Page 125 of Places I've Never Been

“This is your moment,” Adam told her as he gave her a little push toward the microphone. “You talk. We’ll back you up.”

It was surreal to finally be living the dream she’d had for so long. She glanced back at Adam. “You sure?”

He nodded encouragingly at her.

“It’s funny,” she said to the crowd. “I usually have so many words to say but right now…”

She shrugged helplessly.

The crowd laughed.

“First, I want to thank the guys on stage with me. Icouldn’t have found the right words without Flynn, Brandon, LT, Cooper, and of course Adam.”

She turned to give them all a sunny smile. “I’m so grateful I got the chance to know you and work with all of you.

“I also want to thank my family—my sisters—Lizzie, Piper, and Della.” She pointed at her sisters. One of the big cameras swung around to get a shot of the three of them and Renic, all nodding and smiling back at her. “You’ve supported me, encouraged me, picked me up when I was down, and loved me through everything. You’ve backed me my whole life, and I wouldn’t be standing here without you. I love you.”

Lizzie blew her a kiss. Piper pumped a fist in the air, and Della shouted, “I love you, Mattie!”

Mattie brushed a tear off her cheeks and held her hand out to Adam.

Adam leaned toward the microphone and grinned. “She’s the words, we’re just the melody. This song has soul and the album has heart because Mattie Bellamy agreed to work with us. To the fans who put us here, you know who you are…thanks for listening.”

“Thanks for singing,” Cooper said into the mic. He moved out the way, and LT stepped up.

“Thanks for having our back,” LT said. He stepped to the side.

“Thanks for coming,” Brandon waved.

Flynn pushed him out the way. “And thanks for buying!” He gave the audience a toothy grin and waved a drumstick.

Adam waved a salute, and they followed the presenter off stage.

Mattie was floating so high on adrenaline-fueled euphoria that she couldn’t stop laughing.

Adam picked her up and swung her around. If his smilegrew any broader, it might crack his face in half. “You did it! I told you it would win.”

“Wedid it,” she insisted. “You and me. The guys too. All of us. I can’t believe it. I really can’t believe it. Did that just happen? It didn’t, did it. I’m dreaming. This is a dream and I don’t want to wake up.”

“It’s real, fantasy girl. It’s all real.” Adam gave her a fierce kiss.

“Dude, they’re announcing Best Album,” Flynn said.

It was too late to get back to their seats, so they all crowded together behind the curtain at the side of the stage and anxiously waited.

“And Album of the Year goes to”—the presenter grinned at the audience—“no surprise here because these guys are my personal favorite, Delusions of Glory!”

Mattie slapped her hands over her mouth to contain the squeal. There had been rumors that the album might win, but she hadn’t wanted to get her hopes up.

“Yes!” Flynn pumped the air with both fists.

“That’s right!” Brandon pointed at Flynn. “I called it!”

“Get back out there,” Adam gave his brother a playful shove.

The announcer stepped back as Flynn and Brandon ran back out on stage. LT and Cooper followed at a more sedate pace.

Mattie felt like turning somersaults. Her heart was so full she didn’t think she’d be able to capture everything she felt in this moment, even if she spent a lifetime trying. She gave Adam her biggest, proudest smile and gestured for him to follow the others.

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