Secret Bridesmaid

by Victoria Pinder

  Ethan’s lips pursed like he just ate a sour lemon.

  Dwayne, in the huddle, said, “This is the end for all of us. You and I started this band because we couldn’t imagine being home and without the limelight, but we already said at the beginning that if we ever found a reason to settle down, none of us would stop each other. I’m happy for you Axel. You’re first.”

  Axel remembered that conversation too. Had they only been eighteen then? It sounded so smart. The group did their high-five together. Axel told Dwayne as they headed on stage, “Thanks.”

  * * *

  The first hour of the show went on as usual. Axel gave everything to his performance.

  And tonight, even though he was torn and broken on the inside, the show rocked. Work energized him.

  Underneath it all was the need to see Emily again. Once the second set ended and before they hit the third, he took the microphone, nodded at his friends and faced the crowd. “Tonight is the unexpected end of our tour. We’ll be heading back into the studio soon, but for now we want to play you a rough draft of a song that’s not out yet. You’ll be the first audience to ever hear this. So pull out your cell phones.”

  The crowd cheered like they were ecstatic. Hopefully they understood him, and that the tour would be done early. The guys all closed in together toward Dwayne, the drummer. Axel said, “I hope everyone enjoys the song.”

  Axel sang the song in his heart without thinking, just feeling.

  Soon he’d be back in Miami to tell her in person how he felt.

  The missing part of his heart was home, with Emily at his side, and it was time to be with her now.

  As the song ended, the crowd cried, “Emily! Emily! Emily!”

  Agreed, but she wasn’t here. He needed to explain, so he took the microphone and said, “Guys…” The crowd screamed so much more. Luca then played a stinging note on his electric guitar and Axel turned toward him--he buddy pointed left and Axel turned. His gaze locked on Emily’s brown eyes as she stood in the wings of the stage. His heart melted like he was some girl with a crush and he held out his hand. “Emily, come here.”

  Her face was bright red but she strutted across the stage in ballet flats and took his hands as she said, “Sorry I was late. Traffic was horrible and the resignation letter took longer than I thought.”

  Her words blared across the arena, but right now he didn’t care that thousands saw him. His heart tightened in his chest as he asked, “Resignation?”

  She kept her head down as she said, “You said we were touring the world.”

  We? She was here. She was coming? He swallowed and said, “I was-”

  “I loved the song Axel,” she interrupted.

  But did she really understand? He held still unsure how to ask. “You did?”

  She nodded and pointed behind her. “Yes, and I’m sure the fans want to hear the next one, so I’m going backstage.”

  Emily released his hand, but then he said into the microphone, “Wait! Come back.”

  She held him again and stared up at him in confusion. “Wait?”

  Right. If she was here, she needed to know the whole truth. And now was as good a time as any. “Yesterday, when you asked me if I loved you, I screwed up my answer.”

  Her hand covered her face and she paled as she shook her head no. “We can talk about that backstage, after the show.”

  The words refused to be silenced in his soul, not again. He’d messed up and all he had was this moment. So he ignored the crowd beyond the lights and said, “Emily Wilson, you’re the only woman I’ve ever really loved. I love you. So don’t go anywhere.”

  Emily laughed and hugged him as she said, “I love you too. It’s why I came here.”

  Her words were magnified by the microphone. Awws filled the arena, but it was like he had a chorus of his own soul. Emily released something in him he’d never experienced before and never wanted to lose as he asked, “It is?”

  Again she tried to leave the stage as she disengaged and pointed to the wing she’d come from. “Yeah, and I’m ready to go with you now, but first finish your show. I’ll be backstage.”

  She was his angel. He’d never forget her. He nodded and let her take a step back before he said, “Emily?”

  “Yeah?” She raised her eyebrows, ignoring the spotlight.

  Happiness exploded inside him like a burst of light that needed to be seen. “I’m glad you came.”

  She kissed his cheek. “Don’t bring me out on stage again, Axel. This is awkward. See you backstage.”

  Too bad, since she was a natural in front of the crowd as most people couldn’t even think on a stage. Folks clammed up and couldn’t think beneath the bright lights.

  Luca strummed his guitar as she left into a familiar song and the five of them continued to perform.

  The rest of the show was a blur. They played, but Axel kept imagining Emily. She was so close. He needed to see her again, just to prove she was real.

  The moment the show ended, he headed back to his dressing room, not stopping to shower off the sweat. He threw open his dressing room door and saw Emily sitting on his couch, reading on her phone. She put it away and stood as he crossed the room and said, “Emily.”

  She threw her arms around him, not caring that he must be disgusting from the limelight. She was beautiful in her jeans and simple black shirt that he’d probably just ruined. “Axel, I’m so glad you’re done.”

  He couldn’t step away. He needed to know this wasn’t temporary and what had happened on stage wasn’t just for show. “You’re coming on the tour?”

  She sucked in her lips and nodded fast. “If you’ll have me.”

  She batted her eyelashes at him and lifted her face, like she wanted to be kissed. His own lips tingled, but he pressed her palm to his heart and said, “I meant what I said on stage. I love you.”

  She nodded and didn’t move. “And I love you. I quit my job and want to come with you still.”

  Quit. Perfect. That meant he never had to go a day without her. “I was going to cancel the tour and come back to Miami to convince you to give me another shot.”

  She let out a shocked laugh. “You were?”

  He kissed her cheek as he needed to be sure they were good and his life was back on track. “Are you sure you want to go?”

  She angled her rosy mouth closer to his as she said, “Yes. I’ll find a way to help you with the tour, off stage, but you have such a gift, Axel. Don’t ever stop singing.”

  And he couldn’t help it. He pressed his lips to hers and whatever had been missing in his soul was filled.

  Her arms around his neck made him feel like he had everything in life.

  As the kiss ended, he pushed her hair behind her ears. “What changed your mind, Emily?”

  Her brown eyes seemed to hold the secrets of life within them. “Peter and Belle came to see me.”

  His body stilled and he asked, “Oh, did you get my note?”

  Her face went white as her eyes widened. “Note?”

  “In the envelope with the check.”

  Emily left his arms and ran to the table where she’d left her pocketbook. “Wait, what? Hold on.”

  His brother had gone to see her, as he’d promised Axel. He followed her to the table and asked, “You didn’t read it?”

  “No.” She opened the envelope.

  Then she read his note that he’d cancel his tour as soon as he could because he wanted a chance with her. Emily wiped the tears from her eyes with shaking fingers and then glanced up at him as she said, “Axel, you didn’t have to do this.”

  Perhaps she didn’t understand. He brushed his hands against her smooth, soft skin. “You’re my muse now, Emily. I can’t have you ever worrying about anything.”

  She threw her arms around his neck and hugged him tight. “You’re amazing, Axel.”

  Amazing wasn’t a word he’d say about himself. He lifted her by her hips as he squeezed her and gently set her down on the couch. “Onl
y to you. Before we open that champagne, I need a shower.”

  She tapped his shoulder. “Can I help wash your back?”

  The idea of water rushing down her body while he touched her everywhere was a visceral image that made him hard as a rock. He paused. “If you come in there, I don’t think I can control myself with you absolutely naked.”

  She winked at him and said, “I’m counting on that.”

  He pulled her lips closer and claimed her.

  Emily was his. Axel Morgan kept what belonged to him. She kissed him back and he intended to show her that together they could have everything they ever wanted.

  Once the kiss ended, she entwined their fingers as they walked together. She took a deep breath and then said, “Axel?”

  The way she said his name made him wonder what was on her mind. “Yeah?”

  She tilted her head and stared at him like she studied his every feature. “Never change or give up on your dreams.”

  Together forever was still a blur. He kissed the back of her hand and said, “I can’t do this without you anymore.”

  She headed into the bathroom and turned on the shower. Emily gestured with her finger to come closer and said, “Good, now close the door and kiss me.”

  He loved following her directions. Somehow, he had Emily and he’d never let her go.

  Waking up, Emily stretched and the warmth of Axel’s body next to hers sent a heatwave through her, again.

  Her body still had that fun ache from last night’s activities.

  It was a bright day outside and she glanced out the window where she could see palm trees blowing in the wind. Their suite faced a safari theme park, and tigers wandered below.

  Last time she’d been in Orlando, she’d gone to the park attractions, seeing everything by bus or on foot.

  Outside her window was nice, but even nicer was Axel’s arms around her.

  He leaned down and kissed her, letting his bare body act like a blanket that she never wanted to let go of.

  The beep of her phone pierced the air. She sighed and he scooted off her, handing her the phone from the nightstand near his side of the bed. She stared at the screen in wonder. “My sister’s calling me.”

  His phone beeped with a text. He motioned with his chin toward hers and said, “So answer.”

  He picked his up and texted back. She scooted against the headboard in a sitting position. “Linsey.”

  Her sister’s tone was filled with excitement as she said, “Mom and I saw your video.”

  Emily’s face felt hot instantly. But if this was about her, why did her sister have that lilt in her voice like she’d just opened her birthday present and it was exactly what she wanted? Emily fixed her sheets and asked, “What video?”

  Linsey said, “Of you… on stage… with Axel.”

  Every phrase had a dramatic pause and honestly she hadn’t tried to be memorable there. Emily tugged her ear and glanced at Axel who texted back and forth on his phone next to her. She licked her lips and told her sister, “Oh, well that wasn’t planned.”

  Her sister squealed and said, “I need to thank you.”

  “Why?” Adrenaline rushed through her as she tried to figure out her sister.

  “Because I’m playing you in my next movie.”

  The world seemed to stop. She couldn’t breathe and she met Axel’s blue eyes as he sat next to her in bed. Her throat seemed frozen. “What?”

  Linsey explained in a fast tone, “They are making a movie on Axel’s life. His brother Matthew is being asked to star, but no one knows if he’ll accept yet. But I’ve already said yes that I’d love…to be…you.”

  Her sister was clearly into dramatic pauses these days.

  Emily ran her hand through her hair and glanced at Axel. Perhaps he’d hate being the subject of a movie. Her life was boring compared to his so her sister’s job would be pretty easy, if this happened. She pursed her lips and asked, “Will the movie make fun of me?”

  “Absolutely not,” Linsey said like she was swearing on the bible through the phone.

  Maybe with her sister involved, it wouldn’t be that bad. Emily hadn’t wanted to work for her sister or to become her slave but that didn’t mean she hated her. She let out a sigh. “Linsey, I want to say sorry if I ever came off as jealous or anything. I just didn’t want to work for you.”

  Linsey laughed. “I can be difficult, sis. I know that. And I would have woken you up at 2 AM to go fetch me a salad because I’d starved myself all day to be skinnier, which only makes me slightly temperamental. I’m just glad you’re happy and maybe I can visit you when you’re both in LA for that tour? We can get dinner at my house.”

  Temperamental was a nice way of saying hungry. And perhaps she was right that the moodiness was food-related. Emily looked at Axel who tossed the sheets off like he wanted to speak to her. “That sounds nice. You should always eat, sis.”

  Her sister grumbled her goodbye, avoiding the topic of food. Emily relaxed, said, “Goodbye” and hung up the phone.

  Axel tapped his shoulder onto hers as he stood. She wrapped the sheet around her and got to her feet, walking into his arms. She sighed and said, “Axel, my sister invited us to her house in LA.”

  He brushed her arm and goosebumps rose along her skin. “The movie about our life? Matthew texted me.”

  She blinked. Oh, he already knew then. But at least his family waited for his opinion before charging ahead. “My sister already signed up for it.”

  He shrugged and then gave her a sheepish smile that didn’t fit his personality at all. “I don’t care if the world knows how I feel about you.”

  Ah. So that look must have been meant to show humility, which Axel had almost none of. She laughed and decided it didn’t matter as she said, “So where are we off to next?”

  He tugged at the sheet that covered her nakedness and this time the gleam in his eye signaled desire. “Atlanta. I already have a surprise waiting for you at the hotel there.”

  Her heart raced as he took off her covering. Her face was warm as she said, “What is it?”

  Just then there was a loud bang on their hotel room door.

  Axel grumbled but found his jeans and gray t-shirt.

  She quickly pulled on her jeans from last night that she’d found in the packed bag left for her on the plane yesterday.

  She now owned quite a few House of Morgan clothes.

  Next she threw on a black t-shirt and pointed toward the bathroom door. She needed to wash up, so he opened the door and then shook hands with whoever was behind him.

  She finished quickly and rushed out to her hotel room, curious as to who it could be. Axel’s band members stood around their suite. Axel waved for her to join him as he said, “The guys wanted to say hi to you.”

  Emily recognized the dark-haired drummer as the actor that used to scare her when she was a child. “Dwayne, we didn’t get a chance to talk before. I’m a huge fan of yours too.”

  He winked at her and laughed. “Too bad we didn’t meet first then.”

  Axel’s arms wrapped around her waist as he shook his head and said, “Hey now.”

  She rested her head on his shoulder and patted his back. Dwayne said, “Axel’s always been the lost one. I guess he was looking for you.”

  How thoughtful. Emily shook the other three men’s hands—she knew them all of course—blond spiky Luca on guitar, soulful Ethan with his pained, haunted notes on piano and Jackson, with his sexy southern drawl and fast fingers on the guitar. “So, you are all okay with me on this tour?”

  “Axel said you’re handling some of our paperwork,” Luca said.

  Her eyes widened and she glanced at Axel.“I am?”

  “Luca’s a joker. Never take him seriously,” Axel quickly replied.

  She took mental notes so she’d find out her best way to help organize this tour to maximize efficiency without stopping any fun.

  Luca laughed. “But if you find the right woman for Dwayne then we won’t eve
r have to worry about the band breaking up.”

  Huh? She glanced at Axel’s friends again as she asked, “Dwayne?”

  Ethan also seemed to be a negotiator in this group as he said, “Dwayne and Axel have always believed in that "love conquering all" nonsense.”

  If she went on tour, she needed to know his friends. She stayed beside Axel as she asked, “But you don’t?”

  Ethan dug his hands in his back pockets and nodded with Jackson, like they both agreed. “No. It’s silly, but if you solve the band’s biggest issue… Dwayne’s lonely heart… then we’re all good.”

  The guys all laughed together.

  Axel was the best man she could ever ask for. She never wanted another, but she met Ethan’s green eyes and asked, “So that’s the band’s next problem? Not yours?”

  He placed his hand on his heart and bowed. “I don’t have a heart to share with another person in my life. You’ll see that in time.”

  “I don’t believe you.” She vaguely remembered her teen years when she’d read all about these guys. Ethan had been dating the biggest female star until she’d dumped him. This was probably just a reaction to his past.

  Jackson, who hadn’t said much, tapped Dwayne and Ethan’s shoulders as he said, “We’ll leave you both alone now.”

  The band members walked out without another word.

  After the door closed, she saw that Axel hadn’t moved from the couch. “What’s going on, Axel?”

  He kissed her forehead as his answer. “I love you.”

  Hmm. Something was going on. She scooted closer, brushing her hip to his, and said, “I love you too, but that doesn’t explain your face.”

  He blinked down at her. “My face?”

  “Yes, you’re concerned.” She wasn’t sure what had happened as his band was super cool.

  He led her toward a small table near the bay windows that overlooked the safari. “I was thinking.”

  She realized breakfast had been set up. How had this happened? She’d only been in the bathroom for a few minutes, so it must have been then. Emily picked up the carafe of coffee and poured two cups as she asked, “About?”

  “Family.” He placed a beignet on her plate and then offered her the creamer first.