Page 127 of Love Medley
“Definitely.” I had no idea how much I needed that conversation with Peter. Because of it, I’ve had the courage to move forward with my life…and with Jake. “I finally realized that I was blaming myself for something that wasn’t really my fault. And that shame has dictated how I live my life for way too long.”
I reach up and touch his face. “Being with you helped me realize that not only should I trust my own instincts, but I also need tostick to my guns and hold fast to what I believe in. Not just fold at the first sign of conflict. Every time Weston or my parents disagreed with something I knew was right for me, I caved to their way of thinking immediately. Because of this, I ended up losing myself. But now? You helped me remember how to believe in myself. So thank you.”
Jake smiles tenderly at me. “You’re welcome. But you did all of the hard work. Don’t forget that.” He bops me on the nose. “And I’m always happy to help, even if it’s a fake date.”
I roll my eyes, my lips curving upwards. “And actually, that reminds me. I do have a request to ask of you.”
“Anything.”
After I tell him, he grins. “That’s hot. Let’s do it.”
I grin back. “I only realized I could be this brave because of you.”
After Jake and I get dressed, we head back downstairs. Glancing at my phone to check the time, I see it's been a couple of hours, but the party is still raging, with the audience screaming the lyrics of “Pour Some Sugar On Me.”
Jake immediately heads to the stage, where he has a whispered conversation with Andy.
Zoe, Iz, and Amelia are in the audience at a table in the front row, and they turn towards me when I stop by their table.
“Did you two kiss and make up?” Iz grins.
I blush. “You could say that. Were you responsible for the rose petals?”
Iz waves a hand. “A lady never divulges her secrets.”
“Lucy and Jake, sitting in a tree,” Zoe starts to sing. She must have had one too many mojitos.
“Hush, you two,” Amelia says and reaches over and squeezes my hand. “I’m so glad you guys worked it out. Take a seat!”
But I shake my head. “Not yet.”
And with that, I step onto the stage, joining Jake who’s already seated at the other piano.
The heat of the lights is beating down on my shoulders, and a bead of sweat collects at my brow. Fortunately, all I can see is the darkness around me and shadowy shapes in the audience. For some reason, it was easier when I was singing to Jake earlier, lost in his eyes, like only the two of us were there.
But this time, I’m alone under the spotlight, staring out into the darkness. To my right, Jake gives me a reassuring smile, those dimples deepening on his cheeks, his earring twinkling under the spotlight. His obvious support and pride warm me from the inside out. I marvel that I now have the confidence to stand tall. A few weeks ago, I could barely speak into a mic without shaking. But now? I want the world to hear me.
“My favorite woman in the world is going to sing us our next song. Give it up for Lucy Chang!” Jake calls as he plays the introductory arpeggios up and down the piano to “I Will Survive,”by Gloria Gaynor.
The first few words tumble out of my mouth, tremulous and faint. But as the song continues, my voice becomes more commanding as I gain steam. The lyrics resonate deep in my bones—they encompass all that I’ve been through this year. It is the rallying cry of women everywhere who have found the courage to break out of bad relationships that have been holding them down for so long. I refuse to bow down to everyone’s expectations of me—my parents’, Weston’s. But if I’m completely honest, I was the one who created my shackles. Now I’m ready to break free. I’m stronger than I ever knew, and it’s time to take center stage in my own life.
The screams and catcalls of the crowd buoy my spirits, Zoe, Isabelle, and Amelia hollering the loudest of all. The audience is with me, cheering me on, echoing the words that hurl out of me like a call to arms—my battle cry.
I am me.
I am Lucy Chang.
And I am powerful.
Epilogue
1 month later
After countless scheduling conflicts, I finally get Jake and my three best friends together at Dessert Debauchery.
I smile at each of them in the dim candlelight. Zoe is scowling at something Isabelle is saying—I’m pretty sure that they must be arguing about another rom-com. Amelia is sitting next to them with a little smile on her face. She glances at me, and we roll our eyes in unison.
Jake has his arm slung over my shoulders, and I snuggle into his embrace. We’ve been inseparable for the pastmonth. I finished up my month-long ER rotation and dropped my dermatology rotation, since I was never truly interested in that specialty. I’m currently on an anesthesiology rotation learning how to do intubations and IV starts, and my schedule is outrageously easy. Jake told me that if I need to learn how to do IV starts, I can just ask him. I told him to stop showing off.
