CHAPTER SIXTY-THREE
Cassie
My heart thunders and I feel like I’m flying as I exit the stage.
I take a moment to let the tears come, knowing in my heart that performing here, in Laurel Creek, was the absolute best way to end my time onstage.
I make my way to the hockey dressing room acting as a green room to grab my phone.
Wherever Haden is right now, I want to find him.
I need to find him. I need to hear him say that he wants me the same way I want him. Forever.
Once I’ve closed the door to the changing room, I pull my vest off and toss it on a chair before heading back out into the hall.
I’m half typing a message to Haden when I look up and see the very face I’ve missed so goddamn much staring back at me.
Haden is wearing his perfectly fitting jeans and a black t-shirt.
He’s without his standard cowboy hat tonight, which has been replaced with a backward Nashville Twister cap.
Good God he looks incredible. His eyes are full of so much want it almost does me in on the spot as I put my hand on my hip and flash a smile.
“Guess you were right. I did write another song.”
I swear, only one second passes before he’s right in front of me, wrapping his strong arms around me and lifting me up to meet his lips as they come crashing down on mine.
The moment they do, I know I’m right where I’m supposed to be.
Haden’s kiss is deep and urgent and sets me on fire from my head to my toes.
“Could’ve warned me,” he says gruffly between kisses.
“Where’s the fun in that?” I ask as his lips come down on mine again.
“I never want to miss you again, Princess. It’s you and me from now on. Got it?”
I nod. “I got it.”
“I don’t care what it takes,” he says. “I will follow you every chance I can across this damn country.” He grins. “Cross my heart.”
I laugh as his hands fist my hair and his lips trail down my neck right in the middle of the empty corridor.
“I was kinda hoping … I could write music from your front porch,” I whisper. “I was hoping it could be my safe space to land.”
He pulls back. “How? You have to tour. I mean, fuck, yes.” Another kiss. “But how?”
I shake my head. “Not anymore. I fired Dax and hired Fiona. She’s going to be my publisher and she already has interest in two of the songs I wrote while I was here.”
“So you’re saying no touring?”
I let a slow smile spread across my face. “Nope. That time is over. Unless I choose to go back. But you know the stage never had my heart anyway.”
“You and me?” he asks.
“You and me,” I tell him. “I love you, Haden. I have since the moment you scooped me up in these strong arms. And now all I hope is that you never put me down.”
His hands come to the side of my face as his eyes drink me in.
“I love you with everything I am, Cass …” His voice is a whisper against my skin. “Every goddamn beat of my heart is for you. You’re my every moment, Princess. Always.”
Haden peppers me with kisses as we make our way back into the dressing room.
We can’t get there fast enough and, when the door closes behind me, I’m pinned against it and his body is flush with mine.
Any hope in hell we had of making it home is gone as Haden groans into my mouth and slides both his hands up my back, taking off my shirt and tossing it—along with my old life—to the dressing room floor.