Page 41 of Taste of Surrender
Before I could commit to going out another night, Sean returned and poured himself a glass of Macallan.
“Either of you want one?” He lifted the bottle.
Some people may have found it strange he would offer me a drink when I was there to prepare meals for him, but Sean never treated me as though I was just an employee. It set him apart from most of my other clients and was one of the reasons I would miss working for him the most.
“I’m good, but thank you,” I replied.
“You know I’ll never pass up a glass of your favorite whisky.” Ryan chuckled.
Once they both had their drinks, Sean took a seat and addressed me, “So you had something you wanted to discuss?”
“I do.” I turned on the oven so it could preheat and then took a deep breath and faced him. “I’m putting in my two weeks’ notice.”
Sean’s and Ryan’s eyes went wide, and then Sean spoke. “Oh. I wasn’t expecting that.”
“I’m sorry. I’ve really enjoyed working for you, but my brother offered me a job while he’s on tour, and it’s too good of an opportunity to pass up.”
“Wait,” Ryan said. “Are you telling us you’re going on tour with Surrender?”
I nodded. “Yeah.”
“Holy shit. Wait until I tell Morgan. You know she’s going to be bugging your ass even more for those backstage passes now.”
I laughed. “I still don’t know how that all works, but I’ll do my best to hook you guys up with something when the tour comes here.” My eyes flicked back to Sean. “I hope you can understand my decision.”
He stood and walked around the island to shake my hand. “Of course I do. Not many people get a chance to travel around the country with a famous rock band, and it would be silly not to do it.”
“Thank you.”
He patted my shoulder. “And if you find yourself back in Boston and need a job, give me a call.”
“I appreciate it.”
The next twoweeks were jam-packed, and before I knew it, I was in LA. Olivia picked me up from the airport, and we stopped by her and Jesse’s house to drop off my luggage before driving me to the warehouse where Surrender was rehearsing so I could meet up with everyone. Garrett was going to join us in Toronto when the tour started because he still had some shit to wrap up back home, so I was all by myself.
We checked in with a security guard at the gate, and then she stopped next to the building. “I’ve got an appointment to get to, but I’ll see you later tonight. We’re really happy you’re here.”
I leaned over and gave her a quick hug. “Thanks.”
Grabbing my notebook so I could take notes of everyone’s dietary preferences, I slid out of the car and gave her a little wave before she drove away. Turning around, I took a deep breath. The only thing standing between me and seeing Malachi again was the large steel door in front of me. Gathering all the courage I could muster, I pulled it open.
Malachi’s deep, smooth voice filled my ears as I stepped inside. The band was up on the makeshift stage, the bright lights shining down on them. It was dark where I stood, so I didn’t think they could see me from where they practiced.
He looked different from the guy I remembered. His dark brown hair was longer and hung over his forehead, almost covering his striking green eyes. He’d also bulked up, making the sleeves of his black T-shirt look as though they barely fit over his biceps, which flexed as he gripped the microphone. The years had been extremely kind to him, and I knew I was screwed. There was no way I could look at him every day and not want to relive all the secret moments we’d once shared.
As I walked closer, I could see he had more tattoos than the last time I saw him, but the crescent moon on his wrist that matched mine had been left untouched. It surprised me he hadn’t covered it up.
12
MALACHI
Grabbing a bottle of water,I downed the entire thing in one huge gulp. We’d been rehearsing for over two hours, and while we knew our setlist forward and backward, it was still tiring. Hell, preparing to go on tour was exhausting, but it was what we’d always wanted.
As I wiped the sweat from my brow, I saw someone watching us from the back of the warehouse. My heart skipped a beat, knowing exactly who it was.
Jasper.
He looked almost the same, maybe a bit more refined or taller. His dirty blond hair was short and spiked slightly in the front, and unlike when he was in high school, he sported a hint of stubble on his face that only added to how hot he was.Fuck.Seeing him brought a flood of memories—late nights sneaking around, secret kisses, and how it all ended abruptly so I could live my dream.
