Page 50 of Open Road (Tattooed Hearts Duet 3)

His eyes softened, and he pulled me into his arms. I went willingly, his aftershave wafting over me and instantly calming my heart. Zane held me tight, kissing my hair as he did. I should’ve done this sooner.

“Don’t think about anything other than just going out there and singing. You do your best when you’re not worried and just have fun. That’s what this is all about. Okay?”

Nodding, I stepped back, giving him a wobbly smile. “Yeah, you’re right.”

The stage manager poked her head around, giving me the nod that it was time. Zane kissed me on the cheek, and I took one final breath as I stepped up to the microphone. The crowd cheered as I took it, and I smiled at them.

“Good evening, folks. I’m Lennox James, and I’ll start tonight with ‘Ugly’ by Ella Henderson. I hope you like it.”

The music started, and I closed my eyes as the first words crossed my lips. “Too thin, too smart. Monday, don’t fit in my jeans, stretch marks.”

My voice filled the room unlike it had ever before. I sank into the words, putting everything I felt into them. When I first heard the song, it had resonated with me, making me realize I wasn’t the only girl to ever feel that way, and singing about it gave me a voice so that others knew it too. Or, at least that was what I hoped.

“It’s okay to be lost, to feel lonely. Sometimes I just don’t know what I’m doing. One day I’m beautiful, then I’m ugly, but those days, they remind me that I’m human.”

As the song continued, I felt myself growing more confident, the words becoming my anthem, making me embrace everything I was singing. By the end, my eyes were open, and I felt the music in my bones, doing a little shimmy. When the song ended, it was quiet for a second before applause exploded, and I laughed, tears hitting my eyes. It had been right to sing that song here, to feel the crowd's acceptance at the end of this journey, no matter what else came of it.

“Thank you. Wow, that was quite the applause. For my next song, I’ll need my boyfriend to help me. He might need some convincing, though. You guys want to help?” I smiled, winking at Slade. He rolled his eyes but walked over to the side of the stage as the crowd started shouting for him to join me.

“Join her, join her.”

I’d given him the heads up that I might ask, so he’d borrowed a guitar and had tuned it. I knew if I told him I wanted him to sing, he would’ve tried to talk me out of it, so I made it sound like I was still debating songs when I’d already picked to sing this with him.

“Now, this song is very popular at the moment on the country charts and a perfect duet. Here’s our rendition of ‘Never Say Never’ by Cole Swindell and Lainey Wilson.”

As we started to sing back and forth, trading the lyrics, I was ensnared in his eyes. While the lyrics didn’t fit us as a couple anymore, it reminded me of not long ago when we were in that back and forth pull with one another. One thing was certain, I would never say never with Slade Evans. He was one of the loves of my life, and I wanted to spend every moment I could with him. Forever.

“You’re all I want, I’ll never say never with you.”

Slade’s eyes held mine the whole time, and it felt like we were the only people in the room as we sang to one another. One thing had been made clear to me no matter what transpired tonight. I needed to do this—sing. Most importantly, I needed to sing with him.

The song ended, and he didn’t waste time, pulling me into a heated kiss. The crowd cheered as they hooted, making my cheeks blush. Slade leaned down into the microphone, addressing the people.

“Just so we’re clear, I’ll always say yes to her. Don’t anyone go and get any ideas.” He said it with a rumble in his voice, making goosebumps appear on my skin. Rolling my eyes, I pushed him off the stage, feeling the high of performing, taking over.

“Okay, wow, singing with him is always a treat.” I fanned my face as everyone laughed, giving me a few seconds to catch my breath. “For my last song, I decided to leave you with a little upbeat number. For the past two weeks, I’ve been traveling from city to city with my boyfriends. Yes, plural. What’s been amazing about this trip is meeting new people and seeing new adventures. Before this, I hadn’t been more than an hour from my hometown. So, to say it has been eye-opening is an understatement. This song, I feel, represents this trip for me. ‘Moments We Live For’ by In Paradise.”

I began to sing, the tune of the music filling my body as I tapped my foot along to it, swishing my hips. When I got to the chorus, it burst out of me as I was practically vibrating.

“These are the moments, the moments we live for.”

I spread my arms wide, finding my guys in the crowd watching me with pure love on their faces. I twirled around, my watermelon hair swinging out behind me. A year ago, I felt stuck in the same routine, wishing and wanting more in my life. I never imagined it possible that a stalker would lead me to three men who owned my heart, a job I loved, and a passion for singing again. Babs had been right about getting out and experiencing life. There was so much out there, and I just had to take the chance. Nothing was guaranteed, but never trying meant not singing in a karaoke bar in Chattanooga, Tennessee.

That felt like the worst possible outcome at the moment—to have never experienced this.

Finishing the song, I held the last note for an extra second, a tear of happiness filling my eye as I realized I’d done it. I’d sung my heart out. The applause was deafening as everyone clapped and screamed, filling me up in a way I’d never thought possible. I wanted this. Now, I just had to make it happen.

“Thank you. Y’all have been great. I’m Lennox James, and I’m out!” I blew kisses, waving as I walked off the stage. A few people were waiting to tell me how good of a job I’d done. I nodded, but my attention was on the three guys off to the side. Once I was clear of the crowd, I ran, needing to feel their arms wrapped around me.

They pulled me into them instantly, and I sank into the feeling of them, knowing my life would be amazing because they were in it.

“I love you guys.”

“We love you, Lenn,” Simon said, kissing my head. Slade grunted like it was obvious, but I felt his hand tighten around me, steadying me.

“There’s someone here to talk with you, Lennox,” Zane said as we pulled apart. “You’ll never believe who it is.”

He took my hand and led me to the back corner that was dimly lit. Several guys and a girl were sitting there. At first, I didn’t recognize who it was as the beautiful redhead and the giant blonde guy took up the end, but I realized as I looked further that it was on purpose.

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