Page 129 of Living on the Edge

“I didn’t come all this way to leave before we can talk.” Her eyes burn into mine. “Go. I’ll be right here.”

It’s probably presumptuous but I press my lips to hers.

Just a quick peck.

A promise.

And then I’m running on stage, grabbing my sticks, and waiting for the flow of water. I pound on the bass drums, let the water wash over me, and then go right into the opening number.

My body knows what to do but my mind is spinning out of control.

She’s here.

Kirsten must have brought her because she looked pretty smug.

I’m dying to know what happened or what was said, but it doesn’t matter. The fact that she’s here is enough.

And if tonight is my last show with Crimson Edge, then I’d better make it a memorable one.

* * *

As promised,she’s waiting when I come off stage and I grab a towel, a bottle of water and her hand without stopping, ignoring friends and family as I pull her down a hallway that leads to the dressing rooms. We’re not going in those, though, because we can’t be alone.

“Where are we going?” she asks as I continue pulling her down the hall.

“Here.” We’re outside now, where the semis and buses park, and it’s relatively quiet since no one is actively loading or unloading at the moment.

I stop walking and turn, facing her. “Let’s start over... hi.”

She looks up at me, her eyes filled with emotions I can’t identify. “Hi.”

“What are you doing here?”

“Didn’t we already cover this?”

“Yeah, but I need a little more context.”

“I heard a rumor and it seemed important enough to come here.”

“A rumor?” I can’t imagine what she’s talking about.

“About you leaving Crimson Edge.”

I frown. No one knows except Sasha and Casey, and I can’t imagine either of them reached out to Ryleigh. “How could you…”

“Lexi overheard something she shouldn’t have and she made a unilateral decision to bring that information to me.”

Well, this is my shot. It’s not how I planned to have this conversation but since it’s happening anyway, I have no choice but to go for it.

“If it means you’ll come back to me, I’ll walk away.”

She stares at me, and this time I see a lot more emotions: Disbelief, surprise, and…love.

She still loves me.

And now there are tears puddling in her beautiful green eyes.

“You can’t…do…that,” she whispers.

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