Page 69 of Rising Star

I swallowed hard. My pulse went ballistic. “Is this a joke, or is it for real? Because if it’s a prank, I’m not sure I’m strong enough mentally to deal with it.”

Emily reached for my hands across the table. “If it’s what you still desire, it’s now a viable option. We’ve been working together”—she motioned to herself and Riley—“on a plan to get you there since you left the hospital after the accident. We were just waiting to see what the orthopedist would say and get Claudia’s insight about your physical therapy needs.”

“Are you two serious? The last time I talked to Sam, he said nothing.”

The two people opposite me exchanged a glance. “It’s because we haven’t told him yet.”

“What? Why?”

“Let’s say if your doctor or therapist hadn’t agreed or if you had not shown such progress, this wouldn’t be possible. We just wanted to make sure you two wouldn’t have to live on false hopes,” my sister said.

“When?” That was the only thing I could ask right now as excitement bubbled inside me and chased away any other thoughts.

“Tonight. If you’re ready to go.”

“But—”

“Your suitcase is in the trunk of my car,” Riley said. “I picked it up as soon as Emily texted me after you left the house earlier.”

“I’m going home?” I asked, just to make sure it wasn’t all a dream.

Moving to stand, I used the table to support some of my weight and reached the opposite side to pull my sister into a hug.

A surge of emotion filled me, and I could barely get a word out. “Thank you,” I croaked through the thickness of my throat. “I love you.”

She tightened her grip around me. “Go, get him back, Maddie. You deserve your happily-ever-after. And you’re doing better. I’m proud of you. I know it’ll be tough for quite some time, but you’re getting there. I have faith in you. I’ve always had.”

I leaned back, drying my tears, then hugged Riley.

“We miss you, Maddie. I’m glad you’re healing. I know a few people who can’t wait to have you back.”

I let out a teary giggle. “Is this a dream?”

He shook his head. “It’s all real.”

For the first time in weeks, I could contemplate letting the ones I loved back into my life. I still had a long recovery ahead of me, but with Sam, Mikaella, and Justine around, every challenge appeared easier.

* * *

“What’s the plan?” I asked Riley once the private jet reached its full altitude.

“Wait a sec. I almost forgot.” He fished his phone from his pocket, tapped the screen a few times, and handed me the device.

My eyes stayed glued to the screen.

My grip on the phone tightened.

I pressed play on the video.

It had been filmed from the side of the stage.

Sam filled the screen, bent over a piano—I had no idea he could play—and the first note of a song I’d never heard before reached my ears, tearing my heart apart. It wasn’t just the lyrics. It was the melody. The melancholy in his voice. The raw emotions etching his eyes. His stance, more fragile and less assured than usual.

A hot tear escaped my eyes and trailed down my chin. I caught it with the back of my hand.

Goosebumps spread all over my arms and nape.

My throat constricted, affecting my breathing, as my emotions lodged there.