CHAPTER 24
My eyes stayed glued to the window for the entire flight.
I was still in a mood—a penchant for melancholy.
Funny how time could change the perspective of worries, one moment I was fighting for my life, and the next I was sad that I was still just a girlfriend.
Though, I’d take the latter any time of the day.
“You’re acting weird.”
I shrugged, shifting in my seat to meet his eyes. “I’m fine.”
He frowned. “Is it LA? Are you thinking about the…?”
“No,” I cut him. “Today is your big day, I think you should focus on that.”
His frown deepened.
My eyes landed on Lan and Katy watching our exchange with a bemused smile. Lan looked outright confused while Katy looked sympathetic knowing the real reason.
I shut my eyes, drawing in some positive thoughts. I shouldn’t be thinking about baseless fears and letting them get to me. Sarah wouldn’t be proud of the way I was handling this at the moment.
We’ve come a long way, Sarah and I, almost to the point that I could call myself mentally free, which was addicting and liberating. I didn’t see her as much as I used to but occasionally, I did if I wanted to get something off my chest. I no longer depended on her to keep me sane, I simply depended on me instead.
Within minutes we were touching down and I was relieved for the distraction.
The dry LA air greeted us as we exited the jet and boarded the SUVs assigned to us. I’d slowly integrated into the norm of being a rock star girlfriend, jet-setting across the country, and having access to the most elite luxuries. It had its perks and I had zero objections.
We headed straight to the venue and I watched through the windows as the city blurred by. It felt like only yesterday when Jay first brought me here, I recall watching the same sight with so much hope for the future, filled with dreams and aspirations thinking I could do anything in life.
But somehow it all tied together in the end.
The path still led to the same destination.
Jay’s questioning eyes swept over me when we reached the arena. It was like he had many questions in his head but didn’t want to voice it instead he said, “I’ll see you after soundcheck.” He gave me a quick kiss while he joined the boys, a roadie showing them the way.
“You seem worried, Ms. May. Is something of the matter?” Tyler inquired, as he led us girls toward the green room. Ah, even Tyler was picking up on my mood. After the incident, Tyler wasn’t supposed to leave my side under Jay’s strict orders. According to him, I shouldn’t argue and he wasn’t taking any risks. I let it slide because I had grown comfortable with Tyler’s presence .
“I’m fine, Tyler.” I offered him a smile as I settled myself in a comfortable corner.
The expression on his face said he didn’t believe me one bit but he left me and got himself situated on a chair by the door.
“Are you still upset?” Lily dropped down beside me, hugging me from the side.
“I shouldn’t be. But I am.”
“You have every right to be,” Katy said, as she eased into the single-seater beside us. Grimacing as she shifted to adjust her position. Propping a pillow on her back, she sighed, rubbing her protruding tummy. “This pregnancy will be the end of me. My poor feet,” she mumbled under her breath before turning her attention back to us, flushing when she saw us looking right at her. “Yeah, what was I saying? You have every right to be upset, E. Every girl wants to get married to the love of their life and it’s okay to get your hopes up and be disappointed it didn’t happen.”
“Yeah,” Lily added. “Maybe it’s tonight who knows.”
“Don’t get your hopes up.” I slanted her with a chiding gaze. “But enough on this. I don’t want to think about it anymore or talk about it anymore.”
They both sighed but agreed.
“Katy, have you chosen the theme for your baby shower?” I asked as I dug around my bag and pulled out my laptop. I was so used to tagging along with Jay that I had my own routine going along when he wasn’t around.
Her face warmed up with a smile. “No, I don’t think I want any. I want to keep it simple,” she replied quietly.
“Never thought I’d hear that.” Lily lifted a brow .
Neither did I—the one who was obsessed with extravagance, wasn’t anymore. I guessed priorities changed when life became easier.
Soon we were buried with our work.
The spark fired in me as I started typing away and the words just flowed like a stream from the vision in my head. I let my characters speak instead of strictly sticking to my plot and it turned out so much better than I had expected. I was already ninety thousand words in and was finishing up the last part and that just got my blood pumping.
The instant gratification of seeing my words transform into scenes and characters made my mood instantly brighten as I got lost in the process.
I had no idea how my book was performing and honestly, I didn’t want to get caught up in that. A few of the early readers praised it offering me valuable feedback and that was enough for me. My mental sanity and creativity were more important to me while Angela took care of the rest.
She was already excited for the next book, having read the premise. I even roped Jo into the process who was no longer my boss but a friend. This wouldn’t have been possible without her bringing Angela into my life.
It was well over an hour, when I closed my laptop, wanting a break. Lily was busy sketching something intensely for some new anime and Katy…well, she was knitting a sweater for her baby.
Everything she did these days shocked me to the core, it was almost as if she birthed a new laid-back Katy out of nowhere.
Just then, the doors dashed open, and the boys walked in, all sweaty and juiced up, bursting with excitement. They still had a whole show to perform and a launch party after that. I had no idea where they got the energy from; it was truly marvelous to watch.
But I knew it was going to be a long night for me.
“You sure you’ll be fine?” I asked, hugging Jay tight as I crushed my lips to his in a tingling kiss.
“Yes,” he murmured, his lips still on mine. “I rehearsed for this remember.”
This was the first show he was performing since the surgery and he recovered fast but I was still worried.
“Don’t go rocking too hard,” I whispered, molding my forehead to his as my hand caressed his cheek.
“The stage? I won’t.” He grinned. “You know there is only one person I would love to rock hard.”
Heat licked my skin and I was pretty sure my cheeks were painted red. “Rude.”
He laughed, giving me one more long hard kiss before running off to the stage.
The spotlights hit them and they transformed—the energy in the air shifted while they did what they did best. Make music.
The crowds roared as Jay opened with an older single, their deafening cheers filled the air while Katy, Lily, and I stood by the sidelines, our eyes fixed on them.
“God, they’re so cool,” Lily whispered.
I agreed. I never got tired of watching them perform live .
I was so proud of how far they’d come, no longer the inexperienced boys playing gigs for a small crowd, fighting for a chance. Now, they were headliners playing sold-out stadiums.
Halfway through the show, Jay lost his jacket, Mikey lost his shirt and the girls in the crowd lost their minds and went wild, screaming their throats out.
My eyes never strayed far from my man, the lights dancing across his face, the sweat glistening on his skin as his honey-dipped sultry voice floated through the air. Singing like he was meant to do this, singing like there was no one else better than him.
Even far, his presence affected every being of my soul.
As if sensing my eyes on him, his gaze dropped to me, and a smirk sneaked his lips as he continued to crush his guitar in a heavy riff and I blushed, my heart speeding.
When he looked at me, it felt like just the two of us in the room. And the world was just background noise.
The band performed the exact setlist much to the girl’s dismay who were hoping for a heartfelt proposal in front of the crowd. I wasn’t disappointed because I knew it wasn’t happening today.
“You killed it, Jay.” I held him tight, dropping a quick kiss on his cheek. His woodsy seawater scent laced with his musky sweat seeped into my senses. Even sweaty and exhausted, he was divine.
“Thanks, sweetheart.” He smiled, rolling his T-shirt as he wiped the sweat off his forehead. The action put his abs on display and jealousy coursed through me when I noticed giggling roadies drooling over him. Yes, by now I should be used to this but I clearly wasn’t and never going to be. It didn’t matter where we went, he was always going to be gawked at and I was always going to protect him from unwanted eyes.
I immediately stepped in front of their gaze, covering him. “Don’t do that in public,” I bit out.
He chuckled, slipping his shirt back into place. “Come on, let’s go.”
It was around three a.m. when we got dressed to go to the launch party, and every person there looked—awake and glamorous. I guessed they were used to having late-night parties.
The band’s new album, ‘A Brand-New Blue Butterfly’ played in the background while we made the rounds greeting everyone. It was one of the most authentic pieces of work that the guys ever put out, every bit of it shined a spotlight on their individuality. And it all molded together as one great masterpiece.
Over the months, having been to a few events, I recognized a few faces and greeted them and some celebrities were even my friends now. How bizarre was my life?
I lasted all for thirty minutes before a yawn escaped my lips.
I knew with the way this was going; this party had just gotten started.
I set my drink aside and pulled Jay closer to me. “I think I’m going back to the hotel, I’m so tired,” I told him, looping my arms through his neck.
“Okay.” He smiled, nodding. “I’ll go with you.”
“No, Jay.” I shook my head. “This is your night and all these people are here for you. It’s disrespectful if you leave. ”
“I don’t give a fuck.” His blues pinned me in place. “I’m not leaving you alone.”
Ever since the incident, he hasn’t left my side. I was either with him or with the girls with Tyler looming over me.
“Jay,” I started softly. “I know you’re worried but you have to leave me alone at some point. Tyler will drop me and I’ll be in a hotel room—safe and nothing is going to happen to me.”
His jaw ticked and he averted his gaze for a moment before they locked into me again. “Fine, but call me once you get there,” he paused, swallowing. “And please be careful.”
“I will.” I melted into him, giving him one last kiss. “I love you so much.”
“Love you, more.”
“Have fun, but not too much,” I called out, eyeing all the beautiful models in skimpy dresses as I walked out.
“Yes, ma’am,” he hollered after me.
Halfway through the room, I turned around and ran back to him again shouting, “Wait.”
He frowned, surprised as I leaped into his arms and captured his lips in a long, hard kiss. I even heard some cheers in the background but I didn’t care as I gave him all my love. I was breathless when we parted, his shocked eyes gazing at me with bewilderment.
“Just so everyone in this room knows that you’re still mine,” I whispered in his ear, and with that, I scrambled off him and walked away once more, this time with him grinning like a little kid who scored an extra candy.
I could still feel the high of the kiss as I huddled closer to his leather jacket that I stole, which smelled just like him as I exited the room. The silence of the night greeted me and it wasn’t long before Tyler dropped me at the hotel and I fell asleep the moment my face hit the pillow.
And I didn’t wake up until a pair of arms drew me close, wrapping me in his delicious heat.
I poked one eye open to see Jay softly snoring beside me, his warm breath fanning over my skin. He looked so innocent and childlike.
God, I loved him like this.
It didn’t matter if Jay didn’t want to marry me—I was content anyway.
I tugged the blanket over us and sank into his hold as my heavy eyelids lulled me back to sleep.
Only this time, I felt weightless as a dandelion flying in the sky.