“How do you know you’re in love with me?” she mumbles, raising a perfect brow.
Closing any remaining distance, I whisper so the crew working around us can’t hear, “Every day, I hold back the urge of carrying you to a church and making you my wife.”
Her plump pink lips pop open.
“You always know the right things to say to me.” She groans, accepting she lost this playful battle.
Winking, I peck a kiss on the tip of her nose. “I write love songs; that’s nothing, Sweet Cheeks.”
“Let’s do the sexting later,” Leonidas says, strolling onstage with a smirk. “Right now, we need to run through the set one final time.”
I’m going to strangle him.
FIFTY-SIX
LILY
The limited quantity of tickets the team released for the acoustic set sold out in less than five minutes.
We couldn’t have hoped for a better turnout. The internet is buzzing with the news, and fans who weren’t able to snag tickets are still donating to support the cause.
By just observing Elijah today, after he attended sound check and his mandatory therapy, I can tell Elijah’s heart is overflowing with all the love pouring in from all the fans.
Fifty thousand dollars is the current donation amount.
Whatever number the fans get it up to, Elijah is going to double that with his own funds.
The energy today is mixed, both excitement and nerves. Excitement for tonight’s intimate concert, but nerves from the court. Which is taking place in LA, so the time change sucks.
“Are you still feeling good?” I take a seat on Elijah’s lap, and my arms wind around his sweaty neck.
He just finished up his vocal exercises and the meditation that’s a ritual before going onstage.
“I’m feeling fucking amazing.” Burying his face in my chest, he squeezes and rocks our bodies back and forth. “Is this a sign that life is only going to get better and better?”
Meeting his hopeful eyes, I melt. “This isn’t a sign; it’s your new normal.”
“My favorite part is that you’re in it.”
“Times Three, you’re up.” Fay pokes her head in the room, clapping her hands before disappearing.
Gripping the back of his neck, I passionately bring his lips to mine. The dance of our mouths stops time. It shakes the earth and mocks an earthquake only we can feel. Pulling back and giving him one last lingering kiss, I yank myself off his lap before I’m tempted to keep him to myself. Skipping away, I look over my shoulder when I don’t feel him behind me. Finding him right where I left him, I notice the tightening of his pants.
Oops. Sorry, not sorry.
Full of sass that he can only bring out of me, I bite a fingernail with a wink. He jumps up and chases after me, and a squeal leaves my mouth. His fingers grip my hips, and I’m pulled into the air and over his shoulder.
“Hurry, hurry, you two, and for God’s sake, put her down!” Fay whisper-hisses, running to us when she spots us.
I look over my shoulder as best as I can since I’m over Elijah’s shoulder. Once my feet hit the floor, my hands make work of fixing his messy hair. Either from my hands or our mini wrestling match we had in the hallway two seconds ago.
“Ready, rock star?”
He brings my face up to his by hooking a finger under my chin. After lazily kissing my already-swollen lips, he rasps, “Now I am.”
Usually, Times Three runs onstage, but today, they share their handshake before walking in front of the audience. I find my place backstage and behind the classic red curtain. The lights are softer tonight. No strobe lights, no smoke, just a simple warm spotlight cutting through the room, following the band and making them glow.
Finding his place onstage, Elijah sits on a stool and adjusts the guitar strap around his shoulder. The peacefulness wraps around him like armor, but from here, I can still see the shake in his hands.
