Chapter 27
Chapter twenty-seven
Walking away from her has to be the hardest thing I’ve ever done.
Standing under the glow of stage lights in front of thousands of people—no problem.
But respecting Vivienne’s request for space?
Gut-wrenching. It might just destroy me.
I’ve sent her a long-stemmed rose and a card every day since I’ve been gone.
Nothing I do results in a response from her.
My daily texts remain read and unanswered.
I watch her every day on the cameras the security company installed inside.
My obsession only seems to grow. I can’t stand the days when she’s gone because I’m not able to see how she’s truly coping.
In the beginning, I was worried, but Roxy refused to let her slip into a dark hole.
I’m thankful she has her. That they have each other.
There’s no way Vivienne would be doing as well as she is now without her best friend.
For the most part, her life has gone back to normal, and I hate that I’m not there.
I have no time between shows to sneak away.
Watching is the only way I can stay connected without breaking my promise to give her space.
Her reactions are what keep me going. At first, she threw the roses in the trash and ripped up the cards without reading them.
After about a week, she started holding them to her nose, closing her eyes, and smelling them.
She’d lay each one on the counter where they’d basically die.
The following week, she ordered a vase and began collecting them in it.
She’d smell the rose, read the card, then place it in the vase in the center of the kitchen island.
Eventually, she started keeping the cards in a kitchen drawer, tossing them in instead of throwing them away.
I see the way she smiles when she reads them.
A few times, I’ve accidentally made her cry.
It’s obvious she still has feelings for me.
Each night, she falls asleep in the hoodie I left there.
It’s never been washed. Every morning is the same routine; she wakes up around eight, unless my broken little muse smashes the snooze button.
I’ve found our time difference makes sending a message around seven-thirty her time and nine-thirty mine the sweet spot.
It doesn’t wake her, but it’s always waiting when she picks up her phone off the charger.
I keep my messages simple. A good morning and well wishes for the day.
She doesn’t respond back, and I don’t push.
I keep waiting for the day she decides to either reply or block my number.
The fact that she hasn’t blocked me yet is a good sign the space between us is only for work.
At least that’s how I choose to see it. I genuinely know she misses me, which is why I’m planning something big for the end of her tour.
At every signing, I’ve made sure to send her and Roxy a card, a bottle of champagne to celebrate, and meals so I can keep my girl going when she’s running on empty.
When I found out Roxy was unexpectedly staying behind in Florida to spend time with her grandparents for Christmas, I decided I had to save the holidays.
What could possibly be more perfect than spending them together in New York City?
A few weeks of magical holiday spirit gives me just enough time to make her fall in love with me again.
She loved me once before—now she just needs to remember.
It will all lead up to singing the song I wrote for her on New Year’s Eve in the middle of Times Square.
I shift in my seat as the car rounds the corner near the convention center where her last show is ending in Orlando.
I’m done watching. Tonight I’m making good on my promise to collect what’s mine.
In a few short minutes, I’ll be whisking her off to keep all to myself for the next three weeks.
I’ve been counting down the days until I can hold her in my arms again.
My body aches to feel her melting into me as I tangle my fingers in her long blonde hair while kissing every inch of her perfect body.
More than anything, I crave the sound of her voice.
I need her to speak to me. I thought the silent treatment would end after a few weeks, but it stretched on and on until it almost felt normal.
My driver comes to a stop in front of the convention center. “Call or text me when you’re ready to be picked up.”
“Okay, thanks,” I say, climbing out, not waiting for him to open the door.
My convention pass hangs around my neck.
I’m nervous to try and get in an hour before the show closes, but they scan me in, and my entrance goes smoothly.
I weave my way through the dwindling crowds of people.
Exhausted con-goers trudge past me, focused on making their way to the exit. So far, no one has realized I’m here.
It doesn’t take me long to find where she’s signing.
It’s one of the booths that still has a line.
I had my people arrange with her handler to get me in as the last person in her line.
As I step into place at the end of her line, I nod at them.
They close it behind me. After weeks of plotting, everything’s going exactly as planned.
I keep my head tucked low and pretend to be super interested in my phone like the other people.
It takes well over thirty minutes until I’m the only person left.
She hasn’t looked up to notice me yet. Thankfully, Roxy is digging in a box on the ground because I haven’t stopped staring at Vivienne, desperate to see her reaction.
The wait is agonizing, but when she finally sees me, it’s all the confirmation I need.
Vivienne looks up, completely unsuspecting. “Hi, thanks for wait—“
Her words trail off, and her face falls. She fights back a smile as a dusting of pink blush creeps across her cheeks. I flash her a toothy smile, knowing she doesn’t stand a chance resisting it. Pretending to check the time on my watch, I say, “Your tour’s over. It’s time to come with me.”
She frowns. Roxy elbows her. Annoyed, Vivienne rolls her eyes with a sigh. “Cas, what do you mean? You can’t just show up to collect me.”
Roxy kicks her beneath the table. “Ow!” Vivienne howls. “What the fuck!”
“Hear the man out,” she says through gritted teeth.
I think I like Roxy even more than before. She’s really saving my ass. I’m definitely going to owe her a favor. “I refuse to accept no for an answer. You won’t be spending the holidays alone. You’re coming with me.”
She opens her mouth to argue, but Roxy puts her hand over it. Vivienne licks her, to which Roxy replies, “Don’t be a hoe-bag. Quit licking my hand, you damn weirdo.”
I snort-laugh, which earns me a hard glare from both of them. I quickly recover, cross my arms, and continue. “I gave you space. Both of our tours are over.”
“You can’t force me to go with you,” Vivienne answers, crossing her arms stubbornly.
“She’s going with you. I’ll give you her luggage,” Roxy snaps, turning a searing stare on Vivienne. “You will not be alone. This is a fantastic option. You’ll go with Cas. I’ll stay in Florida. Do you understand me?”
Vivienne doesn’t respond.
“I’ll miss my pick-up and drag your ass on to a plane with him if I have to, Vivienne. Don’t make me use your middle name,” Roxy hisses through clenched teeth.
This earns her a raised eyebrow from Vivienne in response. “Fine,” she relents.
“Does she have a key card?” I ask Roxy.
“Yeah, but it won’t be a problem because the hotel is holding both our bags until the driver collects them.
Just let them know you’re only grabbing hers.
They’re black like her soul. Mine are purple.
Don’t take mine or we’ll be mortal enemies with personal beef.
” Roxy is all bite; I don’t want to be on her bad side.
I hand her my phone, “Text yourself the hotel information and save my contact. I’ll let you know if we have any issues.”
Roxy follows directions and hands it back to me. “I think Vivienne’s going to be on her best behavior.”
“Stop talking about me like I’m not right here,” she whines, her annoyance is almost believable.
“Do you two want to say goodbye or anything?”
They both stand up to hug each other. I can hear them bickering while I text the driver I’m ready to be picked up. A few minutes later, Vivienne comes out from behind the table. “Lead the way,” she says, waving at me.
I hoist her over my shoulder, and she screams. “Put me down!”
“Bye, Roxy. Thanks for taking such good care of our girl while I was working,” I shout.
“You’re welcome,” she hollers back, laughing hysterically.
I carry Vivienne out of the convention as she curses me under her breath over and over.
I fucking missed this girl more than I was willing to admit.
It feels so right when we’re together. Even now, I can’t deny the way it feels to hold her in my arms knowing she’s all mine until I decide to give her back after New Year’s Eve.
If I give her back.
We stroll out the doors into the cool night air and no one bothers trying to stop me.
The driver is there waiting for us in a black SUV.
My luggage is already on the plane, but I wasn’t sure how many bags Vivienne traveled with.
As I make my way effortlessly to the car, she stops complaining.
I set her on the ground and open the door.
“You don’t get to take me,” she says quietly, trying once more to convince us both.
I grip her firmly, but tenderly, by the chin, forcing her to stare into my eyes.
“You don’t get to push me away anymore. I gave you space, and I made it very clear this wasn’t over.
Stop fighting me. I got tired of waiting for you—now I’m here to collect.
You had an opportunity to do things your way. ”