by Laura John
I lean down to kiss her forehead. “I understand, and that’s fine as long as you don’t push me away again.”
She smiles, and God, it makes my heart do a backflip. “I promise.”
I bring my lips to hers and kiss her like it’s my last breath. This woman is mine; I will take it as slow as she needs, but I’m not letting her go anywhere.
“I am so glad that the tour is over,” Shae says, pulling me into her arms.
“Me too. I missed you like crazy. Oh, and so did your kids,” I joke with her.
“I missed them so much. I don’t know how I’m going to handle the full North America tour in the new year.”
“You can come home when there are a couple of days off, or I can bring the kids to see you.”
She nods. “I guess it depends where we are. I need to save as much money as possible. I’m hoping to buy a house after the tour.”
“You’ve got this. And remember I’ll do anything you need me to do. So, besides missing me, how was the tour?”
“Okay, but Tyler was a complete fucking asshole. He was so sweet when I first met him. I don’t even know what happened.”
“That is odd. For as long as I’ve known Tyler, he’s been a great guy. Maybe he’s just joking?” I ask, but that doesn’t really seem like his personality.
“I don’t think so. It honestly feels like he wants to get me fired. I work my ass off, and the other guys say I’m doing amazing, but Tyler makes me feel like I’m failing. He shows me zero respect, treating me like a little kid. I get that he’s the older guy in the band, but I’m not twelve; I’m twenty-two, and damn good at my job.”
I pull her back into my arms. “Well, hopefully it’s just a phase.”
“God, I hope so. Right now we are so not friends.”
“Do you have plans for Christmas? I know it’s over a month away, but you know I’m a planner,” I joke. “We’re going to Dustin’s parents’ house, but you guys are more than welcome to join us.”
She shakes her head. “Actually, Karl wants us to get together, and the kids miss their dad.”
I nod. He does seem to be trying. I don’t know what was going on when they first broke up. I could never understand staying away from your kids like that. But while Shae was gone, he took them a few times, and the kids always seemed so happy when he brought them back.
I know Shae is completely fine with joint custody; I hope it works out for them. I know they aren’t really friends, but hopefully they can be adults and do what is best for the kids.
“Oh,” Shae says, grabbing her purse. “Can you give this to Katerina?” She hands me a check. “It’s a Christmas bonus to thank her for helping with the kids.”
“Oh. She’ll be so thankful, but she might not take it,” I tell her honestly.
“Well, try anyway. And this is for you.” She hands me a small box.
I glare at her, and she laughs. I open the box and gasp at the beautiful crystal hummingbird.
“It’s to hang on your visor in the car,” she tells me.
I pull her in for a tight hug.
“Okay that’s enough,” she says, pushing from my arms. “I wanted to thank you also for helping me. I wouldn’t be able to deal with everything I’ve gone through without you.”
“That’s what friends are for.” I move to the living room and sit down. “So, I’m going to ask Dustin to move in.”
“I think that’s a great idea. You guys have been dating…what? Four months now?”
I nod. “Yes, and it’s been going amazing. Olivia obviously loves him. She always has. I asked her last night what she thought about him moving in, and she was really excited. So, we are getting him a key for Christmas.”
“That’s a great gift idea. I’m so excited for you guys. Should the kids and I find a new place?” she asks, looking at the floor.
“I was thinking about that. I’m sure Dustin would be more than okay with you moving into his place until you can find one of your own. Of course, I have to ask Dustin, but he loves you like a sister. And then everyone can have their own space.”
Her smile is so wide, it makes me giggle. “That’s a great idea. I hope he says yes.”
“I’m sure he will. I’m excited!”
God, I am so nervous. It’s Christmas, and Olivia and I are going to ask Dustin to move in. Our relationship has been going amazing, and Olivia is super excited. I just hope he says yes.
“Merry Christmas,” Grace, Dustin’s mom, says before giving me a hug.
“Merry Christmas,” Olivia says, jumping up and down with the little box in her hands.
“How are you, princess?” Grace asks, giving Olivia a hug.
“Good! Is Duddy here?”
“He is in the living room. Go on in,” she tells her.
Olivia races off, and I shake my head.
“He sees her at least five days a week, but it isn’t enough for her,” I tell Grace.
“She loves him, just like he loves her.”
I nod. “Yep. He’s her Duddy.”
“That is such a cute nickname. I love that she kept it up even now that she can pronounce it properly.”
“Me too. Do you need help with dinner?”
She shakes her head. “Nope. Go visit. We are going to do presents first, before everyone else gets here.”
“Great idea,” I tell her, and bring the other presents to the living room.
“Hey, baby,” Dustin says when I enter the room. He stands and walks over to me, giving me a sweet kiss. “Merry Christmas.”
“Happy birthday,” I say against his lips, then look at his dad. “Merry Christmas, Mr. Calvison.”
“Crystal, it’s Al,” he tells me.
I blush. “Sorry. I just want to be respectful.”
“Time for presents,” Grace says, coming in with a handful of boxes.
“Really, Mom?” Dustin groans. “There are like a hundred presents under the tree already. Do we really need more?”
She nods her head. “Yes. This is our first Christmas with the fantastic Olivia, and we want to spoil her.”
Olivia shrieks with joy. “Santa already brought me a new Barbie, but I love presents!”
I shake my head.
“But you are also happy with whatever you get, right?” I say, using my “mom” voice.
She hangs her head and nods. “Yes, Mommy.”
Dustin smiles and pulls me to his side.
“Why don’t we start with one present each?” Grace suggests.
Olivia quickly hands out our gifts to Al, Grace, and Dustin. I smile at the way she is so proud.
“Can I call you Grandma?” Olivia asks Grace as she hands out her gift.
Both Grace and I share a look. I nod at her and see a tear slip down her face.
“Of course you can. I would love that very much,” she says, pulling Olivia into her arms.
Olivia turns to Al. “Can I call you Grandpa?”
He nods at her. “That would be nice.”
My child has never had grandparents, so today is very special, and I hope to make it even more special.
Grace opens her gift and pulls out the wine glass set we got her.
“These are beautiful. Did you pick them out?” she asks Olivia, who nods proudly.
She had a say in everyone’s gift.
“Open yours, Grandpa,” she says to Al, who has a big smile on his face.
He opens it and chuckles as he pulls out an apron that says “Kiss the Cook.”
“For when you barbecue,” Olivia tells him.
He opens his arms, and she runs into them, giving him the biggest hug her little arms can give.
“It’s perfect,” he tells her, and she climbs into his lap.
“Can Duddy open his?” Olivia asks me.
I smile and nod.
Dustin opens the small box and pulls out the key. He gives me a look, and I’m not sure if it’s of confusion or “it’s about time.”
“Olivia and I have a questi
on for you,” I tell him.
He smiles.
“Move in!” Olivia shouts.
I burst out into laughter. “Will you move in with us?”
Almost before the last word leaves my mouth, his lips are on mine.
“Absolutely,” he says before kissing me again. Then he stands up quickly. “Wait here. I have something in my truck that I almost forgot about.”
He runs outside and is back in less than a minute with a little box, which he hands to me.
“I was going to give this to you before shit hit the fan. I thought we were moving in the direction of living together back then,” he explains.
I open the box, and the beautiful hummingbird keychain brings tears to my eyes.
“I always assumed we would be living at your house, so I couldn’t give you a key. But that was going to be my way of asking you.”
I wrap my arms around his neck. “I love it.”
“What about your friend?” Grace asks. “Doesn’t she live with you?”
“She can move into my place,” Dustin suggests.
“Great minds think alike. I was actually going to ask if that would be okay,” I say.
“Of course. She’s my little sister. And that way everyone has their own space. My house is big and has four bedrooms. They’d have all the space they need. And when she’s working, the kids can just stay with us.”
I kiss him passionately, then remember where we are.
“Sorry,” I whisper, blushing.
“Love looks good on you two,” Grace says, making me blush some more.
“More presents!” Olivia rejoices.
We all laugh.
“Yes, princess, more presents,” Dustin tells her.
Our little family is perfect. And I’m so glad I can give Olivia more than I ever dreamed of.
“Unspoken Chaos is playing a small show tonight, and I was thinking we should surprise Shae. I already talked to Ace and he said it would be cool,” I tell Crystal, who is lying on the couch in her comfy pants.
Living with Crystal and Olivia has been amazing. But, in a way, I’m thankful that Crystal made us hold off this time. It gave us time to get to know each other as partners. Yes, we had known each other for years and been in love longer than we realized. But when you take that plunge and actually start dating, there is still more learning to do. We moved much too fast the first time, and that blew up in our faces. This time, we took the time and slowed it down. We dated for a while before I moved in, and now I think we are ready for the next step.
“That sounds nice. What time do I have to be ready?” she asks.
I glance at the clock. “Probably in an hour or so.”
“Fuck!” she shrieks, running to the bedroom.
“I love you!” I shout down the hall at her.
She mumbles something, but I don’t make it out. I just chuckle and follow down the hall.
“What are you doing?” she asks suspiciously.
“What? Can’t a guy get ready too? I was going to gel my hair.”
She narrows her eyes at me. “Just don’t get in my way. And would you mind getting Olivia ready?”
I nod. “Of course.”
Why is it that when we have a schedule to stick to, kids want to argue everything?
“I honestly don’t care what you wear. Just put on clothes,” I sigh, exasperated.
Being firmer with Olivia took some getting used to.
“So, I can wear my tutu?” Olivia asks with puppy dog eyes.
“Yes. Just please get dressed. We have to go soon,” I groan.
She jumps up and down with excitement.
I’ve learned a lot about picking your battles, and honestly this is one I don’t want to fight.
I quickly run to the spare bedroom and pull out a small box I hid in there a couple of weeks ago. I shove it in my jacket pocket and pray that everything goes as planned tonight.
But life always likes to laugh at you when you make plans.
“Okay, is everyone ready to go?” I ask when I come back downstairs.
I stop abruptly when I see Crystal. How is that she still takes my breath away every day?
“You look amazing,” I tell her, giving her a small kiss.
“Gross,” Olivia groans.
I laugh. “Get used to it. I’m not going anywhere.”
Crystal gives me a perfect smile and grabs my hand.
“Let’s go,” she says with a gleam in her eyes.
The concert is amazing. Shae wasn’t actually surprised that we were there, because I told her the other day. But she acted like she was, and Crystal was so happy to see her best friend.
We are standing backstage, since I have ulterior motives, and it lets Crystal hang out with Shae. Olivia is dancing around like she always does, grabbing occasionally at me or Crystal to join her. That kid always has so much energy, and sometimes it’s exhausting just watching her. She’s like the Energizer bunny: she just keeps going and going and going.
“Thanks so much for coming,” Shae says, coming up to us. “I know you came to surprise me and hang out, but since this is a charity show, I still have some work to do.”
Crystal pulls her in for a hug. “It’s completely okay. I’m just happy we came. The band is amazing. Ace really is better than he’s ever been.”
“I know. It feels like he gets better every show. He’s in his element. His counselor really helped him. I’m so glad he went to that self-care center. Now we know two people that it helped.”
The lights dim, and that’s my cue. While Crystal is distracted, I slip onstage.
“I want to welcome my good friend Dustin Maxx to the stage,” Ace says, and the crowd cheers.
“How’s everyone doing tonight?” I ask, and of course they cheer some more. “I hate to steal the thunder from the band tonight.”
“No, you don’t, you attention whore,” Tyler shouts from the drums.
I laugh. “Anyway, I want to invite out two very special ladies.”
Shae ushers Crystal and Olivia out. I can’t really read Crystal’s face, but Olivia is super excited. I get down on one knee, and Crystal covers her mouth, her eyes glassy.
“I assume you know what it means when a guy gets down on one knee,” I start.
Crystal nods.
“But first I need to start with the little lady. Olivia, I have loved you from the moment I first held you when you were just a baby. You’ve always held a special place in my heart. Before I ask your mommy to marry me, I was wondering if you would give me your blessing, and if I could be your daddy?”
She launches herself into my arms, squeezing me so tight.
“You’ve always been my Duddy,” she says into my ear. “But I would love to call you Daddy.”
“She said yes,” I say into the mic, so the crowd knows what’s going on.
The crowd cheers. Once they calm down, I turn my attention back to Crystal, who has tears running down her face, and pull the small box out of my pocket, opening it.
“The day I first saw you, I knew I needed you in my life. At first, it was just friendship, and I thought that would be enough. But with you, that is never enough. I need you in my life, in my house, in my heart, and in my bed.” I wink at her, and she rolls her eyes. “I want to wake up every morning to your beautiful face and go to sleep every night holding you. My life won’t be complete without you in it. So, will you please marry me?”
At first, she doesn’t say anything. She just stares at me, almost in shock.
Olivia grabs the mic from my hands. “Say yes, Mommy!”
I laugh. I’m happy she has my back.
Finally, Crystal nods and launches herself into my arms.
“Yes!” she yells.
I slide the ring onto her finger and kiss the hell out of her.
Life is full of uncertainties, and I don’t know what the future holds, but I am happy that I have Crystal to spend the rest of it with.
(PSST! Want more Crystal and Dustin? CLI
CK HERE for a free bonus novelette!)
These are songs that either inspired me or are mentioned in the book. LISTEN ON SPOTIFY!
“Friends Don’t” by Maddie and Tae
“Die From a Broken Heart” by Maddie and Tae
“By the Grace of God” by Katy Perry
“Ocean” by Lady Antebellum
“We’re Not Friends” by Ingrid Andress
“Details” by Billy Currington
“Notice” by Thomas Rhett
“Love Me Anyway” by P!nk featuring Chris Stapleton
“When You Say Nothing at All” by Alison Krauss
“Yours” by Russell Dickerson
Secret Smiles (Tia and Mikey’s story)
Hidden Kisses (Leah and Johnny’s story)
Have you ever had everything you ever wanted, only to have everything turned upside-down?
I had it all: the perfect family, two beautiful children, a loving and caring husband, the house in suburbs with a garden, never having to worry about anything.
Then, one day, the plush rug was pulled out from under my feet. That loving husband? Well, apparently, he’s a cheating bastard who only cares about himself.
Where was I supposed to take my children? What was I supposed to do?
I haven’t worked since after I had my son at nineteen. I was with Karl since I was fifteen and he was eighteen. He worked for his father and made good money. He let me keep working after our first because he knew that I didn’t want to feel like I owed him anything. But he thought it would be best if I stayed home and took care of the kids after our second and I didn’t argue.
He always took care of everything. So when the shit hit the fan, I was fucked.
But thank God for close friends.
My best friend, Crystal, let us move in with her and is helping me get back on my feet.
She got me a job as a band manager, which I know nothing about. But I’m a fast learner, and I need to be able to do this all on my own. I will not let a man bring me down. My children need me, and I can do this.
