In His Place: Sonic Idols Book #2
Page 23
The locals are great too. It’s strange how they’ve just accepted they have a famous rock star living close by. It was a little busy just after I moved in. Lots of kids calling by to offer to do odd jobs and such, but things settled down eventually and now it just feels like home. Like Allie and I have always been together. I’m living the bloody Scottish dream. What is it about this place and Sonic Idols? It’s like we have some kind of spiritual connection to the place. And yes, I did say spiritual. After the incident with the photo back in my old room, I’m not discounting anything. I’m very open-minded these days.
I shake my head and rest it back as I remember making love to her to the Bon Jovi track on that wonderful day at Nick’s, like it was the first time again. Her naked curves laid before me, but all mine. The love in her eyes was real and the connection was more than just physical. Our bodies moved in perfect synchronisation and I worshipped her. Because she’s the love of my life. And I now know I’m the love of her present and future. And that’s all I need.
I must have dozed off, because the next thing I know, my face is being stroked and I open my eyes to find the earbuds gone but the blindfold still in place.
“Si, keep the blindfold on, okay? But we’re here. I’ll come around to help you out of the car.�
As she helps me out of the car, I warn her with a grin still on my face, “This had better be good, Kendry, or you’ll pay later.�
“Oh, I think you’ll like it.�
I know we’re outside as the air smells fresh and clean, but it’s still warm which is good. At least it hasn’t rained. Maybe Joe is smiling down on us.
She takes my hand and leads me forwards. “Watch your step here,� she tells me, and I obey as I can’t see a bloody thing.
I hear whispers but can’t quite make out what anyone’s saying, and then a door closes and everything is silent. A familiar scent fills my nose but I can’t quite place my finger on it.
“Si, I’m going to take your blindfold off now. And then we need to have quick chat before we go any further.�
Okay, the plot thickens. Shit. I hope she hasn’t booked me a bungee jump or something daft like that. I’m shaking now. The nerves have kicked in. What will I do if I’m not happy with my surprise? How will I tell her? The last thing I want to do is upset her.
I feel her reach behind my head and unfasten the blindfold, and as the light begins to filter through my eyelids, I blink to let my pupils adjust. When I’m able to focus again, I see Allie standing before me. God, she looks stunning. I don’t even take note of my surroundings. She’s all I have eyes for.
I trail my gaze over her and shake my head. “You’re bloody gorgeous, you know that?� Her eyes start to well with tears and I panic. “Shit. What did I say?� I step forwards and wrap her in my arms, kissing her tears as they escape down her flushed cheeks.
“I need to talk to you about something. Have you seen where we are?�
I glance around the little space that appears to be an entrance hall. The walls are white and there’s a wooden door closed behind us and another closed one before us. “It looks familiar but…� I rack my brains, trying to figure out where I am. But once again, I’m drawn to her and how utterly beautiful she is. “It doesn’t matter where we are. You’re here with me and that’s all I care about.�
Suddenly she lowers to the floor and I follow her with my gaze. What’s she doing? I smile down at her and shake my head. “I’m sure we can find you a chair, you’ll dirty your dress sitting on the…� It’s then that I realise she’s wearing white. Well, yes. That will get dirty on a stone floor…
“Si, I wanted to make your birthday extra special this year. But now I’m terrified. We’ve been together for a year and it feels like a good time to have a special day. Now, I know how fascinated you were with this place when you came here that first time but I need to ask you a question.�
I once again assess my surroundings and realise where we are. We’re in the Blacksmiths Shop at Gretna Green. My eyes widen and I look back to Allie still kneeling on the floor before me.
My heart tries to escape through the buttons of my black shirt. Now it dawns on me why she told me exactly what to wear. Black shirt, waistcoat, black jeans, trim my fuzzy over-grown beard…
She clears her throat. “I know this is a little unorthodox but… Si Delaney, I love you with my whole heart and I’d like to know if you’ll marry me?�
I can’t quite believe this is happening. I stare at her for a few moments as I try to get my head around everything. But then I see the panic in her eyes and realise I need to answer.
“Are you… are you serious? You want to do this here? Today? And you’re asking me?� Okay, that was a stupid set of bloody questions, Delaney. Get a fucking grip.
She nods as she wipes at more escaped tears. “It’s all set in motion. All you have to do is say the right word.�
I swallow and try to speak but my voice breaks. I clear my throat and try again, realising I too have damp trails down my face. “Allie, my answer… my answer is two words… HELL YES!� I bend and scoop her up into my arms, swinging her around. She squeals with what I hope is delight and then I crush my lips to hers.
I’ve waited and dreamed of this moment since I was sixteen years old and I still can’t believe she asked me. It’s like I’ve won every lottery in the world simultaneously.
The door before us opens and suddenly I’m greeted by a raucous cheer and I’m overwhelmed with what I see. The room before me is filled with my closest friends and my family. Mum and Dad, the band, the crew; they’re all here. Allie has arranged all of this for me. For us. The band is standing near the anvil, armed with instruments; Chris and Nick with acoustic guitars and Stig has maracas. My face widens in a grin and I shake my head.
They start to play and I immediately recognise the intro to “Alison’s Starting to Happen� by The Lemonheads.
Allie takes my hand, and in true Den and Roger style, we begin to walk down the aisle together, towards the celebrant, as the lyrics float through the air towards us and the whole congregation claps and sings along like they’ve heard the song a million times before. I’m guessing Nick has had something to do with that.
We reach the anvil and I turn to face my stunning bride-to-be. She leans to kiss me and I know without a shadow of a doubt that there is no better way for me to start my married life with Allie than right here, right now.
Acknowledgments
As always there are so many people I want to thank and acknowledge but as always I will probably forget someone. Please know this is not deliberate! Those who know me well will know how scatter-brained I can be!
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I would like to first say thank you to my Mum and Dad for being a huge support to me. It’s been a tough few years for so many reasons yet you never fail with your unending support and love. Know that you mean the world to me.
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Rich, you will always be my very own bearded heart throb. And even though you can’t sing, drum or play guitar I would honestly choose you over Eddie Vedder any day.
To my gorgeous Emo chick. I know you love me more than Fall Out Boy really. And I love you more than any of the Emo Quartet possibly could.
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Friends. Whether we met conventionally or via the book world, please know that your encouragement, support and friendship keeps me uplifted. Thank you.
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JC, Karen, Caroline, Louby and Christine. Thank you for helping me to make Si the best he could be. And thank you for wanting more of Sonic Idols.
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To the amazing bloggers who continue to share and spread the love for us Indie Authors—you are one heck of a fantastic breed! Keep that stuff up!
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To all my author friends, especially the Indie Girls Club, squishy hugs to you all!
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And finally, to my own musical idols—Pearl Jam, Soundgarden, Alanis Morisette, Bon Jovi, to name a small few. Thank you for your wonderful music. It continues to inspire me to write and lifts me when I’m down—a gift I’m so grateful for.
About the Author
You can contact Lisa here
Also by Lisa J Hobman
The Worst of Me – Sonic Idols Book #1
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Duplicity
Through the Glass
The Girl Before Eve
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Reasons to Leave
Reasons to Stay
Last Christmas