“AJ? Is everything okay?” he asks, giving me a quick once over.
“Everything's fine. I just wanted to talk,” I respond.
“Okay, sure. Take a seat,” he says, gesturing to his bed. I sit down and take a deep breath.
“I’m glad you and Ryder talked,” I start.
“I’m sorry I’ve been such a selfish dick, AJ I just didn’t want to let go of you. I’m sorry, for everything,” he says sincerely. This is the Saxon I remember.
“I forgive you, Sax,” I tell him, “but I will never forget. We both need to move on from this. I think this is the first step, so thank you.”
He nods. “I'll always be here for you, though. Okay? Anything you need. Anything. You’re always welcome here.”
I give him a small smile, and walk over and give him a peck on the cheek. I pull back and run my finger over the scar running through his eyebrow.
“I never said sorry for this, did I?” I ask.
Sax chuckles. “I deserved it.”
“Yes, you did. But I’m still sorry. It does give you a more rugged appearance, though,” I tell him.
“Should I warn Ryder that you like to throw things when you’re angry?” he says with a chuckle.
“Hopefully he will never find out,” I say dryly.
“Give Ryder hell, AJ!” he calls out as I leave. Then I do something I never thought I would do again. I walk out of Saxon Tate’s house with a smile on my face.
Epilogue
Six Years Later
I’m standing in the crowd with Tee at our VIP spots right in the front. My son, Killian, is at home with Tee’s parents, who offered to watch him so I could be here to support Ryder. The band comes out and my eyes instantly roam over my husband. He only gets better with age. He's wearing a pair of leather pants that leave nothing to the imagination, no shirt. Over his ribs ‘Lexi’ is written in large font. He loves to show it off any chance he gets.
Ryder gives me a sexy wink before addressing the crowd. I love listening to all of the songs he's written himself instead of doing only cover songs. There are several songs dedicated to me, and I blush every time I hear them. There's even one song I helped him write.
Ryder and I have been inseparable since we got back together, and about three years ago we finally tied the knot.
Morning Alliance made it huge. They're no longer opening acts for big bands, they have people opening for them, instead. Since all band members are now married, they have a strict no groupies policy. It was enforced two years ago when Jet finally tied the knot; he was the last of the boys to settle down. They're all completely loyal and devoted to their women. It’s an amazing thing to see, especially in their line of work.
After the concert I head backstage and I run into Ryder’s arms the moment I see him. He lifts me up and kisses me greedily. “God, I love you.”
“I love you too, Ryder,” I tell him, framing his face with my hands. I rest my forehead against his, and then whisper, “I’m pregnant, Ry.” He instantly pulls back, his eyes wide, and his mouth open in shock.
“Really?” he breathes out.
“Really,” I add with a giggle at the expression on his face. Ryder puts me down gently, and puts his hands on my flat stomach.
“You really are the gift that keeps on giving, Lexi,” he says with a smile. My heart melts when he gets down on his knees and places kisses on my stomach.
“If you’re a girl and you look like your mother, I’m going to have to buy a few shot guns,” he murmurs to the baby. I giggle.
“Or bodyguards. Like five of them!” he continues. When he whispers “I love you so much already,” I can’t stop the tears that fall.
“I love you, Ryder,” I repeat.
“You better,” he says with a grin as he stands up and captures my lips in a kiss. I trail my fingers down his neck, brushing the beautiful script written there.
Without music, life would be a mistake.
― Friedrich Nietzsche
The End