Spotlight by Eden Finley Page 0,104

this,” Harley says.

Cameron scoffs. “It’s not me who’s obsessed with money. That would be wife number four.”

“Divorce her!” Harley says. “Get into business with us.”

Cameron laughs. “You’d think I’d learn after the first three. I’d be more broke divorced.”

“Prenups, man.” Harley claps Cameron on the back. “We told you that with the second one.”

“I know, I know.” Cameron sighs. “But if your man over there asked you to marry him, would you ask for a prenup?”

Harley stares at his bodyguard boyfriend, who’s talking with Maggie right now, and then hangs his head. “No.”

“Exactly. I’m a romantic at heart.”

“I’d sign a prenup,” I say. “But, you know, that’s me wanting to protect Ryder.”

Ryder’s voice comes from behind me. “Wait, we’re getting married?” He wraps his arm around me and pulls me close. “Were you planning on telling me? I thought that was a long, long, long, long, long way off.”

I nudge him. “Hypothetically.”

“Oh, well, in a hypothetical situation, I wouldn’t make you sign one.” He kisses my cheek.

“Thank you! My point exactly,” Cameron says. “I knew my boys would see it my way.”

“Speaking of your boys,” Harley prompts. “You wouldn’t happen to know where Mason is, do you?”

Cameron looks at his phone which is most definitely not ringing. “Oh, shit, I have to take this.” He walks toward the house with his phone pressed to his ear.

“I’ll get it out of him,” Harley says with determination.

I love the dynamic between Cameron and Harley. I like that Cameron isn’t bitter I didn’t choose him. That says a lot, and it makes me realize no matter what I would’ve chosen, I would have been okay, but going with Harley, I know I’m getting the type of family environment I could’ve only wished for.

Ryder’s arm around me squeezes tighter. “You all right? No regrets?”

I smile at him. “None at all.”

Kaylee bounds up to us and tugs on my hand. “We’re ready.”

Chase is behind her.

My nerves kick up a notch.

“Ready for what?” Ryder asks.

“My gift to you.”

“You got me a gift? This party is for you.”

I put on a confident face even though I’m shitting bricks. “Let’s go, guys.” I usher Kaylee and Chase toward the middle of the backyard, grabbing my guitar from where I stashed it under the cake table earlier.

As we take our positions to perform the song we’ve been practicing together, I take a deep breath.

I look out at the small group, and doubt begins to cloud my mind.

This is a mistake.

This is the worst.

I can’t believe I’m doing this.

Ryder’s smiling.

Harley looks confused.

My brother is just plain trying not to laugh at me.

He won’t be able to contain it soon.

“Okay,” I croak and then clear my throat. “Some of you probably don’t know how Ryder and I met.”

“Oh, I told everyone I know,” Ryder cuts in.

“Thanks. No, really, thank you. Anyway, I might have said something about boy bands being lazy, cliché, and, well, sucky.”

Brix puts his fingers in his mouth and lets out a loud whistle. Harley elbows him.

“While I still think their songs are a bit cliché, I’m not ashamed to admit I was wrong about the other two. Ryder’s one of the most hardworking people I know, and I can’t wait to begin this journey with him. Both professionally and personally.” I glance at my brother and Brenna. “Oh, by the way, I’m moving out.” I don’t give them a chance to react before I strum the opening chords to a song that should burn in hell. “Ryder, this one’s for you.”

The kids start with the Ooh, ooh, oohs.

I join in with the first verse, and everyone in the backyard erupts into laughter.

Yes, I’m singing an Eleven song.

And I’m not spontaneously combusting. Who knew?

Because I like you. Ooh, ooh, ooh. I like you.

My soul is dying.

But as I lock eyes with Ryder, I realize I’d sell my soul ten times over for that man.

I think I might’ve been a little bit in love with him since the moment he didn’t get offended at the rude, jealous comments I made the day we met.

I fell a little more when I saw him with his daughter.

Was completely enamored by the time he helped me with my demo.

Now?

We may not have said the actual words to each other yet, but I’m so in love with him it’s been hard to keep it in until I thought he might be ready.

And maybe he’s still not ready.

But it’s too late now.

The kids sing the last chorus—the one we changed.

Ooh, ooh, ooh. I love