Prologue
BALDWIN “WIN” HOLLOWS
As the crowd chants “Encore”, I turn around to face the band as we quickly decide to do a third encore.
We’ve run out of our originals and decide to do some of our favorite songs growing up.
As I finish the lyrics to Crazy Train by Ozzy, we thank the crowd, but they still want more of us.
The five of us stand center stage together and take a final bow.
Running off the stage, we hear the crowd chant our name, Winston Sellers.
We head back to the dressing room, which is more like the storage room for the extra cases of liquor, in the latest dive bar that we’ve been touring.
I hear the laughter that hardens my dick every time.
I look at my beautiful girl, Tatum, standing there with the manager of the bar.
How did I get so damn lucky with this girl?
The guys walk in one by one and I’m stuck in the doorway watching her as she hugs my bandmates, my best friends, telling them how great they sounded.
Tatum rags on Chris about being slow on the beat.
Tatum Rogers has been my girlfriend from the moment I saw her across the cafeteria on the first day of junior high.
She just didn’t know it then. Her parents moved here over the summer that year and we became inseparable once I finally wore her down.
She kept telling me she didn’t like me, but I managed to charm her with my good looks and winning smile.
Plus, I think the candy every day for a month helped too.
“Hey, babe.” I stride over to her, wrapping her up into my arms, and kiss her temple. The groupies start to come into the room and Tatum takes that as her cue to grab my hand so we can celebrate on our own. I can’t help but laugh.
“What’s so funny?” She stops to stare into my eyes.
“You. I’m not interested in those girls. I only have eyes for you, so we don’t have to run every time they come into the backstage area.”
“Maybe I just want to be alone with you?” She tries to bat her eyelashes, so I know she isn’t bullshitting me. I smirk.
“Let’s go back to the hotel. I want to celebrate with my girl.
” We walk out the back door for employees only.
We arrive at the hotel. My heart is racing as we ride the elevator up to our room.
I have big plans tonight and I’m worried about the outcome on all of this.
It’s a big step for us. “Close your eyes. I have a surprise for you.”
“What are you up to, Win?” She smiles at me.
“Close them.” Tatum does as I tell her. I wave my hand in front of her to make sure she can’t see anything.
I open the door and peek my head in to see that everything is the way I want it.
As I hold onto Tatum’s hands, I guide her into the room.
“No opening your eyes until I tell you to. There’s something I need to do. ”
“Will you hurry up? I’m dying from anticipation,” Tatum giggles.
I make sure that Tatum stands by the bedroom door as I scurry around, lighting the candles I had my sister place around the room.
I take one last look, the candles are placed perfectly around the dresser, nightstand, and even in the bathroom.
I know it’s cliché, but there are red and pink rose petals scattered on the floor towards the bed.
I take the engagement ring out of my suitcase so I can be on one knee as she opens her eyes.
I get down on my left knee and open the ring box.
“Okay, Tate, open your eyes.” I’m looking up at her as she blinks rapidly before searching for me.
She gasps as she places her hand over her mouth.
“Tatum, for the last eleven years you’ve been by my side through it all.
When things got bad, you were the shining light.
I don’t want to spend another day away from you.
Will you make me the happiest son of a bitch on the face of the Earth and marry me?
” My hands shake waiting for her to respond.
Tatum walks slowly into the room, never breaking eye contact with me.
She stops about an arm’s length away from me.
“I don’t know what to say.” Tatum sniffles. “Yes, of course, you big dummy. I’ll marry you!” Tatum laughs as I slide the ring on her left ring finger.
Tatum pulls me up so she can kiss me, and kiss me she does. “When do you want to get married?” I roughly grab her neck and pull her down to me.
“Now.” She smiles before kissing me. I laugh into her lips and flip her on her back.
“You have way too many clothes on for my liking. We need to celebrate this engagement.” Tatum pushes me off of her as she does a striptease to remove her jeans.
How did I get so damn lucky?