He’s been in my ear for every show on this tour.
And now, he’s on my stage.
In my heart.
Forever.
When the sun sinks for the last time
When the final star fades away
I won’t fear the darkness
You’ll be my first light, always
He plays the final chords, the music a tether between us.
And at the end, Patty stops playing, leaving only our voices—a perfect duet—repeating the final chorus, the melody hanging in the crisp Colorado air.
When the last note dies on our lips, the applause hits us like a tidal wave. Patty pushes back from the piano, stands, and looks at the crowd in total awe, like he never thought he’d be here again.
But then his eyes turn to me like I’m the only person in the world.
And he’s moving—erasing the space between us as he pulls me into him, lifts me off my feet, and spins me around, laughing. When he sets me down, he cups my face and presses his forehead to mine, panting and holding my gaze. Then he moves his lips to my ear.
“You’re the only song I want to sing,” he whispers.
I laugh and hold him close. “What a line.”
The crowd becomes distant, like the roar of the ocean when you’re sinking under.
All I hear is his breath, his heartbeat, the faintest hum of music still ringing in the air.
It’s the most beautiful song I’ve ever heard.
Then he kisses me, and for a second, it’s just us. No lights. No crowd.
Just love.
So much love.
Soon, the world rushes back in and the cheers swell louder and wilder. Patty grins against my lips before letting me go.
We bow together, and as the lights dim, I have a feeling of nostalgia, like I never want this encore to end.
This is the final note of the show.
But our love song is just being written.
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And read on for a BONUS EPILOGUE featuring Sean and Kayla Carville.
BONUS EPILOGUE
SEAN
Mom hugs Dad from behind while we watch Patty and Lou on stage from the VIP section. I don’t know music like my big brother does, but there’s never been a time in my life when watching him play didn’t mesmerize me.
