Motley eyed me closely as I placed my hands around his face and held him still. “What’re you doing?” he asked, and I could hear a faint gasp escape his lips. “Why?”
I gently stroked his cheek. “I never want to forget you, Motley.”
A loud bang hit the dressing room door, and we both jumped as it was quickly followed by a random voice. “Two minutes until showtime!”
Fuck. I was almost out of time. It was now or never.
Motley delicately grabbed my wrists and removed my hands. “What’s really going on, Kash? Why did Ducky pull you aside yesterday? Why didn’t you come back to our room? And why have you been running around with Twila if there’s nothing going on between you two?” I suddenly had the urge to kiss him. To pull him into my arms and just hold him tight and never let him go. “Kash.” Motley stepped closer, and I nearly lost my breath. “Please tell me what’s going on?” His warm hand cradledmy face. I closed my eyes and leaned into his touch as I inhaled his scent.
I never want to forget this.
I opened my eyes and glanced up at him. “I spoke to that cop again. With Ducky.” Motley gasped. “Don’t worry.” I placed my hand over his as my fingertips grazed his skin. “I took care of everything. You’re safe, Motley.” My eyes stared into his, those two vibrant pools of sapphire, while they watched me. So fucking beautiful. “You hear me? You’re safe. You’re never going back there, Motley. I promise. I took care of everything”
“I have so many questions… But Kash, how?” Motley was too stunned to speak.
I smiled. “It was something Twila said to me. Unknowingly, she told me what I needed to do to save you. And I did it. So, no more worrying about that night or being caught. No more looking over your shoulder or living in fear. You’re safe, Motley. And now, it’s time you start living your life however you want.”
Motley yanked me close to him, and our bodies slammed together. His breath hit my face, and I had to remind myself to breathe. “What does any of that even mean, songbird?”
I reached up and tugged at a stray curl that hung down across his face. “It means you’re free, drummer boy.”
“No. We’re free.” Motley leaned close and kissed me with such passion. I wanted to correct him, but I couldn’t. This moment was too perfect, and he would learn the truth soon enough. I just wanted to live in this moment a little longer. Just a little longer.
Not we. Only you.
Another loud bang hit the dressing room door as the same person from before shouted to us. “Time’s up!”
Motley and I reluctantly pulled away from one another and tried to compose ourselves. He leaned past me and fixed hiscurls in the mirror. “You ready for tonight’s show, songbird?” he asked.
I turned to look back at him. “It’s going to be one hell of a show to remember.”
Trust me.
I moved past Motley and pulled a tiny bag of cocaine from my jeans. He made a face as I tapped a small amount onto the vanity, but I didn’t care. “Kash,” he groaned.
I used my license to make a thin line and then rolled a dollar bill before I snorted it. “Trust me.” I coughed. My nose and throat burned. I couldn’t stop sniffing and wiping my nose. “After tonight, you’re going to wish you’d done the same.”
Stage lights roamedacross the stage as Motley’s foot tapped the pedal of his bass drum. He led the crowd as Carmen, Twila, and I clapped our hands along to the beat with them. The stage was buzzy and booming with energy, and by the looks of everyone on stage, they felt it too. It was another showstopping performance where we’d given our all.
My head turned, and I noticed Ducky speaking to a stagehand. They seemed to be reacting to something, and I had a feeling I knew what it was. I spun around and signaled to Carmen. She danced to center stage, and a purple spotlight followed her. She shook her curly dark hair, raised an arm high, and shouted into the microphone. “Rock and roll, baby!” The crowd shouted, and she began to play a solo on her bass guitar. Motley held a basic beat, but Carmen stole the spotlight.
I watched her with pride while slowly making my way to Ducky. “Hey! Everything okay?” Ducky raised his hands at the stagehand as the two seemed to argue. “Ducky!”
He snapped his head and ran over to me. “Get your ass back on stage!”
“Is everything okay?” I asked.
Ducky shook his head and leaned close. He shouted into my ear over the music. “The police are here! I-I don’t know what’s going on, but they claim they have a warrant!” I pulled back and stared at him. “I’ll take care of it! You just go back out there and finish your performance!”
“No!” Ducky looked at me in shock. “Let them in!”
“Kash—”
I smacked his arm and winked. “Everything is going to be okay, Ducky! I promise!” I then bolted back on stage and over to Twila. She flashed me a smile while she clapped to Carmen’s solo. “Join her!”
Twila pressed her brows together. “Are you sure?”
I nodded and snapped my fingers at Carmen. She turned around, and I pointed to Twila before gently pushing her forward. Carmen’s grin grew, and she stepped back as Twila joined her with her guitar. The two women played, and I approached the microphone. “Who wants to hear some more?” The crowd cheered, and the entire stage rippled with a new wave of energy. “Alright! Hit it, Motley!” I swung my arm over and pointed to the drummer. A blue spotlight ignited above him, and he went crazy. Twila and Carmen held a simple background tune, and Motley carried the whole show.
