Together.
“Where are you going?” Matt hollered as I started to move off the stage. At some point, he and Jenny had come together. I looked down to see their fingers intertwined. It shouldn't have surprised me. I'd watched as the two of them got cozier with one another ever since that secret meeting that determined Jenny was an official member of the band.
“Everyone else seems to have found their happily ever after.” I waved my hand at everyone on stage. It was like a weird dating show where everyone paired off. “It’s time to go get mine before it’s too late.”
Matt gave me a lopsided smile before he turned back to Jenny. He dipped her backward and kissed her in front of the whole audience. Everyone continued cheering, but I had bigger things on my mind.
A few hands slapped my back as I rushed through the crowd, but I didn’t stop to acknowledge any of them. I went straight to the back door and walked out into the night. The space was considerably more peaceful than inside The Imperial, especially when the door closed and blocked the sounds that were coming from inside.
Michelle was sitting in one of the plastic chairs, her gaze on me.
“Michelle.”
How many times had I addressed her by her first name and nothing else? It was far from an adoring pet name but felt so profoundly ours.
“Rainier,” she answered, but stayed in her seat. I took the opportunity to sit down across from her.
Michelle wore a grey tee with Rainier and the Go-Aways painted on it along with a giant raincloud.
"Nice shirt."
“I thought it was appropriate since I essentially did a tribute show.”
“If you were trying to get my attention, it worked. I just don’t understand why you ran and hid afterward.”
Her body sagged and her gaze was fixed on the ashtray.
“Because I don’t know what to do. I’ve never felt this way about anyone. Even when I thought I hated you, you gave me butterflies. I don’t feel the need to change you like I have with other guys. I want you just the way you are.” She stopped and looked at me. “I like you, and you’re leaving soon. And I don’t even know when. I’m not sure what I was hoping to accomplish tonight.”
Michelle stood up like she was ready to bolt again, but I got to her before she could and pulled her close. She didn’t fight it, but wrapped her arms around my waist, clutching the fabric of my shirt. I turned my head to sniff her hair, which despite the smokiness of the bar and the reek of sweat that permeated everything inside, still smelled fantastic.
“I like you too, you know.”
“Obviously,” she answered in true Michelle form, and even managed a small laugh. “But it’s not enough. We both know that. Part of me wishes you were already gone so I could move on. It’s just not going to happen as long as you’re here.”
“What about that other part of you?” I asked. “Is there somewhere in there that wants me to stay?”
She pulled away and looked at me through narrowed eyes that still glistened with unshed tears. “Of course, you idiot. I thought it was pretty freaking clear.”
“So, if I were to say I planned to stay in River Valley for the fall semester to see what happens with the band, what would that part of Michelle say?” I held my breath as she continued to stare at me, so I continued. “I was able to switch to online classes for the semester.”
I had finished signing up for my classes after my conversation with Matt the week before. It wasn’t only the band, and it wasn’t only Michelle. I found I wanted to explore what both of those paths led to. I didn’t have to give up my schooling to do so.
“You’re not leaving?” Michelle asked. I shook my head. “But the show in there was such a disaster. There’s no way you can recover from that.”
“That's a very real possibility. But even if the band is done for, it’s still worth it.”
“It is?”
“Michelle, you can be exasperating, but you are worth every moment. You're perfect for me.”
It must have been the right thing to say because the tears were back. I knew they were happy this time because she pulled me in for a kiss. It was everything I remembered.
Joy. Passion… Lights?
We pulled apart at the sudden brightness that hit us. Matt's head was popping out of the back door. “Sorry, dude. They told me to give you another minute, but I couldn’t wait.”
He walked out, hand-in-hand with Jenny, who was followed by Carter and Avery. So much for our romantic moment. The four of them stood staring at us, Avery with a big smile on her face.
“Okay, well if you’re going to interrupt us, you might as well spit it out.”
Matt had the decency to looked embarrassed. “So Norm came up on stage after whatever just happened in there. I thought he was going to tell us to leave and never come back, but he said people loved all the excitement. He asked us to come back next week, as long as we promise to focus on the music.”
It was great news. We spent a few minutes talking about what we were going to do for our next show, speculating who would be the opener since Michelle wouldn’t be making a repeat performance. We were all talking excitedly until Matt blurted out, “I guess Michelle knows you're staying?”
Conversation stopped as everyone watched her reaction.
“What?” Michelle gasped from beside me, giving me a playful punch. “Rainier, why didn’t you tell me?”
The look on Matt’s face was perfect. “I assumed you told her when we caught you back here and the talk about playing next week.”
“Relax, she’s messing with you. But that reminds me. You did interrupt us. Maybe you should go figure out the details with Norm and let us finish what we started.”
Carter whistled which resulted in Avery pushing him inside. Matt followed sheepishly behind the two of them, leaving Jenny to follow up the pack. She turned and smiled at us before following the rest of the crew inside.
“Finish what we started, huh?” Michelle’s voice rang out in the silence bringing my attention back to her.
“You got a problem with that?”
“Absolutely not,” she answered, pulling me in for a kiss.
Epilogue
Six months later
Rainier gave me a wink from the stage as the band finished the last song in their set. Over the last few months, Rainier and the Go-Aways had started making a name for themselves. They'd traveled all over Idaho to play, and even had a couple of shows in Oregon.
They'd played in small bars similar to Wild Bill's and opened for popular bands in places that were legit concert venues.
And even though they still hadn't landed their coveted record deal, the whole thing was unreal.
I was dating my very own, personal rock star.
Seeing him on stage with everyone back at The Imperial brought a wave of emotions that had me smiling like an idiot. We'd come so far since the first time I saw him perform.
As the crowd's cheers began to quiet, Avery was quick to get up. She rushed the stage eager to get to her fiancé. It didn't matter where they played, she was there and always did the same thing.
I preferred the waiting game.
A trio of girls stood at the foot of the stage desperate to get Rainier's attention. They all wore shirts with rain clouds on them. The same design that was now painted on the front of Matt's bass drum. Everyone in the band had loved the shirt I wore for my performance and had insisted it become the band's logo.
I watched as Rainier signed CDs and other swag people in the crowd brought to him. Always with a smile on his face.
I was happy for him and even managed to stay in my seat when some redhead in a low cut top pointed to where she wanted Rainier to sign her body. He declined, still with his friendly grin before finally making his way to me.
"Twenty minutes. That's gotta be a new record."
"Aw, don't be jealous. I can always sign your b–"
"Gross," I interrupted and held up a hand. "I don't need that when I get the real dea
l all the time."
"I guess not." He leaned in and kissed me before grabbing the spot next to me at the bar. "How was shopping?"
I sighed dramatically. "Terrible. Avery is a complete bridezilla. We walked around for hours looking for bridesmaid dresses. Hours. My feet are killing me!"
"Maybe next time you won't wear three-inch heels."
"Do not take her side."
He grabbed my ankle and squeezed. "My poor baby. Do you need a foot rub."
"Desperately."
"And a nice, hot bubble bath?"
I thought of the frigid temperatures outside and practically moaned at the idea.
"I love you," he said with a chuckle. "I need to pack my gear up, but would love to drive you home after. That is, if you don't think Avery would mind."
I looked over to Avery and Carter on stage. He kept trying to put stuff away, only to have Avery interrupt with a smooch or some kind of touch. They weren't getting married until the spring, but one look at the two of them would make you think they were on their honeymoon already.
"I don't think she'll mind."
He snuck one more kiss, giving me butterflies, before running back to the stage.
Life wasn't a fairy tale, I knew that. Things weren't always easy between the two of us as we figured out our balance.
But Rainier was my prince charming, and I knew he always would be.
Acknowledgments
A year ago, my first book was still just a dream I didn’t plan to pursue. It’s insane to think I’m writing the acknowledgments for my third novel already. Wow!
Thank you Lord for allowing me to hit publish one more time. While my stories are not intrinsically Christian, I hope they will be glorifying to You as I paint stories filled with love and redemption. May it point to that ultimate love and redemption we have in You through Christ.
Robert, you will always be next in my “thank you”s. You are my other half. The inspiration for the butterflies my characters feel when they are together. Ten years later I love you more than ever. You are my prince charming. Forever and ever.
And my kids. You boys are the reason I write, though you may not understand it. I love you! (That zombie book IS coming!)
Dana and Harvey, y’all know my greatest musical talent is singing loudly and out of tune. Thank you for the guitar lessons. Rainier was much better off with your help!
Katie, Gwen and Mickelyn: I don’t think I’ll ever see you guys as anything but my muses. You each bring so much to the table. My stories would suck without you.
Robin, my MIL and my editor, you are as meticulous as I am impulsive. Thanks for balancing me out and finding all my typos!
To my friends who ask me about my progress and continue to buy my books because they love me. Thank you!
To the many writers in AAYAA and other groups who have helped so much along the way. I’m not even going to try to remember you all because everyone I’ve met in the indie community has been amazing!
To the bloggers/reviewers who have found me along the way, it means so much to have you believe in my books! Deejaye, Candyce, Isabelle, Felicia, Mary Ann, Monica, Paige, (insert the name I forgot here with a sharpie) You guys have been such an encouragement! Thank you!
And to the readers who have made it this far. Thank you from the bottom of my heart. You are making this girl’s dreams come true!
Let me know what you think
I hope you loved Rainier and Michelle’s story as much as I enjoyed writing it. If you did, please take a minute to leave a review on Goodreads or Amazon.
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Also by Kayla Tirrell
All The Things We Lost
All The Things We Found
Let’s Keep in Touch
Kayla has loved to read as long as she can remember. While she started out reading spooky stories that had her hiding under her covers, she now prefers stories with a bit more kissing.
When she gets a chance to watch TV, she enjoys cheesy sci-fi and superhero shows.
Find me online:
www.tirrellblewrites.com
[email protected]
All The Things We Were Page 16
