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“It was all one big whirlwind. It’s going to be weird tomorrow, not being on a bus or playing a show. I thought I was going to have to adjust to life on the road, but I slipped back into routine just like the old days.”
“Speaking of tomorrow, I would love to wake up with you in my bed. Will you come home with me?” Cailin seems worried I might reject her because then she says, “I understand if you have to fly back to LA. I know this wasn’t planned.”
Before she can babble any further, I say what we both want to hear. “That sounds perfect. I’ll grab my stuff off the bus and call us a car service.”
On the ride back to Jersey, Cailin sleeps on my shoulder. This night took a lot out of both of us. I’m appreciating every minute of being close to her again. Soaking in her messy hair, the scent of lingering shampoo. The smoothness of her well-moisturized skin. The way her chest stretches out the text of her, “I Love Jax Slater” T-shirt.
As we drive through her town to get to her apartment, I take in its charm. We pass through residential areas and cruise past a quaint downtown with boutiques, bars, and specialty restaurants that look delicious. Signs point in all directions for lake communities. It’s easy to understand why Cailin loved growing up here. Through moonlight and dim street lamps, I can already see the allure.
Cailin wakes up as we pull into the parking lot for her building. “Here we are,” she says, gripping my hand.
We grab my bags and I follow Cailin inside. She lives in a small, two-floor complex that hosts about ten units. A flower garden outlines the building, blending with hearty bushes that offer privacy around the windows of the basement apartments. There are two-seater benches placed along the front lawn and I already feel welcome.
“Remember that I just moved in before we went on tour, so the space is not fully designed,” she says.
Leave it to her to be worried about the presentation of her apartment. That’s the last thing on my mind right now. Cailin digs through her backpack and pulls out her key. As she unlocks the door, I flash back to the night on the bus when we discovered my skeleton key tattoo and the vintage lock inked on her wrist. Things were fitting together then, and now we’re unlocking a new start for not only our relationship, but also our lives. I can feel it.
Cailin swings open the door. “Here we are.”
I throw down my bags and Cailin gives me a quick tour. Her apartment has everything I would expect to find in her personal space. There are vases filled with dried wheat and lavender, scented candles that have never been used, a plush fluffy area rug, and a collage of framed quotes on the wall, among other feminine touches. She said she hasn’t been here long to finish decorating, but I can’t imagine what else is on her to-do list. When we get to her bedroom, she gasps. “I forgot about this. I was rushing to get to the show and didn’t have anything to wear, so I dumped out my suitcase.”
“That explains the concert tee.” I can’t help but tease her, she’s too adorable when she pouts. Our banter is one of my favorite things about our relationship.
“I actually picked that on purpose, Jax. You can’t make fun of your own merch.”
“Relax, I love it,” I say. “But I’d love it better back on the floor.”
* * *
CAILIN
I woke up in silk pajamas (thanks, Gemma) with Jax Slater in my bed. Being on tour and in hotels with him was one thing. But having him in my apartment brings a whole other level of realness. I don’t even know what to do with a pop star boyfriend in small town, USA. Before I can obsessively think about this any further, Jax wakes up.
“Mmmm, morning.”
“How did you sleep?” I hope he thinks my mattress is cozy. It’s not the luxury quality that he’s used to, and truth be told, I got it on sale.
“Best night of sleep I’ve gotten in a while now that you’re back pulling the covers off me.”
I sit up and throw on the matching silk robe that’s lying on the floor. “I promise that cleaning up this mess is on this morning’s agenda. But first, I need coffee and I have to text my mom.”
“She must be worried about you.”
“Actually, I’m the one who's worried. She has my dog.”
“Hold up, when did you get a dog?”
“I adopted her when I thought you broke my heart. Her name is Hope and you’re going to love her.”
Jax breaks out in a grin. “Of course you would go and do something wonderful like adopt a dog when you’re heartbroken. I can’t wait to meet her. And your mom.”
Right. I didn’t consider that. I’ll need to tell my mom to make sure she doesn’t embarrass me when she meets Jax. I can just picture her asking him to sign a copy of the magazine with his face on the cover. Then telling him she’ll be the envy of her book club.
Jax takes a shower and I text my mom and Gemma to touch base. Over coffee, Jax and I have a no-holds-barred conversation about everything that happened during our brief breakup. I didn’t expect him to tell me that he slept with someone before tour began. I was under the impression that he didn’t date at all after he broke up with Maxine. The girl, Chelsea, obviously wasn’t significant to his life, even if she is one of Kelly’s friends. Jax said that he would have told me during our past discussions if he was seriously involved with someone. I also feel relieved to know that he always used protection.
Likewise, I spilled everything about Ethan, starting back to high school. And yes, I even admitted that Ethan was jealous of my crush on Jax back then. By this point, there’s no trying to hold onto dignity. Jax knows I was a hardcore boy band fan. However, he also knows that’s not why I love him. I see beyond his celebrity and how freakin’ hot he is, for what’s inside his heart and all that he wants to achieve. I would love him even if he chose to get off social media and give up a public career.
On the way to my mom’s house, I warn Jax that my mom might go a little overboard asking questions. What I didn’t expect was to open the door of the house and see Gemma sitting on the couch. Of course, they are in cahoots. Gemma could not let my mom meet Jax before she did. And rightfully so.
