Page 72 of Giving Chase

Whispered truths that we can't face,

Holding on just to let go,

Trading tomorrow for some kind of grace,

Always pretending not to know.

Not to know…

Tears blur my vision. I remember when this song first hit the charts. Remember watching him perform it at the Grammys, thinking it was just another brilliant piece of songwriting. Never realizing he wrote it after a night I told him we needed clearer boundaries. After I chose the label's interests over him. After I...

The arena is deafening now, every voice lifted in a chorus I finally understand. Through the wall of sound, through the tears, through years of mystery finally solved, Chase's eyes hold mine. Singing our story to the world. Singing it to me.

Finally.

The Night Cries Out (For You)

CHASE

Blackmore knowshow to throw a party. The top floor of Cleveland's tallest hotel has been transformed into rock 'n' roll heaven - open bar, classic vinyl spinning between live sets, and enough industry elite to fill a Hall of Fame ceremony all over again.

"You two," Michelle says, appearing with champagne for Eliza, "are trending worldwide. Apparently, that performance broke the internet."

Eliza laughs against my shoulder. She hasn't left my side all night, and I'm not complaining. "Please tell me you have PR handling it."

"Honey, I have PR handling the PR who's handling it." Michelle grins. "Now come on, people are waiting to congratulate the happy couple. Both on the induction and the obviously-not-news news."

We make our rounds. Robert Plant himself tells us it was "about bloody time on both counts." Jake and Ryan hold court by the bar, already planning future collaborations. Will and Mark are surrounded by admirers, telling increasingly exaggerated stories about our early days.

"Remember when you used to have to stand on opposite sides of the room at these things?" Justin appears, looking every inch the rock star himself. "The whole 'professional distance' act?"

"Your mother was better at it than I was," I admit.

"Please." Eliza squeezes my hand. "You're the one who kept finding reasons to cross the room."

"Speaking of crossing rooms..." Michelle's voice carries that dangerous edge of plotting. "They're about to playWhispered Truths.You two should definitely dance to that."

Before we can protest, the opening notes fill the space. Eliza's eyes meet mine, and suddenly we're back in that studio years ago, when I first played her the rough cut at 3 AM.

"May I?" I ask formally, making her laugh.

"Always."

The dance floor clears for us. No more pretending this isn't our song. No more maintaining professional distance. Just us, swaying to the music that started it all.

"Been waiting twenty years to dance with you properly," I murmur in her ear.

"Pretty sure you danced with me at that industry party in '08."

"Pretty sure I was trying to make you jealous by dancing with someone else."

"Pretty sure it worked."

The song shifts toBurning Bridges. Ryan grabs Jake, dramatically recreating our earlier performance. The dance floor fills with industry elite letting loose. Through the chaos, I spot Will giving us a thumbs up while Mark pretends to wipe away tears.

"Come here," I say, pulling Eliza toward a quieter corner. The city spreads out below us, lights twinkling like earthbound stars.

"Quite a night," she says softly.

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