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“Where does it say that in your email? Where does it say you want rid of Marshall or even Dawson, but you want to keep her so you can love her like she deserves?”
I froze. “I didn’t mean…”
“Yeah, that won’t work either. You fucked up and I’ve not spoken to her about it because she’s too busy today, but even though I don’t remember a past with her, I know her well enough to assume that you probably hurt her more than anyone.”
I let out a strangled sob. “How do I make it better?”
“You stop thinking of yourself as an I… the three of you have to make it right with her.”
“I don’t want to be around either of them.”
“And that’s probably where you need to start.”
Chapter 27
Lea
“Youdidsogood.”I looked up at hearing the familiar voice, finding a grinning Addi standing in front of me.
“Yeah?” I asked, feeling frazzled and so glad we were nearly finished. Although, I wasn’t sure how I was going to muster the energy for the after party.
“Honestly, everyone is raving about the evening. It’s been perfect. You were made to do this, Lea.”
I let my shoulders droop as I let out a long sigh. “Thank you. And thanks for recommending me. I wouldn’t be here with you.”
“Na, lady. This is all on you. Take the compliment.”
I was backstage at the venue we’d taken over tonight, in the side room I’d turned into our central office. Kicking off my heels, I perched on the sofa, rubbing the arch of my foot, wishing fleetingly that Marshall was here to do it for me, but the minute his face popped into my head, I pushed it out again. I couldn’t afford not to be on my A-game tonight and I would not let their selfishness ruin all my hard work.
I glanced up at the large screen showing the awards and just like the universe was testing my resolve, Charlie, Archer, and Fox walked up on stage to present the Cosmic Gods with their lifetime achievement award before they played a mix of their most popular songs for 7 minutes and 35 seconds until we went off air and I could let out a sigh of relief.
The three of them were dressed in suits. Archer’s jacket was trimmed in black sequins that made him shimmer in the bright lights. Charlie wore all black, his suit fitting perfectly over his wider frame, his shirt undone dangerously low, flashing off his chest and the tattoos that he was so famous for and then there was Fox. A whimper fell from my lips. Hair tied up, looking considerably hotter than the hung over version I’d seen earlier, he wore a rich maroon suit over a black shirt with a matching skinny tie. As he walked, he fastened a single button, showing off his long, lean figure as it skimmed his yoga-formed muscles that I loved so much.
“Come and watch with me.”
“I need to—”
“You’re done for the night. Get those shoes back on and come and have a drink with me. I demand it.”
“As my employer this evening?” I joked.
“As my friend. Come on.”
“Fine, but only because I could do with sitting down for 7 minutes and 35 seconds.”
She laughed. “Don’t forget their speech too. You’ll get to sit down for at least 12 minutes.”
My eyes widened. “They get 11 and then we’re off air.” I forced my feet back into my heels and straightened my jacket. Addi took me by the hand and led me to their table, pointing me to where Mav had been sitting and pouring me a glass of champagne. I took it gratefully, taking a sip, loving how the bubbles burst as they hit my tongue, smiling around at the other people sitting on our table, recognizing them all as part of the God’s inner circle.
We watched as Alchemy Myth charmed the crowd, reading the autocue, giving hints about who was winning tonight’s coveted lifetime achievement award, and then adding their own speech about how they grew up listening to the band and they were the reason they’d started playing together. Everyone rose to their feet as they introduced the Gods, Tanner walking on stage, holding Frankie’s hand while Grayson and Maverick followed behind.
They waited until the crowd calmed down, which took a while, but then Tanner leaned into the microphone, pushing his tattooed fingers through his long, wavy fringe. “I still think we’re way too young to be getting this award, but I’ve been told not to mention that.” Addi rolled her eyes, her smile widening as she glanced over at Tanner’s wife, Emmy, who shook her head in reply as laughter filled the room.
“I’m going to keep it brief because I spent way too much time thinking this band was about me. Truth is, I’m nothing without these three… without my family.” He looked back over at them. “Because, while music brought us together, being a family is what kept us together.” Frankie leaned into him.
“Before I go, I want to thank Lori and Phil for being the best parents any of us could ask for. Even though you weren’t mine by blood, you never made me feel less than… even when I deserved it. He winked at where they were sitting. And my beautiful angel, Emmy, you saved me when I didn’t deserve it and you helped me see that I was worth more than I believed. Thank you for always coming back for me and giving me our beautiful family, although I can’t promise a third set of twins isn’t written in our future.”
Laughter rang out again as Emmy’s eyes widened.
