Piper
We hadn’t had a chance to talk after the concert. Everyone headed to Braden’s house, including the wives and kids, for the calmest after-party ever. Paw Patrol played in the rec room while the main room had Frozen Two. Even some of the dads were watching that with rapt fascination.
“Damn, I wish I had written that song,” Zane lamented as Into the Unknown played. The guys laughed while the kids tried to sing along.
Pizza was delivered, and all seemed well.
Except I had no idea where Braden and I stood.
I was so proud of him, I wanted to cry. His words would impact the world, like I’d said. I just wanted to be a part of the journey.
“Hey.” Will walked up. “Nailed the interview.”
I gave him a soft smile. “Thank you.”
“Wait.” Braden suddenly broke free from Alec and Demetri and pinned Will with his stare. “You knew about the interview?”
Crap.
Will gave me an uneasy look and then held up his hands and backed away slowly.
Braden’s hurt expression didn’t help things.
“Let’s go talk?” I offered, grabbing his hand and pulling him out to the balcony. He grabbed a blanket and wrapped it around my shoulders while I exhaled a shaky breath. “You were great tonight.”
“I was petrified,” he answered. “I’m glad you didn’t tell me. I think it would have made it worse, the anticipation of it all. And when I saw the pictures and the families…” He shook his head. “How is it that you’ve known me for only thirteen days and know exactly what I need when I need it?”
I smirked. “Life coach.”
“Bullshit.” He jerked his chin in my direction. “Give me the real answer.”
I gulped. “Because I recognize your pain like it’s mine, and I would do anything in this world to make it better.”
He gasped, and then he pulled me into his arms, tugging me by the blanket. “Stay. I’ll do anything if you just stay. Damn it, stay.” He kissed my forehead. “Stay.” Then my cheeks. “Stay.” Then my lips as he whispered across them, “Stay.”
A tear ran down my cheek. He caught it with his fingers. “Why does staying make you sad?”
“I was afraid you’d be pissed that I pushed you,” I admitted. “Afraid you wouldn’t want me to stay after all of this when it’s the only thing I want.”
Our foreheads touched. “Piper, I would have chased you, tackled you to the ground, and begged you like the obsessed, in-love fool I am.”
“Love?” Tears welled. “But it’s so soon. Are we crazy for—?”
His mouth found mine, but before the kiss truly got going, he pulled away. “Life is short. Love can be given just as quickly as it can be taken. I’m done living in fear. I just want to live by your side.”
I hugged him tightly.
After an intense moment, he abruptly released me. “Be right back.”
He was gone maybe thirty seconds, but when he came back, it was with his vision board.
I smiled. “You’ve been busy.”
“Very,” he admitted. He pointed to a picture. It was of me before I got stung by the jellyfish. I looked so happy. Underneath it, he had put one word: forever.
I gasped. “When did you put this on?”
“Days ago,” he said. “And I’m keeping it because I’m keeping you, even if I have to make up a fake job for you so I can have you on tour.”
I grinned. “You won’t have to.”
“Huh?” He put the board down on the table. “Explain.”
“That’s how Will knew I was interviewing with the production company. Will suggested that they have a life coach on tour to help the guys stay focused on their music and goals, and I nailed the interview. They offered me the job during the concert via email. I leave with you—”
He jerked me against him, meeting my mouth with a punishing kiss, and then he tossed me over his shoulder and marched into the house.
“Daddy, Daddy, why does Uncle B have a girl over his shoulder?” one of the kids asked.
Alec muttered a curse and then said, “Headphones!”
His two kids put their hands on their ears only to have Trevor’s eldest demand, “Why are they going to bed already? You said we could stay up late!”
“Uncle B’s in trouble, that’s why,” Drew said, not helpfully. “Hey, let’s uh, turn up the volume on Frozen Two, and play the sing-along game!”
The kids cheered.
The adults all smirked at us.
And then the door to Braden’s room closed.
Clothes were thrown in seconds.
Mouths clashed.
And I was his.