by Carnal, MJ
“My career was heading down the toilet and I was the one doing the flushing. Oksana has a big heart and I used that for personal gain. She needed me as much as I needed her. We were two lost souls looking for anything to grab on to. She threw me a lifeline and I ran with it. The story of us being engaged was created by the powers that be. I was honored to stand at her side. In another lifetime, maybe that’s where I would be today. Who knows? We might have made a great team. But the story of our engagement was just something that was thrown out there to try and save me from throwing my life away. I will never be able to thank Oksana enough.”
The media is buzzing. The bomb I just dropped rips through the crowd. The questions start immediately. Everyone is yelling over each other in an attempt to get their questions answered first. Max holds up his hand to calm everyone down. When they settle, I continue.
“The other person this rumor hurt was a woman who means the world to me. Before we headed out on our first tour, I met someone. She was everything I wanted, everything I needed. I let her get away then but I’m not willing to do that again. She saved me from everything in my life that was dark. We reunited a few months ago and I fell even harder. If Harley was up here saying these things, he’d sound really cool. I just sound like a complete sap but I’m ok with that. Mia means more to me than anything in the world and I couldn’t live another minute without her by my side. I was having a hard time being away from her so Max stepped in and took his part in this big disaster of a lie and kept her close to us. Just knowing she was close was enough for me. She and Max would appear together in public and I would stand by Oksana and it was supposed to make everything ok. But, it didn’t.”
The cameras are pointed at Max now and he just smiles like the champ he is. I will never be able to repay him for what he’s done for me. “Max had to put his life on hold because I had fallen in love with a woman that I had to keep hidden from the world. Thank you for that, man. I couldn’t have made it through the past few weeks without her or without you.”
Max shakes my hand. “I’d do it again if it meant you were happy.”
That got them. The women in the room have officially swooned over Max Callum. His moment in the spotlight is just beginning. He’s stolen the hearts of the world with one sentence. Bastard.
“When Della was alive, we spent hours talking about my relationship with Mia and how I needed to come clean about the Oksana engagement. She told me that Mia was the one and I’d be crazy if I did anything to let her get away. She said it every day. I would just smile like a lovesick puppy. I couldn’t help myself. Now that she’s gone, I need to honor her memory by being truthful with all of you. And being truthful with myself. I need to let Max live his life and not have a responsibility to me. I need to let Oksana take her career back and travel and live. She’s gorgeous and one hell of a model and I know success will follow her wherever she goes. I need to apologize to my label, and to all of you that I’ve wronged, for being so unpredictable and not giving a second thought to who my actions hurt. I apologize to my agent for putting you in a position where you had to clean up my mess. More than once.”
Holy shit. I have to take a deep breath. I feel like such a pussy. My eyes have filled with tears. There’s no way I can cry. “I need to apologize to Mia for not being able to be the man she deserves at the beginning of this second chance we got. I’ve been given more second chances than anyone I know. I don’t deserve them but I’m thankful for all of them. I won’t take any of them for granted any longer. I’ve got a guardian angel watching over me now and I refuse to do anything to make her less than proud of me. I’m thankful to the men of Liquid Regret for staying by my side through everything. You’re my family and I love you guys more than you’ll ever know. We’ll be heading back out on tour soon and I’d like to have Mia by my side. I’m in love with her and I can’t imagine walking through this life without her.”
The room is quiet for a second. I’m able to make eye contact with some of the media in the front row. The smiles I see put me at ease. I’ve opened myself up to criticism and judgment and I don’t care. All that matters is that the lies are behind me and I’m able to look toward tomorrow with my head up. Harley always says fuck the haters. He lives his life the way he wants to. I’m taking a page from his book. It’s time to start living.
“Max. Does this mean you’re single?” A female reporter yells out and I can’t help but laugh. Max just winks and nods his head. The man of few words thrust into the spotlight with my lie and coming out as America’s most eligible bachelor. He’s like a cat. He always lands on his feet. He’s tall and blond and doesn’t even recognize when women fall at his feet. His eyes are wide open now.
“How’s Harley handling things?”
“What is Mia’s last name?”
“Will you be getting married?”
“When will you go back out on tour?”
“Where is Oksana now?”
“Do the police have any leads on who killed Della?”
The questions are fired at us and we do our best to answer them. Harley’s healing. We’d like to protect Mia’s privacy and we’ll take our relationship one day at a time. Oksana is heading out to shoot for a spread in a magazine. The investigation continues and we won’t stop until someone pays for taking her from us. Tour dates are on hold at the moment. Max is grinning as I answer what I can. Every so often, his deep voice comes through the microphone with a short answer that gets their attention.
When we’ve had enough, we stand and wave before being led back to our cars. Security detail has increased for all of us. There are days I feel like I’m the president. I might even have more than he does at the moment. Until we find out what happened that night, we’ll be more careful. Della’s death will not go unsolved. There’s no reality where that’s an option. We’ve brought in our own experts to comb through evidence. The day they catch this sick bastard, we will all rejoice and know that Della can finally rest in peace.
Della used to always tell Harley that life was not meant to be wasted. Then when he took another drink, she’d pick him up and tell him that it was time to take a deep breath and start again. She was a stunning reminder of all the good in the world. A reflection of something perfect that was ripped from our lives for a reason we’ll never fully understand. Every day I take a breath on this Earth will be a day closer to having some answers. All we can do is try to find our way out of this nightmare and start living again.
As Max folds his tall frame into the driver’s seat of his Mercedes, a sense of peace settles over me. He smiles and I can see Della reflected back at me. Her smile, her enthusiasm, her zest for life. Max has had it all along. Maybe he’s our gift from her. Maybe he’s our reminder of the good in the world. I can’t believe I haven’t seen it before. No wonder they were drawn to each other. They have that same joy that radiates off of them.
The breeze picks up as Max drives away. I know its Della telling me I’m right. She’s proud of me. I can’t keep the smile from my lips. I know that whatever happens from here, we’ll be alright.
Chapter 24
I sobbed for about an hour after the press conference. It was the most romantic thing he could’ve done. I know my life is about to change. Any freedom I might have had is over. But in its place is a relationship that I’d be willing to die for.
“Hey Mia.” Harley stands in the doorway holding his guitar. He looks exhausted. “Last night here, huh?”
“Yeah. Back to work tomorrow. I’ll miss being here with you guys though.” I smile at him and he returns it.
“Want to sneak down to the beach with me? One last time?” His red eyes plead with me.
“Of course.” I grab my sweatshirt and tiptoe behind him, out the back door and down the steps.
I’m giggling as we run out onto the beach. Lex would have a stroke if he knew we were down here. It’s so dark and quiet. My giggle is contagious and Harley laughs.
“It feels good to laugh.” He sits down on the
stump and sighs. “I gave Lex the night off. The guys know we’re down here. My face is my money maker. Better to not have my ass kicked for sneaking off.”
“Your face is, huh? It must be a slow year. Let me know if you need to borrow any money.” When his jaw drops, I belly laugh. I’ve been tiptoeing around him for so long that it’s time for him to smile a little.
“Wow. I did not expect that.” He laughs hard. It’s a beautiful sound and I haven’t heard it for so long.
“Get used to it, Griff. Haven’t you heard? Laney and I are going out on tour with you for a week next month. Busting balls is her forte. Better wear your steel cup.”
He just shakes his head, the smile bright on his face. “I’ve been working on a new song. Care if I play it?”
“I’d love that.” When Harley starts playing the guitar, the wind picks up. I’m convinced that’s Della. It happens every single time.
His fingers stop and he points at the water. “People suck. Who would throw out a beer bottle down here? Can you pick that up? You know I can’t or..”
I walk over to where the water kisses the sand. I pick up the clear bottle and squint. “It’s not a beer bottle. It looks like there’s a message in it.”
Harley laughs at me. I know I get excited over stuff that men don’t get. But a message in a bottle? How romantic is that?
“What’s in it?” Harley flips on the flashlight on his phone.
“I don’t know.” I giggle while I try to get the cork out of the top. “When I was a little girl, I saw the movie Message in a Bottle. It was heartbreaking but it’s my favorite movie ever. I always wanted to find one of these. Maybe a letter to a long lost lover. Damien makes fun of me but I can’t help it. I should have been a Disney princess. I want the whole fairytale.”
The cork gives way with a pop and I dig for the paper inside. There’s sand in the bottle and it spills out on me when I pull the scroll out. Harley holds the light over the paper as I unroll it. I just stare at it. I think I’ve forgotten how to breathe.
Harley strums his guitar while I stand frozen in place. The words ‘will you marry me?’ stare back at me. Damien’s voice breaks through the darkness and my tears rush down my cheeks. My hands shake as I turn around and see Laney holding hands with my sister, both of them in tears. The men of Liquid Regret surround me and Damien takes a knee.
I listen to the words of the song and I know. I finally have my fairytale. I finally have my Prince Charming. I finally have the glass slipper. Everything I’ve ever wanted is laid out in front of me.
One week was all, one week of time.
But in that week, you were all mine.
Free from pain, drugs and vice.
Free from grief and bad advice.
I know you’re scared, my past is dark.
But the light you shine has left its mark.
Mia, not for a week, but til the end of time.
I want your heart, your soul, your mind.
To walk with me, to hold my hand.
to make with me, our fairytale land.
“Marry me, Mia?” Damien’s hands shake as he holds the black velvet box. Inside, there is the most beautiful ring I have ever seen. The center diamond is square and full of fire. Tiny rubies are sprinkled around the band. It’s breathtaking. But not as breathtaking as the man on his knees in front of me. He’s my whole world.
I smile as I remember our first week together. I was captivated by his endless blue eyes. My fingers traced his tattoos, memorizing every colorful line. His dark hair was soft like silk and stuck up on top like he’d just gotten out of bed. I’d gotten lost in his bright smile. His laugh was music to my ears. And when he sang, my world was at peace. He was the sexiest man I had ever seen.
Now this incredible man was on his knee, asking me to be his wife. Asking me to share the rest of my life with him. Handing me the world. Giving me his heart. Letting me have the future I’d always dreamed up.
My hands cover my mouth as a sob escapes. I nod my head and jump up and down. “Yes. Yes, yes, yes!”
Damien pulls me to my knees and slides the ring on my finger. “I love you, Mia Avery Lee. I’m going to spend the rest of my life making sure you know that.”
His lips meet mine as the rest of the world disappears. His kiss is soft and gentle. My hands hold his cheeks, anchoring him to me. Afraid if I open my eyes, this will all be a dream. He kisses my forehead, my cheeks, the tip of my nose.
“Look at me, princess. Let me see those beautiful green eyes.” When I do, he smiles at me. “I don’t want to spend one more day without you. You’re the happily ever after I never thought I deserved.”
I’ve never been so happy. I look down at the ring and back up at him. “You’re really going to be my husband?” I bite my bottom lip.
He leans forward and sucks my lip into his mouth. I giggle and he groans. His voice is a whisper. “I’d like to start the honeymoon right now. But, I’m afraid I’d get my ass kicked. I’m not sure you’ve noticed your dad is right behind me.”
I snap my head up and make eye contact with my parents. “Daddy!” I jump into his arms and he spins me around. “I can’t believe you’re here.”
My mom rubs her hand over my hair. “We’ve been waiting forever for the call. When he left to go on tour, he told us he was going to marry you some day. We saw how you looked at each other. We had no doubt it would happen eventually.”
I’m shocked. I look at Damien. “You told them that?”
He just shrugs. “I’ve always known it was you. I knew the first time you kissed me.”
Harley laughs behind us. When I turn around, Laney slaps him on the shoulder. “What?” He rubs his shoulder and smiles at her.
I stand on my tip toes and kiss Damien again. Who says Prince Charming can’t have spacers, tattoos, and a body made for sin?
Epilogue
We’ve been back out on tour for two weeks. Life is the new normal. Everything keeps going and then bam! Something reminds us of Della and we’re thrown back into darkness. Mia took a leave of absence from work and has been on the road with us. Having her here has been good for all of us. She’s the one we all lean on. She keeps us in line and helps us keep going.
Laney has been on and off the bus. She spends weekends with us if we’re near LA. She spent a week on the East Coast with us. She makes Harley laugh and that means everything. I think Chance likes her more than he’s willing to let on. It’s going to be a wild ride, no matter what happens.
Oksana’s popularity soared after the announcement. Her face is everywhere. She’s spent some time on tour with us too. She and Harley seem to have a strange connection. Maybe he’s still trying to save her. It was Della’s quest and he seems to be honoring her memory by doing it. He’s got good days but the bad seem to outnumber them. I know he’s trying to start living again. But in those quiet times, when the bus is rolling to its next city and the rest of the world is asleep, I hear the nightmares and wish there was something I could do to make it better.
The grief counselor that was hired by the label has been a constant. Rachel’s cool. And talking to her definitely makes me feel better. Harley has pushed her away but she continues to try to reach him. Max’s life has brightened since she’s been around. I know they’ve spent a lot of counseling sessions dealing with his unresolved feelings for Dell. His healing is evident every day. I envy him for being able to move on and still be a whole person.
We just learned last night that there may be an eyewitness that saw something the night Della was killed. It’s the first break we’ve had in weeks. We’re all holding our breath. We want answers. We want justice. We want to be able to stop looking over our shoulders. Personally, I’ll sleep better if I know Harley is safe. If I know there’s not some psycho out there gunning for him, too. We’ll check in with the detectives when we’re in LA next weekend. They’re close to solving this. I’d love to be home when they do.
“Why are you awake?” Mia stretches and turns the l
amp on. “Another nightmare?”
“If I say yes, will you help me forget?” I smirk at her. I’ll never get enough of her.
Her nails scratch across my chest and she bites my nipple. I’m instantly hard. It doesn’t take much with her. My cock has a mind of its own. She’s cooking breakfast? Yep, that’s hot. She’s painting her toes? Damien Jr really likes that. It doesn’t matter where we are or what she’s doing. I want her constantly. It’s impossible to walk around in tight jeans when your cock insists on standing at attention anytime she’s in the room.
Last week, she sucked me off in between sets. Knowing she was backstage cleaning up what her mouth had demanded from me was so fucking hot, I wasn’t sure I’d make it through the whole show. When it was over, I slammed her up against the wall in the bathroom and fucked her hard. When I pulled out and saw both of our orgasms pouring down her legs, I was ready again. Joshua had to come looking for us so we didn’t miss the bus. I couldn’t stop. I needed her over and over again.
Two nights ago, we checked into a hotel on our night off. She stripped for me and demanded I jerk off watching her. When I was finished, she got herself off with a vibrator and I was hard again before she came.
Her body is a temple and I want to worship her every night. Every day. She was made for me. We fit together like we’re two pieces of one whole. I’m fucking exhausted. I rehearse every morning, make love to her every afternoon, perform for the world at night and then fuck her brains out until the sun comes up.
We’re getting married in a few months and I can’t wait to start our life as husband and wife. I want to have a huge family. Xander has spent a few nights with us and Mia’s in love with him. The feeling is completely mutual. Claire has been pretty cool now that she’s getting married to a man that treats them both really well. I’ve talked to Xander about having a brother or sister and he made me promise to give him a bunch of them. Challenge accepted.
