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I roll my eyes. “You two need to be separated.”
“Not a chance. We’re coming back to Scottsdale as soon as business settles down.” Nora surveys the room, leaning in and resting her arms on the table. “Did you know your parents are here?”
“I have no idea how they got in.”
I hear Gem clear her throat. “Avoidance is for sissies. Baby girl, you have nothing to be afraid of.”
I search the room again, and an ugly churning rises in my stomach. My eyes drift around the dim space just in time to see my parents slip out the door. It’s been an emotional night, and seeing their backs as they leave fills me with equal parts relief and sorrow. I wonder why they were here, but I’m grateful they gave me space and didn’t use it as an opportunity to dampen this night.
I know I need to speak with them, and I have a mountain of questions I’d like answers to, but none of them can erase the years of pain and heartache. A little longer won’t change anything.
For the first time, there’s peace within me concerning my parents. The constant pressure and battle to stay true to myself while also trying to please them is gone. Things with them will fall wherever they may, and that’s a really nice place to be.
I pull myself up out of the chair, wanting to find Sean. I wander the room and find him tucked in a corner, chatting with Jonesy.
“I couldn’t stand to watch you lose the Super Bowl.” Jonesy slaps Sean on the shoulder. “Man, I had to turn it off. If the Kingshave you all next season, hopefully, you’ll be able to change the outcome next year.”
“Our quarterback is retiring, which will stir things up a bit,” Sean replies as I slide my arm around him. “Joining the Kings has brought about some of the best changes in my life, though.” He glances down at me, his handsome face smiling. “Winning the Super Bowl would be great, but I already have everything that really matters.”
Jonesy grins. “You two are sickening, but I’m glad it all worked out. Hanging out with her all depressed and moody and sad was a lot of work, but it sure made for some damn good music. Y’all need to keep the drama going so we can get started on the next album.”
Sean laughs as I glare at one of my best friends. “Maybe I’m ready to make happy, joyful music.”
Jonesy rolls his eyes. “The day I hear you write happy music…Andie, that will be the day.”
I give him a gentle shove as I move to hug him. “You are the best, you know that. It doesn’t matter what kind of music I write. You’ll make it sound incredible, and it’s our music. Our next album is going to rock.”
“You just keep writing, and I’ll make it shine.” He hugs me again. “Alright, I’ll see you two before you head home,” Jonesy says, stepping away.
I hug Sean tight again and spot Gem across the room, staring at me. She winks, and that devilish smirk on her face says everything. That woman. I smile, finally feeling like everything might actually be ok. More than ok. It’s more than I could have ever dreamed.
“Sounds like you and I just need to create a new scandal so I can write more songs.”
Sean laughs. “You’re ridiculous. Are you ready to go home? This kid is getting really heavy.”
I wrap my arms around his waist, pressing my face to his warm chest. “Yes. Can we stop for tacos?”
“Of course.”
I grin up at him, wondering how in the world I got here. “Pretty Boy, if I ever start to like you, we’re going to have a real problem on our hands.”
I push up to my toes to kiss him, taking his hand to gather my things.
“Well, we better make sure that never happens, then.”
I laugh, so ready to go home with my guys.
SEAN
“What exactly are we doing? I really need to pack. I’m ready to go home.”
I lead Andie through the Tigers stadium, where kids are registering to participate in a sports clinic.
“I told Ed last night we’d stop by if we could. I owe him for getting you a pass to my first Kings game.”
I drop Andie’s hand as my heart starts pounding in my chest. I’ve thought about this since the day she showed up in Arizona, taking a chance on me. Beads of sweat are starting to break out on my forehead, and my hands are clammy. It has less to do with what I’m about to do and more about where I’m doing it.
“Does it feel weird being back here?” Her voice is so cool and casual it’s only mildly calming my impending anxiety attack.
