Page 52 of Her Rock Star's Dark Secret

Time passed much too quickly, and the venue began filling with people. Chase stayed backstage until it was time for his big reveal. When the time came, he stepped out to the middle of the stage, dressed to the nines in a tuxedo, and the crowd went wild. He came alive, despite his nervousness. He always did. He just flipped a switch in his brain that allowed his training and charisma to take over. He performed several of his most popular songs, and then he pulled the mic from the stand.

“This next song is dedicated to Lauren Parker, the woman I’m in love with. But before I sing this song for Lauren, I want to let you know the reason I wanted to sing for you all tonight. As you know, this event is a memorial for Maisy. Ten years ago, she took her life. What you don’t know is, I contributed to her pain.”

The crowd went silent. You could have heard a pin drop.

“You see, Maisy was a passionate girl. She fought for the endangered bats that live in the caves near Maple Creek. But I was a punk in high school, and I only cared about myself. We couldn’t build our new gym because we would have had to blast into the rock that housed the bats. Maisy and I were at odds over this. I confronted her in the hall at school, and then I led a group of guys to toilet paper her house. Only, some of the guys were a lot angrier than me, and one of them keyed her car. Maisy didn’t come to school the next week, and seven days after her car was keyed, she committed suicide. I’ve never told anyone this before. It’s my darkest secret.”

Someone from the crowd called, “We love you, Chase.” He looked down to see Alexis and realized it was her.

He gathered every bit of courage he had. “But today is a day for healing and moving forward. I organized this event today to give back to Maisy. I have spent the last ten years writing music inspired by what occurred with her. I hope I’ve made an impact on others to be kinder, more selfless, and slower to act on anger.”

Chase looked out in the crowd and saw Lauren staring up at him with tears streaming down her face. She was next to Maggie, Alexis, and his parents. And that was when his own eyes misted over.

“Lauren, I want to thank you for putting up with me. For having patience with my hairbrained ideas. I know this wasn’t the quiet church memorial you’d originally envisioned for Maisy. But I hope it’s been just as moving as what you’d had in mind. I know I haven’t always been the easiest to deal with. I hope you can forgive me for that. You and Penny have changed my life forever, and if you’ll both have me, I’m yours. I will be there for you when you’re angry or hurt or sad. Together we can figure out all the obstacles. Life is hard. It’s easier when you have someone to share it with. Let me be that person for you.”

He dropped to one knee and pulled a small, white box from his pocket. “Lauren Elizabeth Parker, will you marry me?”

“Yes!” Lauren jumped up, cupping her hands around her mouth.

“Lauren, this song’s for you.”

He pulled out his guitar and stepped back up to the microphone. He played a few chords on his guitar, the same music that had been going through his mind since he’d come to Maple Creek. It had morphed its way into a beautiful love song inspired by every moment that had transpired since he came into town.

He sang of the times they had butted heads, her stubbornness, and his powerful attraction to her despite it all. Then he sang of the budding love that had blossomed between them and how it had grown into something strong. He sang of his loyalty and love for the most beautiful woman he’d ever met.

When he finished, Lauren had joined him on the stage wearing a glittering champagne colored formal. Her hair was curled and pulled back from her face in a vintage style. She wrapped her arms around him and kissed him slowly at first, and then she deepened the kiss. He felt the thrill of it all the way down to his toes. He wasn’t aware a person could feel so much happiness in one body.

Lauren reached for the microphone and smiled at Chase. He could see the happiness shining through her eyes. “Chase Remington. I am so in love with you. I don’t have fancy words or a song to sing to you, but I want you to know that I love you. But on a different note, I have something to share with you about Maisy.”

Chase curled his hands into fists, bracing himself for the worst. He was terrified to hear what she had to say.

“Not a lot of you know this, but just before her death, Maisy was diagnosed with stage four cancer.”

Shock tore through Chase, and he unclenched his fists. Maisy had had cancer. How was he so completely unaware of that all this time?

“Her parents weren’t the wealthiest, and they didn’t have the greatest insurance. She told me she’d overheard them talking about their medical expenses right after her diagnosis. She was so overwhelmed with the news of her illness that she couldn’t take it anymore. She didn’t want to suffer through chemo, and she didn’t want her parents to spend a lot of money on her. Chase, she knew you and your friends were the ones who had toilet papered her. She thought you were punks, but she would never have killed herself over that. So please, Chase, don’t blame yourself for that.”

Chase stared at Lauren, speechless. So much pain in his life had been of his own creating. And thanks to this beautiful woman in front of him, he could live out the rest of his life without that burden of guilt he’d been carrying.

Chase leaned back into the microphone, allowing his training to take over. “Isn’t this woman amazing? Let’s give it up for Lauren.”

The crowd erupted into applause, cheering their approval. The rest of the concert was a blur for Chase. He was still stuck on the high that he was engaged, and he was going to be with this beautiful woman. He knew he couldn’t live without her, and now he wouldn’t have to. He could record his parts of the album from Maple Creek and fly back to LA as needed. He didn’t have all the details worked out, but he was willing to make the necessary sacrifices to be with Lauren. She was more than worth it.

When the concert had ended, he walked off the stage and mingled in the crowd. Lauren took his arm and smiled up at him, her glittering earrings catching in the light.

After being up half the night in deep thought, Chase had gone to Sariah’s jewelry store that morning and picked out a ring for Lauren. He knew he couldn’t leave Maple Creek without proposing. He realized now that he’d been in love with her for a while. Maybe even since high school.

He pulled Lauren close to him and leaned down to kiss her. Sparks flew as his lips touched hers. Joy bloomed inside his chest as it began to sink in that this woman was his. He looked up to see his parents approaching.

“Chase,” his mother said. “I’m so proud of you, son.” She reached her arms out and embraced him. Chase was so surprised, he didn’t even hug her back at first, but as reality sunk in, he reached his arms around his mother and hugged her back. She stepped back and took Lauren’s hands. “We got a son and a daughter today. Lauren, we’re so glad you’re going to be a part of our family. You picked a good one, Chase.”

Lauren’s eyes glassed over. “Thank you, Mrs. Remington.”

Chase looked to his father and saw a sheepish look there. “I’ve been a hardhearted man. I’m proud of you too. This concert really was something else. You’ve really made it. I guess those guitar lessons paid off all those years ago.”

Chase laughed. “I’ll say.” And for the first time in a long time, everything felt right between him and his parents.

Alexis joined their group. “Congratulations, you two! I’m so happy for you! I’m getting a sister! I can’t believe my big brother is finally getting married.”

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