Epilogue
WALK THE LINE WITH ME
MAGGIE
Die First By Nessa Barrett
M y plane lands in Dublin, and I rush through the airport like a woman possessed, my heart pounding against my ribcage. I weave through the crowds, my camera bag slung over one shoulder and my luggage wheels squeaking in protest. I stop a gate agent, my words tumbling out in a frantic rush. “How do I get to the arena?”
Fuck, Felix is gonna kill me if I miss this.
“There’s a bus that goes directly there,” he says, pointing toward the street.
“My boyfriend’s performing tonight,” I explain with a goofy grin on my face, but of course he doesn’t need to know that. I just like saying it.
“Who’s the band?” he surprises me by asking.
“Velvet Drift,” I reply.
He nods approvingly. “Good band.”
I remember I’m in a hurry and yell, “Thank you,” over my shoulder as I scurry away, my camera bag over my shoulder and my luggage wheels squealing behind me.
You would think after three years of traveling all over to catch a show, I’d be more organized. Thank the heavens that when I explode onto the sidewalk the bus is still idling outside. Before I get too comfortable, I ask the driver if this is the bus to the arena because I know from experience to double check. He nods, and I’m relieved.
When I collapse into my seat, I realize I’m vibrating and pluck my phone out of my back pocket. It’s not Joey’s face that comes into view but a miniature version of her.
“Lyric, are you playing with your mom’s phone again?” I say as the bus travels over a bump, and I must make a weird face because it has her giggling.
“Where’s your mom?” I ask.
“I don’t know,” she says in her cute little baby voice.
“Lyric!” I hear Joey in the background and then Lyric starts moving faster.
Joey scoops her up and the phone makes me dizzy, whipping toward the sky and back down again.
“Okay, go see your grandpa,” she sets her back down, taking the phone and I hear Lyric yell ‘Papacush.’ She can’t say Cash yet, and I fear that will be his name forever.
“So, I’m in Dublin and I’m late.” I bounce my knee, willing the bus to go faster.
“Did you miss your flight or something?” she asks.
“No!” I protest and then roll my eyes. “Yes, but only because the boys wanted to do another take.”
“I like how you refer to Paper Skies as ‘the boys’,” Joey laughs.
“They’re such boys though,” I laugh.
I check my watch again as my leg continues to bounce. “Any way to speed this bus up?” I call to the driver.
“Wow, you’re bossy,” Joey says.
“Speaking of bossy.” I give her a look. “How’s life with my favorite niece? I miss her squishy little face.”
“Well, if you’d come home more often, you’d get to see for yourself,” she chastises.
She’s right of course, but my schedule is so busy. If I’m not shooting on location, I’m meeting Felix on tour.
“Can’t slow down. Gotta strike while the iron’s hot,” I tell her.
Joey giggles. “What’s after Dublin?”
“I’m here for a few days and then I fly out to New York. You’ll never guess who I’m meeting with.” I roll my eyes but I’m just being facetious.
“Who?”
“Ivy Nova,” I draw out the name. “She called my agent last week.”
“I thought you didn’t do pop,” she says the word pop as if it’s a curse word and I laugh.
“I’m not a music snob, Joey. Besides, I heard she’s taking her career in a different direction and that’s why she wanted to meet with me. I’ll give you all the gossip as soon as I know.”
“Please do. I’m living vicariously through you,” she says.
“Oh please, you’re living life with that adorable munchkin,” I tease.
“Lyric, you can’t have another peppermint. Dad!” she yells. “She hasn’t even had breakfast,” Joey chastises.
“What?” my dad yells in the background.
“An adorable monster,” Joey grumbles. “I gotta go. Be safe, I love you.”
The call ends, and just in time for the bus to stop at the arena. I race down the steps, my luggage bouncing on the cracks in the road as I run at top speed, or whatever speed my high-tops will let me. I flash my VIP badge, and the security guard lets me through.
The halls are crowded with press, fans, and crew, but I spot Dusty in front of the lounge. His face lights up when he sees me.
“He’s backstage, been pacing the halls waitin’ for you for hours,” he says, and I give him a peck on the cheek.
“It’s good to see you. Thanks!” I hand him my luggage.
“Hey!” he calls after me. “I’m not baggage claim, Maggs!”
I chuckle as I pull my camera out and flip it on.
“I don’t get paid enough for this shit,” I hear Dusty grumble as he wheels my bag into the green room.
I make my way through the tunnel, filming as I go, seeing a few of the crew I’ve come to be friends with over the years.
And then I see him. Tight shredded black jeans, a white graphic t-shirt that stretches over his broad shoulders, messy brown hair that I’m sure is because he’s been running his hand through it all afternoon, and his guitar resting at his side.
I drink him in, my legs turning to Jello and the butterflies banging against my stomach. He tilts his head and his eyes meet mine. A sexy smile forms on his face, and I’m struck dumb as he stalks toward me.
I lower my camera and close the distance, jumping into his arms and wrapping my legs around his waist.
“Baby,” he says before kissing me, and I’m a goner, just like the first time he kissed me. “I missed you.”
“Good to see you Maggie,” Dex says.
“Maggie! How was your flight?” Gunner yells, his arm draped over his wife Mica, who gives me a small wave.
“Hey, we have a show to do,” Bash calls. “Oh, hey Maggie.”
Felix turns me around to face them and I remove my mouth from his long enough to wave at them.
“I wish we could spend more time together,” he says.
“Just think, I get to watch my hot rockstar boyfriend perform on stage, and by the time you’re done I’ll be thoroughly horny and ready to jump your bones the minute you get off stage,” I tell him, and he laughs against my lips. But I don’t have to watch him perform to feel that way, it’s just an added bonus.
“You laugh, but you know I’m serious.”
“Oh, I know you are.” He leans close to my ear. “And I’m looking forward to it too, baby.” He gives me one last kiss before setting me down and I already feel the loss of his body close to mine, but he doesn’t let go of my hand.
We start walking toward the stage and I try to let go of his hand in order to take my spot at side stage, but he grips my hand tighter.
“Felix, what are you doing?” I ask, confused as we walk out on stage.
“This is for missing your flight, Sass,” he says, giving me a cocky smile, walking me out on stage and holding our hands up as the crowd roars.
Felix grabs the mic. “Hello, Dublin!” The crowd explodes and I stand there awkwardly because they’re probably thinking who the hell is this chick, that is if they don’t read celebrity mags.
He turns me toward him. “This is my beautiful girlfriend, Maggie!” he says, and I smile at him. He has a way of looking at me and making me feel like I’m the only person in the room even though I’m standing on stage in front of thousands of screaming fans.
“But not for long,” he says.
What the fuck?
That’s when he gets down on one knee and my hand flies up to my mouth, tears start to pool in my eyes and I grapple with what he’s about to do.
“Because she’s gonna be my wife. If she’ll have me,” he says into the mic.
He pulls a ring from his pocket and holds it between his fingers. I bounce on my feet, wishing I’d worn something other than high-top Converse, a Velvet Drift t-shirt, and a pair of jeans.
“Maggie, I was intrigued by you from the moment I ran into you at Stonewall records, I fell for you the moment you came out of that trailer calling me a pampered rockstar, and I’ve loved you every day since.”
I can’t contain the tears that fall swiftly down my cheeks.
“I will spend the rest of my life loving you until we’re old and gray, surrounded by our grandkids. What do you say, Sass? You want to walk the line with me, all the way to the altar?” he asks, and I kneel down to meet him, taking his face in my hands.
I nod, unable to form words. He pulls me tight to him, lifting my feet off the ground.
“Yes,” I whisper, wiping the tears from my eyes. “I love you, Felix. Yes.” I kiss him again and he pulls away to slip the ring on my finger.
It’s only then that I remember we’re on a stage in Dublin with thousands of fans watching. The noise is deafening.
Felix grabs the mic. “She said yes!” The crowd explodes again, and the guys start playing a few chords of the wedding march, making us laugh.
He scoops me up again, twirling me around on the stage and when he sets me back down, I still feel like I’m flying.
“We’re gonna have an amazing life together,” I whisper in his ear.
“I know,” he says, claiming me with his eyes, looking deep into my soul and taking hold.