Page 81 of Make You Stay

“That wasn’t what it looked like.”

Chloe spins on her heel, eyes blazing. “Funny, because I think it’sexactlywhat it looked like. Only so many ways to play that scenario.”

I grasp her arm, desperate to make her listen. “Chloe, please. That kiss meant nothing to me.”

“How convenient. It sure as hell meant something tome. What is your deal, Aidan? Is your aim to make me look like a fool? Mission accomplished. Here I thought you wrote that song for me—”

“I did. Please believe me. She surprised me back there. That song was for you, not for her. Never for her.”

Unfortunately, my beseeching tone isn’t reaching Chloe’s ears. Not this time. “Actually, she’s perfect for you. She has kids. She fits your damn rulebook. Me? I never did. Square peg, round hole, right?”

I pull her to me, feeling her stiffen in my arms. “We fit together perfectly. It just took my feeble brain a while to realize it. But I know now how I feel about you. How I’llalwaysfeel about you.”

She shoves out of my grasp, a tear rolling down her cheek. “I caught you kissing another woman. One who, I’m sure you screwed in my absence. Just leave me alone, Aidan. I don’t want to know you anymore.”

Twisting around, she dashes out the door and into Enid’s waiting car. I know my ex-wife sees me, but she’s not abiding by my wishes, either, as she pulls away.

Carrying away the love of my life.

“Shit,” I hiss, kicking at a snow pile.

I dash back into the bar, moving at warp speed past Barbara.

“Aidan, what’s going on?” she asks, and I turn around, glowering in her direction.

“What’s going on? That song was for Chloe. I love her more than I’ve ever loved any woman, and that was my tribute to her after I screwed up our perfect relationship. But now, she saw us kissing and told me never to speak to her again.Thatis what’s going on.”

“Aidan, I’m sorry. I didn’t know—” Barbara stammers, but I hold up a hand, silencing her.

I don’t have the bandwidth to deal with Barbara right now. Grabbing my phone, I dial Chloe several times, but each one goes straight to voicemail.

“Carl,” I bellow, catching my bandmate’s eye, “I have to go. I need to get to Chloe.”

He nods, a small smile on his mouth. “I’ll finish breaking down. Drive safe, man.”

With a grateful smile, I rush out the door to my truck.

I have one destination—Chloe’s arms—and I won’t stop until I’m there.

* * *

I pullinto my driveway about forty minutes later, noting the golden glow emanating from Chloe’s windows. At least she’s home safe.

Now, I need to toss down my crap and go make things right—for good this time.

Slipping on the walkway, I let out a curse as I open my front door, jumping when I see Enid on the couch. “Are you okay?”

She drums the arm of the couch, her lips pursed in a thin line. “I’m fine, although I can’t say the same for Chloe. What happened at the bar?”

Perching on the arm of the chair, I scrub my face with my hands. “Barbara happened. She got the wrong idea after I played that song.”

“Does she now have the correct idea?”

I nod, letting out a heated sigh. “She was a bit tipsy, but you know, it’s my fault, too. When Chloe left for New York, Barbara stepped in, and even though nothing happened, I allowed the flirtation. A stroke to my ego, right?”

“Did you and Barbara…” Enid motions with her hands, earning a side-eye from me.

“I just told younothinghappened.”

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