You're the Only One

by E. M. Abel

  I walked into the room and took a seat beside Sky.

  “She seems really peaceful, doesn’t she?” she asked, pulling a pin out of the fabric and sticking it into a pincushion.

  “Yeah.”

  Sky stopped sewing and put her hand on mine. “You doing okay?”

  “I got a text from Matteo. We go to the studio on Wednesday.”

  Her eyes brightened. “Wow! Already? That’s awesome, Dillon.”

  “Yeah, I know.”

  “But you aren’t ready to leave,” she said, finishing my thought. “You know, if your mom found out you skipped on this opportunity to stay with her, she’d feel awful. She’d probably kick your ass, too.”

  I rubbed my hand over the stubble on my jaw. “I don’t think I could live with myself if something happened to her after I left, Sky.”

  “My mom would tell you if things were getting worse.”

  I lifted an eyebrow and skeptically peered up at Sky. “I’m not so sure.”

  “Well”—Sky glanced at the pile of her stuff on the table—“I could stay here until you came back.”

  I dropped my hands and straightened my back. “You’d do that?”

  “Of course.”

  “But what about your work?”

  She shrugged. “I can do this here. I’ll have TJ ship me the stuff I need, and I can mail it all to Whitney when I’m done.”

  “That sounds like an awful lot of trouble to go through, Sky. Don’t worry about it. I’ll figure something out.”

  “It’s really not a big deal, Dillon. If me staying here will help you feel better about going, then I want to do it. Really. Besides, it’ll be nice to get some more time with my mom. Maybe she’ll even help me.”

  I thought it over before finally conceding and giving her a kiss. “Thank you, mi Cielo.”

  Later that night, I sat on the floor of the guest room, playing my guitar and going over some songs, while Sky finished her work at the dining room table. The bedroom light was off, but the moon shone through the windows, casting a soft glow around me as I played. When I heard the click of the door, I turned to find Sky watching me.

  I stopped the song as she came further into the room. “Hey.”

  I put my guitar aside, staring up at her as she approached. Without a word, Sky pulled her shirt over her head and dropped it on the floor, the moonlight draping across her skin. My eyes roamed over her beautiful body as she unbuttoned and unzipped her jeans, sliding them down her legs.

  Sky snatched a little of my soul every time I was with her. It was only a matter of time before she owned all of me.

  Wearing only her panties and bra, she came closer and lowered herself until she was straddling my lap. I watched my hands as they slid up her thighs and around her hips, following their trail up her ribs and to her breasts, until I was finally looking into her sapphire eyes. Sky and I stared at each other for what felt like lifetimes, an endless moment that was over in the blink of an eye.

  Leaning down, she pressed her lips against mine, and I gripped her back in my hands, pulling her closer, as I deepened it. She was so warm, so soft, so perfect. Sky held my face in her hands as we kissed, the heat between her legs seeping through my jeans. I sucked her bottom lip into my mouth before releasing it and making a path of kisses down her neck and chest.

  Unclasping her bra, I slipped the straps off her shoulders, and she let it drop to the side. I wrapped my lips around her nipple and sucked it into my mouth, her hips rolling on top of me and making me hard.

  I needed to be back inside her, to claim her again and again until there was no more question of where she belonged. She must’ve known because she reached down and undid my jeans. I lifted my hips, and we pushed them down my legs until the only thing left between us was her panties. Shoving them aside, I gripped my cock in my hand and guided the head toward her entrance. Sky gasped when she felt the intrusion, and I licked her other nipple as I played with her clit. She moaned, and her head fell back, her wavy, dark hair cascading down her back. I hissed out a breath while she lowered herself on top of me, the walls of her pussy squeezing me so tight, I lost myself inside her.

  We did our best to stay silent as she rode my dick, my teeth biting into her skin and her nails scratching my back as the ecstasy became too much.

  “I can’t ever get enough,” I murmured against her neck.

  I started lifting my hips when she lowered hers, forcing myself deeper. Sky’s head dropped, and she whimpered in my ear, her body starting to shake and convulse around me. I squeezed my eyes shut, completely overwhelmed by the intensity of her orgasm and the beginning of mine. Holding her waist, I started fucking her harder as I lost the last of my control and came inside her.

  I sucked in a breath and opened my eyes, seeing nothing but stars and moonlight and Sky.

  There was nothing but Sky.

  SKY

  The last two days had gone by quickly, but they had been filled with so many beautiful memories that I knew I’d hold on to forever.

  Dillon and I had made it our priority to keep Camilla smiling. Dillon had played her favorite music, I’d painted her nails and given her massages, and we’d even cooked her favorite dishes for every meal. Well, Dillon had cooked. I’d assisted.

  In the evenings, I’d go to work at the sewing machine, and Dillon would sit by Camilla’s bed until she fell asleep. Afterward, he’d play his music. Then, we’d make love and hold each other as we watched the sun come up again.

  Those were some of the best days of my life. But, now, it was Wednesday morning, and Dillon had to go back to New York.

  “Promise you’ll call if anything happens,” Dillon said, apprehension clouding his eyes.

  “I promise.”

  “I don’t care what time it is I’ll answer, so don’t hesitate.”

  I nodded and gave him a reassuring smile. “Don’t worry, Dillon. Just concentrate on your music, okay? I’ll take good care of her, and when you’re ready, you can come back. We’ll be here, waiting for you.”

  Dillon leaned down and kissed me before glancing back toward his mother’s room where she was still sleeping. He’d spent the past half hour sitting beside her bed and staring at her as he struggled with his decision to leave.

  “She knows you love her,” I told him.

  Dillon closed his eyes and sighed. “It’s not only her I don’t want to leave. I’m going to miss you.”

  I smiled and took his hand in mine. “I know. I’ll miss you, too, but we’ll survive.”

  He kissed me one more time. “I love you, Sky. Thank you.”

  “I love you, too.”

  Squatting down, Dillon rubbed Kuma’s head, and she licked his cheek.

  “Be a good girl, Kuma. I’ll see you soon.”

  Kuma and I watched as Dillon drove off in the rental car. I said a little prayer that the sacrifice he was making would one day be worth it.

  Later that afternoon, Camilla and I were sitting on her front porch, wrapped in blankets and sipping hot cocoa. She insisted on spending as much time outside as she could. She’d sit for hours and stare at the sky, watch the birds, and take deep breaths of fresh air, looking so serene and peaceful. I wondered how she’d stayed so strong through everything when the rest of us were still struggling with the unfairness of it all.

  “He’s going to need you,” Camilla said, her eyes following a sparrow as it landed on her maple tree.

  I turned to look at her profile.

  “A lot of things are changing for him, and he’ll need something to remain constant. Someone he can rely on to stay the same.” Camilla’s soft eyes met mine, and she asked, “Will you be that for him?”

  “I’ll be whatever he needs.”

  Her lips lifted into a thoughtful grin. “I know you will.” She took another sip from her cocoa and leaned her head back on her rocking chair. “You should spend more time with your mother, too. She loves you, you know?”

  I looked down at my mug, feeling ashamed. Sh
e was right. I’d always been so quick to judge my mom for her mistakes without recognizing that she was entitled to make them. I had no right to expect perfection from her.

  “I know.”

  “Good. Now, I can stop being so serious. Go get my purse from the kitchen.”

  I laughed as I unwrapped myself from my blanket and got up from my seat. I found Camilla’s purse on the kitchen counter and brought it out to her. Reaching inside, she pulled out a small tin box and lifted the lid.

  I settled back into my rocking chair and pulled the blanket back over my shoulders. “What’s that?”

  Camilla pulled out a little glass bowl and lighter, and my eyes widened in surprise. She pulled out a prescription pill bottle and opened it, taking out a bud of weed.

  “Damn, that looks like some good stuff.”

  Camilla cut her eyes to me.

  I smiled. “Not that I’d know anything about that.”

  She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right. You think I’ve forgotten what you and Dillon were like as teenagers?”

  “Hey, he was way worse than I was.”

  She lifted the bowl to her mouth and took a hit. I couldn’t help grinning as I watched Dillon’s mom smoking pot. That was something I’d never thought I’d see.

  After she exhaled, she held the bowl out to me, and I glanced back and forth between it and her, wondering if she was testing me.

  She nudged it closer. “Just take the damn thing. I can’t be the only one acting like a fool.”

  I did as I had been told and took a hit from the bowl. It had been a while since I smoked, and I started coughing instantly.

  Camilla peered over at me, a smirk playing on her lips. “Lightweight,” she muttered.

  We both laughed as I passed it back to her.

  Camilla and I spent the rest of the afternoon laughing, eating munchies on the couch, and watching her shows.

  My mom came by after work and helped me prepare dinner. Luckily, we had Camilla’s cookbook to help us, but we knew our food still didn’t taste quite as good as hers. Even if she insisted we’d done a great job.

  After we ate, I cleaned the kitchen while my mom helped Camilla settle into bed. When I was finished, I took my phone out of my pocket to send a text to Dillon.

  Sky: We had a great day. Your mom is doing fine. Did you know she’s smoking weed now? LOL. She made me smoke a bowl with her. It was awesome! I miss you. How are things going?

  Dillon: That’s hilarious. I’m glad you guys are having a good time. Sorry I didn’t call earlier. Things have been nonstop here. Steve is amazing. He’s really elevated my songs. I can’t wait for you to hear them.

  Sky: I can’t wait to hear them either! Maybe you can email some to me, so I can play them for your mom. Don’t worry about us. You keep working, and I’ll keep you posted, okay? I love you.

  Dillon: Okay. I love you, too. More than anything.

  I smiled to myself as I tucked my phone back into my pocket and made my way to the dining room to start working. I’d already spoken to TJ, and she was going to ship me enough fabric and supplies to hold me over for the next week. I wasn’t sure how long Dillon would be in the studio, so I planned on tackling things a week at a time.

  When I walked into the room, I found my mom standing at the table, looking at some of my designs.

  She glanced at me as I approached. “These are gorgeous, Sky.”

  “Thanks.” I took a seat behind the sewing machine and started sorting through my fabrics. “Do you remember that costume you made for me when I was in The Wizard of Oz?”

  My mom grinned. “Yeah. You were the Wicked Witch.”

  I nodded. “That was when I first fell in love with the idea of making clothes.”

  Her eyebrows furrowed as she sat down beside me. “Really? I didn’t realize.”

  “I remember thinking how amazing it was that you were able to take a few scraps of fabric and create something beautiful out of it. I wanted to be just like you.”

  She smiled and lowered her head.

  “I still do.”

  My mom watched me with concern in her eyes. “No, you don’t. You shouldn’t, Sky. You’re so much stronger than I ever was. I’m so proud of the woman you’ve become.”

  I dropped my gaze to the table as tears stung my nose. I recalled all the times I’d blamed my mom for my unhappiness and how I’d judged her for the mistakes she’d made. I’d never really tried to understand who she was and what she’d been through. I’d been so awful to her, especially as a teenager, and despite it all, she’d done nothing but support and love me unconditionally.

  “I’m not half the woman you are,” I said. A tear fell down my cheek. “I’m sorry it’s taken me this long to realize it.”

  My mom shook her head and closed her eyes as her own tears fell. Standing up, I went over and wrapped my arms around her, resting my cheek on the top of her head as we cried together.

  My mother had been through so much. Her parents had never supported her, and she’d gone from one abusive relationship to the next, but somehow, she’d found the strength to keep going. She’d done everything she could to protect me and make sure I knew I was loved. I owed her so much. I owed her everything.

  “I’m sorry,” I said again, kissing her hair. “I’m sorry.”

  DILLON

  The last two weeks had gone by in a blur. I had been living and breathing my music, spending every waking moment in the studio with Steve and his recording engineer, Michael. Matteo would stop by every day to check on our progress, but besides that, I hadn’t seen anyone else.

  Sky called me every night to tell me about her day and let me know how things were going. She’d been having a good time with my mom and Cathy, and I was so grateful to have her there even though I missed her like crazy. I knew there was no way I would have been able to immerse myself in my music if she hadn’t stayed back, and I would always be grateful to her for that.

  My album was turning out better than I’d ever imagined. Steve had a way of bringing the best out of me. Every time I thought I’d reached my potential, he’d find a way of pulling out more. From the very beginning, he seemed to understand my vision for this album, and together, we were making it a reality. I loved that he seemed as passionate about my music as I was. We’d stay up all night, recording a song until it was perfect, skipping meals and working tirelessly until we got it right.

  It was Wednesday night, and we’d just finished working on another song. We hadn’t slept in over twenty-four hours, and the energy in the room was winding down.

  “Okay. Let’s stop there and pick up the rest tomorrow.”

  I stood up from the chair I’d been sitting in and stretched. My muscles were tight, and I was starving. Steve got up and put his baseball cap on, checking his pockets to make sure he had all his stuff. Michael had already gone home an hour ago.

  “Hey, you want to grab a beer and some food?” Steve asked.

  I pulled on my coat. “Yeah, sure.”

  This was the first time Steve had invited me to hang out with him outside of the studio. Not that I blamed him. We’d been spending enough time together as it was.

  We walked down the street from the studio to a small Irish pub on the corner. After ordering some burgers and beers, we both leaned back in the booth as the exhaustion began to set in.

  “I’d say we have one more day, two tops, before we’re done.”

  “Yeah?” I asked as the waitress brought us our beers.

  “Oh, yeah, easy. You’re a natural, Dillon. This album is going to be a hit. Trust me, I can sense these things.”

  I smiled because I did trust him.

  Steve Bivins had a reputation in the music industry. Everything he touched turned to gold, and I was hoping my album would be no different.

  “As a matter of fact,” he said, sitting up, “there’s something I wanted to tell you, but I had to wait for confirmation first. I’ve been talking to some friends, and I was able to get you a spot in The
Red-Hot Music Tour this summer.”

  Holy shit!

  My eyebrows shot up, and I began to cough when beer went down my throat the wrong way. I set my glass down before I dropped it, and Steve chuckled as he took a sip from his own.

  When I could finally speak again, I asked, “Are you serious?”

  The Red-Hot Music Tour had been around for years, and some of the biggest artists in the industry were the headliners. If I went on tour with them, it would change everything. My music career would be catapulted into an entirely different level.

  “Yeah, man, I’m serious. I figured you’d want to tell Matteo yourself. Here…” Steve pulled a card out of the front pocket of his jacket and handed it to me. It had the contact information for the event organizer who happened to also be a very famous and talented music producer. “You’ll have to work out the details with him. He’s expecting a call within the next few days.”

  “I can’t believe this, Steve. Thank you so much. I don’t even know what to say. I’m in shock.”

  “Don’t sweat it, kid. Your music deserves to be heard. Just keep working hard, and stay humble.”

  I nodded as I glanced at the card I held between my fingers. “Absolutely.”

  As soon as I got to my apartment, I called Sky to tell her the good news. I felt bad for waking her up, but there was no way I could go to sleep without telling her.

  “Hello?” she whispered into the phone.

  “Sky, wake up. I have to tell you something.”

  She sucked in a breath, and I heard her sheets rustling. “What is it? Is everything okay?”

  “Everything’s fine. I’m sorry for waking you up.”

  She moaned sleepily, and I could almost picture her grumpy face. “It’s okay. What’s up?”

  “I was offered a spot on The Red-Hot Music Tour!”

  The line was silent for a second, and I was about to ask her if she’d heard me when she shouted, “No way!”

  I shushed her and started laughing. “You’re going to wake up the entire neighborhood.”

  “Dillon! Are you for real? You’re going on tour?” She’d tried really hard to whisper, but her elation made it difficult.