Free Famous (Famous #1) by Kahlen Aymes

I’ll come to your room so we can talk.” I reached out for his hand again, and he took mine between both of his. Electricity shot through me at his touch.
    He stared at me unflinchingly, his heart pouring from his eyes. I could see he wanted to hold me, and I wanted to be in his arms more than anything. Others were watching us through the glass wall between the restaurant and the patio, so all I could do was lean on him a little, and hope he knew I wished for more.
    Even through all of this sadness, the pull palpable, the connection undeniable. Always undeniable.
    “Yeah, we can do that. So much has been on my mind lately; I know I’ve been distant. I’m sorry. I should have stayed here last week, but to say I’ve been struggling is putting it mildly.” His hand ran down the length of my arm and then rubbed the top of mine in a soft caress, and I nodded in silent understanding. “So you’ll come by in the morning?”
    “I promise.”
    Cade raised his hand to my face, his thumb brushing back and forth on my cheekbone as I pressed into his hand. I’d just postponed the hardest moment of my life for a few more precious hours.
    He let go of my hand as we walked back into the room full of our friends. We were soon swallowed up, and surrounded. I actually had a decent time after I got control of my emotions, but caught Cade looking at me several times throughout the evening. He would give me a small, sad smile whenever his eyes would catch mine.
    Yes, we had postponed the moment of our goodbye, but we both knew it was coming much too soon.

 
     
     
    Chapter 2
    If You’re Not the One
     

    The hardest part of the evening came when Martin got up and asked Cade to come sing a song or two. It wasn’t bad enough he was beautiful, built and sensitive, he could act, and write music. Lethal, especially when he was so unaware at how incredible he was.
    Everyone cheered as he asked Cade to come to the front of the room. My heart swelled with pride just to know him. He was very talented, and deserved every bit of adulation he was getting, and more. The lead singer from the band that had been playing moved off to the side as Martin took the microphone.
    “Let’s give our boy some encouragement, and maybe he’ll do a song for us! Come on up here, Cade!” Martin encouraged, and motioned with his hand to bring Cade on stage. In my gut, I could feel how uncomfortable it made him to be the center of attention, and he resented Martin putting him on display. Especially after our talk, I knew the stage was the last place he’d want to be.
    The room erupted with applause, and cheers as Ethan and Dawson pushed Cade forward. Dawson played a character named Harris, the boyfriend of Jennifer’s character, Ellie. He’d become a good friend to both of us over the past months, and he was also a musician so he and Cade had jammed at some of our cast parties. I was pretty sure Cade had confided many of his feelings about me with Dawson.
    “Thank you. I’ll sing, but just one, and not one of mine.” He picked up a guitar, fastened the strap around his body then leaned back to talk to the band.
    He turned back to the mic and looked out over the room. “Um, I’ve been on a few sets but many of you have become some of the best friends of my life, and this experience has meant the world to me. So, thank you. I’ll never forget you.” His eyes searched my face, and I held my breath. At least I’d get to look at him unhindered, without being obvious or ridiculed by David.
    “This song is called,” he cleared his throat, and hesitated. “Well, it’s called,” he paused for another second, “‘If You’re Not the One’.”
    I felt my heart stop.
    Choosing to sing with just his acoustic guitar, he began, the soft sounds of his voice calling out to me. Jennifer came up to me and grabbed my hand. She squeezed as the strains of the song and Cade’s soulful voice rose above the room. My eyes started to tear up as I listened to the