Chapter 69
Chapter sixty-nine
Hendrix · Now
Some say life is too short for regrets.
I say those people have never been about to step foot on a death trap wearing granny pants.
“You’re looking a little green, bestie,” Saint drawls.
I push my palm into my stomach and swallow. “That thing can’t be safe.”
He chuckles, throwing an arm over my shoulder as I stare wide-eyed at the white monstrosity they call a private plane sitting on the tarmac.
Saint and I had a plan. But now I’m standing here, I’m pretty sure I’m about to die the second we hit the air, and that great fucking plan is going to go to waste.
“It’s completely safe,” Saint says as he tugs me closer. “You’re gonna have to get used to it, you know? Can’t imagine you plan to stay at home while we’re touring the world.”
“Unfortunately not.” I blow air into my cheeks. “Why’d I have to fall in love with a rock star?”
He flicks my nose. “You were never gonna fall in love with anyone else.”
Too fucking right.
A car screeches to a stop behind us.
I crane my neck as Axel steps out, sunglasses swinging around his finger.
He stops at my side, looking between me and Saint with dipped brows. “Why are you two just standing around like spare parts?”
“Our girl is feeling a little nervous,” Saint says.
Axel hikes a brow, a knowing grin on his lips. “And why would that be?”
I rock his shoulder and grumble, “I’ve never been on a plane before.”
“How did you get to thirty without going on a plane?” Axel grabs my shaking palm in his. “Did you never go on holiday?”
A high-pitched whine echoes through the air as the engine whirrs.
I gulp. “Travelling wasn’t exactly a priority in the Moore household growing up. The whole parents hating me thing really put a dampener on family holidays, you know?”
“God, your family sucks.” Axel’s fingers tighten around mine.
I tug my tongue stud as warmth spreads over me. “They were never my family. Not really. I found my family when I found you guys.”
“And aren’t we fucking lucky for that, huh?” Axel grins, squeezing my hand once before stepping back.
Saint slinks off as Theo slips out of a blacked-out car. Suitcase in hand, she saunters across the tarmac, the soft click of her shoes swallowed by the rumbling plane.
Riley comes out next, bag swinging from one hand, glittering ball tight in the other.
Carter shoots across the tarmac, hot on the heels of the two tiny humans sprinting up the metal steps. “I told you to walk!” He spies me on the way past and winks before he’s gone.
My chest thunders.
Riley comes to a stop beside me, drops her bag to the floor, and brushes my fingers with hers. “Are you okay?”
“Absolutely not.” A choked laugh spills from me. “What if this is a terrible idea?”
She shrugs a shoulder, her fingers wiggling. “It might be.”
My lips twist.
“But what if it isn’t?” She hooks her pinkie around mine. “You deserve this, Hendrix. But more than that, you’ve earned it. You’ve given so much of yourself to others in your life. It’s your turn now. Live for you, and fuck everyone else.”
I chuckle. “You’re spending way too much time with these lot.”
“I think so.” She hugs a laugh. “But I like your people, Hendrix.”
“I like them too.” I squeeze her pinkie. “But you’ll always be my favourite person, you know that, right?”
“I know,” she says, readjusting an ear defenders as her gaze trains on my nose. Her face wrinkles a beat. “We should probably get going.”
“In a minute,” I tell her.
Another hum from the plane.
My gut clenches. “Riles.”
“Yeah?”
“Tell me a fun fact.”
She hums, bouncing on the balls of her feet. “Did you know that the Romans started the wedding cake tradition?”
“I did not.”
“It originated with a loaf of bread being broken over a bride’s head.” She reels off the fact with such a straight face, I chuckle. “For good luck, and fertility.”
“Oh. Ew.” I shake my head with a grimace. “No wedding cakes in my future then.”
Her mouth twitches and she moves away, falling into step with Axel when he snatches her holdall and throws it over his shoulder. She glances over her shoulder, a small smile on her face. “Get on the plane, Hendrix.”
“I’m coming.”
Still, I don’t move.
I exhale a slow, shuddering breath, white-knuckle the strap of my guitar case, and tip my head back.
The sky is blue, the sun shining. There isn’t a raincloud to be seen. An odd sight for this time of year, but I’m not complaining.
I slide my hand into my back pocket, the knots in my chest loosening as my fingers brush cold metal.
You have to choose.
Love or music…
A shadow falls around me.
Warmth seeps into my back when an arm snakes around my waist.
A breath skates my ear, and my heart expands. “You know they’ll just take off without you, right?”
“They wouldn’t dream of it.” I roll my neck, mouth quirking as Cole presses a kiss to my nose. “Plus, you’re still standing here too. They kind of need you for the show.”
“Damn right they do. I’m the star, baby.”
“Chill the ego, dude.” I click my tongue, as my pulse skitters.
They're about to play the first Reckless Abandon show since we started the new album. We've still got a couple more songs to record before it's finished, but Cole wanted to test the waters with their fans.
Saint and I had already been planning this trip, so when Axel threw out the idea of doing another secret set, it felt like serendipity. A perfect excuse to get everyone together on that plane.
Cole smiles down at me. “You ready for your first show in the wings?”
“Who said anything about the wings?” I ease myself free, spin, and saunter backwards, gaze locked on him. “I’m gonna be right there in the crowd, screaming along to every song.”
“Rixie Moore. My biggest fan.”
The most glorious grin takes over his face and fucking butterflies flutter through me.
Love or music…
A tinkling laugh crawls up my throat.
He doesn’t have to choose, and I never should have.
So fuck you, Dad.
We’re gonna have it all.
I wink at Cole, curl my hand around the stair railing, and take the first step towards my future. “Always and forever, Rock Star.”