The Girl in the Love Song (Lost Boys 1)

I sat for a few minutes in the quiet, but for the TV game show. I had to go to school and to work and eventually this meeting, leaving Mom alone with Chet. I contemplated changing the locks on our door, but it would only enrage him when he came back. And Mom would let him in, anyway.

“Fuck.”

I ran my hands through my hair, that goddamn helplessness swooping back in to smother the shred of excitement I’d had.

I need Violet.

I dragged myself to work at the arcade, handing out cheap prizes in exchange for Skee-Ball tickets and freeing tokens that had been jammed in their slots. A drunk asshole kicked the Mortal Kombat console when he got his ass beat.

“But I have a meeting with a record exec,” I murmured.

The words were drowned out in a sea of noise and explosions. It didn’t sound or feel real, and it wouldn’t until Violet heard it. Then maybe I could believe it too.

Chapter Nineteen

A little after nine o’clock, I heard the familiar creak of the trellis outside my bedroom window. Butterflies took flight in my stomach. I sat on my bed, wearing only a sheer tank top and short-shorts, nerves and excitement racing through me in equal parts. Over the last few weeks, Miller had continued his streak of being a perfect gentleman, kissing and touching me without removing any clothing. To take things slow and make sure I was ready for every step we took together. But I’d never felt more sure of anything in my life. I’d never felt more sure of us.

Tonight, I wanted to show him that trust. To show him my body, to feel our skin touch in a hundred places

We don’t have to have sex for me to show him that I’m his.

The night was warm and my window already open. Miller crawled through and hopped down off my desk.

“Hi, you,” I said, my voice a little breathy.

He froze when he saw me. His blue eyes were liquid and soft, drinking me in. “God, you look so beautiful…” he said and then covered his face with one hand. His shoulders began to shake.

I hurried to him. “Miller? Hey…”

Wordlessly, he folded me into his embrace and pressed his face to my neck. Hot tears were absorbed in my skin as I held him tightly and stroked his hair.

After a while, he pulled back and turned away, wiping his cheeks in the crook of his arm.

“Sorry.”

“Don’t be sorry,” I said softly, my heart bracing itself. “What happened?”

“A record exec wants to meet with me,” he said gruffly. “In Los Angeles.”

I stared, my jaw falling open. My hands flew to my chest. “Oh my God… Oh my God, Miller, are you serious?”

“Gold Line Records contacted Evelyn through her vlog.” He shook his head, disbelieving. “They’re even going t

o pay for the flight and hotel.”

God, my heart was breaking for him, even as it soared with joy. He suddenly looked like a little boy, wanting the new life that has been offered to him but not yet letting himself believe it was his.

“Of course, they will,” I said, my throat thick. “I knew this would happen for you. I knew it.”

“I didn’t. I still don’t. It doesn’t feel real.”

I took his face in my hands. His beautiful eyes were a salty storm of hope and fear, searching mine for the truth.

“It’s real,” I said. “This is the first step. Your big break.”

I could see him struggle. “This doesn’t happen to guys like me, Vi. I’m going to screw it up. Or they’ll take one look at me and realize they’ve made a mistake.”

“They won’t,” I said as a sharp prick of anger at his father bit me. For leaving his beautiful son and condemning him to a lifetime of uncertainty. “This doesn’t happen to just anyone. But you have a gift, Miller. They’re going to hear you and they’re going to love you. Just like everyone else.”