Chapter Nineteen

 

THE ROAR OF the crowd is deafening as the talk show host get’s everyone in the audience geared up for my guest appearance. My body trembles with nerves as I listen to her tell a few jokes and get the show started.

“Our first guest today released her first album just a few short weeks ago. Her first three singles have skyrocketed to the top of the country music charts, and her fans scour the internet every day, searching for news on her health. Everyone, please welcome Kinsley Brogan to our stage!”

The crowd cheers and the music plays. I walk out onto the set like I’m in a dream. I hold out my hand and smile, waving to the crowd as I approach one of the top daytime talk show hosts on television.

I give her a hug and take a seat on the couch, smiling and waving to different people in the crowd who seem very excited to see me.

“Kinsley, welcome. I’m so happy that you could be here today.”

“Thank you. I’m so excited to be here, and to finally meet you and all of your awesome guests.” The crowd screams and hollers as I grin and give them another wave.

“You were actually scheduled to be here a few weeks ago, weren’t you? But you had to cancel due to some health issues, is that right?”

I nod and fold my hands in my lap, the crowd quiets as I say, “Yes. I actually had quite a few things to cancel.” For the next few minutes, I tell the audience about my breast cancer diagnosis and about my treatments. It’s not like they don’t know already. It’s been all over the news, but not only that, my hair is just now starting to grow back, and is barely longer than a clean shave.

I tell them about the chemo, and the mastectomy, making a plea for everyone to make sure to check their breasts regularly, because you’re never too young to have breast cancer. I tell them about being home and how great it was to spend time with my Dad, who was my rock through it all.

“So, are you finished with your treatment then?” she asks.

I nod and smile widely. “I am, and after a round of tests, I have now been given a clean bill of health.” Applause and cheers roar throughout the studio.

A picture of my Dad and I from when I was younger appears on the screen behind us, and the crowd goes wild. “Your father is a good looking man,” the host says with a grin. “I know there’s a lot of ladies out there who want to know … is he single?”

I chuckle and nod my head. “He’s pathologically single. It would take a pretty incredible woman to turn my dad’s head.” That is met with another round of screams and cheers.

The interview is going great. I am successfully pulling off being charming and funny, and getting my story out there in a way that I’m comfortable telling. When the highly publicized picture of me in a lip-lock with Cash Easton appears on the screen, the crowd goes wild. The host and I had talked a little ahead of time, and I’d told her exactly how I wanted to handle this.

“So, this picture here was seen on every magazine stand in America the day after it was taken. It went viral online almost overnight. Everyone was excited to learn about your relationship with Cash Easton.”

I nod as the crowd goes wild. “Yeah, it was crazy how fast it was spread around. But what people don’t know about that picture, is that it wasn’t real.” I give everyone a minute to get out their gasps and murmurs before I continue. “I was actually really sick that day, and I have no ill will towards Cash, but my publicist—who has since been fired—had set this up to ambush me and get that very picture. You can’t see it, but I was not happy to be kissing him at all. The truth is, I barely know him.”

“Wow,” she says with raised brows. “So you’re not in a relationship with Cash Easton?”

I shake my head. “I am not. I actually do have a boyfriend though.” I no sooner get the words out before a picture of Beau and I at the beach comes on screen. A lady had taken it with Beau’s cell phone the day we’d been there, before my hair had fallen out. He looks gorgeous in the picture, making Cash Easton look like a teenager. Hoots and hollers ring out through the audience.

“Who is this guy?” the host asks.

“This is Beau. He’s from my hometown, and he is just the most incredible man I’ve ever met. He took care of me while I was sick, and never failed to make me feel like the most beautiful woman in the world.” Everyone lets out a resounding “Ahh.”

“So, is this guy “the one”?” she asks.

I bite my lip and smile, thinking about our plan to continue seeing each other, even while I tour, and after the tour, getting a small house together. “I think he might be.”

Just then, everyone starts screaming and cheering, and I watch them in confusion. What the heck? They’re all looking in another direction, and I turn and see Beau walking across the stage, his hair still messy and sexy as hell. When he gets to me, he grins widely and drops down to one knee.

I can’t breathe. My hands fly up to my mouth as I stare down at this incredible man while he opens a ring box for me to look at. Nestled in the box is a beautiful platinum band, topped with the most gorgeous princess cut diamond in existence. On either side of the diamond is a deep blue sapphire stone, representing both of our September birthdays. It’s incredible.

“Kinsley, I’ve been in love with you since I was six years old. You have always been the most creative, inspirational, beautiful woman I’ve ever known. Being by your side while you battled cancer was both an honour and a privilege. I watched you fight that disease with everything you had, never once complaining about how hard it was. You are everything I have ever wanted or needed, and if you would do me the honour of marrying me, I would be the happiest man in the world.”

A tear slides down my cheek, and I watch in awe as he grins back at me, and mouths the word, “Breathe.” I realize then that I’m not breathing at all. I take a deep breath and drop my hands, and let out a tearful, “Yes.”

Beau’s face lights up in the most brilliant smile I’ve ever seen, and he slides that beautiful ring on my finger. Standing, he takes my face in his hands and claims my mouth in a kiss that makes my heart pound, while behind us, the crowd goes wild.