Page 124 of Make It Burn

Present day—Southern Brick Studios, Nashville

Ismile, looking at my ring. “You kept it all these years?” I say, the tears still falling.

“I did.” His voice is hoarse. “I know we still have a long way to go, but I love you, Allie. I have always loved you, and I’ll never stop.”

“Yes,” I whisper, as he stands and slips the ring on my finger.

He kisses me and a world of hurt lifts off my shoulders. And I guess he feels it too, judging by the light reflected in his eyes.

“Why didn’t you tell me you were the reason Tristan checked us out?” His voice is soft. He hugs me, those brooding eyes boring right into my soul.

“I couldn’t. I—” I bite on the inside of my cheek. I take my seat on the couch and he sits next to me. He drags his thumb across his lip, moving over his stubble. When he sits back and spreads his legs, I need to look away before I jump him.

“Be honest with me.” His deep voice draws me in.

“Okay, here goes nothing. I watched you guys perform at the Bluebird and I cried. You were the boy I fell in love with once again,” I say, caressing his cheek. “You looked better than when I’d left you in LA. After the show, I wanted to walk up to you. But you were busy talking to a couple of blondes and I chickened out.”

“It didn’t mean shit. You were always on my mind.” His voice is soothing as he leans forward and rests his elbows on his knees.

“I know that now,” I say, smiling a little.

He watches me, waiting for what I have to say.

“I asked Tristan to go to your showcase at The Basement. Not because of our past, but because your songs were great. Some of the better ones I’d heard in a very long time. Something always draws me back to you.”

He lifts one eyebrow, the corner of his mouth twitching.

“And do not say your big dick, Navarone West,” I drawl, grinning.

He chuckles before laughing full out. He winks, taking my hand and kissing the ring. “Life is too short not to laugh. Being here with you brings it all back.”

“For me too,” I whisper, looking at my finger with a beaming smile on my face.

“I still have to apologize for everything,” he mutters.

“Same goes for me,” I say, covering my stomach with my hands. He reaches out and lays his own hand over mine. We look at each other, and I see the forgiveness in his eyes that I hope he sees reflected in my stare. He leans forward and kisses my forehead, his lips lingering, and a shiver runs through me. “Your stubble tickles.” I giggle.

We listen to one of the new tracks Outlaw has recorded that’s playing in the background. We both start to hum the lyrics, and for the first time I actually listen.

“Come on,” he says. He holds out his hand and pulls me up, twirling me around.

“I didn’t know you danced,” I drawl.

“I danced with you in Sterling’s yard a couple weeks back,” he says, drawing me into him. His hand spreads out on my lower back. The main lights go out, the soft glow of the moonshine bottles casting shadows on the walls.

“Shit, must be the fuse box again,” I groan.

He smiles. “I’ll fix it later.”

I grin, knowing what his look means.

“You know, it’s times like these when I remember life is short. You have to appreciate what you have: your friends and family.” He gives me a sweet smile. “This moment, being here with you, makes me stop worrying about all the bad.”

I stare up into his eyes. “You’ve chased away the hurt.”

His eyes go big. “You mean it?”

“Yes, for the first time I can say I do. I never stopped loving you. You still feel like home. I tried to forget, and hoped you wouldn’t remember what we had. But, I don’t want you to forget. I want all of you back. A love that burns, that destroys, and brings color to my life in the best and worst possible ways. I love your wildness, the way you chase life to the fullest. You infuriate me, you’re a true outlaw and I love that part of you. I know the road will always have your heart, like the music you play. But I need you, I’ll always be here waiting, like I did the last couple of years even if I didn’t want to admit it to myself. I know you’ll always love me, and I’ll never stop loving you.”

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