Page 58 of Saving the Rockstar

He nodded, his expression serious and attentive. "I know, Ash. I'm sorry for pushing you, for trying to force you to come out publicly before you were ready. I let my own fears andinsecurities get the best of me, and I ended up hurting you in the process."

I shook my head, my heart clenching at the guilt and regret in his eyes. "No, I'm the one who's been pushing you away, who's been letting my own fears and doubts control me for so long."

I took a deep breath, my hands trembling slightly as I forced myself to meet his gaze head-on. "The truth is, my anxiety, my insecurities... they've always made me feel like I have to hide, to put up walls and keep everyone at a distance. When my parents kicked me out, when they made it clear that they couldn't accept me for who I was, it only reinforced that belief. It made me feel like my sexuality was something shameful, something that I had to keep hidden from the world."

Jared's expression softened, his hand reaching out to take mine, his fingers lacing with my own in a gesture of silent support.

"Ash," he said, his voice low and soothing. "I understand. Believe me, I do. But you have to know that there's nothing shameful about who you are, about who you love. Your sexuality is a part of you, a beautiful, integral part of what makes you the amazing, talented, incredible person that you are."

I felt my eyes fill with tears.

"I know," I whispered, my voice cracking slightly. "And I'm trying to believe that, to accept it. But it's hard, you know? It's hard to let go of a lifetime of fear and self-doubt."

He nodded, his thumb stroking gently across my knuckles. "I know. And I want you to know that I'm here for you. No matter what. I'll be by your side, supporting you and loving you, for as long as you'll have me."

I felt my breath catch in my throat, my heart skipping a beat. "Loving me?" I repeated.

Jared's eyes widened, a flicker of realization crossing his face as he seemed to register what he had just said. But then, with a small, hesitant smile, he nodded, his gaze never leaving mine.

"Yes, Ash," he said, his voice low and fervent. "Loving you. Because that's what this is, what I feel for you. It's love, pure and simple and undeniable."

He took a deep breath, his free hand coming up to cup my cheek, his touch sending shivers of electricity racing down my spine. "And it terrifies me. Not because of who you are, or what we have to face together. But because of how intense it is, how all-consuming and overwhelming."

As the truth of his words washed over me like a tidal wave, I felt something shift inside me, a floodgate of emotion bursting open and pouring out in a rush of joy and relief and overwhelming, all-consuming love.

"I love you too," I whispered, my voice choked with tears.

And then, before I could think, before I could second-guess or hesitate, I was leaning forward, my hands fisting in the front of his shirt as I crashed my lips against his in a searing, desperate kiss.

It was electric, the feeling of his mouth moving against mine, his tongue sweeping across my bottom lip and delving deep, exploring and claiming and consuming me whole. I melted into him, my body molding to his as if we were two halves of the same whole, finally coming together after an eternity apart.

His hands were everywhere, roaming across my back and tangling in my hair, pulling me closer and deeper into the heat ofhis embrace. I gasped against his mouth, my own hands sliding beneath the hem of his shirt, seeking out the warm, hard planes of his chest.

When we finally broke apart, our chests were heaving and our lips swollen.

"I'm sorry," Jared murmured, his forehead resting against mine as he tried to catch his breath. "For asking you to forget our first kiss, for trying to push it aside like it didn't mean anything. It was self-preservation, a way to protect my own heart. But I never should have done that to you, to us."

I shook my head, my fingers tracing the line of his jaw, marveling at the way his skin felt beneath my touch.

"And I'm sorry for asking you to keep this a secret, for making you feel like you were something to be ashamed of," I said, my voice soft and contrite. "I want to be with you, Jared. Openly, honestly, without any more secrets or lies. Just give me some time, okay?"

He smiled, his eyes shining with a mixture of love and relief. "So, does this mean...?" he asked, his voice trailing off hesitantly.

I grinned, my heart soaring with joy. "It means we're together," I said, my voice firm and resolute. "It means I'm yours, and you're mine."

He pulled me back into his arms, his lips finding mine once more in a kiss that felt like a promise and a vow all at once.

As the reality of our confession settled around us, I shook my head in amused disbelief.

"God," I said, my voice still tinged with mirth. "I should’ve known that Dylan wouldn't give up his shenanigans until he had reunited us. The man is nothing if not persistent."

Jared chuckled, his arm tightening around my waist as he pulled me closer to his side. "You have to admire his dedication. I mean, the fake emergency, the sudden disappearance..."

I chuckled, burying my face in his shoulder to muffle my laughter.

"Don't let him hear you say that," I warned, my voice muffled by the fabric of his shirt. "He'll take it as a compliment and start writing his own fanfiction."

Jared's chest shook with suppressed laughter, his hand coming up to stroke through my hair in a gesture of affectionate amusement.

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