Page 92 of Lost Lyrics

“I’m so proud of you.” Flint kissed my forehead. “You’ve earned that Globe. Own it.”

“I am.” I grabbed his tie and tugged him forward. “And I love you, too. Forever.”

“Always.” His smiling lips touched mine.

This was a dream come true. All I’d ever wanted.

I was an A-list star.

I’d won a huge award.

I was in love.

Married.

Happy.

What could ever top this?

EPILOGUE 2

FLINT

Backstage in our dressing room at MetLife Stadium, New Jersey, I stood in a huddled circle with Cole, Slip, and Lewis. Our arms were draped around each other’s shoulders. Our focus was connected...one. Ignoring the hustle and bustle around us...our entourage—hair, makeup, and wardrobe stylists—waiting to fuss over us, our management team—Blake and Avril and Falon—talking to the media reps and security personnel, our partners laughing and chatting on the sofas, and the photographers waiting to take more shots of us...we took a moment together before life changed yet again. We were minutes away from opening night...our fourth world tour, three years on, almost to the day, since our last tour had ended. The butterflies in my stomach resembled dive-bombing, stunt-performing jet planes. They wouldn’t settle...I didn’t fucking care.

The nervous-yet-excited energy fueled me, not hindering me in any way.

Was I ready?

Hell fucking yes.

It had been another epic journey to get here.

Once I’d returned from my honeymoon with Sutton, sixteenmonths ago, the guys and I had flown to New York to record at Everhide’s EH4 Records. Cole, Lewis, Slip, and I had written and finessed most of our songs before the wedding, so we’d been ready to hit the recording studio. We’d spent hours, days, and long nights laying down the tracks. We’d had the best fucking time. It was like we’d never been apart. I’d been worried for no reason. After our songs had been mixed and mastered, album number four was done. Our work had blown Everhide’s and Ashlem’s minds. The songs weren’t just good...they werefuckinggreat.

The working title for the album had stuck.Lost and Foundhad remained.

We’d released the first single last November. Announced our tour in late January, along with our second single. Our third single had hit the airwaves in March. Each song had hit number one on the charts. “Feeling the Vibe,”track three off the album, had remained in the American top ten for twelve weeks.Totally. Mind-blowing!

Ashlem, our promotional and touring company, had always said they wanted to make us the next Coldplay. It was an honor and thrilling that they believed we could achieve that status. Years ago, when we were signed with WestTyme Records, we’d been on a successful path, but EH4 Records and Ashlem had put us on a bigger map. They’d taken us to the next level. We were now on a superhighway. Ashlem had delivered. Our stadium tour was a sellout across the globe. For the next twelve months, the guys and I would be traveling. Performing. Living the dream. Sutton and Maddy had six months off as of February, thanks to Mia and Peyton’s movie commitments...and I was certain that time would be extended thanks to Sutton’s new plans. But regardless of what happened with the girls’ schedules, the guys and I had ensured we had longer-than-usual breaks between the legs of the tour so our crew could rest and we could spendtime with our wives.

Fuck.

I couldn’t believe we were all married.

Lewis and Tia had tied the knot last September in a small service held in Pasadena. Cole and Ava had gotten married in spring in Hawaii.

We were one big, happy family.

This tour would be epic.

I felt it in my soul.

“Guys? This is it!” With a huge grin stitched onto my face, we shoved, nudged, and jostled about in our circle. Contagious energy bounced and hummed between us. No one could stand still. But the clock was ticking down to showtime. I took a deep breath and drew my shoulders back. Time to be serious. “I need to say a few quick words.”

“Just a few?” Across from me, Cole smirked as he hugged Lewis and Slip. He knew I was a man ofmanywords—neverjust a few.

“Okay. You know me too well.” With a big grin, I flicked my long hair off my face. “But I can’t go out there without you knowing what this means to me. To all of us. This is the first night of the long months ahead. Our hard work has paid off again, and now we get to take this epic production on the road.”

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