“April, I want to give you everything, because it’s yours by choice. My thoughts, my heart, every piece of me—they belong to you. Anything you want, consider it yours.”
A broken sound escapes me, and he’s quick to respond. “Sweetheart, why are you crying?”
I drop my hand to my lap and fidget nervously with the faux fur blanket. “Because I really like you.”
He chuckles, “I really like you too. I’ll let you get back to your night. I’m just playing around with some songs, but I’ll see you before I leave for the audition tomorrow, yeah?”
“Absolutely. I’ll see you tomorrow.”
“Goodnight, gorgeous.”
“’Night, James.”
I hang up the phone and release a little sob, pulling Basil in close.
He’s starting to show me what it truly means to be cared for—the way my parents cared for each other.
He’s shown me that it’s not only in the words, but the little things. It’s in the way he brings me coffee in bed every morning. It’s in the way he only plays my favourite songs in the car, instead of his own. It’s in the way he washes my hair for me when I’m tired and heats my wheat bag when I’m cold.
James has accepted me despite knowing that his brother and I share a past. A past that in ways, I’m still recovering from. Even so, he’s taken the time to know me, let his feelings for me grow, and shown just how much he wants this—wants us, fully aware that his brother will always be part of our lives.
Andstill, he chose me.
I know there are a lot of uncertainties in this life, but it brings me a little comfort knowing that I’m certain abouthim.
Chapter 43
April
The next day—the audition
Ilean forward over my bathroom counter, dusting a light layer of shimmery eye shadow across my lids. I step back, scrutinising my makeup in the mirror. I drop my makeup brush and shake out my hands, trying to calm my nerves. I’m so jittery, I can barely contain my excitement for James.
Today is the day.
Atlas Veil’s big audition.
James’s silky voice makes me freeze. “I’ve got to get going now, sweetheart. I’m meeting the boys at Will’s before heading to the venue. We want to watch the other auditioning bands before we play.”
I spin around to face James, my breath catching as I take him in, and my stomach flutters in response.
His sandy blond hair is tousled, curling just slightly under his ears, a wavy strand falling over his eye. He’s wearing black jeans and a loose-fitting vest, exposing his muscular shoulders and tattooed arms, with his worn leather jacket folded over his forearm, and combat boots. He looks good enough to eat.
I step forward, tugging my robe tighter. He throws his jacket on the counter beside me, pulling me in so we’re chest to chest,pelvis to pelvis, and wraps his arms around me tightly. I crane my head back, drinking in the delicious sight of him.
“Hey, April.”
“Hey, James,” I whisper. He rocks us gently from side to side, giving me a heart-stopping smile, and I melt.
“How are you feeling?” I ask, locking my hands behind his neck.
“Nervous. Excited.” He runs his knuckles gently down my cheek. “Hard to believe the day is actually here.”
“You’ve worked so hard for it. You’ll be great,” I say, and he drops his forehead to mine.
“I’m happy you’re here,” he murmurs.
“I’ll always be here,” I promise, rising onto my tiptoes to kiss him. His tongue grazes my lips, and I open for him. Our tongues move together in a slow dance, and I feel myself growing wet. His hands slide down my back, gripping my waist before dropping lower to squeeze my bum, and I whimper, feeling him grow hard against me. I instinctively rock my hips, desperate to feel him.
