Page 57 of Drum Me Away
We determined it would be the last time we’d pretend, for our own sakes as well as our fans.
“I can’t believe you’re all here,” Lucas said for the fourth time this evening.
When I’d come up with this crazy plan to chase him down here in Branson—once I figured out that’s where he’d run off to—I told the band what I planned to do.
No more secrets, no more holding myself back. They were probably going to get sick of how open I intended to be, but hey, it was better than constantly trying to check myself in case I fell out of character.
Unsurprisingly, they’d all decided to come with me, although thankfully, Dahlia managed to convince them to stay here while she and I went to Lucas’s sister’s house to film that live footage.
The best part—well, besides Lucas and I finally declaring our love for one another—was that once we’d returned to the resort, we’d done another live feed, all of us, and Dahlia had recorded us vowing to be back on tour as of the Madison show in three days.
“We should lead with your new song, Lucas, when we play Madison,” Matt said.
The song we’d ended with at the Denver show. A week and a lifetime ago.
“If you want, we could book some time tomorrow at my dad’s studio and record the song,” Lucas suggested.
“Release it as a single, as a thank-you for being patient while one of our own grieved the loss of her grandmother,” Ice said.
“Your fans will eat it up with a spoon,” Dahlia predicted.
“How was the funeral?” Angel asked from where she curled up on Matthew’s lap. Gabe had rented out the entire resort for us, under a fake name, so we had the main room to ourselves.
I was in Lucas’s lap, with his arms wrapped around me, a possessive pose, like he never wanted to let me go.
Which was fine by me.
When we told her our fake relationship was now real and we no longer wanted to stage a breakup, Dahlia had said, “That was my plan all along, although Lucas did scare me there for a minute when he insisted we leave the viewing without telling you.”
Hey, it was a tough road, but we were all here now, and that was what mattered.
“I didn’t go,” I said, answering Angel’s question. “Neither did my sisters. I can only imagine how my mother felt about that, although I truly can only imagine, since she’ll never tell us.”
I’d already told Lucas that I planned to start therapy as soon as possible, to deal with all the issues tied to my childhood. And I knew he’d be there for me, every step of the way.
“The three of us had a little private ceremony at the gravesite, after everything else was said and done. Maria and I definitely bonded over the experience. I don’t know that I’d say I bonded with Ava, but I do think she might find time in her busy schedule to come to our New York show in the fall.”
Lucas’s arms tightened around me, and he kissed my temple. My phone vibrated, and I plucked it off the end table, chuckling at the private message I’d just received.
“What?” Lucas asked, leaning over my shoulder. “Is that a message from Danielle? What’s with all the emojis?”
I smiled. “I messaged her to apologize for the way I acted at the shop. And I paid for her bridesmaid’s dress.”
He arched his brows. “That’s a nice gesture.”
I waved my phone. “I’d say she thinks it’s far better than nice. I also told her to go ahead and post those selfies the two of you took together. And I promised her she could come backstage and meet the entire band next time we’re in Seattle.”
Lucas kissed my temple. “I love you.”
I’d never get tired of hearing those words.
Dahlia stood and began collecting empty beer bottles. I jumped up to help, and Lucas snagged the rest, trailing us into the kitchen. “How do you want to play this?” she asked, with a quick glance over Lucas’s shoulder to make sure no one else had followed us.
“Are you asking if we should come clean about the last four years?” Lucas asked.
Dahlia nodded at the entry leading to the main room of the resort. “Yes. To them—and to your fans.”
“I imagine you have an opinion,” Lucas said.
