CHAPTER 1
Rae
Iwasn’t destined to live an ordinary life. Growing up the daughter of a world-famous singer and a hockey goalie, I had two choices in my life. I could follow in my mom’s footsteps and choose a musical path. Or follow in my dad’s and become an athlete.
After failing at several of the sports I tried, but excelling in anything music, the choice was easy.
It was also the thing I loved most. Learning to read music led me to mastering guitar and piano along with singing. Then there was writing it. When I was younger, my mom and I used to sit down and write music together. Sometimes it would be songs she would go on to sing herself. Others she would tell me we would save for me when I was ready.
As I got older, I wrote more on my own. I didn’t want to use my parent’s connections to find success, I wanted to do it myself. But even when I tried to use a different name to put my music online it didn’t take long for people to figure out who I am.
Then I chose to embrace it.
I decided to use my mom’s last name instead of my legal one. Rae Sparks sounds much better than Rae Colver. And I makesure to tell my dad that all the time, which I know hereallyappreciates.
“It’s not too late to rebrand,” he tells me, and I shake my head.
“I love you, Dad.”
“Love you too. Good luck tonight.”
“Thank you.” I fluff my red hair in the mirror with my parents on speaker as I finish getting ready for my show. This stop is in Las Vegas, and no matter how many times I do this I can’t shake the nerves that hit right before I step onto the stage. I know that I’ve sold out arenas, but I feel like another person as soon as the lights hit me.
My mom hops on the phone, and I can picture it perfectly as she steals it from my dad. “Don’t forget to have fun.”
I smile. “I always do.”
“Good. We’ll be watching on the live stream.”
I chuckle. “Love you, Mom.”
“Love you, sweetie. Have you talked to Grayson yet?”
My cheeks heat at the mention of my childhood best friend. “Not yet.”
“We’ll let you go because I’m sure he’s waiting.”
I huff out a laugh. “Goodbye. Love you both.”
We hang up, and I know she’s right, especially when I see a text from Grayson already waiting for me. Our moms, Brynn and Spencer, have been best friends since before we were born and it’s resulted in our families being extremely close our entire lives.
Our dads, Colton and Jared, were also on the Denver Dragons hockey team together. Them, along with several other players, became friends over the years and has resulted in a big, somewhat oddly dysfunctional family between all of us.
I have two brothers, Nash and Steele, who both like to torture me, but also act like I need to be protected from the world. And the three of us grew up around Grayson and his identical twin brother, Easton.
Grayson and I have always been the closest. He’s the one person I’ve ever met that I feel likegetsme. As we got older my feelings toward him started shifting, but it scared me and I’ve tried to push them down. Way down. We’ve grown up, and he’s an attractive man. That doesn’t mean there has to be anything more between us.
We both got busy, me with music and him with following his dad’s footsteps of being a hockey player for the Denver Dragons. But one thing has stayed consistent. We don’t go a day without talking.
Grayson
Remember, whatever happens in Vegas stays in Vegas. But don’t go too crazy.
Rae
You know me, always getting into trouble. Keep an eye on the news. You may see me make an appearance.
Grayson