AllFreeNovel
Share Us
We head inside, and Tucker turns on the lights as well as the equipment.
“When do the other guys get here?” I ask.
“I thought we’d practice without them at first, just singing along to the track to see how you feel before they get here,” Tucker says.
I feel my shoulders relax and nod. “Okay, yeah, that sounds good.”
Tucker smiles as he hands me a microphone. “We’ll practice with the microphone because I know you can sing. We just need to see if you can handle hearing your voice sing back at you when you do.”
I let out a shaky laugh. “Yeah, I’ve never even spoken into a microphone.” I hold it up to my mouth. “Hello, hello. Testing, testing.” The sound reverberates around us, making me jump slightly, then laugh again. “Yep, that’s a little weird.”
“You’ll get used to it.” Tucker gives me a reassuring smile. “So, I thought we’d start with ‘I Believe in Santa Claus.’ Do you know that one?”
I inhale as I nod. “Yeah, I know that one well.”
We get settled in before Tucker nods his head and starts the music. “Just sing what you feel comfortable with. We can run it as many times as you want.”
I run my left hand down my thigh while holding the microphone in my right hand.
The song starts, and even though I miss the very beginning, after a few words, I’m able to join right in with Tucker on the opening verses where both of us are singing.
Justine grins in my direction, encouraging me to keep going.
The first solo verse is Tucker’s part, and he sings it with ease, like he’s sung it a thousand times before. Then, it’s my turn.
When the words flow from my lips, I watch as Justine gasps and covers her mouth.
As I get to the part where Dolly’s voice peaks with the song, I sing, “I believe in magic too,” feeling like I nail it with ease.
Justine yells out in praise, and it only pushes me more to get into the lyrics.
By the end of the song, I don’t know whether to cry or jump for joy. Singing with Tucker was the most invigorating experience of my life, and for the first time in years, I feel completely alive.
CHAPTERFIVE
Hannah
Even though it’s Thanksgiving, my mom took on a stocking shift at Mason Creek Market when she found out I was invited to Matthew’s family’s dinner. They, of course, invited her, too, but she didn’t want to impose and said she’d enjoy working while the store was closed and things were quiet for a change.
I’m putting on my boots when she knocks on my door. “Sweetie, Matthew’s here.”
“I’m ready.” I stand and take one more look in the mirror.
She walks over to me, so we’re both facing our reflection as she pulls my brown hair to the side. “You’re so beautiful.”
“Well, you made me, so you get all the credit,” I tease, then turn to give her a hug. “I wish you were coming with us.”
“Don’t worry about me. I’ll be just fine. Go have fun with his family.”
I pull back and look into her eyes, wondering how truthful she’s being with me. She’d never admit otherwise, but it still breaks my heart to see her work on Thanksgiving.
“I’ll bring you home some food. Justine already insisted, so don’t fight us on it.”
She grins and nods. “Okay then. I’ll look forward to it when I get home.”
We exit my room to see Matthew standing in our living room, looking cuter than ever in his jeans and cowboy boots with a slim-fitting button-up and a cowboy hat. It’s not often I don’t see him in some kind of baseball shirt or jersey, so seeing him change it up puts a big smile on my face.
“Looking good,” I say as I lean in to give him a hug hello.
