But I should be.
I shake those thoughts away and clear my throat. “Uh, thank you.”
“You look nice, too,” Mom says, this time more believable. This is the only glimpse of “professional” me she’ll ever get.
“You came? I…how?” I sent them my tour schedule months ago, and the only response I got was a thumbs-up. My mom’s gaze moves past me for a half second. I turn, and that’s when I see Ellie, standing against the wall, chewing on one of her nails. When my eyes land on hers, she jolts, looking away, trying to pretend she wasn’t just watching me.
All the pieces click. Her asking those questions about my parents a couple weeks ago. The mysterious phone call.
“We caught a red-eye last night. Your marketing manager was kind enough to fly us here and set us up in this cozy room so we could watch you perform.”
My mom eyes Ellie with what looks like a little bit of hostility. I bite back my chuckle. Ellie forced them here. It’s clear they’re not thrilled about it. They’re not big on traveling, but they’re here.
“Thanks for coming,” I tell my parents.
“We’re proud of you, son.” That comes from my dad again, but my mom smiles up at me, too. My muscles tighten. Well, fuck. I never thought I’d hear him say that. And I don’t know how I feel about it. Good. Weird.
“T-thank you.”
Everyone continues talking for a minute, but I can’t focus. All I can think about is Ellie and what she did. For me. My chest aches with that familiar feeling I’ve been trying to ignore when it comes to her. Not anymore, it’s impossible. She’s everywhere. In my head, my blood, my veins.
I study my parents. My dad’s beard is thick and white. Even more so than that last time I saw him,which, to be fair, was a while ago. My mom’s once-shiny chocolate hair is completely gray. They’re sitting up straight, awkwardly smiling, and listening to the conversation flow around the room, even though they’re clearly feeling out of place. I love them for trying, even if Ellie had to threaten them, which is what I suspect happened. I realize now I don’tneedthem here. I glance at my friends, then Ellie, swallowing thickly. Maybe the realization came a little late, but this is all I need.Theyare my family. My bandmates, Ellie, even Olivia and Pacey. What the fuck did I think I was missing all those weeks?
When the venue starts to close up, my parents and Allison head to their hotel rooms. I promise my mom and dad I’ll take them to breakfast before they leave tomorrow, and as soon as they’re gone, I snatch Ellie’s wrist and drag her out of the room as our friends watch in confusion.
“Travis, wait.” Ellie tries to tug from my hold, but I tighten my grip and lead her the opposite way my parents just went on quick feet. Her heels clank against the floor, sounding like marbles spilling as she tries to keep up with my strides. I stop and scoop her up, tossing her over my shoulder.
“I’m sorry!”
I falter, then push inside one of the rooms labeled Private, thankful it’s not locked. It’s another greenroom. Set up similar to ours with two couches and a long vanity on the back wall. Perfect.
“Don’t you fucking dare apologize to me,” I growl, kicking the door closed and flipping the lock. How could she think I’m mad?
I ease her to her feet, staring down at her.
“I just?—”
I cut her off by gripping her chin between my fingers. “Thank you,” I say, letting my words brush over her lips. “I don’t know how you did it, or why, but thank you.”
Her brows dive low. “You deserve to be celebrated, Travis.To know people care and are proud of you.I’mproud of you. So damn proud.”
She is. She wears it openly. When my parents said it, it didn’t feel like this. Because with Ellie, I believe it. And it’s all I need.
I tug her to my chest, wrapping my arms around her. I keep her tight against me, my mouth moving to her ear as my heart rate spikes. Panic grips my chest, but it’s not enough to stop me. Not anymore. “I love you, Ellie May.”
Her body tenses in my arms, and my heart shatters at my feet. Shit, I jumped the gun. Misread the signals.
She leans back, staring up at me. Her green eyes are bright with what looks like hope and maybe a little skepticism. I deserve that, but I’ll do whatever it takes to wipe it away. “Really?” she asks.
My forehead meets hers. “I love you so fucking much it actually makes me sick.”
She lets out a little laugh, and my hand slides to her throat. On instinct, her neck arches into it, but I don’t squeeze. I stroke her jaw with my thumb, taking a deep breath to keep from shaking in my goddamn shoes. I’m about to lay myself raw for her like I should’ve done over a year ago. She was giving me a limb, and I cut the whole damn tree down out of fear.
Now I’m going to give her the entire forest and hope she’s still willing to take it.
“I fought it. I know I did, and I’m sorry. I’m so fucking sorry I made you wait—for all the hell I’ve put you through. I was just so damn scared. The moment we met, I was enamored with you instantly. The coolest chick I’ve ever met.” I sigh, heart beating in my throat, anxiety making sweat drench my brow. “I knew you’d have the power to destroy me if I let you. So I kept you at arm's length, and when I felt myself falling harder, I pulled back. I was a coward.”
She smiles, shaking her head and bringing her hand to theracing organ in my chest. It settles instantly. “I was scared, too. Our attraction is like nothing I’ve ever felt before. So strong and palpable.”
