Page 57 of Caleb

“Um, my family owns this hotel so I thought maybe this would be a good place for you to perform. You know, unless you decide you want to go back out on the road. It’s completely up to you.”

I stare around the room. “It’s perfect,” I whisper. “Just the way I’d design it for myself.”

I give him a hug. “I can’t believe it.” The hug ends and I walk around the room looking at everything. Get up on the stage and imagine the room full of fans. Not a massive faceless mob, but a gathering with friends. My heart thuds with happiness.

Turning back to Caleb, I say, “That’s an interesting name for a showroom.”

He blushes, then gets down on one knee and takes my hand. “I know you just got your freedom, sweetheart, but I hope you’ll agree to hitch up with me for life.”

How could I say no to that?

EPILOGUE

Six Months Later

ALEX

My heart thuds in my chest, but I look off stage and see Caleb smiling at me and my anxiety lifts. Then I glance toward the crowd.

Boone, Adam, Kit, Midge, James and Willow, Deacon and Lissy occupy the table front and center. Nicco’s there too. Next to Boone.

I invited my dad, but he didn’t show up. I’m not surprised at his ambivalence, but I am surprised by how much it hurts.

At a table next to the Starr family sits Tom Hazlett and his daughter as well as a few of her friends. Tom is beaming at me. Before the show he told me that he’s now the coolest dad in the neighborhood.

The Jenkins family, Caleb, Brooke and Trip have a small table in the corner. What a funny coincidence that there are two Calebs and the confusion that led to me being the happiest woman in the world?

Todd Tillerson, as promised, has been given the honor of sharing news of my return to performing and he’s acting as the emcee tonight. Turns out he’s not quite as horrible as I thought, but this is still just a one-time job for him.

He steps up to the edge of the stage and says, “Ladies and gentlemen, back and better than ever, Xandra!”

I take the mic from him and stand in the spotlight, allowing the love and applause to wash over me and sink in. I’ve missed this. I glance at Caleb and my life feels complete. Better than I could have ever imagined.

“Thank you, everyone,” I say when the noise dies down. “I’m thrilled to be performing again and for so many people who are special to me.”

I stretch my hand out to Caleb and he joins me on the stage. “I’d like to introduce you all to my fiance, Caleb Starr. Funny, isn’t it? I was The Next Big Star and now I’m going to be…”

“The next Starr!” Willow shouts out and everyone laughs.

“That’s right!” I say and smile at her. I’ve grown quite fond of her over the last few months. Of all of them, really.

Caleb kisses me on the cheek and whispers, “Go get ‘em, sweetheart,” before taking a seat at the table with his family.

“I’d like to start off with a song that I’ve written recently. It’s called,Follow the North Star.”

Josh and a couple of my old band members begin to play, and I pause for a moment then the lyrics pour from me.

I was lost and all alone, until I looked up and you were there. The North Star will always point you in the right direction.

As I sing, I glance down at the North Star Tattoo on my right forearm.

Finally, the family I’ve always longed for. And the man of my dreams.

* * *

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