It’s true. I can hardly believe it. Four months into the tour, Bound to Oblivion’s manager approached us and asked if they could add us to their portfolio. The obvious answer was yes. Shortly after being listed under their management, Star Records, the biggest rock record label in the UK, contacted us after a show and wanted to sign us. We have eight weeks off before we hit the studios and start recording our debut album.
I’m determined to spoil her rotten. I’ve already gone ahead and bought Mum a new car. It feels good being able to provide for the two most important people in my life.
I spend the rest of the short trip home talking about the various countries we visited and the crowds we performed in front of, while April fills me in on everything at home. Mum and Dad have been visiting her quite often, which they all enjoy. I’ve spoken to my parents here and there while I’ve been away, and they’ve been so excited to have April back in their lives. She’s a ray of sunshine, spreading light everywhere she goes. Her happiness and joy for life is infectious.
She’s spent a lot of free time with Gemma, Anna and Mason, and her ceramics work has been keeping her busy. She’s extremely talented, and I’m so fucking proud of her. I’m excited to see what she does with her own shop. She has such a uniquevision, so I have no doubt she’ll succeed. Now that we have the means for her to leave her job as a personal assistant, I can’t wait to support her as she nurtures her passion.
We pull up to the kerb outside April’s townhouse. Sorry—ourtownhouse. That’s going to take some getting used to. I’m so excited about living together. It never made sense to keep packing bags and travelling back and forth between each other’s places when we could just share a home. She’s it for me. I know she is. So, the moment she suggested it, there was no hesitation—I said yes without a second thought.
The door clicks open, and as I step inside, I’m instantly enveloped by the warm, comforting scent of vanilla and cinnamon. The place looks incredible. She’s replaced the old photographs with new ones, and my heart flutters as I scan the images. She looks so happy, so at ease.
This is the April I knew—her laughter in every snapshot, her eyes shining with that same spark that first captivated me the moment she walked through my parents’ door all those years ago. That woman, the one who stole my heart without even trying, is still here, and I can’t believe I get to be a part of her life now.
The sight of my books next to hers makes something inside me shift. She’s transformed this place into a home—ourhome—and I can’t wait to wake up beside her every morning and return from the studio to her each night. I’m a lucky bastard.
“Home sweet home,” April says, flashing me a bright smile. I wheel my suitcase in, discarding it at the door before pulling her into me. I rock us side to side in a slow dance, unable to wipe the grin off my face.
“What?” she asks.
I shrug. “I’m just so lucky that I get to come home to you. I don’t know what I did to deserve you, sweetheart.”
The corners of her lips tip up. “I feel exactly the same way.” At once, her eyes widen, and she takes a quick step back, waving her hands in front of her. “Oh my gosh! Your surprise! Stay here, okay?”
“Surprise? Baby, you didn’t need to get me a surprise.”
She’s already halfway up the stairs when she calls over her shoulder. “Trust me, you’ll love it!” I stay frozen, listening to the sound of her footsteps hurriedly moving around upstairs. A door creaks open, then shuts, and she shouts, “Okay, close your eyes!”
I do as she says.
“Keep them closed,” she adds, her footsteps drawing nearer. I can feel her presence before she speaks again. “Okay,” she whispers. “Open them.”
I open my eyes to find what might be the cutest thing I’ve ever fucking seen in my life.
She’s holding a puppy.
A chocolate labrador puppy.
My mouth pops open, and I instinctively reach out to take the puppy from her hands, cradling him against my chest. “And who’s this?” I ask, scratching his ear.
“This is Loki,” she says, stroking his velvety coat. “He’s eight weeks old. I signed the paperwork twelve weeks ago … I’m sorry I kept it a secret, but I really wanted to surprise you. Isn’t he divine?” she says, brushing his soft fur affectionately.
“Loki, the God of Mischief,” I say, looking into his pale green eyes. He excitedly licks my face. “I can already tell you’re going to be trouble,” I laugh as he paws at my chest. “Does he get on well with Basil?”
“They love each other.”
We sit on the floor together while Loki bounces between us. “This is perfect,” I say, barely believing it, as I look at her, feeling more at home than I ever have before.
April
We settle Loki in the utility room for the night before heading upstairs.
As I pull back the duvet, James steps closer, wrapping his arms around me from behind. His fingers sweep my hair aside, baring the curve of my neck. His lips dust lightly across my skin, which pebbles at the contact. My breath catches, and I reach back, threading my fingers through his hair to pull him closer. He grazes his teeth along my earlobe, nipping softly before peppering feather-light kisses across my jaw.
My hands move to the buttons of my top, one by one, slipping it off my shoulders and letting it glide down my arms until it falls away. Turning in his embrace, I meet his jade gaze.
The corner of his mouth tips up and he gently brushes his knuckles over my collarbone.
“Did you wear this for me?” he asks, tracing the line of my bra strap.
