have bad hair. Thank God, California has no humidity. There’s a reason California girls are known to be the prettiest, Shay.”

“You’re so vain, Jules.”

“I’m not vain. It’s just the truth. California breeds beauty,” she says. I giggle at her blunt words.

“I see Fumbles is here,” she adds.

“Whose Fumbles?”

“Beau, you dork.”

“Why do you call him Fumbles?”