52. Paxton
52
PAXTON
A LITTLE WHILE LATER…
E ver since the fight, things have been calm. Quiet. And fucking bliss. Tuke flew in for a quick visit to sign a few papers today before heading to Los Angeles for a role he scored in a movie. It’s only a cameo, but it’s nice to see he’s still alive and hasn’t died from too much weed. Not that you can overdose, but if someone managed to pull it off, it’d be Tuke.
The band is still officially on hiatus, but I don’t mind anymore. It seems settling down with someone you love has a way of quieting the other noises around you, and Tatum and me? We’ve never been happier.
That being said, I was surprised by a certain phone call from Judge and Dodger a couple weeks ago. Add in today’s meeting making everything official, and I’m excited to share the news with Tatum.
Balancing the bottle of wine with two wine glasses, I open the door and step onto the back patio in my bathing suit. I would’ve invited Tatum over to tell her the good news if I didn’t already know she’d be here, but it’s almost better this way. She’s in the dark, and I can surprise her any way I want.
She doesn’t notice me right away. She’s too busy soaking up the moonlight, looking gorgeous as ever. With her hair piled on her head, Tatum tilts her head up to the night sky, and my chest swells with gratitude. I still can’t believe she chose me. I’m the luckiest bastard alive.
“Do you think Judge’s family would be willing to sell it?” she asks.
“What?” I laugh.
“The house,” she clarifies. “While you were grabbing the drinks, I decided this is officially my happy place.”
Keeping a straight face, I clear my throat and ask, “You like it here, huh?”
A smile plays at the edge of her lips. She opens her eyes and turns to me, watching as I step into the jacuzzi. With the hot bubbles licking at my skin, I sit down, careful to keep the glasses and wine from submerging in the water before she takes one of them from me.
“Like it here?” She rolls her eyes. “Oh, my dear boyfriend, you have no idea. Want to know a secret?”
I nod.
“When I came to clean the house for the first time, I literally told Rory I was in love with the owner because this place was so perfect.”
“No shit?”
She laughs. “Yup. Who knew I was actually onto something.” She waves the glass through the air, motioning to the bottle in my grasp. “Now, gimme the goods, sir.”
The red liquid spills into her cup, and I do the same to my own glass before setting the half-full bottle on the side table outside the water beside Tatum’s phone.
As she takes a sip, Tatum melts a little further into the jacuzzi, letting the hot water reach her chin and soak the tendrils of hair that have fallen from her messy bun. “Mmm. Seriously, this is the best way to spend a night after a long day cleaning.”
“You could always quit, you know.”
“We’ve already discussed this,” she reminds me. “I like cleaning.”
“Yeah, yeah. I know.” Moving closer, I kiss her temple. “Just reiterating that the offer’s still on the table.”
“And I appreciate it,” she returns. “Want to know what else I appreciate?”
“What?” I ask.
“When you spoil me with a glass of wine and a hot soak after I get home every night.”
“Home, huh?” I kiss her again. “I like the sound of that.”
“Right?” She peeks around me, taking in the house and beach in one long look. “Mmm, if only.”
She has no idea. Despite Tatum never filling me in on what she told Rory when she first came to clean my house, I’ve always known she loves it. The jacuzzi. The view. The music room. The beach. She stays here every night despite neither of us ever officially talking about moving in together. And during today’s meeting, I figured pulling a few strings was the least I could do.
“Speaking of if only …I have news,” I announce.
“Hmm?”
“The band invited me to be an official member of IndieCent Vows.”
Her lips part. “Are you serious?”
I nod.
“What does that mean?”
“It means I get royalties for IndieCent Vows’ songs now and don’t need to rely on touring or recording new songs to make money.”
“What?” She shakes her head. “Pax, that’s insane.”
“Yeah.” I nod, as blown away as she is. “I was surprised, too.”
“Since when?”
“They called a week ago, asking if I was okay with it. Obviously, I said yes, and I signed the paperwork this morning.”
“Pax, that’s…” Beaming up at me, she lets out a laugh. “That’s incredible. Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I didn’t want to jinx it.”
“Okay, I get that,” she concedes. “But still. A little heads-up would’ve been nice.” She wraps her arms around me, and climbs into my lap, careful not to spill her drink in the bubbling water. “I am so happy for you, it’s not even funny.”
With a grin, I kiss her, taking advantage of our new position. “I had a feeling you might be.”
“So, what do you think made Judge and Dodger change their minds after all these years?” she asks.
I hesitate, considering her question. Ever since the phone call, I’ve been wondering the same thing. And even though, I don’t have an actual answer, I reply, “I think they felt bad that I was waiting around for shit with Judge’s nephews to clear up, so they figured this was a good way to say thank you for my patience.” I brush my nose against hers. “Wanna know the best part, though?”
She quirks her brow. “There’s a part better than you being a full-blown member of the band?”
“Yeah.” Dropping my free hand to her ass in the water, I tug her into me. “I bought something for us.”
“Us?” She frowns. “Pax, you know you don’t have to?—”
“Ask me what I bought, Birthday Girl,” I push, anxious to see the look of surprise on her face. Because if she thinks my status with the band changing is a big deal, she’s gonna lose her shit.
Her eyes thin, and she leans back, slightly. “Okay, now I’m suspicious.”
“Ask me.”
“What did you buy?”
Holding her stare, I tilt my head toward the house, watching as a tiny crease forms between her brows.
“What do you…” Her voice trails off as understanding sparks in her hazel eyes, and her jaw drops. “You’re joking.”
“Not joking.”
“Seriously?”
“Yeah.” I laugh while trying to commit her expression to memory because shit. It’s damn near priceless. “And when you’re ready to move in officially ,” I emphasize, “the place is as much yours as it is mine.”
Holding back her grin, she rests her forearms on my shoulders, careful not to spill any of her drink as she slowly shakes her head back and forth. “Pax.”
“What do you think?” I ask.
“Pax, this is…it’s too much.”
“Hardly,” I argue. “Besides, this wasn’t a home until you stepped in it, Tatum Taylor.” She presses her lips together, and I know she’s debating on whether or not she wants to push the issue, so I add, “It also doesn’t hurt that if you move in, I’d have fewer run-ins with Hades, and will keep my balls intact.”
Mirth dances in her pretty gaze as she gives in, saying, “Now that might be your best argument, yet.” Leaning in she kisses my cheek like she can’t help herself.
Neither can I. Anytime she’s around, I want my hands on her. And not in a possessive or sexual way. Simply put? I like the reminder. That she isn’t a figment of my imagination like I spent years believing before we reunited. She’s here. She’s real. And she’s all mine. For as long as she’ll have me.
“Okay, yes,” she decides. “Yes, I’d love to move in.”
“Yeah?”
“Yup. On one condition.”
“What’s that?” I ask.
“Well…” She looks down into her glass, swirling the red liquid. “While you were grabbing the wine, my sister called.”
Over the last few weeks, I’ve learned a little more about Tatum’s family dynamic, and it’s been interesting, to say the least. Even though the crux of her friction with Ophelia has revolved around Archer, Tatum’s always been competitive with her sister, feeling lost in her shadow long before she developed feelings for Archer. But what’s really fascinating? It’s seeing Tatum mend the relationship. Letting go of her resentment in hopes of strengthening the sisterly-bond she’s missed over the years. They’ve been talking more. Sending texts. Tatum even added me to the family’s group chat, and it’s been quite entertaining. Honestly, I’m jealous of how amazing her family is. They’ve been nothing but welcoming so far. It’s a bittersweet reminder of everything I’ve lost over the years, though Tatum’s had no issue sharing them with me, and I’m grateful for it.
“How’s Lia doing?” I ask.
“She’s good,” Tatum returns. “They finally picked a date.”
“No shit? That’s awesome,” I reply. “When is it?”
“Well, apparently, their wedding venue had a cancellation, so they decided to combine the engagement party with the actual wedding.”
I cock my brow. “Isn’t the engagement party in a few weeks?”
She grimaces. “Yes?”
“No shit?” I repeat. “That’s fast.”
“I know, but Lia said they’ve been ready to take this step for years, they just didn’t know how. And now that they’ve decided to take the plunge and the wedding venue opened up, they decided, why wait? Why put their life on hold for another second, let alone another year, you know?”
“I can understand the sentiment,” I agree, squeezing Tatum’s ass still resting on my lap. “Although I don’t envy your parents.”
“Right?” She grimaces. “Bring on the Red Bull.”
“I’d say so,” I agree dryly.
Tatum takes another sip of her wine before tossing back the rest of it like it’s water.
“You good?” I ask.
“Yeah.” She clears her throat and sets the empty glass next to the bottle and her phone on the side table before giving me her full attention. “I was just wondering if you…you know, if you want to come with me?”
We haven’t talked about it, but I guess I’d always assumed I’d be tagging along despite the lack of official invitation. Watching her squirm at the possibility is adorable as fuck. “You want me to come with you to the wedding?”
“If I say yes, will you run in the opposite direction?” she asks, barely holding my gaze as she steals my own glass and downs the rest of it in hopes of settling her nerves.
With a low laugh, I point out, “You’re the runner, not me.”
“That isn’t an answer, smartass,” she grumbles.
“Of course, I’d love to come. Although, now that you mention it, I do have a few of my own conditions.”
“Like what?”
“For starters, how does your family feel about sharing a room?”
“With them?” Her nose wrinkles. “Probably not great—” I splash her and she laughs even harder. “Kidding. I’m pretty sure as long as they see how happy you make me, we’ll be good to go.”
“Good,” I reply. Dipping my hands back beneath the water, I drag them along her spine, memorizing every curve. “Because I’m pretty sure I’ll go crazy if I don’t get to spend every night with you by my side.”
She bites her lip, fighting a grin. “So corny.”
“You know you love it.”
“I love you,” she clarifies.
“I love you, too.” I kiss her softly. “Oh, and I have one more condition.”
“Someone’s greedy tonight.”
“You’ll like this one, I think,” I tell her.
She peeks up at me, those hazel eyes making my cock harden beneath the water. “What?”
Hooking my arm around her, I pull her into my side and drop my voice low as if delivering a secret. “You make sure to take notes so that when we finally tie the knot, our wedding will blow theirs out of the water.”
Her face scrunches in the cutest smile I’ve ever seen. “Deal.”
The End