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‘Well, what I hope to do, if you’re up for it, would be to go for maybe a month or so then fly you over for a weekend to meet me wherever I am. I still haven’t got the finalised schedule yet. Then I’d try to get back or if I couldn’t maybe you could meet me again. I’d be back in time for Christmas. I know it’s bad timing with you starting work, but I’ll be here for your first day. As soon as everything is finalised you’ll get a copy of where I’m going to be. I’ll be on the other end of the phone and I’ll talk to you every single day I’m gone.’
‘Okay. I’m sorry if I sound silly.’
‘Hey. Stop. I should have told you what’s going to happen. I guess I’ve been trying to avoid thinking about it.’
‘Why?’
He lies down beside her and brushes his fingers through her hair. ‘Because I don’t want to think about leaving you for a week let alone a few months, that’s why. It’s not great timing, but if I’m going to salvage my career I need to go. And just for the record - all the fame stuff, it’s nothing for you to worry about.’ He moves closer to her and makes sure she’s looking him in the eyes. ‘I mean that, Chloe. I know how I’d feel if guys were giving you attention. I’d be... well I’ll just leave it at not happy. It doesn’t matter how many photos are taken or how many people recognise me. I only see you. I only want you.’
The smile she gives him tells him he’s said the right thing. Better late than never. He should have cleared all that up ages ago. He keeps forgetting she’s new to his life and his job.
‘Sorry, I really should have brought it up sooner. I just didn’t know how to.’
‘Don’t be afraid to give me a nudge when I need it. I’m not used to sharing my life with someone. It’s a learning curve for both of us.’
‘Thanks, Tate.’
‘For what?’
‘For what you said. You know, about the fame part. I’m not a jealous person. Really. I’ve just never had to share my boyfriend with... well, a lot of people. It’ll take some getting used to.’
‘You’re not sharing me with anyone. They get the lead singer of Broken Chords. You get me.’
‘All to myself?’
‘Too right. Damn it!’ He rolls out of bed and pulls on his boxers.
‘What’s wrong.’
‘I forgot to give you your present. Stay put.’ He grabs the box from the garage and places it on the bed beside her. ‘Happy birthday.’
She tears off the wrapping and stares at box with a picture of a Lego Millennium Falcon from Star Wars on the outside. She suddenly jumps off the bed and throws her arms around him. ‘This is absolutely the best present I got. I can’t believe you got this!’
‘You said you liked Lego kits and it’s the biggest one you can get. Should keep you busy for a bit.’
‘Do you think? I might tackle it when you go away, or was that the idea?’
‘Might have been.’ He tucks back into bed beside her and wraps his arms around her. ‘I’ve got to go to the studio in the morning for the day. I might not be able to see you tomorrow.’
‘Seriously, it’s fine. I really should get some prep work done.’ She gets out of bed and searches in her bag.
‘What are you doing?’
‘Looking for something to sleep in.’
‘Ah come on, that’s not fair.’
She pulls on a t-shirt and some underwear. ‘You need to sleep. No arguments,’ she adds quickly when he opens his mouth to do just that. ‘You look tired. When was the last time you slept? And I mean all night?’
She’s got him there. It’s been a few days at least and it is getting to him. ‘Fine. Get your ass back in the bed. I promise I’ll behave.’ He pulls her to his chest and runs his hand over her hair as he stares at the ceiling.
As soon as he hears her breathing slow, he slides his arm out from under her and quietly closes the bedroom door behind himself. He wanders downstairs and pulls open the fridge, sighing to himself when he sees what’s on offer. With little enthusiasm, he grabs a bottle of juice and turns off the kitchen light.
He stops at the door to the gym when something catches his attention. He looks over his shoulder to the kitchen window. He could have sworn he saw his car lights flash in the reflection in the picture on the wall.
Tate leaves his drink on the bookcase and makes his way back over to the kitchen window, leaving the light off this time. He peers into the darkness outside but can’t see anything out of place. Just to be on the safe side he takes his keys from the drawer and presses the button to lock the truck. The lights turn on for a few seconds before shutting down again.
He throws the keys back in the drawer and goes back to the gym. Nice to know he can add seeing things to his list of issues. He steps onto the treadmill and turns it on. What he wouldn’t give for a few miles of empty beach in front of him right now. He’d love to saddle up Jove and take him out for a few hours.
