Page 90 of Dear Rockstar (Dear Rockstar 1)

“Well, John and I split the cost. I used some money I’ve been saving for a couple of years, but I still didn’t have enough, so your dad helped out.”

His eyes widened. “Holy cow, what did you get me, a Porsche?”

“Not exactly.” I grinned. “Something better. Close your eyes and I’ll show you.”

Dale dutifully closed his eyes and I helped him to his feet, leading him back to John’s room. I sat him down on the bed and closed the door.

“Are you sure my Christmas gift is in here or is this just a ploy to get me into bed?”

I laughed, opening the closet door. “Are you ready?”

“I guess so.”

“Okay.” I pulled off the towels and clothes we had covered it with. “You can open your eyes.”

He did, eyes widening, jaw dropping. He sat there like that for a full ten seconds, stunned.

“I... you... wow!”

I laughed, clapping my hands. “You really like it?”

“Like it?” Dale stood and swung me into his arms. “You are the sweetest, most generous, most wonderful girl in the world. Thank you.” He hugged me close. “Thank you so much.”

“You’re welcome,” I whispered against his neck. “Now you don’t have an excuse not to win the Battle of the Bands.”

“I can’t believe you did this. Amplifiers cost a small fortune. You must have spent your life savings,” he murmured into my hair, hugging me so close it was hard to breathe.

“Almost,” I agreed. “But you’re worth every penny.”

He kissed me then, taking my breath as always. I felt his heart beating fast against mine.

“Are you ready for yours?” he whispered near my ear.

“My what?” I was still dazed from his kiss.

“Come on.” He led me back into the living room. I sat on the floor while he dug around under the tree, pulling out a long black velvet box. My heart sank at the sight of it. He came to sit next to me.

“I know we talked about it and you said you weren’t ready to make a real commitment, because of college and Tyler Vincent and me trying to make it in the music business,” he started, holding my hand and the box in the other.

He paused and I looked at him.

Don’t do this, I pleaded silently and he smiled a little sheepishly.

“But—?” I said for him.

“I want you to know this isn’t like that. This is... this is to show you I understand... about your feelings for Tyler Vincent. And me.”

I took the box from him and hesitated before opening it, a little afraid. It creaked open and I gasped aloud, lifting the heart-shaped locket, holding it up on tented fingers. The gold shone in the light and a diamond sparkled in its top left corner.

“Oh, Dale,” I whispered, holding it in my palm.

“Open it,” he encouraged.

“There’s more?” I lifted the tiny latch and opened the heart. On the left side was a picture of Dale, looking a little younger but much the same. On the right side was a picture of Tyler Vincent. I felt tears well and couldn’t keep them from falling.

“Hey, don’t cry. Don’t you like it?” he asked, concerned, touching my cheek.

I hugged him hard and fast, surprising him.

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