“Great,” he said, kissing his way back up to mymouth.
“And I still have some stuff in storage atDolly’s.”
His eyes caught mine. “Don’t make me regret this,princess.”
I laughed. Then I caught his lip with my teeth and wrapped my legs higher around his waist, urging him deeper. He groaned as he sank into me, settling his weight between mythighs.
“I won’t,” I said. “I promise.” I lapped my tongue against his, making him moan. “Now fuck me,” I whispered, “and make it good, so we can get back to ourguests.”
* * *
Istood outside,in the dark, just beyond the light thrown out the windows from the party room. I listened to the rhythm of the party within, the happy voices of my friends and family, as I gazed out overthecity.
Mycity.
Here, just taking a momentary breath on the edge of it all, I felt right where Ibelonged.
A part of it all, but separate. In my own skin, my own space. Finding my way… but I no longer had to do italone.
When I was a kid, I’d found music. And through music, I’d found a way to love myself. Over the years that love had faltered, but I was healing now, and finding my way back to meagain.
I knew it wasn’t going to be an easy road. Like Elle had often told me, hearts need timetoheal.
I knew everyone was thrilled to have me back, but they’d also lost Seth, again, and it hurt. I knew it did, even if they’d spare me the sight of it. They’d feel it, when they thought I wasn’tlooking.
And there was still a void there. Seth Brothers had left big shoes to fill, and everyone in and around the band—Brody included—seemed to feel it was time they get filled, for good. I didn’t envy them in that process. Seth had mad talent; that was never inquestion.
I just hoped they could find the right man or woman for the job. Soon. So we could all moveforward.
The music and voices swelled as a door opened behind me. I turned to find Brody standing on thepatio.
“Youokay?”
He was worried; I knew he was. Still worried I’d start to pull away, even while I was standing right here. So when he came to me and put his arms around me, I leaned into his embrace. “I’m great. Just taking it all in,youknow?”
“Good,” he said, kissingmyneck.
“Just thinking about my new room. I love it,Brody.”
His arms tightenedaroundme.
“You took a risk decorating it, you know,” I teased. “What if I’dsaidno?”
“Then I’d turn it into a crash pad for Jesse, for when Katie kicks hisassout.”
I snickered. “Bet he’d love the chandelier and pink furniture.” I turned in his arms and looked through the window. I could see Jesse and Katie. He had his arm around her waist and he was listening, with a big, dumb grin on his face, as she told Dylan and Ash some story, her cheeks pink with excitement. “But she’s never kickinghimout.”
“That’s good,” Brody said, turning my chin until our noses touched, his face tipped down to mine. “Because the room is yours.” He kissed me then, sweetly, his lips lingering as he breathed me in. “The house is yours,” he said. “Everything I’ve got is yours.” He drew back just enough to lock his blue eyes with mine, his eyebrows furled. “Don’t leave me again, Jessa. I know I said I’d wait, but I can’t really stand foreverwithoutyou.”
My throat got a little tight as I swallowed. Forever withoutBrody?
Nofuckingway.
“I’m not going anywhere,Brody.”
Then I told him the words he’d been waiting to hear… the words I should’ve had the courage to say to him, so many years ago. “I’mhome.”
Epilogue
