Total pages in book: 74
Estimated words: 71054 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 71054 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 355(@200wpm)___ 284(@250wpm)___ 237(@300wpm)
We barely got our last drink at the bar without people coming up to us, clapping us on the back, and wishing us well. I sent the video to Denise’s phone so she could decide what to do with it—and when. The entire experience had been amazing, outside of Perry walking off. That sat heavy in my stomach. And from Ellis’s and Anthony’s grim expressions as we went to break down our equipment, they were feeling the same.
Perry had disappeared somewhere until after the crowd cleared out, then helped us load our stuff in silence. The mood was somber and the tension high on our way back to the practice spot.
Once we had our stuff upstairs, Perry turned to us but had trouble meeting our eyes. “I think parting ways is for the best. We have different visions of what we want.”
My frustration skyrocketed. “So this has nothing to do with you not approving of our relationship?”
“The crowd seemed to love it,” Anthony added.
Perry didn’t answer, just motioned to the room. “Since we all rent this space, I’ll work out a different schedule with you guys. Or move my stuff if I happen to join another band.”
“Sure, whatever,” I replied bitterly.
We watched as he walked out, the space ringing hollow as the door shut behind him.
“If I had to guess, I’d say he’s also resentful of us hogging the limelight tonight. Not that we did it on purpose,” I said, and Anthony nodded.
“We can talk about all this later,” Ellis said with a frown. “After we’ve had time to process.”
“Sounds good,” Anthony replied and clapped us on the back. “For what it’s worth, it was an incredible show.”
28
Ellis
“I didn’t intend for any of that to happen,” Nolan said on the way home, “but I’m not going to apologize for it.”
“It was amazing, and no matter what happens with Perry, I have no regrets.”
“Yeah?” Nolan bit his lip, and it made him look younger and more innocent.
“Absolutely. I can’t believe you did that—wrote a song for me.” I sighed, still feeling like it was all a dream. “One of the most romantic moments of my life.”
Nolan’s eyes softened. “See what you do to me?”
I winked. “I obviously have you completely whipped.”
He chuckled. “You do.”
And then he frowned, likely thinking about the mess with Perry, and we fell into the space of our own thoughts as he gripped my hand the whole way home.
In the parking lot, I reached into the back seat for the acoustic bass. “I can’t believe how lucky I am.”
“Yeah?” Nolan asked as I followed him inside. At my door, he arched a brow. “Maybe you should show me.”
I motioned for him to come inside, then gently placed the guitar case in a safe spot.
“Now, where were we?” I asked, rounding on him.
“I asked you to show me how lucky you are.” His eyes looked so vulnerable and wary that it made my heart clench.
“Haven’t you become a needy fucker.” I framed his face with my hands and delivered a lingering kiss to his lips. I loved when he asked for what he needed. It made me feel powerful and alive and like nothing could diminish this or take it from me. Maybe I could hold on to this a while longer. Maybe forever.
“Needy for you.” Nolan’s voice was hoarse and bordering on desperation.
I reached for his hand and led him to the bedroom as understanding dawned on me. He’d put himself out there tonight, and he needed me to show him the same—in my own way. In the way he loved best. I took my time undressing him, from his hat and glasses, down to his socks, playfully knocking his hands away when he tried to do the same to me. “No, you asked me to show you, remember?”
Once we were both bare, I urged him to lie back on the mattress. I sucked on his jaw and ear and then brushed kisses from gentle to bruising, beginning at his throat, all the way down to his thighs, ignoring his gorgeous cock, which was flushed red and leaking precome.
“It’s like you planted this seed inside me and made the roots twist around my rib cage so I can’t breathe properly around you,” I said, trailing my fingertips through the nest of hair at his groin, making him tremble. “And sometimes, when you smile, my chest blooms so big, it hurts. So all this is your fault.”
Nolan chuckled as he reached for me. “Damn, now who’s the romantic one? I appreciate the plant analogy. It’s so you,” he said with shiny eyes. “And fuck, do I love you.”
“I love you too.” I studied his expression for any hint of doubt. “It might be hard, like it was with Perry.”
Nolan frowned. “Harder even. Some won’t be kind.”
“No, they won’t.” I kissed his lips. “But you and me against the world?”