Page 101 of Loved Out Loud
Sierra and Jade meet us in the lobby, showing me a little holding area they’ve set up for me. I tell them about the bookstore surprise only to find out they already knew.
“Do you know what the next surprise is?” I ask with a raised eyebrow.
They share a smile and then turn back to me, nodding.
“Don’t worry, you’ll love this one even more.” Sierra’s eyes sparkle with excitement.
Carley walks in and lets me know everyone is ready for me. I follow her out into the space and as soon as I step onto the elevated platform, my eyes land on my mom and grandma sitting in the front row. Tears rush to my eyes as I run to them. I throw my arms around each of them at the same time, pulling them close.
I didn’t know how much I missed them until they were sitting right in front of me like this. When I finally pull myself away, Iscan the crowd for Tyler. I don’t see him until I turn to the side and find him watching from the door shrouded in shadows. I mouth thank you to him, and he pats the spot above his heart as he dips his head in acknowledgement.
I get back up on the platform and look at the local author who is moderating then back out to the audience. “I don’t know how I’m supposed to do this now that I’ve been fully surprised by my mom and Grams like this,” I joke.
The crowd laughs quietly as I settle back into my chair. The night goes quickly, with people asking really great questions that I’ve not been asked yet on tour. During the signing portion of the night, I’m gifted with a gorgeously bedazzled copy of my book. I’m also given even more paper roses.
The combination of surprises from Tyler, an absolutely incredible crowd, and my family being here makes this the best night of the tour, hands down. I don’t want it to end. The smile on Tyler’s face when I launch myself at him after everyone filters out of the event space mirrors my own.
“Thank you so much.” I press my lips to his. “I don’t even have words to explain how amazing this was.”
“You’re welcome. I also have reservations for dinner for all of us in an hour. The band is coming, too. I hope that’s okay.”
“Of course. I’m happy to have them join.”
Thirty-Two
STONE
Hazel is spendingthe day shopping with her mom and grandma. It’s good she’s taking a break from writing. Even though the story is coming to her easily, it has been weighing on her heavily. I probably don’t have a leg to stand on when it comes to creating art, I’ll push myself right to the brink of burnout, but something about watching her do it to herself makes me want to protect her.
Not to mention, I’ve written so many songs we could easily release a double album. Maybe we will. That’s why I asked Darren, Xan, and Tobias to sit down now that we finished sound check to have a conversation.
We’re in the VIP room of a local steakhouse that has a two-way mirror looking out into the rest of the restaurant. Tobias sticks with water while the rest of us order actual food. After the server leaves the room, all eyes move to me.
“I have nearly thirty songs written. A few need some tweaking, but I’m sure they’re all good enough to be put on an album.”
“Thirty songs?” Tobias’s brows shoot up.
I pull my notebook out and slide it across the table to him.
“Do you want them all on one album?” Darren asks.
I nod. “I was thinking of a double album. Thirteen tracks each and then four bonus tracks, one on each variant the label will want to do.”
“These are all love songs.” Tobias taps his thumb on the edge of the table.
“What?” Xander pulls the notebook away and starts flipping through the pages.
I clear my throat. “Not every single one is a love song, but yes, it would be a majority.”
Darren’s phone rings, and he excuses himself from the room to take it.
Xander reads a line that has his lip quirking up at the corner. “Holy fuck, dude. You’re in love with Hazel. These are all about her.”
“I am,” I say quietly. “She’s not ready to hear it, though, so this stays between the three of us.” I look at my two best friends and let them see how serious I am about this. The last thing I want to do is scare her away. Not that I’d ever let her leave me, not without a fight. Both of them nod in understanding.
“We might need to switch up our sound for this, but I love what you have,” Xan says.
“Switch up what?” Darren asks as he walks back in.
