Avery sighs as he sits down on my bed, pushing his hair back to reveal a purple mark materializing just below his eye. I rush over, gently taking his face into my hand, and tilt his head to the side. He winces, confirming my suspicions. I frown, but he doesn’t say anything, so neither do I.
The silent exchange only makes my guilt grow.
“I had no idea that Olivia would come over here and do what she did,” he says finally after a few moments.
I exhale slowly and sit down next to him.
“She’s crazy. There’s no way you could have known what she was thinking. I’m not sure she even knew what she was doing; it was a mess,” I say, slowly finding his hand and squeezing it tightly.
He turns to me with a grim face, “I’m sorry, Chase.”
“You don’t need to be sorry about her. She’s gone, and good riddance. I could have choked her. I feel awful though, Jesse didn’t deserve that. He didn’t deserve any of it. I should have never let myself lead him on. I knew exactly how I felt about you, I knew it would end up causing a mess and I did it anyway. God, I am such a,” but Avery puts a hand over my mouth to stop my rambling.
“Shh. I meant that I’m sorry to you. I didn’t just screw over my best friend, I lied to everyone. I made mistake after mistake and just kept rolling with it. You got just as caught up in this as they did, and you’re the last person I would ever want to hurt.”
I look up into his eyes and I can see them begin to fill with tears. My chest tightens as my own start to burn. As if to break my heart, a tear rolls down his beautiful, bruised cheek.
I stifle a sob as he tightens his grip on my hand, his other one gently pulling me in closer by my neck.
“I tried so hard to control everything, and all I did was lie to myself and make things worse. I’ve loved you since the moment I watched you on that stage, Chase. I didn’t understand it, and I didn’t make the right choices. I should have told you every single chance I had exactly how I felt about you. You should have known that I couldn’t sleep without seeing your face, or go a day without wanting to kiss you. God, I could hear your voice everywhere. You never left me. Maybe if I had just been honest with myself then I wouldn’t have caused all of this,” he whispers, stroking my damp cheek with his thumb as another tear spills down his face.
I place my hand over his and turn my face to kiss his palm before leaning my cheek back into his touch.
“I played my part, too, Avery. I won’t let you carry the burden on your own. A part of me knew exactly how I felt about you, but I just couldn’t say it. Not while you were with Olivia. I’m sorry I wasn’t honest, either,” I say, and then add, “Jesse is your best friend, I know he will forgive you, and so will the other guys.”
He nods slightly. I lean in and place a tender kiss against his forehead.
We sit like that for a while, just holding each other and letting our tears fall; comforting each other in the only way we know how, not letting the other go no matter what. A sudden calm takes over me that I haven’t felt in years. I’m finally back where I belong. The ride getting here was lonely, and it wasn’t pretty, and though we have a lot to repent for, nothing can take away how it feels to be back in his arms.
Back home.
I wipe my face, breathing in a peaceful breath, and place his hand over my heart, clasping it there with both of mine. I’m not eighteen anymore and I just watched the love of my life pour his heart out. It’s time I do the same. My lips slip into a tiny smile as I look at his face.
Avery looks into my eyes and his lips curve up ever so slightly too.
“I never told you either, but I fell in love with you the moment you held me beside that water fountain. You weren’t the only one lying to yourself. That old, white bedroom in Texas was never my home. This decorated room here, this isn’t my home either.”
I lean in slowly and press an adoring kiss to his lips.
Pulling back a couple inches, my eyes flutter open, staring right into those incredible gray eyes.
“You are my home, Avery. You always have been.”
Avery kisses, stealing every ounce of air from my lungs, ruining me in a way that only he can. We take our time, savoring the moment we have both been waiting so long for. Slowly and tenderly, our lips erase the chaos surrounding how we got here, our time apart becoming a distant memory with each revering touch. Each caress is a mark on our hearts that we will never forget as we lose ourselves in the most intense kiss—one for the history books.
Afterward, we sit back on my bed and I curl up against him. He pulls me in as close as he can. I rest my head against his chest and listen to the gentle beating of his heart.
I think we both know that tomorrow will bring a whole other book of issues—like confused band mates, tabloid stories and lies, a strained friendship, the introduction of the new Vengeful Honor, and more awkward moments than we care to imagine; but tonight is ours.
Tonight, we finally get to be that girl and that boy that met four years ago.
Right here, there are no more secrets and no more hurt feelings. Right now, there are no life changing decisions to be made and no more hearts to be broken.
Just a boy and a girl who never stopped loving each other.
I tap my fingertips against his chest, playing along to the rhythm of his heart as he runs his fingers through my hair; even through the exhaustion, the butterflies don’t seem to rest as I start to drift off to sleep.
Four years of trying to forget him; four years of trying to convince myself that I didn’t love him. And all I can think about as I feel him kiss the top of my head as I drift off to sleep is that I would wait a million more years if it meant I could lay here just like this for the rest of my days.
“Where is she?” I mutter to myself as I scan the area for her, trying to catch my breath as I begin to dodge the stage crew as they are breaking down the equipment from the show.
Perspiration starts to roll down the side of my neck and I stop to wipe it away. Tonight’s show was insane. We performed at a benefit concert that Vengeful Honor has headlined once before— one that I completely forgot about with everything that had gone on last week.
It hardly seems possible that it was just seven damn days ago that a bomb went off and smashed our little world to pieces—because of this guy right here. I want to say that things are back to normal, but I’d be lying—and I’m not doing any of that shit anymore.
Ever.
Kennedy and Adam were the most forgiving, although Adam still seems lost by the whole thing. I told him I’d make him a coloring book of it someday.
Jess on the other hand… our vibes on stage tonight say it all. He’s closed himself off and I don’t blame him at all. Since he’s barely spoke a word to anyone of us, I’d say that’s not about to change any time soon.
That’s not even taking into consideration the news story that Olivia just sold to about three different tabloids about all of the drama.
Just the thought of her infiltrates my brain and turns my blood to ice. I unclench my fists and count to ten, letting out a long, deep breath and all the bullshit with it.
I turn around and scan the stage again, and as someone pushes Adam’s drum kit back, I finally get a view of my girl.
I don’t even realize that the rest of the noise around me ceases as a light breeze blows her hair across her soft, bare shoulders. She has this crazy way of making everything else disappear— especially the air in the room. Her vibrant blue eyes make it almost impossible to remember a damn thing when she’s gazing up at you.
Like tonight—I was in the middle of a song I have performed a hundred times and out of nowhere, my eyes collided with hers in the midst of the crowd. The upward curve to her full lips only makes her eyes sparkle that much more, and with the huge grin she was sporting, I damn near forgot the chorus. I stuttered like an idiot up there.
Releasing a breathless chuckle, I wipe more sweat from my brow as I dart across the stage again. As I get closer, I notice tha
t she’s leaning against a speaker, staring off into the empty arena, clueless that she’s made the air all around me stand still. Utterly unaware that she’s just… everything.
The need to kiss her surges through me like a wild fire and before I know it, I’m running to her, snatching her up by her waist and twirling her around in circles until I’m dizzy.
“Avery!” she laughs, clasping onto my shirt as I slow down and set her on her feet; her lavender locks cascading back over her shoulders.
I can’t help but laugh too, “Where did you run off to?”
Chase wrinkles her nose in a way that I find irresistibly adorable and smiles.
“I just had to watch ya’ll! This was your last performance before we do the press junket, and announce my arrival… and I couldn’t help myself! I never got a chance to see you guys live before. When you started playing “Breathe Against Me”, Avery, I swear it gave me chills. The melody, the bass line, your vocals—Gah, it was incredible! The lyrics are just stunning.”
I lick my lips and match her grin with a smirk of my own. She doesn’t even realize that the song is about her. Hell, almost all of the songs are about her. Chase smiles brightly up at me, her eyes sparkling. God, I love it when she talks music.
“You’re doing it again, Miss Taylor,” I say, enjoying the slightly confused look surfacing on her beautiful face.
“Doing what?” she asks innocently.
I slide my hands around her waist again and pull her against me.
“Being sexy as hell. You and music— you know what that does to me,” I murmur, leaning in and pressing my forehead against hers.
She lets out a soft, airy giggle. It’s the sweetest sound in the world, and it only makes me remember what I’ve been missing all this time.
Chase looks up at me through those long lashes of hers and I’m suddenly very aware of just how long it’s been since the last time I touched her.
The feel of her soft, sweet lips against mine jolt me out of my head and back into the moment.
“Mmmm,” I exhale as she pushes up onto her tiptoes to give me more of herself.
My lips curl into a smile as I reach down and grab her by her thighs, lifting her up and wrapping her beautiful, long legs around my waist. She slips her hands up my shoulders and into my hair.
Damn, I love it when she does that.
She makes one of those cute, girly yelps, and her melodic, lighthearted laughter fills the air again. I could die a happy man if I get to hear that sound every day.
“Avery! You’re all sweaty!”
I chuckle as I carry her off toward the exit—where I know I have a town car waiting to take us back to the hotel for the night. Suddenly, I can’t walk fast enough.
“You don’t really mind me all sweaty, do you?” I tease. The mere phrase triggers me to think about the last time we were covered in sweat together, against that brick wall. I swallow roughly.
As if my purple-haired beauty finds her way inside my head at that exact moment, her teeth sink into her delicious bottom lip and she starts blushing furiously.
Fuck me. She is breathtaking.
“Actually, I kind of love it when you’re sweaty,” she whispers, her southern accent causing my brain to zero in on the way my hands are digging deeper into the soft flesh of her thighs—not to mention the way she’s clutching the back of my neck.
I take a deep breath in through my nose and let it out slowly, but as I readjust her, she whimpers and holds on to me tighter.
That didn’t help—AT ALL.
I want her. I want her right here, right now, but I’m trying to take things slow. Be a better man for her. Be the man she deserved all along.
I feel her warm breath against my ear as she pushes her body to mine.
“Take me home, Avery.”
I tilt my head back and stare into those diamond-like, azure eyes.
Setting her back down on her feet, I go to open my mouth, but she places a finger over my lips and shakes her head with gentle smile.
I reach out, dragging my thumb across her cheek and down to her supple mouth.
I know we don’t need to say anything else. We deserve the chance to do this right—to show each other exactly what we’ve been wanting— what we’ve been dreaming about all this time.
And that’s just what I intend to do. I tip her head back and kiss her, making sure she can feel the words I’m not saying.
You are everything to me.
I slip my hands into her hair and let my body speak for me again.
I’ll never be able to show you just how much I’ve missed you…
With both hands at her nape, I pull back from the rough, passionate embrace. Holding onto her with adoration, I kiss her very gently once more, finishing out the thought racing through me with one last touch of our lips.
… But if you let me, Chase, I swear I’ll spend every minute trying to.
This is Bullshit.
I’m already tired of watching them together and it’s only been seven days.
Seven long fuckin’ days of them staring into each other’s eyes like lost, lovesick little puppies.
It doesn’t even matter that they have made it a point not to rub it in my face—everything about the situation still stings.
Being lied to by my best friend—that blows.
Being lied to by a girl that I really thought I’d settle down with one day—that fuckin’ sucks.
Being at the receiving end of all the sympathetic gazes from Kennedy and freakin’ Adam—to hell with that.
From the wings of the stage, I watch as Avery scoops Chase up into his arms and walks off with her.
I take one last long look at what could have been, turn around, and head toward the other exit.
That’s right, asshole. Pour some more salt into my fresh wound.
Jesse doesn’t get the girl. He never has, I mutter to no one but myself.
And right now, I never, ever, fucking want to.
Book #2 in the Vengeful Honor Series
Coming 2014
As I sit here, I can’t possibly imagine turning the feelings and emotions of this journey into words, but I will surely try!
First, to my husband and best friend, Brandon, who supported me like crazy - I love you! You’ll never know what it means to me to know that you believed in me from the start. It’s not every day a person realizes a lifelong dream and has someone beside them that reminds them daily that they can accomplish anything. Thank you for still giving me butterflies. XOXOX
My kids, who put up with a lot of cartoons and poptarts- Mommy loves you!! *big squishy face hugs*
My Mommy & Daddy- Your beautiful genes helped start this all and your amazing love and belief in me only fueled it further! I love you!!
Kalynn- The world’s best sister- I love you more than words can say. So blessed not only to have you as a sister, but also as a best friend. Oh, and Erik is OURS! Lol!
Amanda Waller, Loving Memories Photography - MANDA!!! LOL!! There are no words. Well that’s a lie. You know me. Haha! That night in the hotel before we moved you said something to me that will stay with me the rest of my life. You told me to go be great. And for me, I’ve struggled with ordinary- always being good at lots of things, but never great at anything. I am diving head first into this writing thing with the belief that I can be great at it because of something you started. I can’t thank you enough for being such an incredible best friend. – Oh and for one kickass book cover! I love you, hooker!
https://www.facebook.com/lovingmemoriesphotographs
To My Fictionpress Readers/Followers - There are NOT ENOUGH WORDS that can thank you all! The time you took to review and message me and let me know that I was not only doing something right, but that I was also doing something you liked, is something that I will forever be grateful for. I owe you all so much, and though this journey has been long, it has been worth every second! I would not be here without each and every one of you. XOXO
Lisa Maurer
- Where do I even begin!? I have no doubts in fate anymore. Without you and your amazing heart- I don’t think I would be sitting here right now! Thank you for pushing me to go after this crazy dream. Thank you for answering all of my random questions, always being there when I need you, and for being my very first book buddy! Not to mention one incredible Beta! I can’t wait to SQUEEEEE with you one day – in person! LOL! I heart you!
Teri Bland - Again, I owe Fictionpress a huge one! I am so thankful that you messaged me that day because you have not only been a phenomenal Beta who has made my work that much better, but you are an amazing lady! So glad to call you a friend. I’m sorry that I made you love Jesse more than Avery. And even more so, I’m sorry that I’m not sorry about that. Hahah! Can’t wait to finish Twisted, with your help of course! It’s gonna be epic lol! You are awesome and I <3 you!
Stacia Newbill – Yet again, fate dealt me someone incredible! You will never know how grateful I am for you and your help. I have never met you and yet I have this amazing love for you -- that sounds uber creepy, but I swear it’s not haha! You helped push me to the ending that WC needed and you have been a cheerleader that hasn’t left my corner since your first read through of Wild Chase. I can never repay you for all of your support! I heart you like crazy girl! HUGS!!!!
To my BETA Group- What an amazing group of ladies! I cannot even begin to tell you guys how much I appreciate everything you’ve done for me! Stacia, Kristina, Alexis, Christine, Dawn, Tina, Jeannie, Nicki, and last, but definitely not least, Stephanie, you all are wonderful! Thank you for the man hours and putting up with me! Haha! LOVES! Xoxox!
To Rogena Mitchell-Jones, Manuscript Service - You are wonderful in every way! Your work is great and you kept my voice as an author. Thank you for putting up with my horrible grammar and typos! So glad that the universe brought us together! Thank you for taking such good care of my baby and making her beautiful for the world. http://www.rogenamitchell.com/
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