In Your Heart

by Micalea Smeltzer

  “Yeah,” Emma nodded her head in agreement, “it probably was.”

  “Have you found a wedding dress?” I asked her. She was still struggling to discuss her wedding plans with me, but I really didn’t care. My relationship with Braden might’ve fallen apart, but I wasn’t angry with everyone else for being happy.

  She bit her lip and set her pizza crust in the box. “I’ve been meaning to talk to you about that…I know it’s short notice, but I was kind of hoping that maybe you’d make my dress.” She held her breath while she waited for my answer.

  Tears stung my eyes. “You want me to design your wedding dress?”

  Let’s face it, Maddox was loaded and Emma made plenty of money on her own writing songs, so she could definitely afford to have one of the top celebrity designers to make her dress, but she wanted me.

  “Of course,” she gasped. “Your designs are amazing! And I know you focus mostly on styling, but you’re an amazing designer as well, Sadie.”

  I tackle hugged her and she laughed, wrapping her thin arms around me.

  “I take it this means you’ll do it?”

  We sat back up and I brushed my tears away. “Absolutely. Let’s brain storm tonight.”

  She smiled widely. “Thank you.”

  “No, thank you,” I told her. “So, have you picked a venue yet?”

  She nodded. “Yeah, we’re going to get married here. We want to keep the wedding small, just our family and friends, so there’s enough space for that.”

  “That’ll be nice.”

  “I want to keep things simple,” she grabbed another piece of pizza, “you know me. I’m low maintenance.”

  “It’ll be beautiful.” I knew whatever she had planned would be.

  “I can’t believe I’m getting married.” Her face flushed with a pink hue. “I was never like you,” she continued, “I didn’t dream of falling in love and getting married, and yet here I am.”

  “Things change,” I commented.

  “They do,” she agreed.

  I ate another slice of pizza and drew my knees up to my chest. “What kind of dress do you think you want?” I asked, already brainstorming in my head.

  “Simple,” she said, and then laughed. “Can you tell that’s my thing?” Sighing, she tapped a finger against her lips. “I want it to be lightweight. It’s still going to be blazing hot in September, so I don’t want it to be heavy. Maybe something with a thin strap,” she suggested, “my boobs are too big to go strapless, I’d be afraid they might pop out.”

  I laughed at her, making a mental note of the things she’d said. “I’ll get to work on some designs. We don’t have much time.”

  She clapped her hands together, vibrating with giddiness. When we were younger Emma was always quiet and guarded, once she met Maddox she really came out of her shell. It was nice to see her so vibrant and living life, instead of hiding behind the pages of a book.

  “You know,” she sobered, draping her arm along the back of the couch, “for a while I was scared to get married. I know Maddox has wanted us to get married for a while, but I thought it might change things—put more pressure on our relationship,” she shrugged. With a wistful smile she added, “But it hasn’t. In fact, I think I’ve fallen more in love with him through this whole process and I can’t wait to have him be my husband.”

  I smiled, reaching for her hand and giving it a squeeze. “I’m glad. You deserve all the happiness in the world.” And that was the truth. Emma had been through a lot at a young age and having a drunken asshole for a father had made her untrusting of guys. But Maddox had barreled into her life, breaking down all the walls she’d built around herself.

  She tilted her head, a small smile gracing her lips. “So do you.”

  I sighed. I should’ve known she’d find a way to circle back to my happiness, or lack thereof, eventually.

  “I’ll find my happiness again,” I muttered, picking at a loose thread on the couch. “Things are just…rough right now.”

  The breakup with Braden had taken a lot out of me. Even though I knew in my heart I’d never really loved him, I’d still spent two years with the guy, and there’d been fondness there. Throw on top of that the stress of running my store, and then skirting around my feelings for Ezra, and I was exhausted. Maybe things would get better in the Ezra department now that we had our agreement, but it was doubtful. I just hoped it didn’t make things worse.

  “You know what you need?” She grinned, leaning towards me. “A vacation!”

  I snorted. “I don’t have time for a vacation. I can’t leave the store.”

  She shook her head rapidly. “You had a two-week honeymoon planned, Sadie. I think you can take a week off and go on a vacation.”

  “By myself?” I hissed.

  “No,” she shook her head, “we’ll all go. The guys, Remy, me and you.”

  “I don’t know about this…” I trailed off. A vacation sounded nice, but…

  “Please, oh please.” She held her hands beneath her chin and pouted her bottom lip. “We can get a beach house somewhere. I’ll plan the whole thing…okay, that’s a lie, I can’t plan very well so I’ll get Maddox to do it, but you won’t be bothered with any of it. I promise.”

  “Do you think the others will agree?”

  She pointed to her face and pouted again. “No one can say no to this face.”

  I smiled, feeling myself grow a little excited. “Let’s do it!”

  “Yay!” She stood up and started dancing around. Pulling her phone out of the pocket of her shorts she pressed a button and music flooded the small space.

  Laughing, I stood up too and joined her crazy dancing.

  Our laughter filled the air as we tripped over our own feet.

  I’d been reluctant to agree to this sleepover, but it was proving to be exactly what I had needed.

  HIS LIPS MOLDED to my neck and my fingers tangled in his silky soft hair.

  It was safe to say I had an obsession with Ezra’s hair.

  Actually, I had an obsession with the man himself. It was completely unfair how amazing he was. Inside and out.

  His fingers skimmed down the sides of my bare torso and my body arched at the sensation.

  His touch electrified me.

  His hips rocked against mine and my nails raked his back.

  I was so close.

  He sat up suddenly, pulling me with him so that we never separated. I let out a long moan at the new sensation. I rolled my hips and he cursed.

  He grasped the nape of my neck and pulled my lips to his, kissing me deeply. Our lips parted and I panted from the lack of oxygen.

  I closed my eyes, tightening my hold on his shoulders. “I’m coming,” I warned.

  “Fuck, I’m close too,” he breathed, his lips skimming mine when he spoke.

  Our chests pressed together, adding even more friction.

  I moved faster and his own thrusts sped up.

  I tipped over the edge, and my cry filled the room. With a groan he came too and we fell back onto the bed in a tangle of limbs.

  My chest rose sharply as I struggled to get enough air.

  I didn’t think it was possible, but it got better every single time.

  I didn’t know how I was ever going to give this up, but I knew eventually our arrangement would have to come to an end.

  He wrapped an arm around my waist and pulled me against his body, tenderly kissing the crook of my neck.

  My eyes closed as a happy sigh escaped me. The gesture had been so sweet, something a real boyfriend would do, but I had to remind myself that we weren’t really a couple.

  All too soon he pulled away and rolled out of bed. He put on his boxers and stuck his hands on his narrow hips.

  “We better get ready.”

  I glanced at the clock on his nightstand. He was right. It was a little past noon, but the guys were playing at a local festival later this afternoon. Even though the guys were a big deal now they still made an effort to perfo
rm local gigs. I thought it was nice that they still appreciated their roots.

  I sat up and began gathering my clothes strewn about his room. With them clutched in my arms I mumbled that I was going to take a shower.

  He nodded, already distracted by something on his phone.

  After my shower I dried and curled my hair. Instead of putting on a pair of shorts I opted to wear a dress. It was new and I hadn’t had a chance to wear it yet. I wasn’t dressing up for Ezra, though. Nope, definitely not.

  I slipped the dress on and admired my reflection in the mirror above the dresser in my bedroom.

  It was white and hugged my body. It had an open design in the middle that exposed parts of my stomach and the design continued at the bottom of the dress. The back was low cut, and my tattoo was on full display. It was a dream catcher that started between my shoulder blades with the feathers extending down my back. I got it a while ago, straight out of high school. Ezra had been with me when I got it, since I didn’t want to go alone. I’d gotten it, because at the time my dreams had seemed so far out of reach and I wanted something to remind me that I could go after them and, well catch them.

  Satisfied with the dress I put on a pair of strappy gold flats and added a flowered headband to my hair.

  “You look beautiful,” Ezra commented, appearing in the doorway.

  “Thanks,” I smiled at him.

  He was dressed simply in a pair of khaki shorts and a white t-shirt.

  “I thought we’d head on over now,” he looked at the large watch on his wrist, “and have some time to do a few things before the show.”

  My brows rose. That sounded suspiciously date-like to me, but I wasn’t going to say anything.

  “Sounds good.” I swiped some more gloss onto my lips before following him outside.

  “Security is meeting us at the festival. Just to be safe,” he told me, slipping inside the Escalade.

  I didn’t like going places where their security tagged along, but it was better than being swarmed. Most fans were pretty chill, but there were still the crazy ones. Someone gave Mathias a lock of hair one time. The look of disgust on his face would’ve been comical if it hadn’t been downright gross. She literally ripped it out of her head and thrust it at him. She’d also said something about them being destined to be together and that she’d already picked out the names of their children. She then proceeded to rub her stomach and told him that little Leopold would be arriving in the fall. Mathias hauled ass out of the meet and greet room after that.

  They were actually doing a meet and greet today after they performed. Hopefully no more scenarios like that one played out.

  Ezra and I were quiet the whole drive over. He parked in a section off to the side where the people working at the event parked their cars. I immediately spotted two hulking security guards. Each of the guys had two of their own security personnel. Ezra’s were named Jon and Kenny. They were massive—all of their bodyguards were—and built like linebackers.

  Ezra hopped out of the car and the bodyguard’s met us at the parking lot exit. They flanked us on each side as we headed into the festival.

  It was already packed, and as we walked the whispers and stares started up. Soon it would be all over the festival that Ezra was here walking around.

  The guards kept people from approaching, but it didn’t stop them from taking pictures as we passed.

  “I thought we could go see the circus.” Ezra glanced down at me to see if I was in agreement. He was completely oblivious to the crowd growing around us. He was so used to it at this point that he didn’t even bat an eye. “It’s supposed to be one of those aerial acts. Not clowns,” he winked.

  “You’re never going to let me live that down, are you?” One time I confessed that I was terrified of clowns and Ezra thought it was the funniest fear ever. But those things were scary. Yes, things, because I did not believe clowns were people. They were far too horrifying to be human.

  “Definitely not.” He smiled at me boyishly, a slight skip in his step.

  He seemed to know where he was going so I followed him, while the bodyguards kept the crowd at bay.

  He approached a red and white striped tent and ushered me inside. One of the guards stayed by the entrance while the other followed us.

  The place was packed with people waiting for the start of the show.

  Ezra continued forward and I grabbed his elbow, hissing, “I think they’re sold out.”

  “Just trust me.”

  He turned to the first row and sure enough there were three empty seats. “After you.” He waved his hand dramatically.

  I shook my head and took the end seat. “You had this planned,” I accused.

  He smiled and sat down beside me with his bodyguard on his other side. “Maybe,” he whispered in my ear.

  A girl, no more than thirteen, sat beside the guard. She leaned forward, peering around his massive body and let out a small shriek of excitement before skirting back and hiding her red face behind her hands.

  Ezra chuckled and leaned forward. “Hi, I’m Ezra.” He held out a hand to the girl who was still hiding behind her hands. Her friends sat beside her, both of their mouths hanging open in shock.

  The one beside the girl bumped her with her elbow and said, “He’s talking to you!”

  The girl lowered her hands. “I’m Sarah.” When she noticed that he was holding out his hand she stuck hers in it.

  He gave it a quick shake before letting go.

  Sarah looked like she’d just won the lottery. “You’re my favorite,” she exclaimed suddenly, finally finding her voice. “I know most people overlook the bass player, but yeah, I love you.”

  Ezra chuckled, flashing a smile. “I’m happy to not be overlooked.”

  “We’re going to the concert later.” The girl that elbowed Sarah piped in.

  Ezra grinned, pushing strands of his dark hair away from his eyes. “Cool. Hey, Jon make sure these ladies get passes into the meet and greet.” He pointed to Sarah and her two friends.

  The one that had been quiet up until now let out a shriek that had everybody in the nearby vicinity covering their ears. “You mean I get to meet Maddox?!” She gasped, fanning her suddenly flushed face. “Oh my God, I love him so much. He’s beautiful and when he plays the drums…” Her whole body shook with excitement. “He’s amazing.”

  It was then that I noticed her shirt.

  SAVE A DRUM. BANG A DRUMMER.

  Oh shit. We were in for it.

  I gave Ezra a look and he merely chuckled.

  Maddox had no idea what was headed his way.

  The lights began to dim and then everything began to glow with a purple and blue hue. Ezra sat back and the girls grew quiet, only the occasional whisper and giggle, as the show began.

  Music began to play, something slow and haunting.

  Dancers came out with some sort of white glow stick clasped in their hands. As they danced the lights began to blur, creating an otherworldly effect.

  The music began to quicken and then stopped all together.

  The tent went black.

  I blinked my eyes, trying to see anything.

  My heart picked up speed at the total darkness, and I was tempted to reach for Ezra’s hand, but we were in public and I was afraid someone might snap a photo of us on their phone and the rumors it would cause weren’t worth it.

  Before my panic could escalate the lights came back on, pointed at the peak of the tent.

  I gasped in awe when I saw that heavy looking lengths of fabric now dangled from the top. A female had the fabric wrapped around her arm and spun through the air. On the other fabric piece a man spun in the opposite direction.

  Their faces were tortured and full of longing as they reached out for each other, always failing to reach the other one.

  The music sped up again, as did their movements. They began to blur and then she let go of the fabric. He caught her easily and their bodies tangled together as he held them up with
only one hand.

  The lights changed to a pink hue and their expressions became filled with lust.

  They were absolutely incredible.

  I’d never seen anything else like it.

  “This is amazing,” I breathed.

  When I glanced over at Ezra he was looking at me and not the show.

  “You’re missing it,” I hissed, pointing in the direction of the aerialists.

  He shook his head, his dark brows drawn together. “I’m not missing anything.”

  My heart stuttered and skipped a beat and I looked away from him hastily.

  But still, his eyes lingered upon my face.

  When the show ended we headed back out into the festival once more. The crowds had doubled in size and I worried the two guards might not be enough.

  I stuck close to Ezra’s side, trying to ignore the stares.

  I should’ve been used to them by now since I was friend’s with him, but I was convinced the prying eyes and nosy looks from strangers was something you just didn’t get accustomed to.

  “Let’s go get some cotton candy.” He slung an arm over my shoulder, steering me over to a cart.

  The guy working it quickly handed over a cone of cotton candy. He didn’t appear starstruck by Ezra, but I could tell the growing crowd was freaking the guy out. They were turning into vultures.

  Ezra handed me the cotton candy and turned us away from the cart.

  I dug my heels into the ground. “Aren’t you getting one?”

  He shook his head and grinned. “Nope. I thought we could share.” He then leaned over and took a bite of the cotton candy, shoving the strands that stuck to his lips into his mouth.

  He was definitely trying to kill me.

  Or my ovaries.

  What he did shouldn’t have been so hot, but it was, and based on the swooning going on around us I wasn’t the only one affected.

  I continued to watch as he reached out and pried away a small handful of the blue fluffy sugar goodness. He then proceeded to stuff it in my mouth.