Breaking South (Turner Artist Rocker #3) - Alyson Santos Page 0,86
audience and introduce the world to the girl in the mirror. I want everything for her, and it’s then I notice how my fists are already clenched for a fight.
“Yeah, I’ll sing through the sting
Because nothing’s worth the time I’ve lost
In the thought
I can’t live without a throne.”
I’m exhausted when the song ends. The sudden silence rings in our ears. Neither Hadley nor Oliver says a word, both as stunned as I am. I collapse onto Oliver’s lap, and he tugs me to his chest. His heart is beating so hard, his lips curled in a smile I want to capture and hold onto forever.
“Fucking brilliant, Viv,” he whispers finally. “You are so fucking brilliant.”
I blink back emotion, believing that for the first time in my life.
CHAPTER 19
I could run… and do.
I could cry… and do.
I could scream… and do.
I could try… and do.
I could search… and do.
I could laugh… and do.
I could love… and do.
Because of you, I don’t hide—I do.
OLIVER
Four days. It’s been four long days since I’ve seen Genevieve, so to say I’m excited as I climb the stairs to her door would be a massive understatement. With the announcement of her retirement, her already crazy schedule has exploded into chaos. We’re doing our best to manage the separation, filling in long gaps with unsatisfying video calls and text messages, but damn, it’s not the same as having the woman you love in your arms. And every time I see some bullshit post or critique of her, it’s everything I can do not to duck out of the weight room and find her, wherever she is. I’m ready to break heads, but she always tells me to fight the elliptical instead. According to her, the best thing we can do right now is keep a low profile, focus on all the positive attention, and let Sam and her new publicist Lydia handle things. Not the same, but oh well. My rehab is nothing compared to what she’s facing, and hers has just begun.
Still, my girl battles on. I’m so damn proud of her and the woman she’s becoming. Instead of letting the adversity get to her, she channels Viv and pours any frustrations into her music. She’s already working on her next track now that “The Girl in the Mirror” is about to be released into the world. In fact, supposedly that’s what tonight is about. She told me to come over straight after training to celebrate the premiere of the song on her brand-new social media accounts for “Viv Hastings.” Zero followers. Zero visibility. She even told Joel to stay quiet until after everything was live, which I’m sure he wasn’t happy about. She wanted us to be the only ones viewing its premiere tonight. It goes completely against all social marketing rules and nearly led to a fist fight with Hadley, but I thought it was hilarious—especially now that I get to go to a “launch party” of one person. Well, two, since I’m sure Hadley and Gen have patched things up by now.
I don’t even knock anymore, just push through the door and call out so they know I’m here.
“In the kitchen!” Genevieve calls back, and yeah, maybe I’m a little disappointed she didn’t greet me at the door. Has she not been missing me as much as I seem to be desperate for her? I try not to let it get to me as I make my way through the now familiar corridors to the kitchen. I turn the corner—and freeze.
What?
No.
What?!
“Holy…” I can’t even speak as seven giant grins shine back at me from around the island. Genevieve giggles, launching forward as much as her ankle allows to throw herself in my arms. Guess that’s looking better too.
“Surprise,” she says softly, glancing up into my stunned face. “Merry Christmas.”
A knot forms in my throat. It can’t be. It just can’t. God… it’s… I shake my head, unable to form words. If this is my Christmas gift, there’s not an object on the planet I could give her to match it.
“Hey, big brother,” Camille says, moving forward, arms outstretched. Gen releases me to make room for my sister who wraps me in a tight embrace. I bury my face in her hair, still breathless at the fact that she’s here.
“I can’t believe it,” I whisper. “All of you are here,” I add, looking up at my entire family—Maman, Lea, Zoe, Eric, and Emma. And of course Camille.