These Things About Us (24 page)

I could pretend that I was too occupied with colors and patterns and accessories to even think of Trace. I’d decided to try a new technique today. Maybe find a way that could take my mind off him and stop the constant straining in my chest. I didn’t want to forget him. I just wanted one painless minute and I’d try my luck by drowning my thoughts in music. I tapped a few things into the universal remote and a small compartment at the far wall opened and some country song started blaring out of the speakers.

It was over before I could lose myself in the lyrics and the anchorman came on, “Ladies and Gentlemen of California, I’ve been raving about the following band for weeks. If you’re a dedicated listener, you already know who I’m talking about and the day has come. After they set England on fire, finally, America gets the chance to see Britain’s finest new rock band live. In concert. Tonight! When Alice +3 are opening for Alcott Hayes at the Fonda Theatre. I still have two tickets for a lucky winner. All you have to do…”

I blinked at the stereo in disbelief. That guy had definitely said Alice +3. Trace’s band’s name. He’d said they were from Britain. And as if that hadn’t been proof enough, the guy introduced their debut ballad
Where We’ve Been
. The guitar started playing and I knew each tune. They had added drums and bass guitar and a piano to the song, but the melody remained the same. And then Trace’s voice rang through the speakers and my mouth went dry.

My song was on the radio. Trace was on the freaking radio, his wonderful voice pouring into millions of ears. It tore my heart into pieces and filled me with pride at the same time. I’d listened to this song thousands of times but not once had his absence been more obvious than now. He was on the radio and I sat in my closet. I couldn’t hug him and kiss him and tell him how amazing it was that he finally made it. I wanted to be there with him. I wanted to hear his voice right next to my ear, not coming from the speakers.

The music had me paralyzed but the second the song ended I dashed to my bedroom and fired up my tablet.

I had concert tickets to buy.

I can’t believe this is it. A real book! Tony’s story is not just one of the thousand documents on my computer anymore. I couldn’t have gotten her story out there without so many wonderful people by my side!

I have to thank Patricia for putting up with me. For allowing me to sit you down and watch you while you read. For answering to every “What?” coming from me at the smallest quiver of your mouth. For letting me whine on the phone for hours. And for assuring me I’m not the worst writer to have ever walked on this planet. Without you, this truly wouldn’t have happened.

Although you’re never going to read this: Thanks Mama and Oma! You might not approve of this writing thing but you support me anyway. You’d be surprised to know there are no zombies, vampires, murderous aliens or were-squirrels in this book.

Thank you Charlie, Kendall, Nina, Sarah, Theresa and Selene for your help during various stages of this project. Thank you for your honest opinions!

Thanks Lisa, for understanding and letting me kick you out of my room when I needed the quiet. Since there’s not “just one more scene” I absolutely need to finish today, I’m really going to do the dishes now!
 

And now the most important one: THANK YOU! Yes, you, still reading this book. You’re awesome. I love you. I’m humbled that a wonderful human being like you chose to read this little story of mine.

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