Page 31 of The Parent Pick-Up
Backstage, though, Hannah is pale. She clings to my arm like she’s about to be sent into battle. Olivia fluffs her hair, trying to be supportive, but ends up making Hannah’s bangs stick out sideways.
“I don’t want to do it,” Hannah whispers. Her eyes are brimming with tears. “Everyone will look at me.”
I kneel, brushing her bangs into something less gravity-defying. “You don’t have to do it alone. I’ll be right there. Okay?”
She sniffs. “Will you sing with me?”
Well, that was not the plan. But there’s no universe where I can say no to her sweet little face.
“Of course.” My stomach drops straight to my toes. “I’ll be your backup singer.”
We step out together. The three of us on stage. I swear I feel every single eye in that school auditorium laser-focused on us. Then, Olivia runs across the stage in a flying leap, and there is no time to get stage-fright. The show is on.
Hannah’s fingers shake, but she plays.
I clear my throat and sing. Softly at first, then I find my voice and it gets stronger.
Hannah glances up at me, her eyes wide. “You’re really good!”
I nod my thanks, feeling damn good about my singing for the first time in years. The stage used to be my place to shine, until everything went wrong. Singing with Hannah on stage is like going back in time to the good days before I was a star. Before every move I made hit the tabloids.
Hannah finishes her final chord, and the crowd erupts in applause. They loved us. I swear I can hear Owen’s voice above everyone else’s, whooping and cheering.
And then, from the front row, a sharp voice cuts through the applause.
“That’sIvy Ice!”
The world tilts. The breath whooshes out of me like I’ve been punched.
The moment is made worse because it’s Hannah’s mom who outed me. She is on her feet, jabbing a finger at me like she’s discovered a zoo animal in the wild.
“I knew I recognized you!”
Suddenly the whole auditorium is buzzing. Parents pull out their phones, and someone demands I singNeon Dream.
My face burns hotter than a stage light. I grab Hannah and Olivia and hustle them off stage. The clapping continues at a roar until the principal comes on stage and demands silence for the next act.
Owen meets us backstage. He’s so excited for Hannah, he picks her up and twirls her around. She wraps her arms around her dad’s neck, and it’s like they are in their own little world of celebration.
His gaze meets mine, and he mouths the words, “Thank you.”
Somehow, despite the anxiety thrumming in my chest, I find myself smiling.
Maybe my quiet little life just exploded.
But Hannah did it. She played her song. And Olivia danced her fabulous twirls.
And finding Owen is worth every setback I’m about to endure.
Chapter Twelve
Owen
The dayafter the talent show, I wake up before the sun. Not because of a grade book deadline or to meal prep for the week, but because I want her. Ivy. Alone. Just us.
We’ve been waiting for the perfect opportunity to be alone for weeks. We have a weekend planned, but I can’t wait anymore.
I need to see her now.
