John chuckles and gestures to the envelope with his mug. “Open the card.”
I do as he says and a folded piece of paper drops onto the tabletop. I unfold it then raise my eyes. “A ticket on a Pride Cruise?”
“Yep!” Sarah says. “We thought this would be the perfect holiday for you. I mean, who doesn’t like the idea of cocktails and tropical islands?”
“Aahh… me?”
She rolls her eyes. “That was a rhetorical question. But listen, Kyle, it’ll be a great opportunity for you to experience something new and I’m sure you’ll meet some amazing people.”
“That’s what I’m worried about.” As I stare down at the ticket in my hand, a whirlwind of emotions swirls inside me—mainly fear and apprehension.
“Don’t worry, it’s not just about partying and crowds. There are workshops, seminars, and plenty of quiet spaces on board,” John tries to reassure me.
He knows me well. The idea of going on a cruise and being around a ton of people is so outside my comfort zone that I can’t even process it. I take a long drink of my coffee as I digest what he said, but even knowing it’s not just about partying doesn’t put me at ease.
Sarah reaches across the table to give my hand a comforting squeeze. “We know it’s a big step, but we truly believe this will be an incredible experience for you, Kyle.”
I know their hearts are in the right place but the thought of stepping into an entirely new world filled with people is terrifying. I take in the hopeful look on their faces, look down at the ticket, and back to them again.
“Thank you. I don’t know what to say.”
“Say yes,” John urges. “Say you’re ready to go on this adventure and see where it takes you.”
With a deep breath, and I nod my head in agreement, the words catching in my throat. “Okay,” I finally manage to say. “I’ll go.”
John grins. “I’m so proud of you, little brother.”
“Thanks,” I reply, although to be honest I’m already regretting agreeing. “I don’t know what to expect. What if I hate it?”
“It’s only ten days. Just remember to have fun, be yourself, and keep an open mind. The rest will fall into place.”
We fall silent and drink our coffees, until eventually John pushes up from the table, gathers the empty mugs, and follows Sarah to the dishwasher.
I tuck the brochure and ticket safely back into the envelope, and wander out onto the front verandah, the envelope clutched in my hand. The sky is dark as ink, the stars bright, the moon casting faint shadows. The temperature has dropped since the sun set and I wrap my arms around myself against the chill.
As I look out at the familiar landscape, I feel a tug of longing deep within me. I’ve spent my entire life here, tending to these vines and keeping the family legacy alive. But there’s so much more to life than just this farm, isn’t there? It’s a world that both terrifies and excites me. I can’t believe that soon I’ll be out there exploring it.
Chapter Three
Axel
Theregretssetinthe moment I set foot on the ship.
I’m immediately struck by the sheer number of people congregated in the massive atrium. The excited chatter of the passengers fills the air. Music pumps through speakers, providing a party atmosphere. Everywhere I look, there are people radiating a joyous energy. Rainbows adorn clothing and rainbow flags are in abundance, and there are huge glittery banners against the wall. It’s a beautiful sight—one that warms my heart while simultaneously filling me with a sense of trepidation.
Across the room, I see my security detail, Brian, keeping a watchful eye on me without drawing attention to himself. Next to him is one of the cruise staff who’s been assigned to take me to my room. I pull my cap low over my eyes, grateful for the sunglasses that shield my face. With my unruly shoulder-length hair pulled back into a low ponytail, and casual jeans, T-shirt, and sneakers, I look as far from my rock star persona as possible—no eye-liner and hardly a tattoo in sight.
I take another moment to observe the scene in front of me. A deep breath steadies my nerves, and I remind myself why I’m here—to repair my image, and most importantly, to make sure my brother Rick okay. While he’s at the clinic, I need this time away from the constant scrutiny of the press, this opportunity to reconnect with myself and figure out what truly matters.
Brian beckons, and with a sigh, I weave my way through the crowd, keeping my head down.
I bump into someone. The guy drops one of his bags and his phone clatters to the tiles along with some papers.
“Fuck. Sorry,” I say and automatically bend down to pick up the device and collect sheets of paper that lie at our feet.
As I glance up, our eyes meet, and I’m struck by their warmth—a soft shade of brown framed by impossibly long eyelashes. His smile is shy and sweet, so different from the awestruck expressions I’m used to seeing on people’s faces when they recognise who I am.
“No worries,” he replies, quickly looking down. “I wasn’t paying attention either.”
