Love Songs (Secret Songbook #1) (32 page)

Chapter 38

Kaley grabbed her guitar and lifted the strap over her shoulder, she was ready to go on the most important mission of her life. She was going to tell Harvey exactly how she felt. He would have to listen, she would make him hear her.

Leaving her bedroom, she didn’t even pause to tell Georgie and Strom where she was going. They barely registered in her mind as they sat on the living room lounge suite.

“Where are you going?” Georgie called after her.

“To get Harvey.”

Kaley closed the door before she could hear a response. If she stopped for anything, she would lose her nerve and she needed every single one to do what she was about to. It was time she finally started showing people the real her, and she was going to start with Harvey.

She reached the Walker residence and knocked on the door boldly, no more shy Kaley, that girl was gone – even if only momentarily. She waited, every single second that passed tried to plant doubt and fear in her mind.

But she wasn’t going to let it, not today. Today she was going to be stronger than she had ever been before. Today she was going to win. This was the real race.

The door opened and Harvey stood there for a moment, long enough for fear to flood through her body. However, in the time it took her to take a breath, he closed the door again. She didn’t even get to say a word before the door was closed right in front of her.

“Harvey, I need to talk to you,” she said to the door. She could tell he was still there, he wouldn’t have left her standing on the stoop alone. Right? Anyone else but Harvey would have, but not him.

Kaley was not going to give up, she wasn’t leaving the property until she said what she came to say. She took a step back from the porch and pulled up her guitar. If she couldn’t speak with him, then she would sing to him. He would have to listen.

She sung her first note and didn’t look back.

We were two kids just playing around,

You would always make me smile somehow,

But over the years we grew up,

And things got too messed up.

Sometimes I cry because life is unfair,

But throughout it all, you’re always there,

I don’t know how you manage to hold on,

When everything I do is completely wrong.

The door didn’t move, there was no sign of anyone at all coming from inside the house. She could have been singing to the plants for all she knew.

Her heart was pounding so hard in her chest she didn’t know whether she could go on. But nothing would make her stop, nothing. She geared up for the chorus.

I couldn’t see what was right in front of me,

My sight was clouded with so much fear,

But no matter what I did,

You never went away,

When no-one else could see me,

When I was totally invisible,

You saw me, you saw me, you saw me.

Perhaps it didn’t matter no-one was listening, she had to say it anyway. She had to let the words escape from her because they would slowly kill her if they didn’t.

To the rest of the world I didn’t exist,

You told me to live but I could only resist,

In truth, I was afraid they would see me,

I couldn’t handle the stares, I couldn’t let it be.

When you’re with me I’m not scared,

My soul is free, ready to be bared,

Amongst the crowd you make me stand tall,

I know next to you, I will never fall.

Not one word of the song was a lie, every single one coming directly from the heart. It was easy writing the lyrics when all Kaley had to do was be honest. It was as simple as that.

However, the door wasn’t opening. It was like she was completely alone while she stood there pouring her heart out in the yard. She was open to complete humiliation from the entire neighborhood.

What about if he never opened the door? What if she had lost her chance and even their friendship was dead and buried?

She wavered, unsure whether she should give up. Was it mean of her to sing to him when he didn’t want to hear? Were any of her actions making him feel better? Perhaps the whole idea was just stupid.

Spontaneity wasn’t exactly her thing, she preferred to plan everything and consider all the possible outcomes. The one time when she had acted on impulse could turn out to be the most horrible experience of her life.

And that was saying a lot considering the past few weeks she had gone through. She went on anyway, just one more verse before she gave up.

I know what I’ve done was mean,

But I was too blind to have seen,

The way I broke your heart,

Really tears me right apart.

Kaley let her fingers strum without words for a few beats, trying to get her nerves under control. She was about to give up when the doorknob turned. She wasn’t sure if she had seen right at first, but then the door moved a little. It crept open just enough for Harvey’s eyes to peer out.

It was possible she had never seen such a wonderful sight in her entire life. Seeing Harvey watching her, listening to her from the doorway, was magical. It was like she was having an out of body experience and only watching what was going on.

Spurred on, her heart beating even faster if that was possible, Kaley continued. She still had a few more verses to go and she wasn’t going to give up. Not now, not ever.

So I’m standing here before your eyes,

And praying this isn’t a final goodbye,

I wish I could go back and change the past,

I would repair the damage, I would make us last.

I’m finally declaring my true feelings,

I was lying in all my prior dealings,

I’m so sorry I wasn’t honest with you,

So I’m saying it now, I love you, I really do.

I love you, I really do.

She stroked the final note and let her words linger in the air. They hung like a cloud over both of them, unmoving. Neither spoke or moved, all they could do was stare at each other.

Kaley had lost all ability to think or form words, all she could feel was the beating of her heart. The heart that now belonged to Harvey, if he would accept it.

She lifted the guitar strap over her head and carefully placed it against the fence. She was now standing right in front of him, just like in her song, and praying he didn’t say goodbye.

She had opened herself to him, sung him words she could never say, and now she wanted to know everything would be okay. If he rejected her right then and there, she didn’t know whether she would be able to bear it.

The seconds ticked by like hours, every one creating more doubt in her mind. All she could see was him and all he could see was her. The silence was interminable.

Suddenly, Harvey started to move. It started off as a walk but quickly became a run. He headed toward Kaley with only one intention, to hold her in his arms and never let her go.

Kaley could barely believe it, her wish was coming true. The sight of Harvey coming toward her was being played in slow motion, every step he took matched the beat of her heart.

Harvey stopped in front of her, barely missing a collision in his enthusiasm. He didn’t need to say anything. He cradled her head in his hands and looked into her eyes.

They didn’t need words to convey their thoughts, they knew them all already. Harvey leaned down and kissed her. The most romantic, passionate kiss she had ever had.

The moment felt like it was meant to be, like they had lived their entire lives to get to that very point. His hands were warm and fit perfectly in the contours of her neck.

Their lips found each other instinctively, locking together like they were made for each other. Every minute detail was absolutely perfect.

When they finally parted, Kaley was dizzy with happiness. She couldn’t suppress the giggle stirring inside. Harvey didn’t let her go, still holding her head in his hands.

“What’s so funny?” he asked, grinning.

“Just the way things turn out.”

“You’re shaking.” He let go of her long enough to take her hands in his.

“I don’t sing in front of people often,” Kaley laughed, she figured she would probably be doing more of it in the future.

“I’ve always known you could sing.”

“How?”

Harvey laughed. “My bedroom is right beside yours and you are terrible at closing your window. I’ve been listening to your music for ten years, waiting for the day when you realized you needed to share it.”

Kaley felt herself blush with the embarrassment. All those times when she had bared all her secrets to the guitar and she had an eavesdropper. But it didn’t matter, it was Harvey. He could know anything and everything about her and she didn’t care. They were soul mates.

They were interrupted by the sound of applause and cheering. They both snapped around to see their parents standing on the lawn watching them. Harvey’s mom and stepfather were beaming with the sight. Georgie and Strom were almost in tears with happiness.

“It’s about time,” Mrs. Walker yelled as Strom whistled.

“We’ve waited forever for you two to get together,” Georgie added. “There’s only so much a mother can do.”

They all laughed and gathered around for some celebratory hugs. As Georgie reached Kaley, she lowered her voice to a whisper. “I told you the answers were in the music.”

“Thanks, Mom,” Kaley replied, believing every word of it.

“Grab your guitar,” Harvey said as they let go. “We need to hear more of your songs.”

“You’ve already heard them all, apparently,” she teased but picked up the instrument anyway.

She figured she would probably be playing for people more often now. The thrill of being on stage was like no other and she had her biggest fan by her side now. Everything was going to be fine, if not perfect.

Harvey grabbed her free hand and held it tight as they started walking toward the house. He doubted whether he would let go of her ever again.

Author’s Note:

The songs in this book can be listened to at
YouTube
.

Coming Soon

Breakup Songs

Now Kaley’s secret is out, her extraordinary life is only just beginning.

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Jamie Campbell grew up in the New South Wales town of Port Macquarie as the youngest of six children. She now resides on the Gold Coast in Queensland, Australia.

Writing since she could hold a pencil, Jamie’s passion for storytelling and wild imagination were often a cause for concern with her school teachers. Now that imagination is used for good instead of mischief.

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