Page 103 of Yours, Finally

Chapter 30

Vi

Jake adjusted the microphoneand smiled. "Thank you, everyone. This is a song about love that endures. I've never played it for anyone before. I hope you enjoy it."

A few extra claps broke the silence, but they scattered away, and silence took the room. Until Jake plucked the first few notes, and we all fell into a trance.

The song had a cadence to it that echoed strong heartbeats and half-finished thoughts. Like the guitar itself hummed, lost in a reverie. It only magnified when Jake's hands continued to dance over the instrument, and his mouth aligned with the microphone.

He closed his eyes, but I kept mine wide open, taking him in. I carved room for him and his voice and his music take root inside of me.

Even if someone told me no, it was just me mesmerized, I wouldn't believe them. The power in the room was too intense for only me to be under its spell.

I held my breath until the words boomed through the room, and in every chamber of the organ in the center of my chest.

My heart's still learning to count

In a world of giants

But as years go by and I look at you

I still see the dreams I hoped to forget

When I woke up to reality

They're not gone

They're still here

I think they're me

"Holy shit." Gabe ran his fingers through his hair in a restless, unbelieving gesture. "He's fuckingincredible."

Lina put a hand on his shoulder. "Let's keep the shocked reactions for later, please. I need to hear these words."

She looked at me with eyes open wide, as if needing to make sure I was paying attention to the lyrics too.

I gave her a quick nod, but glued my eyes to Jake again. More than hearing the words, I let them sear my skin. His deep, clear voice burned in a tormented, delicious way, and I wanted the peaks and valleys of the soundwaves branding themselves onto me.

The story written in my DNA vibrated in recognition. The pain and yearning in his song were my own.

Jake's brow wrinkled in the anguish of his music, like he could feel it deep in his bones, too.

I'm not Darcy loving you despite my own judgment

I love you ardently anyway

Yet you deserve a love that's whole

And I'm not, I'm not

You own all the parts of me that I'd give you

So I'm not, I'm not

A hundred rules keep me in chains

I owe the bonds an apology