by Daya Daniels
“Zane,” Yandi calls out.
He kisses me once more, hard. “I promise you. I love you, baby girl.”
I stare at my hand as it slowly slips from his grasp. I watch him through a thick film of tears as he crosses the deck and heads back inside the house. He gives me one last glance before tucking his cellphone in his back pocket. Then, he’s gone.
Liv
“How are you?” Dexter asks, looking me over.
I take in his newly shaved head and brown cheeks. He smiles and pulls a beer from the fridge, popping the top.
“I’m good.” I nod, looking at all the artwork that lines the walls, which is due to be shipped off to New York next week.
Dexter narrows his eyes at me. “Everyone was worried about you, Liv.”
I laugh and run a hand through my hair. “About me?” I huff with a smile. “Please, I’m fine.”
“Uh huh.”
Charvi places her elbows on the counter and looks at me. Her gaze scans the room and then she looks in Dexter’s direction. “The place looks good.”
“Thanks.”
For the past few months, since Zane had been gone, I’d been working in the studio. We talked every day after a while and texted now a lot, along with phone calls.
I remained here in the beach house, alone. At first, it was difficult but then after a while I came to enjoy the peace and quiet. I reconnected with a few friends from boarding school. I now had a whole bunch of hobbies. I joined a book club that gets together on the weekends and a walking group that meet every day at six in the morning.
I used nearly every part of this house, including the gym now daily. I went for walks on the beach. I used the pool. I even took Zane’s Dodge Charger out nearly every day. I used the time to focus on me.
Olga visited often. We cooked and talked about everything imaginable. She told me funny stories about living in Odessa and even funnier stories about my parents. We’d talk and laugh until the wee hours of the night. I missed Olga. I missed her more than I did my own parents, which said a lot.
I wasn’t going to fall apart without Zane. I was okay.
I didn’t want to understand at first but going away was something he needed to do, so that we could be okay. Zane’s promises meant everything to me. I knew, we would be okay.
Dexter heads outside to light the barbeque, while Charvi and I pull some chicken and steaks from the fridge. When I place everything down on the center island, she pulls me into a fierce hug. I giggle and hug her back.
“Are you okay?”
She squeezes me tighter. “Yeah, of course. I’m just happy you’re good, Liv,” she whispers pressing a kiss to my cheek.
“Let’s go,” I say, giving her a silly smile, nudging my chin towards the glass doors.
Zane
Four Months Later
I kept it quiet that I’d be home. No one knew, except for Tarver. I’d spent the last few months in rehab. I was clean, clear-headed, and I missed Liv so much.
Killing Strangers by Marilyn Manson plays in my ears. I pull the buds out and tuck my cellphone in my pocket.
The night sky is lit up with stars and the air is cool. The ocean crashes against the beach below the house in the distance. I missed this place. I let myself in.
It was Christmas Eve.
As soon as I open the door, the warm scent of apple pie hits me. I suck in a breath of air, while a curious smile spreads across my face. The house was now full of furniture. I run a hand over my jaw and take it all in, resisting the urge to break out in hysterical laughter. The place looks like people live here, instead of the empty pad of some rock ‘n’ roll bachelor. I head over to the Sub-Zero and open it up. It’s full of food. I spin around to find some sort of lamb dish resting on the counter cooling off. I inhale the strong scent of rosemary that wafts from it, causing my stomach to rumble.
A decorated Christmas tree stands in the corner of the room, twinkling with lights. I give it a long look and snort out a laugh. I’ve never had a Christmas tree and especially not since living here. A few wrapped gifts are underneath it.
This place feels like a home.
Wish You Were Here by Pink Floyd plays on the stereo low.
Liv rushes down the hallway, covered in paint. She freezes when she sees me. The brightest smile spreads across her face as she rushes towards me with her arms out. They wrap around my neck and squeeze tight before she kisses me. I inhale the scent of her that I’ve missed so much since we’ve been apart.
“You’re here.”
“Yeah,” I say bobbing my head a few times. “I told you I was coming back.”
“I know,” she whispers. “I missed you.”
I hug her again and back away so I can have a good look at her. Her blonde hair is thick and falls down her back. Her skin is clear and glowing as it should be. Running a hand over her stomach, I gaze into her mesmerizing blue eyes for what seems like forever. Her lip trembles and she opens her mouth to speak. I press a finger to her lips, halting her words. I run my hand over her belly, keeping her gaze. She gasps when I splay my hand across her midsection. A single tear slips from one of her eyes and she sobs with a smile. I drop to my knees slowly and push her sweater up to expose her belly that’s still small but it’s there. Liv hadn’t told me or anyone that she was pregnant. We hadn’t talked about it while I was gone but I just knew before I left. I just didn’t tell her that. She didn’t owe me any explanation. We made this baby together. I press a kiss to her skin and stand to pull her into my arms and rock her. I kiss her lips and wipe her face with my hand. She holds me tight.
“I missed you so much.”
“I missed you too, baby girl.”
I take in the view outside of the doors of the den of the night sky and the full moon that reflects against the water. Everything is perfect. I’m home. I have Liv. I love this woman more than life itself. We’re together as a family. I still have my music. It was time to live—really live. I have everything that matters to me.
I was done with the White Gypsy. She. Could. Fuck. Off.
EPILOGUE
Five Years Later
Liv
A cool breeze blows across the beach I stand on, which is just below our house. I snuggle deeper into my hoodie and brush my hair over one side twisting it with my fingers, while my toes push into the cold sand.
“Amazing!” Zane shouts, running with the kite in his hand.
Mercy follows behind him, laughing and jumping up and down playfully.
The colorful box kite ascends higher and higher in the wind, until it’s over the water. I plop down in the sand and stare up at the clear sky. Mercy heads back towards where I’m sitting and crashes into my arms. Her dark curls fly everywhere in the wind and her grey eyes are wide. She’s the splitting image of her father.
Mercy is four now.
Zane jogs down the beach and sits in the sand next to us. We watch the waves roll in and crash against the shore. The spray mists over where we sit, with Mercy squished in between us. We crane our necks to look up at the kite as it dips and dances in the sky along with the seagulls.
I meet Zane’s grey eyes again. He covers my hand with his and squeezes. He’s still handsome as ever with dark hair that’s still the same length around his ears and his neck a little. Zane’s been clean since admitting himself to rehab all those years ago. He’s healthy and fit, hitting the gym nearly every day.
We’d only been married for a few months now. It was a small ceremony with a handful of friends, right on the beach that I sit on now on a bright and sunny April day.
Shortly after Zane came home, he went back to writing music. He also produces music now for new and established artists in a multitude of genres. He’s won four more Grammys and various other awards in the last five years.
Rogue Records ultimately released the band from their recording contract. The Vigilantes’ song Forever Baby, written by Cash went straight to the top of the charts the week it was released. It’s a haunting
tune, complete with raw vocals and a heavy guitar rift that makes it unforgettable. It was true to Cash’s legacy and the legacy of the band before they officially ended.
Zane, Rose, and Dexter have a small indie band now called Marred. They don’t dedicate a whole lot of time to it but the band have produced two albums so far and have a solid fan base. Yandi is still Zane’s personal assistant. She’s married now to her longtime boyfriend, Corey, and they’re expecting their first child soon.
Dexter and Charvi broke up, but I remain good friends with her. Barry and Rachel married five years ago and have three kids together. Rose and Wyatt married. They have a house here in California but spend a lot of time in Cape Cod, just like Wyatt always wanted.
Ari still works for Rogue Records and has taken his father, Ben’s, place, who retired ultimately.
My parents still live in the Hollywood Hills and are more in love than ever. We’ve grown closer over the last few years but things are much the same. Tom Stanton is still a greedy bastard. His wealth is unchanged of course. He still owes me that precious father/daughter time that I know I’d be waiting a lifetime for if I believed him. And I don’t.
I have my art and my own small studio within our house. Most of my work sells out of New York, which Amanda remains in charge of. I’ve had a comfortable level of success as an artist. It was a hobby that has become more than I ever dreamed it could be for me.
Zane and Mercy run off. Now, they stand at the shoreline with their toes in the cool water. Mercy giggles right before Zane picks her up, throws her in the air and catches her small body. I laugh at how carefree they are together.
I’m in love with this life of ours.
Everything’s so simple now...thank fuck.
THE END-
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Bare
Written by: Zane Presley
I trace the lines of your lips, that make me want to kiss.
Away your sad smile, your pain, your fears and your tears.
I want to wash them away like the summer rain, year after year.
I want you bare.
I’ll always be here. I’m not going any place.
Farther than the edge of the sand, where my toes touch the water.
You hold my heart in the palm of your pretty hand.
Spread for me like a peach rose. Allow me to touch your petals and breathe in your sweetness.
Take it all off and strip down to nothing. Let me feel your heat.
I need you bare.
I caress your soul, tasting your vanilla.
The breaths that leave my lips and ghost against your golden skin, make you shiver.
I’m in your blood each time you shake and splinter.
I’m your fucking gorilla.
I will only take you bare.
We’ll never be perfect but we’re not supposed to be.
Fuck the rest of the world.
You’re my girl.
This is us.
I love you bare.
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Lover of words. Poetry glutton. Cynic. Idealist. Art collector. Lip gloss addict. Wife. Mommy. Music fan. Book whore. Beach bum. Self-confessed NERD. Madwoman. Water rat. Wine drinker. Bermudian. Las Vegas resident-wannabe. Hopeless romantic.
I'm an independent author who had this crazy idea during one very, very hot summer to start writing books and I haven't stopped. I'm loving the ride and I appreciate all the readers who take the time to enjoy my stories.
I live on the small sub-tropical island of Bermuda in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean with my husband and two children. If you can't find me here on the beach, you can bet your G-strings that I'm in Las Vegas!
Love is what keeps the world spinning! XOXO
Follow me on Instagram @ authordayadaniels
Email: [email protected]
OTHER BOOKS BY DAYA DANIELS
Finders Keepers Series
Part I
Part II
Stand Alone Novels
An Education in Calcutta {A Period Novel}
The Space Between Rachel and Evie
COLOR-BLIND
Once Upon a Time {A Dark Romance}
In the Eyes of Adeline {A Period Novel}
If Only {An LGBT Romance}
Murphy’s Bedfellow
Stripped {A Novella}
Midnight Special
Words Left Unspoken {A Novella}
For Her {A Lesbian Romance Novelette}
Mouthful {A Novella}
In Loving Memory of Isobel
Blue {A Love Story on the Bermuda Shores}
Non-Fiction
It Could Be Arranged
COMING SOON!
Stand Alone Novels
Letters to Olivier
I Hate You/I Love You
Playmate {A Western Romance}
I Wanna Be the Girl {An LGBT Novel}
Sweet Tea
New Adult
Running Interference
Series
Inferno Series – Part I
Finders Keepers Series – Part III
