I rested my forehead on hers as I held her gaze. “You sure?”
She squinted one eye and pursed her lips like she was thinking. I growled as I pressed my lips to hers once more. This time, more wanting and more desperate than before.
She finally broke free with a giggle. The sound made my heart soar.
“I love you. I love you,” she said.
I pressed my hands against the wall behind her, caging her in. “Good. Because I love you and little man. You’re my family, which means I’m never going anywhere again.”
Her laugh slowly faded as her gaze focused on me. Then she reached up and rested her hand on my cheek. “You’re our family, and we aren’t going anywhere either.”
My heart, which had been broken so many times in my life, finally fused back together. I wrapped my arms around her and pulled her to my chest.
She was exactly what I needed. She was exactly what I wanted.
I’d finally found my home.
28
EMERY
“And that, everyone, is Emerson King!” The announcer’s voice boomed through the speakers over the roar of the crowd. Emerson held out her microphone and waved at the fans before she took a bow and headed offstage.
I was sandwiched between Timothy and Noah. We’d resorted to standing since everyone around us was on their feet, clapping and screaming. It was either go with the crowd, or see nothing.
I’d been honored when Sabrina contacted me asking if I wanted Fading Atlas tickets. They were coming to Madison Square Garden and she could get me floor seats and backstage tickets. I graciously agreed, but now I was regretting my choice.
The rock star scene wasn’t really my jam.
“Mommy,” Timothy whined as he pulled on my arm.
I bent down so I could hear what he was saying. “What buddy?” I asked.
“I’m thirsty,” he said.
I nodded as I glanced around. There had been a few vendors walking around earlier with drinks, but once the opening act started, they’d all disappeared. If I was going to get Timothy a drink, I was going to have to go find it. Which, honestly, I was okay with. I needed some space and room to breathe.
“Okay, buddy,” I said as I turned to Noah.
He didn’t look thrilled to be here. His arms were crossed, and he was staring straight ahead. He’d been seated next to a particularly excited fifteen-year-old girl who kept jumping and knocking into him.
“I’m going to go get Timothy a Sprite,” I said, ignoring the way my body reacted to him leaning in so I could speak directly into his ear.
He glanced at Timothy and then back to me before he nodded. “Okay,” he said and then straightened.
It was mayhem trying to get out of my seat. Finally, I burst through the crowd and took a deep breath, grateful for the wide-open space. Even though I had club access, I decided that prolonging this excursion would do wonders for my mental health. One of the main concourse bars would do just fine. After all, I’d grown to trust that Noah would look after Timothy, so there was no need for me to hurry back.
I found the longest line and got into it. I allowed my mind to quiet. I tried not to focus on anyone or anything. It was nice to just be. I thought I heard a soft chuckle behind me, and, against my better judgement, I turned to see if I’d been correct.
A tall, dark-haired man with bright blue eyes was smiling down at me. His eyebrows were raised like he’d asked me a question and was waiting for me to respond. I frowned and began to turn back around. The last thing I wanted to do was engage in conversation with this stranger.
“I’m sorry,” he hurried to say.
Out of the corner of my eye, I saw him reach forward, but then he hesitated like he’d suddenly realized what he was about to do.
I turned back, glancing down at his hand before bringing my gaze up to meet his. He gave me a sheepish smile as he drew his hand back.
“It’s just that…” He paused and looked around, prompting me to do the same. When I glanced back at him, he had returned his gaze to me and was smiling once again. “You’re the only person out here not on their phone.” He shrugged. “It’s an anomaly.”
