Page 55 of The Rocker

“I guess we can’t. Fine,” he sighed like it was going to hurt him not to eat it all. Seriously, we had enough food for ten, and there were only four of us now. Surely there could be some left over for us to eat before we got married.

I couldn’t believe it. With what felt like every blink I took for the day, something changed, and in a few short hours, I would be married.

I linked my hand with Walker’s and gave it a squeeze as we followed Sofia out of the restaurant. “I hope you’re ready for this.”

Brushing his lips to mine, he pulled back and vowed. “More than anything. Now let’s go make this official,” he said as he slapped my ass.

Cross steppedin front of us with his arms over his chest. “You know what? I don’t think we need you. Pen, start your own record label, and we’ll be the first to sign.”

“Let’s not be hasty,” Cristiano backtracked.

“Maybe you shouldn’t have come in here throwing out all that trash talk. Pen has worked her ass off for us, and I believe if it wasn’t for her pushing every step of the way, we wouldn’t be here. And the thing is, I think she can do that for every band that needs someone like her. What do you say, Pen? Do you want to start your own label with us? I’ll happily chip in all of my money to help you get started. I’m sure Kenton would as well.”

Walker’s grip on my hand tightened, making me look at him. This was all too much. Never in a thousand years did I think today would turn out this way, nor had I ever thought of creating my own label, but now that it had been put out there in the world, I could see it.

“I’m in, and I’ll be right by your side through the whole thing. We can do this,” he nodded like all of this made sense.

“I… I don’t know. One second I’m getting fired, and the next, you guys are telling me I should create a label?” I looked down at my bare feet and wiggled my toes. “I’m a little overwhelmed here.”

“Well, I’ll make the choice for you. You’re fired. I don’t know how you got this boy to marry you, and it probably isn’t even legal. Titan Records can’t get behind employees who take advantage of their clients. You’re fired, Ms. Rose orMrs. Pierce,whatever your name is.”

My world started to sink below me. This wasn’t how it was supposed to happen. We were supposed to show we were married, and then everything would be fine. How could I be so stupid?

“Don’t bother coming into the office to clear out your things. I’ll have them ship your stuff to you.” Cristiano pushed by us, and all I could do was watch him go.

“Baby,” Walker whispered in my ear from behind. When had his arms enveloped me? “It’s going to be okay.” Turning in his arms, I shook my head. Lifting one hand, he cupped the side of my face. His thumb ghosted over my cheek. I leaned into his touch, never wanting it to leave. With his simple touch, I felt safe. “We can do this. Even if you don’t want to start your own label, we don’t need Titan Records. We can produce our own music. You have the knowledge, and we have the talent.”

I leaned into his body, clutching his shirt with my hands. “I can’t make that decision today, and you shouldn’t either.”

“I think you two should be alone, so I’m going to head out. Whatever you decide, I’ll support you.”

“Thanks, man,” Walker looked over my shoulder with an uptick of his lips. “I’ll text you later, and we’ll figure this all out.”

“I’ll see you later, Pen.” Cross’s hand came down on my shoulder and gave me a small squeeze.

“Okay, thank you for being here.” I couldn’t take my eyes off Walker. I knew once I did, everything would come crumbling down.

“Of course,” he answered back before I heard the door click shut.

With knitted brows, Walker pulled me to him. Our bodies pressed together, the rapid beating of his heart let me know my husband wasn’t as serene as he was pretending.

“What’s going on with you?” He started to shake his head in denial, but I wasn’t having any of that. I needed him to say what he was feeling. “Tell me.”

Closing the windows to his soul, he took in a deep breath before he let it out and spoke with a tortured voice. “Do you regret marrying me?”

I gasped and would have staggered back if he wasn’t holding onto me. “What are you talking about? Look at me,” I demanded.

Slowly, his eyes opened, and I could see the torment swirling in their depths. His Adam’s apple bobbed as he swallowed hard. “Now that you got fired from your dream job, there’s no reason to be married to me.”

I swore I must have still been in shock because I wasn’t sure how I didn’t slap some sensed into him right then. How could he ever think that? “How about the reason I married you is because I love you? I would never have married you to keep my job. Did we get married on a fabulous spur-of-the-moment decision? Yes, but I wouldn’t change it for anything. Is the reason you’re asking because you regret what I might cost you?”

Walker let out a booming laugh, although I didn’t find anything funny about what we were talking about. “There’s no way in hell you’re getting rid of me. Not now, after what you just said. You, Penelope Pierce, are stuck with me until the end of time.” Lacing the fingers of our left hands together, Walker placed them over his heart. “Now that the news is out, I don’t want us to ever take off our rings. I want to show the world that I’m taken by you.”

Pressing my forehead to our joined hands, I took in his words and how they filled my chest with warmth. “Sometimes, the words you speak to me sound like a love song.” Moving to rest my chin on our hands, I gazed up at him, feeling butterflies take off deep in my belly. “I love how fiercely you love me.”

Nudging my chin with our hands, Walker lifted it as he simultaneously dipped down until our lips were only a breath apart. “Let me show you how I love you. Let me worship you, and tomorrow we’ll figure out what our future holds together.”

CHAPTERTWENTY-FIVE

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