Page 112 of Loved Out Loud
“Thank you for letting me handle it. I’m sure you were ignoring all your instincts to come swooping in to the rescue.”
“I was. You can buy me a slice of pizza and a beer later to show your appreciation because Stone’s going to lose his mind when he watches the video I took of that interaction.”
“You recorded it.”
“Yes. I had a feeling it was going to be an epic takedown.” He shrugs a shoulder. “Plus Stone’s been losing his mind the pastfew days while you’ve been in bed. He’s going out of his mind with worry. I wanted to send proof of life.”
Guilt surges through me. I’ve been so wrapped up in my own grief and sadness that I haven’t thought of anyone else. If I didn’t get up and move around, I wouldn’t see a shiny glint of blade, and I wouldn’t feel the call to bleed out my emotions. But while I was looking for the best way for me to push through my feelings, I took no one who cared about me into account. Of course he would worry. He knows more about me than anyone on the planet.
I stop just short of the doors back into the reception room and pull out my phone. I shoot a short, apologetic text to Stone and then decide to send them to Sierra and Jade as well. Both of them have reached out regularly, including Sierra dropping by with favorites of mine all week. I just never got out of bed to thank her properly.
My guilt must be written all over my face because Dan tosses his arm around my shoulders and leads me back into the room. “Everyone understands, and if they don’t, fuck ‘em. They weren’t your people to begin with.”
Thirty-Six
STONE
My ass wason a plane the second I saw that video. Fuck everything, I’m going to my girl even if it’s just for three hours before I have to fly back. I’m so proud of her for standing up for herself. For recognizing her worth and saying it all to him.
I hated not being there for her while she’s processing the loss of her grandmother. We just finished the show in Seattle. Portland is in two days, and then we get our tour break. I talked to the guys, and we all agreed to reschedule or cancel our appearances, so we could have a proper break, aside from laying some tracks which we’ll do in New York now.
I’m hoping my house manager pulled through and got me everything I asked for. I had a lot of things on my wishlist, so I’ll understand if she doesn’t. But I need this to be perfect because that’s what she deserves.
Thirty-Seven
HAZEL
“Where are we going?”I look out over the water while we cross the Brooklyn Bridge.
“Stone asked me to drop something off at his townhouse for him.” Dan says from the front seat. “Shouldn’t take too long.”
“That’s fine. I always wondered if he had a house here in the city or was strictly a west coast guy.”
“I think he prefers his home outside Seattle, but the townhome is really nice. He stays here somewhat regularly.”
I wonder if he’ll want to stay here more often now that we’re dating, although that word doesn’t really feel right. It feels like more than that. Our knowledge of each other is deep, so intimate that it almost feels as though it defies a label.
The SUV pulls to a stop in front of a classic brick townhome. Planter boxes sit outside the windows on the first level, and there are potted mums lining both sides of the stairs. It’s cozylooking. I definitely wouldn’t imagine a rock star living here if I were just passing on the tree-lined street.
Dan gets out and opens my door, holding out a hand for me to take. I look around, taking in more details of the home as he closes my door behind me. It’s not until I hear his door close that I turn to see him waving as the car drives off.
What the fuck?
“Fancy finding you here, little Archer.” Tyler leans against the door jam, a pair of dark wash jeans sitting low on his hips and a soft navy blue t-shirt straining against his muscles. He’s barefoot and smirking down at me.
“Tyler.” Tears prick my eyes as I run up the stairs and into his waiting and open arms.
He lifts me off the ground and swings us into the house, kicking the door closed with his heel. My back hits the wall just as his lips close over mine. I moan into his mouth as his tongue glides across mine. My fingers dive into the soft strands of hair on the back of his head. I could rip his clothes off right now and fuck right in his fancy foyer, street traffic be damned.
“I missed you, baby,” he says against my skin as he blazes a trail of kisses down my neck. “I don’t want to be separated from you for more than eight hours ever again.”
“Same.”
“I love you.” He stops and pulls back. “I love you so much, and I’m so fucking proud of everything you are. When I saw that clip from Dan, I’ve never been more full of pride in my life. You do deserve to be loved loudly. I will forever sing your praises, not just because you are mine, but because you are exceptional. You’re smart, you’re talented, an incredible author, and you're fucking stunning. I want the whole world to know.”
“I love you, too.”
His eyes fall shut, and he rests his forehead against mine. “Tell me again,” he whispers.
