Authors: Clara Bayard
Rocked Forever (10 page)
"Thank you."
Matthew rubbed my back. "Thank you. For everything."
I kissed him and whispered that I loved him before turning my attention back to the others. I couldn't believe how my life has changed. Bigger and better and scarier, and these people, these crazy, wild, bizarre people really were my family. Including Steven. If there was a job for me at Truth, he was definitely going to be a part of the deal.
"Okay, okay, we're all living happily ever after," Rick said loudly. "Can we either get back to partying or go to bed already?"
"Becca, what's on the itinerary?" Matthew asked, laughing.
"Shots," she replied resolutely. "And dancing."
And so we drank and danced as ordered.
*
Six Weeks Later
I stood waiting, trying not to fidget. My brand new dress was gorgeous and the same color as my highlights, but it was also prone to wrinkling. The control room chattered endlessly through my earpiece, making me more nervous. There was under a minute left until I went live and I was petrified. As cool as it was to be able to livestream the final night of the tour, the pressure was huge. Not only was
HSTV
's website carrying it, multiple video sites and two cable networks were broadcasting simultaneously. It was a triumph for my soon to be ex-company, and great PR for me as I moved over to my new job at Truth. Assuming I didn't pass out or vomit.
But as the camera guy made a few tiny adjustments to the setup, I glanced over his shoulder and saw Steven. He was grinning and flashing a thumbs-up at me like the fantastic idiot brother he'd always been. He had my back, and I had could do this. I was good at this.
As the countdown started I took a few deep breaths and smiled. The raucous insanity around me in the arena faded away and I began my intro.
"This is Ellie Martin coming to you live minutes before the closing performance of the Bright Dark Dreams tour. Many of you out there have been following this tour for a long time and might feel sad to see it end. I am too, in a way. Watching Playology, Julia Clark and Dream Defiled cross this country bringing great music to people has been an honor, and a whole lot of fun. Being able to give you all a look backstage and have you on this journey is an honor. Music is something that connects us all in a deep and meaningful way, and it's hard to see something this wonderful end.
"For all of you young people out there who feel like no one understands you, the way I did for a long time, music can feel like your only true friend. Like the only thing that is with you. When you feel all alone in the world, it's terrible. But in a strange way, it can be comforting. You know there's nothing and no one out there for you. It's settled, if sad. But when you have a chance, a taste of something more, of family or friends, a place to belong, that's when things get scary. Because what if you grow to depend on it, what if you need it, and one day it all ends. What will you do when it all goes away?
"That's the terrifying thought. But here's the thing. If you never try, if you never reach out, you'll never know what was possible. Never know how beautiful life can be when you are loved and cherished the way you deserve. Every one of you deserves to know that joy. Whether it's at school with your friends, at home with your family, or in a giant stadium with thousands of people who love the music you do, finding the place you belong is the greatest feeling in the world.
"And if it ends – when it ends, you will be changed forever. You'll be stronger and more yourself. And maybe what comes next will be even better. Imagine that. Tonight when you go to bed, sleep deeply and dream. Dream of yourself. Dream of the world you will create tomorrow. Dream of love. Dream of the life you want.
"And then, in the morning, wake up and make it real. It might not look like your dream did, but it will be yours, and it will be glorious. It'll rock."
THE END
Thank you so much for reading. If you want to be one of the first to read my next book, please go to my website,
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Rocked
,
Rocked On the Road
,
Rocked to the Core
Hard Rocked
,
Deep Rocked
,
Well Rocked
Rocked in the Dark
,
Rocked All Night
,
Rocked in the Light
Rocked: Matthew & Ellie
Rocked in Pieces
,
Rocked Down & Out
,
Rocked Forever
One Night Stand
,
One Night More
,
One Last Night
Help Me
,
Trust Me
,
Take Me
,
Make Me
,
Save Me
Visit
www.clarabayard.com
for a full list of available titles.
Clara Bayard is a wealthy business owner who, following the brutal death of her parents, used that wealth to create a secret identity and a lot of cool gadgets in order to protect the city she adores, and keep others from experiencing the same pain she did.
Wait, no. That’s Batman.
Clara is a just a regular gal living in the Mid-Atlantic region. She loves writing sexy stories about flawed people doing exciting things. When she’s not writing she enjoys talking to strangers in bars and marathon-watching TV shows everyone else has seen already.
