She purses her lips and steps closer to me. “Ryan, nothing’s easy, and I’m not looking for a proposal here. I want to be able to trust that you’ll not run out on me after we have a beautiful time together. Do you know how cheap that made me feel?”
Letting go of her hands, I rub my face in frustration. “Fuck!” I murmur to myself as I look at her. “I didn’t mean to do that. I was freaking out in my head. It’s not that I didn’t want to wake up next to you, Tillie. It felt so good, and I’m terrified it will be taken from me. That feeling, you in my arms, it astounds me. So instead of saying something, I ran like a fucking ass.”
Tillie’s gaze softens. She looks into my eyes, bringing her hand up to my face, caressing my cheek tenderly. “I’m not going anywhere. Trust in me, Ryan. I’m pretty sure you’ve been hurt before, badly too, but I’m not going to do that to you. Well, not intentionally.”
Sighing, I lean into her hand and relish in her warmth. “You’re too good for me, Tillie.”
“You’re not good enough to yourself.”
“You’re probably right.”
“Of course I’m right.”
We both chuckle, and she leans forward, embracing me tightly, her head resting on my chest. Wrapping my arms around Tillie, I lean into her, taking as much comfort from her as I can.
“Okay, let’s go to the studio with the guys and pick out a song for tomorrow. I’d love your input,” I say.
She looks up at me and smiles. “Thanks, that means a lot.”
“You’re part of this team now. We value your input as much as anyone else’s.”
She laces her fingers with mine. “Well, this is a change. When I first got here, I never would have thought I’d hear you say something like that.”
“I know, and I’m sorry about all that,” I reply as I lead us to join the others.
“Stop apologizing. It’s forgotten. It was quite entertaining, actually.”
TILLIE
The band had their interview withUnfiltered Tonightand now they’re performing for the live studio audience. I’m streaming it from the side of the stage on their socials, and the likes and comments are going through the roof. I am trying to keep up with the comments, noticing a lot of people talking about how great the band is, how they’re new to Recoil after seeing the interview onUnfiltered Tonight,and how they absolutely love their sound. Being the multitasker I am, I’m also checking sales on my iPad, and the Spotify charts are rocketing, sending “Rise Up” into the top ten on Spotify.
Oliver is busy talking on his cell as stats keep rolling in on Recoil’s increasing popularity, and it’s hard to contain my excitement. After the guys finish their song, the lights dim, and they come straight toward me, andUnfiltered Tonightstarts talking. They all wave to the live stream, whispering, “Hi” to the camera phone. Then I end the stream and let out an excited squeal before Ryan pulls me into his arms. His lips smash to mine, and everyone around us chuckles as I pull back.
“Stop kissing me and listen to this,” I say, and he smirks, letting me down with a nod. Everyone looks at me. “You’ve got a flood of new followers across your socials after the interview and performance. Engagement was through the roof. Comments rolling in nonstop during the stream, likes climbing faster than I could count. And get this, “Rise Up” just hit number four on Spotify’s Top Rock chart. The algorithm’s eating it up, and playlists are already starting to pick it up. Whatever that spark was onstage, it lit up the whole damn internet.”
They all stare at me in silence, and I wonder what the hell is going on with them. “Guys?”
“Hold up.” Danger’s brows shoot up in surprise. “Numberfouron Spotify’s Top Rock chart? As in number four of the whole genre of rock?You’ve gotta be kidding me?”
I giggle. “Yes. Not only that, you’ve cracked Spotify’s Viral 50! You’re currently number twelve, and climbing. Now get fucking excited, will you? You’re freaking me out.”
“I think I’m gonna pass out,” Nate mumbles under his breath.
Matt rolls his eyes as he pulls his brother in for a hug, and everyone laughs and cheers.
Ryan pulls me in for another hug, embracing me so tightly I can scarcely breathe, and I giggle as I look over to see Danger and Lunar embrace too.
“This is all because of you,” Ryan murmurs into my ear.
I pull back, looking into his eyes. “No, Ryan, this is because you guys are amazing at what you do. I simply helped the world see it.”
He holds his gaze on me, his eyes glistening and slightly glassy as if a flood of emotion overcomes him. I smile, rising onto my tiptoes to kiss him, and he meets me with a new level of possessiveness—a fierceness in his kiss that leaves me breathless. It’s grounding and reassuring, filling me with certainty about where we stand and just how much he wants this, wantsus.
“We need to go celebrate,” Lunar says, causing me to pull away from Ryan and turn to see her hanging off Danger’s arm, smiling wide.
Oliver comes over, still looking down at his iPad. “Guys, “Rise Up” just moved up two places. You’re number two.”
“Jesus Christ! Now I’m really gonna fucking pass out,” Nate declares, and we all laugh.
