Page 55 of Fractured Heart

A lot of things would look incredibly hot on JJ, but a princess dress is not one of them. I picture the pink frilly thing stretched across his broad, muscular chest, the empty cups stuffed with spare socks. The cotton cleavage in my head overflows into a forest of chest hair, the effect so absurd that I shake my head to make it go away. It's so not a good look on JJ.

“He was misunderstood, but so was she,” Tate suddenly breaks into song. It takes me a second to realize that he’s not talking about JJ. He’s singing my song.

“They were both all alone in misery,” Charles croons. It’s the first time I get to hear my words in his voice and my heart melts.

“And then one day their paths crossed, and it was fate,” JJ continues, making the sweet line more flirtatious than I’d intended. To be fair, it is JJ, and he can make anything sound flirtatious.

I get lost in the moment—in their voices—as they take turns singing my song, line by line. I feel like I’ve crash-landed in a dream, a fairy tale, where I’m surrounded by princes who serenade me.

That they do so with my words, which they’ve memorized, floors me. I’m also equally shocked that they sound good together. I know it’s not true a cappella since they’re not harmonizing, but it’s so much better than their rendition of Apples.

“It’s a really good song, Roonie,” Tate tells me when the three of them have reached the end of the verse.

“You don’t have to say that.” I know this particular song isn’t all that great. It was just something silly I made it up on the spot.

“It’s true.” Tate stares at me intently. “And it’s way better than what we have now.”

I nod. Practically anything is better than what they have now. “I know it’s just an audition, not an actual performance, but…”

“It’s not just an audition,” Charles says seriously. “It decides whether or not we get to represent the school in the regional tournament.”

“It’s a really big deal,” Tate adds in agreement.

“Then why ask me? Especially when you have Silas?” And his gut-wrenching song that spoke to my soul.

“Silas is still working on the same song he’s been trying to perfect since September,” Tate explains.

“Yeah, but can’t you use one of his other songs?” I ask hopefully. It’s not that I don’t want to give them my song. I’m just terrified that the judges will hate it. That I’ll be the reason the guys fail their audition.

“None of them are about fairy tales. The competition is themed, so if we use anything else the judges can disqualify us.”

“Can’t you just change some of the words?”

“We tried that, but his songs…they’re…” Tate looks at the other guys for help.

“Different?” JJ suggests, running his thumb along my wrist. I shiver.

“They just don’t work.” Tate sighs.

“Which is why we need your help,” JJ murmurs. He squats down so we’re at eye level and places a warm hand on my knee. “Please, Roonie? Can we use your song?”

JJ stares at me with puppy dog eyes and my heart melts.

If the guys are so desperate for a song that they’re willing to audition with my mediocre chorus for Beauty and the Beast, it’s the least I can do. I nod. “But…” All three guys tense, and I rush to explain, “it really isn’t a great song. It’s just something silly I came up with.”

“It’s not silly.” Charles scowls.

“I’m just saying I’ve got better songs.” They weren’t good enough to get me a scholarship at LUV Academy, or even regular admission—not that I could have afforded it if I did get in.

But I didn’t.

Granted, I’d sung them all in my whiny voice. Maybe with the guys singing it, it would actually be good enough.

“Can we use one of them?” JJ presses, his eyes locked on mine.

I nod and he breaks into a grin. Tate does, too, and even Charles smiles happily.

JJ pulls me to my feet and all three guys close around me in a group hug. Their hard, muscular chests press in all around me and strong arms pull me close. I feel safe and warm and happy. I can’t believe they want me to help them with their song. For the first time in my life, I feel like I belong.