I throw my hands up and laugh. “Why does everyone keep asking me that?” I tease. And then I sigh. “Yeah. I guess I do. But not as much as you people seem to think. It’s nice, helping rising artists the way nobody helped us.”
“You mean, not screwing them like we were screwed,” James says with a snort.
“Yep, pretty much,” I agree. “But you know. It’s hard to regret a past that brought you somewhere pretty fucking awesome.”
James slaps me on the shoulder. “Aw, look at West, all grown up.”
I smirk. “You have no idea.”
I’m saved saying any more as the concert starts. And I have to give it to them: Our little rising stars nail that shit. I feel like a proud papa. It’s pretty weird.
I mean, don’t get me wrong, even though it wasn’t my first choice, I still love this gig. But when you go to put out the album you wrote, produced, and recorded all on your own, then your former record label threatens to sue you for using the band name you thought was yours but they had trademarked? That not only puts an end to ever making music with said band again, but it also leaves you severely disillusioned against the music industry.
Who even knew that was a thing? Obviously, not us as kids when we signed the contracts. The knowledge of how much they owned us left me with more than a bad taste in my mouth. It was the straw that broke the camel’s back of my music career.
Could I have formed a new band? Possibly. But it seemed like as good a reason as any to retire. It certainly helped me continue my journey toward being a better version of myself. And James had apparently been toying with the idea of going into production and distribution for a while, so it all kind of fell into place and voilà. Instant rock label.
We go out for drinks with James and Jeudi after, then head back to my place, where we pretty much cohabitate anyway, getting home just after midnight. Perfect.
Maxi makes for the bedroom, but I shake my head, grabbing her hand and leading her through the living room, out onto the balcony. It’s too dark to see much, but the ocean laps quietly at the shore below us and the hot summer night has barely cooled.
As I turn to face her, she’s giving me her “What the fuck are you doing?” look and I have to laugh.
“It’s after midnight,” I say by way of explanation.
She looks at me blankly. “And?”
“And … it’s your birthday?” I prompt.
“Ugh. Don’t remind me.”
“I still don’t get why you hate your birthday so much.”
She shrugs. “I just never saw the reason for celebrating. I mean … yay, you managed to stay alive another year? Kinda lame.”
I smile. “Then how about we find a way make it special?” I offer, waggling my eyebrows.
She raises one of her own eyebrows at me. “I still don’t want to fuck on the balcony, West. Too uncomfortable. Too much potential for witnesses.”
I grin and chuckle at her. I’ll wear her down on that one someday. “That’s not actually what I meant.”
Her brows furrow. “Then what?”
“Then this. I tell you how much I love our life together. That I don’t miss being a rock star. I don’t miss being a fuckup. I don’t miss not knowing what I was missing out on. Every day, Maxi. Every fucking day, you make me so goddamn happy. Even when you’re busting my chops. Maybe especially then.” I wink at her and she rolls her eyes. And god, I fucking love her sass. I draw closer and take her hands in mine. “You’re the one who made me want to do better. To be honest. And now, honestly?” I reach into my pocket, fishing out the ring I’ve been holding onto for weeks. I hold it up between us, pressing my forehead against hers. She gasps when she sees it and looks up at me. “I want to spend the rest of my days with you. There’s nothing we can’t do together. You’re my future, baby. So I just have one question.” I stop and look deep into her beautiful hazel eyes. “Max Marshall, will you marry me?”
Maxi’s eyes sparkle with tears. “You’re so getting fucked on this balcony,” she responds, her voice thick.
I laugh. “Is that a yes?”
She nods, throwing her hands over her mouth. “Yes,” she cries between her fingers.
I bite into my bottom lip to hold back my own tears, scooping her up and swinging her in a circle. Her arms slip around my neck to hold on, and I cover her mouth with mine. Mine. That’s what she is: all mine.
And I thought I’d understood forgiveness and everything after before. But this? This is my redemption. A life with Maxi. Fuck the fame. All that matters is loving her and being loved by her. Forever.
* * *
THE END
Want to see what happens between Alexsis and Nils? Get Giving in to Temptation, a short story available exclusively by signing up for my newsletter at https://mailchi.mp/melanieasmithauthor/signup!
Curious about Frankie and Julian? She’s a human lie detector and he’s the muscle sent to scope her out. Find out how they got together in the steamy psychic romantic suspense novel Everybody Lies.
Want to talk about the book? Join Melanie A. Smith’s Facebook readers group, the Bawdy Bookworms at https://www.facebook.com/groups/137048857974603/
Acknowledgments
First thanks go to my gallbladder, for giving out and requiring removal. The scheduled surgery lit a fire under my butt to get this book done.
Seriously, though, it forced me to face this book, which I struggled with because it contains some themes that were tough for me personally (as I am sure they are for many). When I was a child, I had a stepfather who was a cocaine addict. It was, perhaps needless to say, extremely tough on our family. So there aren’t enough thank yous to my mother for not only making sure we survived, but for being an example of bravery, grit, and setting difficult boundaries.
To my husband, thank you for endlessly discussing plots of books you have no desire to read and generally being ridiculously encouraging and supportive in the face of my frequent whining and exhaustion. Marriage is the best, y’all.
To my alpha reader, Erin, who is just one of the most wonderful human beings on the planet. I’m so thankful she chases after my introverted butt to make sure I know I’m cared for, supported, and appreciated. I appreciate you!
To Jenny, who isn’t just my editor, she’s a friend I miss dearly and will always wish I lived closer to but still somehow manages to make me feel like there’s no distance between us whenever we talk. Love you, babe!
To the book community on social media, whether it be Instagram or Facebook or TikTok, I’m constantly amazed by the authors and readers who are all about support, kindness, and sharing.
To my readers, who finish the stories I start. Thank you. I hope you enjoyed this one.
About the Author
Melanie A. Smith is an award-winning and international best-selling author of steamy contemporary romance fiction. A voracious reader and lifelong writer, Melanie's writing began at a young age with short stories and poetry. After college and a career as an aircraft engineer, she shifted to domestic engineering and property management and eventually found a balance where she was able to return to writing fiction. Melanie is also a Mensan and enjoys spending time with her family, cooking, and driving with the windows down and the stereo cranked up loud.
Finding His Redemption Page 19