Page 27 of July's Bad Boy: Blaze

His smile freezes, then fades. "Have you lost your mind? This tour is everything we've been working toward. The label's finally back on board. The press is eating up this whole stranded rock star narrative."

"I've found something better than a career, Vince. I found home."

His eyes narrow. "It's the woman, isn't it? The one you dedicated the song to?" He shakes his head. "Jesus, Blaze. You can bring her with you if you want. But you walk away now, you'll tank your career. Everything we've built, gone."

I think about all the nights I've spent in empty hotel rooms, all the faces that blur together, all the songs that stopped meaning anything. Then I think about Grace's laugh, about mornings at the Merc, and about the way this town has crept inside me.

"Some things matter more."

Vince stares at me for a long moment, then sighs. "You're making a mistake."

"Maybe." I smile. "But it's mine to make."

It's past midnight when I pull up to Grace's house. A single light burns in the living room window. For a moment, I just sit in my truck, gathering courage.

What if she sends me away? What if I'm too late?

The porch steps creak under my weight. Before I can knock, the door opens, and she’s standing there. My heart clenches at the sight. She’s never looked more beautiful with her eyes searching mine and her hair loose around her shoulders.

"It's late," she says softly.

"I know. I'm sorry."

"The concert was good. You'll be all over the news tomorrow."

"I don't care about the news."

She leans against the doorframe. "Did your manager find you?"

"Yeah."

"When do you leave?"

I step closer. "I don't."

Her breath catches. "What?"

"For the first time in years, I feel like I belong somewhere." My voice is barely above a whisper. "I feel like I belong with you."

She shakes her head, but I can see the hope fighting against doubt in her eyes. "You can't just--"

"I can. I am." I take her hand, half expecting her to pull away. She doesn't. "I've spent my life writing songs about things I've never felt. Until now. Until you."

"Blaze--"

"I love you, Grace. I love this town. I love who I am when I'm here."

Her resistance crumbles, and suddenly she's in my arms, her lips finding mine. This kiss is different from our first. There’s no fear, no walls, just us meeting as equals.

When we finally break apart, she rests her forehead against mine. "I didn't want you to prove it with words," she whispers. "I needed you to prove it with this."

I brush a strand of hair from her face. "Then I will. Every damn day."

She pulls me inside, closing the door on the world. For now, it's just us, finding our way toward something real.

Later, as we lie together on her couch, her head on my chest, I hear her phone buzz. She reaches for it, frowning at the screen.

"Everything okay?" I ask.

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