Chapter 39
thirty-nine
“We should get on the road in the next hour,” I tell Ever and Jesse when they return from a morning run.
Jesse walks to the cabinet for a glass that he fills from the tap and chugs before asking, “Can I have a few of these muffins?”
“Help yourself. Mabel made them for you guys before she left to teach her monthly belly dancing class at the senior center,” I say, while I respond to an email. “She was sad she wasn’t going to be here to say goodbye, but said she’ll see us when they come up to visit in two weeks for her birthday.”
Ever crosses the room after he slips his shoes off by the front door and plants a kiss on top of my head. “Did the movers call with an ETA?”
I type the last sentence and hit send before I turn my head to look up at him and another kiss lands on my lips. “I talked to them about twenty minutes ago. They should be at the house around two this afternoon.”
A lot has happened in the past week, in addition to Ms. Banks saving the day.
Ever signed a six-month lease on the house near Estes Park.
It’s furnished and on five acres with the nearest neighbor a mile away, so there’s plenty of privacy.
And the best part is it’s vacant and available to move into immediately.
We hired a mover to pack up his instruments and studio equipment at his uncle’s in Kentucky and deliver them, along with the old Toyota 4Runner that he’s had since he was in high school, to the rental house to arrive today, along with Ever, Jesse, and me.
The big news is that the ink is dry on their new record deal. Scout emailed it over a few days ago, and after a few rounds of clarification, negotiation, and revisions, as well as the blessing of their new attorney, they signed it.
I was worried about Ever because I wasn’t sure if the new commitment would be triggering for him, with all he’s been through, but he’s been different since everything was settled with his old label.
He can finally put that chapter behind him.
I’m not sure what it’s like to feel completely at peace, but I imagine that’s what’s going on with him.
He’s calm, like this new path has grounded him.
“Oh, and you guys need to call your mom,” I add.
“She called me this morning when she couldn’t reach either of you.
She wanted your new address because she wants to send a housewarming gift.
I told her you had some more good news to share, and she asked if I,” I finger quote the rest, “‘had a bun in the oven?’” I look at Ever.
“Obviously, you need to set the record straight.”
Jesse laughs as he walks toward the bathroom in the hall to shower. “You’re gonna be sorry you gave her your number, Soph. You’re about to be jumped into Suzie St. Clair’s gang. I’m sorry, welcome, and godspeed.”
Ever sits down next to me. His hair’s damp with sweat, the apples of his cheeks are red, and his T-shirt’s clinging to him in that way that makes me wonder whether there’s time for another shower even though I took one an hour ago.
“How many miles?” I ask.
“Three. It was a struggle. Jess kicked my ass. I’m so out of shape. I need to get back into my routine.”
He’s been working out every day this week.
I eye him up and down. “If this is you out of shape, I don’t know if my heart can handle you in shape.”
He winks. “More stamina, you’ll be fine. I’m gonna go shower and pack up my things, but fair warning, we’re not leaving this house until you sign your contracts.”
Rotating in my chair, I face him. We’ve been going back and forth about this for days. “It’s too much, Ev,” I tell him for the third or fourth time in as many days.
He wipes his face with the sleeve of his shirt and then rests his elbows on the table and looks at me. “Did you talk to Scout?”
He knows how out of my element I am because this manager role is new to me, so he encouraged me to talk to Scout about it since she’s been in this business for years.
“Yeah.” I reluctantly tell him because I know where this is headed. He would never say it, but it’s an I told you so moment.
“And?” he asks.
I lean back in my chair and squint at him while I parrot her words verbatim.
“She commended you and Jesse for your generosity and said the contracts with Thicker Than Water and you, personally, to include Treachery’s Riot, are standard, comprehensive, and more than fair to you and me.
She saw no issues and encouraged me to sign them. ”
His hand drops to my thigh, his fingers warm on my skin, and I cover it with mine. We’re still deliciously in the middle of the I can’t not touch you when I’m near you phase of the relationship. I don’t see it ever coming to an end.
“I need more than ‘it’s too much,’ Soph. Help me understand why you don’t think you deserve this. Because you do,” he whispers.
No one in my life has ever talked to me with the level of care he does.
“I’ve always been very independent, and nothing’s ever come easy. I’ve worked hard for everything I have.” I lick my lips and lace my fingers with his. “This feels too easy. I feel like I haven’t earned it. Like I haven’t proven myself yet. I have so much to learn.”
He tips my chin in his direction and locks eyes with me.
“Fair enough. As someone who’s lived with crippling imposter syndrome, I get it.
But you wanna know what the rest of us see in you?
You’re the voice of reason, a fierce advocate, a shrewd negotiator, a natural peacemaker, a relentless cheerleader, and a protector the likes of which I’ve never known.
We wouldn’t be where we are without you.
We went out on the road to escape. It was a placeholder until Jess and I figured out what to do next with our fucked-up lives.
But you showed up, and suddenly there was fire and purpose and spark.
You reminded us that more was possible. And that’s just professionally, because I’d still be a husk if I hadn’t met you.
Not only did you breathe life back into me, but you gave me permission to be Ever.
Just Ever. Someone the world hadn’t seen in years.
You reminded me that I still mattered, music aside. ”
“Because you do,” I interrupt.
He smiles softly. “See? This. This is what I’m talking about. Your passion isn’t normal.”
“Are you calling me a weirdo?” There’s a hitch in my voice because I’m tearing up, but it’s coupled with a laugh.
He nods, “Absolutely,” and winks, “It takes one to know one,” and then smiles again.
“It’s one of my favorite things about you, how intensely you feel.
Passion is the whole point, isn’t it? It’s the reason you persevere, and you’re so fucking loved.
I can’t help but love you.” He pauses as he watches my eyes fill again, but then pulls me in for a kiss before pressing his forehead to mine.
“Sign the contracts, Soph. We’re a team.
My heart’s been in your pocket since the first day we met.
I go where you go. Or I don’t fucking go. ”
“Slyly slipped your heart in my pocket and stole mine at the same time?” I ask. “I guess it was never about the kidney after all.”
“I’d give you both kidneys if you needed them, but I’m forever here to hold your heart. And your earrings.”