A Break Apart

CHAPTER 45. Heart Tunes

"And we're back again, guys! And if you're just joining us, I'm Austin Freeman, and right here with me is my lovely co presenter-"

"Nancy TJ," the lady spoke up with a giggle.

"You heard that right!" Austin cut in, making my smile hard to control. It felt surreal hearing his voice from the radio, and more surreal that I was close friends with a celebrity!

"You know them?" William asked.

"The guy is Natasha's older brother," I said, smiling.

"Wow!" His eyes widened. "That's awesome."

I laughed. "I know right."

"We're live at E.8 FM stereo, bringing you some cool music this hot afternoon to take off your stress and put you in the mood. Your very own request by the way," Austin said.

"Yes! What's life without good music?" his co presenter added.

"Absolutely, so go ahead and dial the number 71008 with your music request."

"I'm going to call in," I said to William who had a smile on his face.

"Cool," he said, and then I grabbed my phone from the center table.

I dialed the number and became anxious when it started ringing from the radio set. William encouraged me with a gentle squeeze of my hand, and I smiled at him.

"And we have another caller," Austin said through the radio, skyrocketing my anxiety when he answered the call.

"Good afternoon! What's your name? And where are you calling from?"

"Good afternoon to you, too," I spoke into my phone speaker. "I'm Nadine Jacob, calling from Aisle Street."

"Whoa!" Austin broke out of character, making William and I laugh.

"That's my home girl calling from Aisle Street. A big shout out to Nadine Jacob!" The excitement in his voice was as loud as the sound of the radio, and we laughed more. "So what song would you like us to play for you, kiddo?"

I chuckled at the petname, not believing he called me that on radio. But it was assuring, that fame or not, our relationship wasn't going to change. Still, that kid he saw in me would have argued, but I didn't want to take advantage of our closeness. Plus, he was working, and so I maintained professionalism.

"My heart will go on by Celine Dion," I answered cheerfully.

"My heart will go on by Celine Dion coming your way. Hope you enjoy." His last words faded, and I imagined that pure smile he always had on his face as the intro of the song filled the room with its soulful symphony. I put my phone on the table and fell back to the comfort that was William's arms.

Every night in my dreams
I see you, I feel you
That is how I know you go on

"This one's for you," I told him.

"I see your goal is to make me shed tears."

I laughed. "Yeah, it's sad, but don't worry, you don't get to die in this love story."

"Oh, yeah? And why's that?"

"Because there's enough room on my board for you."

"How sweet. Hopefully my muscles don't end up sinking the two of us."

I chuckled. "That would even make a better love story. That we die together."

"Whoa, that's dark..." he whispered, intrigued, further inducing the dark romance. "I love it," he added, and I laughed lightly, feeling a bit naughty.