I thank him and head downstairs. I make my way to the closet and grab his acoustic guitar.
By the time he makes his way downstairs, I already have the guitar tuned, and I’m playing a rendition of Lana’s Melody.
“Sounds good,” he says, leaning down to give me a quick kiss. “Did you change it?”
I nod. “A few chords, but not much. Remember the song I sang for you on the trail? I tailored it so it fits. And I want you to hear it.”
“Brings back good memories having you play for me again,” he says wistfully.
It does. The days I would come over and he’d let me play his guitar for him were some of the best days of my life. A few songs I played for him reached number one, the first being “In the Stars”.
I stop thrumming the strings and pat the couch beside me. “Sit down and let me play you a lullaby.”
He grins and does what I ask, crossing his legs as he faces me.
Even though he’s heard me play before, butterflies dance in my belly as I strum the guitar and hum the first few chords. He hums along, and I smile over at him, loving that he’s here, thatI’mhere. With him.
Not only did I change the chords of the song, but I also changed some of the lyrics. The first verse is about me and my struggles, from my past and in my present. The second is about finding him again and falling in love. The last verse is the hope for our future, him in my life for as long as he’ll have me.
It’s a song I put a lot of thought, emotions, and late nights into, so it’s perfect for him. The core of the ballad that Vic and I started is there, but it’s also intertwined with who I am now. I don’t think Vic would mind. We weren’t sure that we wanted to release the song, since we wrote it when we were still kids. Now, it fits who I am as an adult.
When I finish, I clear my throat and peek up at him. Jaxon is looking at me with his mouth open, as if he’s shocked.
“Jesus, Wes. That’s beautiful. Is that…how you feel about me? About us?”
“Yes. I told you, you’re the only man I’ve ever loved. I want to see where that goes. We have a second chance. I want to take it.”
He grabs my hand, and my heart rate slows. He calms me. I never thought I’d feel this with anyone, given my past. But no matter how much time passed, Jaxon still holds that place in my heart from when we were kids. Even though I tried to push him away, I could never get rid of how much I loved him and wanted to be with him.
His smile is soft and beautiful. “I’d like that. You sure you’re okay dating a square? I’m not like those models and actresses you’ve been with.”
“All that shit was fake. Stunts for the tabloids and to help the careers of those women. It’s always been you.” I tuck a lock of his hair behind his ear and pull him closer before taking his lips in a soft kiss. “You are who I want. Without a doubt.”
His soft breaths drifts across my lips. “Then you have me. For as long as you want me.”
“Is it too soon to say I love you?” I ask, kissing him again.
“I’ve been in love with you for fifteen years. I think we’re overdue.”
He moans against my mouth as I delve in with my tongue, tasting the sweetness of his kiss.
Dragging my lips away, I draw him into my arms. “So I’ll be sure to tell you every day until the end of forever.”
The end of forever, the perfect measurement of time.
TWENTY-ONE
JAXON
I smiledown at my phone as I see a collection of photos of Wesley with a bunch of his fans. He’s been trending today, as those fans started posting pictures, and they’ve been shared around and picked up by gossip sites. Most of the comments have positive messages about how hot he looks and begging Lana’s Mischief to get back together.
Some trolls talk shit about his time in rehab and say terrible things, but they are immediately put in their place by true fans. It makes me happy.
Someone posted a side-by-side picture of him the night before he went to rehab and him now. I didn’t realize how haggard he looked before he went to treatment. His cheeks have filled in, he’s not as pale, and even though his hair is shorter now, it’s shinier and thicker, the waves having a slight curl at the ends.
He looks fucking phenomenal.
I grab a few of the nicer threads and send them to him with a text.
