Tonight was the first time Violet Obsession was taking the stage as a band again. It would be the first time they played “Rise Again”. Aiden thought it was a fitting way to step out on the stage. And I couldn’t have agreed more.
“Lexi.”
Aiden barely had a chance to let me go and step back before Kylee jumped on me.
“I missed you.” She rocked me back and forth while I stood there laughing.
“You saw me last night at dinner.”
“Yeah, but you had to go home early for work in the morning. I didn’t get to finish telling you all my boy issues.”
Even though I told Aiden he didn’t have to buy a clinic, that I’d get a job in an office somewhere in the city, it didn’t stop him. With only two vets in the office, busy didn’t even begin to describe it. And I loved every minute of it.
I looped my arm through hers and let her lead me to the dressing rooms with Aiden following behind, chuckling. “Only five minutes in the door and I lost her to Kylee already.”
We stopped between the two doors. I leaned up on my toes and pressed a quick kiss to his lips. “I’ll see you in a minute. Let me talk to Kylee, then I’ll be over.”
Aiden pushed his bottom lip out in a pout. “At least you’re doing this now instead of after the show.” He leaned down and nipped at the edge of my ear. “Especially when I know we’re going back to empty house.”
I hummed in the back of my throat. Christine’s parents had flown in and had taken Chloe for the weekend. “Two whole days alone in the new house sounds like fun.”
“Think of all the ways we can christen every room, then relax our sore muscles in the Jacuzzi.”
A shiver raced down my spine. My mind raced, imagining all the things we could do alone this weekend, when there was a tug on my hand.
I glanced over my shoulder at Kylee.
“Flirt with your man later. I’ve got my own man problems.”
I ran my index finger down the center of his chest. “Until later.”
He winked and backed up to his dressing room door. “Until then, my love.”
When Aiden disappeared into the room, I turned to follow Kylee into the room across the hall. She didn’t bother getting ready, just flopped on the couch and covered her eyes with her arm.
“This sucks.”
I walked over and took the seat next to her. “What sucks?”
“Being separated from Miles all the time. And going on tonight without him is a little sad.”
I set my arm on her shoulders. “I know. Aiden said something similar. Have you talked to Miles about it?”
“A little bit, but we both know we’re stuck. I won’t leave Violet Obsession and he’s stuck with Cerulean Dream. At least he made the decision to be stuck with them. And now they’re going on a six-month tour.” Bitterness laced her words.
“I’m sorry, honey. It sucks, but I know it will all work out in the end.”
She moved her hand from her eyes. “How?”
“Because love will find you when the time is right. If everything with Miles is meant to be, you’ll find your way back together someday. It might take time, but it’ll happen.”
She sighed and threw her arms around me. “Thanks, Lexi. That was exactly what I needed to hear.”
I patted her back. “I’m glad I could help.”
She sat back and brushed at her face. “I’m going to try and call Miles before we take the stage.”
“When you call, really talk to him. Tell him what’s going on in your head.”
“I will.”
I stood and started for the door when Kylee said my name. I turned to face her.
“Yeah?”
“I’m really glad Aiden found you again. You’re the piece he was missing after Christine and it’s nice to see him whole again.”
Tear raced to my eyes before I could fight them back. “Thanks, Kylee. I needed him, too.”
She nodded and pulled her phone from her back pocket as I opened the door and left. The minute I walked into the other room, Dylan’s smile greeted me.
“Hey, Lexi.” He played with the knobs on his bass. “He went to check on something with Gavin. He should be back in a minute.”
I leaned against the long counter that ran against the wall. “How are you feeling about tonight?”
His fingers still on the instrument. “It’s been a long time coming. I wish Miles were here too, but I’m glad we made it back.”
The door next to me opened and in stepped Aiden, followed by Gavin, who glanced over at me the minute he shut the door.
“Thought this was a guy’s dressing room.”
“Don’t be a dick,” Aiden snapped at the same time Dylan said, “Then maybe you should be next door with Kylee.”
Aiden narrowed his eyes as he walked over to me. “Ignore him.”
I smirked at Gavin. “I always do when he’s like this.”
The man could be a complete dick sometimes. The only reason they let him stay was his skills with a keyboard. Not as good as Miles, they said, but damn close. If it hadn’t been for that, I had a feeling they would have kicked his ass to the curb a while ago.
Something pounded on the door. “Five minutes.”
I took Aiden’s hands in mine. “Ready for this?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be.”
Aiden opened the door and led us the backstage area of the arena. We reached the spot where I could watch from the side and Aiden turned to me, his eyes glassy.
“You can do this,” I whispered.
“I can because of you. Love you, Lex.”
He squeezed my hands where they rested at my sides. “I love you, too. Now go show the world what you can do.”
The lights came up and spark lit those familiar gray eyes. He walked toward the light like a magnet pulling him in. Aiden became larger than life when he stepped onto the stage.
His whole demeanor shifting to the rock star the audience cheered for. I could share this side of him with the world because I knew at the end of the night he’d be coming home with me.
Many obstacles had been thrown in our way over the years, but somehow we managed to get through them and find our way to one another. I knew I’d always share a part of him with Christine and I was okay with that. I was actually more than okay with that because she helped shape him into the man I knew and loved. Not the Aiden of our youth, but the man standing on a stage, facing his fears.
Tonight was another beginning for us and I’d face it head-on with him. Love had found me when I needed it most and I never planned on letting go.
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About the Author
Rebecca Brooke grew up in the shore towns of South Jersey. She loves to hit the beach, but always with her kindle on hand. She is married to the most wonderful man, who puts up with all of her craziness. Together they have two beautiful children who keep her on her toes. When she isn’t writing or reading (which is very rarely) she loves to bake and binge watch Netflix.
www.rebeccabrooke.com
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Last and Forever Page 23