I wove through crowds of people scattered in confused clusters while they tried to figure out where they were going. I started looking for Brady, my suitcase rattling behind me and my carry on bag thudding against my hip. Finally, my eyes zeroed in on him. He stood off to the side holding up a sign that said ‘Officer Cupcake.’ I burst into laughter and walked as fast as I could in the ridiculously high heels.
“Hey, Liv!” Brady greeted me. Before I even thought about what I was doing, I flung my arms around him.
“Brady, thank you for doing this.” I smiled up at him. “I really appreciate you helping me.”
“Anything for you and Jax,” he replied. “Let me help you with your bags.” He took my carry on and suitcase with ease, and I set off behind him. “Jax is going to be so glad to see you.”
Once we got to the car, Brady opened the door to the SUV, and I climbed inside while he loaded my luggage into the trunk. I felt myself start to relax as Brady pulled the car away from the curb.
We made it to Microsoft Theater, and by the time I got inside, the band would be nearing the end of their set.
Brady pulled the car to a stop outside a side entrance. “The hotel is across the street. I’m going to run your luggage over so it’s waiting for you there in the room. I always have extra keys for everybody’s room in case one of these knuckleheads gets locked out, or I need to come to their rescue. You go on with Cash, and I’ll be back to get you guys in a few.”
I looked out the window to see Cash waving at me from the door, beckoning me toward him.
“Thanks, Brady.” I squeezed his arm, slung my tiny purse across my body, and bounded out of the car.
“It’s good to see you, Liv.” Cash pulled me into a quick hug before putting a lanyard around my neck that read ‘all access.’ He quickly led me through the underbelly of the venue. “You got here just in time. They’ve only got a couple of songs left. I’m going to take you up to Antoni, and he’ll show you to your seat. He’ll stay with you and bring you straight back after the show’s over.” He looked back at me with his kind, hazel eyes. “He’s going to be so happy to see you.”
My stomach started doing somersaults as he wound me through the corridors lined with various crew members and security. I recognized a few of the same faces from the show in Nashville as we passed by. When we reached the main floor, I saw Antoni waiting with his headset on. His face broke into a wide grin when he saw us approaching. “How are you, Miss Thing?” He gave me a quick hug, then turned his attention to Cash. “I’ll take it from here, boss.”
“I’ll see you in a few.” Cash squeezed my shoulder and jogged back in the direction we’d come.
Antoni offered me his arm. “You ready to go see your man?” He did a little shimmy, and I took a deep breath, letting him lead me through the crowd.
The audience erupted into screams of approval as Midnight in Dallas finished up “Fortress.”
That’s when I heard Jax’s voice. “This last song is a new one. I wrote it for a very special woman in my life. We’ve never played it in front of an audience. In fact, the only person I’ve ever played it for is her, and I… I miss her a lot. It’s called ‘Love You More.’”
Antoni turned toward me with wide eyes as Jax began to play. “Girl, this is your song, ain’t it?”
Jax’s eyes were closed as he started to sing. The crowd held up their phones with their screens illuminated, swaying along to the slow rhythm of the song.
As promised, Antoni guided me to the front of the stage where there were two empty spaces. I gazed up at Jax, and for a moment, I forgot to breathe. He looked so handsome and perfect up there. His eyes were still closed, but to his left, Derek caught my eye and smiled.
Antoni squeezed my arm and leaned into my ear. “He’s got it bad for you, girl.” I looked over at him with tears in my eyes. The song ripped me wide open again just as it had the first time.
As Jax neared the end of the song, he still hadn’t opened his eyes. To his right, Luca looked at me, and his face brightened. He glanced at Jax, realizing his eyes were closed. He winked at me, and I watched as he crossed over to Jax, saying something in his ear. Jax’s eyes looked like a storm on the horizon when they sprang open, and he frantically scanned the crowd.
Finally, his gaze landed on me, and his smile was so big it made the corners of his eyes crinkle. When he sang the last words of the song, his eyes locked on mine.
“Thank you, LA!” Luca said, and the band continued to play the melody of the song. The curtain began to slowly fall as the crowd screamed their praise. “We are Midnight in Dallas! Good night!”
“That’s our cue, baby girl.” Antoni grabbed my hand, and we were off, weaving through the crowd. He expertly sliced through throngs of people until we were back in the long corridors Cash had led me through. He guided me down an unfamiliar hall that said ‘stage entrance.’
That’s when I saw him running toward me. Jax’s face glistened, and his white T-shirt was damp with sweat causing it to cling to every perfect curve of his muscles.
I ran as fast as my heels allowed until I could jump into his arms, right where I belonged.
Chapter 18
Jax
Liv’s chestnut hair flowed behindher as she jumped into my arms, her legs wrapping around my waist. She took my face in her hands and kissed me hard on the mouth. I buried my face in her neck, and I was surrounded by her sweet citrus scent once more.
“Hell yeah!” Dallas whooped as he ran to where Liv and I were still locked in each other’s arms. He started to applaud, and soon he was joined by Luca, Derek, Cash, Antoni, Brady, and the entire team backstage.
“I can’t believe you’re here.” I gently placed her on her feet, but kept my arms around her.
