First and Always: The Forever Duet

by Brooke, Rebecca

  First and Always

  The Forever Duet

  Rebecca Brooke

  Copyright © 2020 by Rebecca Brooke

  Cover Design by Sommer Stein of Perfect Pear Creative

  Editing by Emily Lawrence of Lawrence Editing

  All rights reserved. No part of this book may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage and retrieval system, without permission in writing.

  This is a work of fiction. Names, characters, places, and incidents are the product of the author’s imagination or are used factitiously, and any resemblance to any actual person, living or dead, events, or locales is entirely coincidental.

  The author acknowledges the trademarked status and trademark owners of various products referenced in this work of fiction, which have been used without permission. The publication/use of these trademarks is not authorized, associated with, or sponsored by the trademark owner.

  All rights reserved.

  Created with Vellum

  To my Dad.

  We miss you more and more everyday.

  Contents

  First and Always

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Chapter 29

  About the Author

  Also by Rebecca Brooke

  First and Always

  The Forever Duet

  Book 1

  1

  I stood up and walked over to the windows. It hadn’t been the first time I’d made the trip across the room and probably wouldn’t be the last. I couldn’t find it in me to sit still. Christine was somewhere on the other side of the church and all I wanted was to see her. For her to remind me that we could do this.

  What’s wrong with me?

  Getting married was one thing—we’d been planning for this day for years. What we hadn’t planned on was Christine getting pregnant before the wedding. And we certainly hadn’t planned the miscarriage that almost robbed me emotionally of the beautiful woman somewhere in the building.

  The sound of the door opening behind me made me turn and look over my shoulder.

  “I hear you can’t sit still to save your life.”

  Jackson.

  His wife, Megan, leaned up on her toes and pressed a kiss to his cheek. “I’ll find a seat.”

  A warm smile lifted the corners of his lips. “I’ll see you in a bit.”

  After another quick kiss, Megan waved at me, then turned to leave. Jackson stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. The dark, tailored tuxedo was in direct contrast with the shaggy hair on top of his head. The rock star seemed to be lurking just beneath the surface of his formal attire. He unbuttoned his jacket and laid it across the chair near the door.

  “What’s up, man? I got bombarded the minute I arrived that you were having some kind of meltdown.”

  I ran a hand through my hair. “I’m fine, just a little antsy.”

  Jackson watched me, one of his brows arched, and he crossed his arms over his chest, waiting. Downfall of trying to convince your oldest friend you’re fine. He can see through each one of your lies.

  Jackson and I had known each other since middle school. He knew all my tells, especially the ones when I lied. And Jackson had enough patience to wait me out.

  I dropped my hands to my side. “Okay, I’m not really fine.”

  He chuckled and walked around the sofa to take a seat. “I already worked that one out. Want to tell me what the problem is? It’s your wedding day, man. Supposed to be the happiest day of your life. And this”—he gestured up and down my body—“doesn’t seem like a simple case of nerves.”

  I walked over and flopped down onto the chair across from him.

  “It’s not. Hell, months ago, I never would’ve imagined I’d be freaking out right now. Then again, I never imagined the hellish road we took to get here.”

  His brows drew together over a frown. “Are you worried she’s going to get lost in her head again?”

  I shook my head. “Not at all. She worked really hard to pull herself out of the rabbit hole the miscarriage caused. But someday she’s going to want to try for another baby. I’m not sure I’ll be able to drag her back if it happens again.”

  “Who says it’s going to happen again? Did her doctor tell you there was a bigger chance now than there was before?”

  “No.” I rested my elbows on my knees. “Actually, she said it was unlikely to happen a second time.”

  He laid his arm along the back of the couch and propped his ankle on top of his knee. “Then what’s the problem?”

  Just the thought of saying the words had me up and pacing the floor again. “I know the doctors said the chances of another miscarriage were really low, but none of them said impossible. I don’t want to see her like that again.”

  He sat silently for a few minutes, eyes watching me. He moved his foot back to the floor and leaned forward, dropping his elbows on his knees. “I know you don’t want to see her like that. Trust me, I completely get where you’re coming from on that front. But have you talked to her about it? Does she know you’re worried about it?”

  “Not really. I didn’t want to bring it up and send her down that dark path again.”

  “Makes sense, except now you’re torturing yourself in the process. You can bet your ass as soon as Megan was well enough, I asked her what she planned to do when she got out of the hospital.”

  “It’s not that simple.”

  Jackson lifted a shoulder. “But it really is. If there is one thing I learned over the last few years, it’s you have to talk about things. Neither one of you can assume because then bad shit happens.”

  “That’s part of what I’m afraid. What happens when she breaks down again?”

  Jackson closed his eyes and ran a hand down his face. “Wow, you really are freaking out if you’re asking shitty questions like that one.”

  I narrowed my eyes, shooting daggers at him. Who the hell was he to judge me?

  He pointed to the chair I’d vacated a few minutes prior. “Would you sit your ass down and listen?” He waited until I sat down, this time on the very edge of the seat. “You’re freaking out for no reason. When she brings up having another baby, though I recommend before that, tell her your fears. Maybe they’re her fears too and you can work them out together. And for fuck’s sake, if she cries hold her.”

  I closed my eyes and dropped my head onto the back of the chair. “Oh shit, I really am being an idiot about this.”

  Jackson laughed. “Yeah, you are. But we’ll figure it out before you head out there.”

  I cracked an eye open and lifted my head. “I guess today just made it more real.”

  “I get it, but you have to remember none of us are perfect. We’re all gonna make mistakes, whether it’s in our relationships, the bands, or even with our kids. The only thing you need to do is own up to your mistakes and promise to do better next time.”

  I sucked
in a breath and blew it out nice and slow, mulling over Jackson’s words. He had a point. A really good one. I didn’t need to torture myself today over decisions I’d make in the future. I only needed to take it day by day.

  And today?

  Today I needed to marry the woman of my dreams. “Thanks, man, I needed to hear that. When did you get so wise?”

  “I have my moments.” Jackson looked over at his shoulder at the door. “Are you telling me that none of the other groomsman were able to tell you that?”

  I shrugged. “I might have told them I was fine and then started pacing again.”

  “Jesus.” Jackson laughed. “No wonder they begged me to come in and talk some sense into you.”

  “I probably needed it.”

  Jackson stood from his seat and reached for his discard jacket. “Come on. It’s time to get you married.”

  I laughed and adjusted my own jacket and tie. “All of this is coming from a man who got married in secret.”

  Jackson winked. “And she hasn’t left me yet.”

  I shoved him in the shoulder. “She must be crazy.”

  He shrugged. “I think we both are.”

  “You know how happy I am for the two of you, right?”

  “I know you are. I’ve waited for this day for a long time.”

  “I thought it would come sooner, but I know this is the right time for us.”

  Jackson glanced out the crack in the door into the church. “I’m surprised you invited everyone in town to the wedding.”

  Not everyone, but I hadn’t spoken to Lexi in more than eight years. When Christine wanted to have our wedding in the Westlake, where I grew up, I’d hoped to be able to have both of my closest friends there, but it hadn’t worked out that way. I hadn’t seen or heard from her in years, and I had no idea how to get in contact with her. At least one of them could be there for the most important day of my life.

  I shrugged. “Why wouldn’t I? We’re having it here.”

  “I don’t know. I guess I’m still surprised you wanted to have it here.”

  “You can thank Christine for that. She was the one who wanted to come back here.”

  Jackson chuckled. “Does she have any idea of the shit storm we caused during Sunday school? I have no doubt Father Donovan is going to take this opportunity to call you out on all of that.”

  “Probably, but she can’t say I didn’t warn her. Especially with you standing by my side. Besides, he already made a few comments when we met with him to plan the ceremony.”

  A light rap of knuckles sounded on the door and it opened a crack. My dad peeked his head inside.

  “Aiden?” He turned to face Jackson. “Hey, Jackson. I heard they sent you in to calm him down.”

  Jackson shrugged. “I tried. Can’t say it worked that well.”

  I gave him a light punch to the shoulder. “I’m fine.”

  Jackson rubbed his arm, laughing. “Yeah, certainly fine…punching your friends.”

  Dad held his hands up. “Boys. Let’s rein it in. It’s almost time.”

  I swallowed hard. “Thanks, Dad. We’ll be out in a minute.”

  Dad nodded, shutting the door behind them. Jackson laid his hand on my shoulder.

  “You can do this.”

  I stopped for a moment, sucking in a deep breath and letting it out slowly. Jackson reached for the door handle. This was it, time to meet the woman of my dreams and make her my wife.

  “Let’s go.”

  I stepped through the door, following Jackson out into the church. How I’d let her talk me into coming home and getting married in a church was beyond me.

  Who am I kidding?

  I’d give her anything she wanted.

  Miles and Dylan were already waiting for us. I took my place at the front of the aisle, Jackson standing beside me, exactly how he should be. When I first heard he got married, I’d been a little pissed he hadn’t shown me the same courtesy, until I found out the whole story. And I couldn’t blame him for the decision he made.

  He elbowed me in the side while we waited for the girls to arrive at the door in the back. “You know you’ll have to do this for me some day in the future.”

  My head whipped around. “I thought you guys decided to skip the actual wedding.”

  “We did until both our moms conspired against us.”

  I chuckled. “Sounds about right.”

  A slow lilting medley of Pachelbel’s Cannon filled the air, drawing my attention from Jackson to the door at the back of the church. I straightened my shoulders as the first of Christine’s bridesmaids started up the aisle. The light blue dresses flowed around each of them as they slowly came to stand at the front. Gina appeared at the door, her smile growing when she looked at us, waiting for Christine to step into view.

  The music changed. The melody of the next song a familiar cadence to my ears. It should’ve been. I’d played it over and over again during the last few years. The one song that reminded me of Christine and the love I had for her.

  Every time I heard it, it transported me back in time to the first moment I saw her.

  2

  Eight Years Ago

  I lifted the guitar strap over my head and walked out onto the stage. Another show on campus. Another chance for someone to see us. It had taken me a while to find people I trusted as much as I trusted Jackson, but when it happened, I finally understood that maybe both Jackson, my best friend, and I had a chance to make it without each other.

  It sucked being on two different sides of the country, but we had to go with the hand we were dealt.

  I stepped up to the microphone, adjusting it to my height, and glanced back at Kylee. It wasn’t often that you found a girl behind a drum kit, but Kylee was one of the best. The only other drummer I’d met at her level was Sawyer Alason. The drummer for Jackson’s band.

  I’d met him the last time I’d gone home for break.

  Kylee nodded and started the song. The moment the drumbeat hit my ears, I opened my mouth to sing the first notes when my gaze landed on a set of emerald green eyes that stole my breath.

  Absolutely gorgeous. A smile lifted the corner of her mouth and I had to force myself to focus on the music and start to play.

  As the lyrics to the song left my lips, I kept my eyes on the girl a few rows back. I wanted to memorize her face because I had every intention of finding her when the show was over and at least getting her name. I’d be a happy fucker if I could get her number.

  We played through each and every song. Probably not my best performance since I kept searching the crowd to make sure she wasn’t with anyone, and she didn’t seem to be. The only person at her side constantly was another girl.

  We finished the last song on the set list, and my feet itched to run. For the first time I could remember, I was more than ready to get off the stage.

  “Thanks for coming out to see us. We’re Violet Obsession and we hope to see you again soon.”

  I stepped back out of the light and lifted the strap over my head. And before Dylan, our bass player, could say anything, I handed him my guitar and bolted to the side of the stage. My feet raced down the stairs, heading right for the dispersing crowd moving in every direction and blocking my view. Six-foot-three inches gave me a slight advantage. On my toes I could see above most of the crowd.

  Her long mane of blond hair blew in the wind. Pushing through the people, I weaved around couples and groups of friends, doing everything in my power to keep her in my line of sight.

  For a moment, I thought I’d never get to her, the crowd closing in on me at every turn. Not to mention the people who stopped me to tell me what a great show we played. I didn’t want to be rude, but I thanked them and tried to get away as fast as possible.

  Then my luck changed.

  She stopped to look in her purse. I raced over and skidded to a halt by her side. She’d been so focused on what she was looking for she hadn’t noticed me yet. Her friend caught my gaze, her mouth wide-open
, and elbowed the blonde in the side.

  “Christine.”

  Christine sighed. “I can’t find my keys.”

  A smirk tugged at the corner of the other girl’s lips. “I’m pretty sure you can find them later.”

  She lifted her head to stare down her friend. “And how are we supposed to get home without them?”

  “I’m kinda hoping you’ll agree to coffee with me instead of heading home,” I said.

  She froze at my first word, then her head snapped around to face me.

  “I…I…hi. You’re Aiden Cormack.”

  I smiled. “That’s me. And you’re Christine, I take it.”

  She nodded, still not moving much. “Christine Newburn.”

  “It’s nice to meet you, Christine.” I took her hand and lifted it to my lips. It seemed corny, but my dad made sure I knew the gesture had the ability to make any woman’s heart skip a beat.

  A pink tint raced up her cheeks. “It’s nice to meet you.”

  Her eyes zeroed in on where I still held her hand in mine.

  “Hi, I’m Gina. We’re really big fans of Violet Obsession.”

  “I’m glad to hear that.” I glanced over at Gina then back at Christine.

  Sounded like she’d been to see me at different shows in the area. Hopefully, that meant I had a chance.

  “So how about that cup of coffee?”

  “I…um…I can’t. I have a paper to finish for tomorrow. Thanks for the offer.”

  And before I had a chance to change her mind, she bolted in the direction of the parking lot. What just happened?