He laughed, picking me up a few inches off the ground. “Me too, baby. I’ve missed you so much.”
Alexis stepped out onto the front porch with her iPhone in her hand and earbuds in her ears. “So, are you moving in?” she asked, chomping her piece of gum loudly.
“Alexis!” I snapped, embarrassed that she’d made assumptions.
Chris smiled at her. “No, I got my own place. But, I’m hoping I can hang out with you guys as often as possible.”
Alexis grinned back. “I don’t know if I’ll be able to handle your rock star ego.” She playfully smacked his shoulder.
Chris played along, taking on the persona of someone who was much more high maintenance. “As long as you serve me my sodas with exactly four ice cubes and keep the thermostat at a balmy seventy-three degrees, we’ll be okay.”
She did a goofy flourish with her hands as she bowed. “As you wish, my lord.”
Chris laughed holding his head high like a king looking down over his loyal subjects.
It was fun to watch them seem so at ease with each other.
Suddenly Chris changed the subject. “Hey, I’ve got an idea. Come on, I wanna show you.” He led me and Alexis toward his black Range Rover parked in the driveway. Opening the door for us, we climbed in and buckled up.
“Where are we going?” I asked as we pulled out onto my street and sped down the road. I remembered the last time he wanted to show me something… the brick he’d dedicated in my honor. I smiled at the memory.
Chris threw me a sidelong glance, full of secrets. “You’ll see.”
We turned into the parking lot of the pregnancy care center where I worked. It was smack dab in the middle of downtown, near the fountain with my brick—the same brick I’d found myself sitting on at lunchtime the past several weeks. I did anything to try to feel closer to Chris while he was gone.
“What are we doing here?” I asked, wondering if he’d brought us here to show Alexis the brick too.
Chris just grinned, “You’ll see.”
Alexis smiled as if she was in on the secret. “What?” she asked innocently when she caught me glaring at her.
We rounded the corner and were greeted by an old, neglected, rundown office building. The ‘for lease’ sign I’d seen posted in the window had been taken down and replaced by a sign that boasted ‘King Records.’
Confused, I glanced at Chris. “You’re leasing this place?”
“Nope,” he grinned. “Bought it. There’s an apartment on the second floor. The first floor will be home to my new record label. I plan to fix it up, maybe even take on a few new clients. I’d like to start backing away from the main stage. Maybe let some other new teenage heartthrobs join the scene, under my guidance. We’re so close to Charlotte, it won’t be hard to find good talent and eager musicians.”
My mouth dropped open. “Are—are you serious? You’re gonna stay here?” My heart leapt for joy.
Chris wrapped his arm around my shoulder and pulled me close to him as I leaned across the center console. Excited about his new purchase and his future plans, he said, “I just can’t be away from my girl anymore. It’s driving me fucking insane.” Chris winced, realizing he’d just cussed in front of Alexis.
Alexis giggled in the backseat in response to his embarrassment. “You know, I’m fourteen. I’ve heard that word before.”
Chris blew a breath of relief and we all laughed. And for a moment it seemed like all was right in the world.
The end of the tour couldn’t have come at a better time. I was so ready to get off the road for a while and spend some good quality time with Salem and Alexis. I was thankful when the office building with the second floor apartment just fell into my lap. For the right price, the owners sold it to me, rather than leasing it. I couldn’t wait get my new recording studio set up; the guys were already excited to work on the next album. I’d have to say, so far, living in this town hadn’t been so bad… well, except for the day that fat ass shoved his microphone in my face and started harassing me with questions about Salem.
If it weren’t for him and his damned celebrity gossip website, I wouldn’t have to be explaining myself right now.
A few days ago, this dude with a microphone and camera started asking me if it was true that I was dating my former juvenile detention counselor.
I tried my best to ignore him. I kept walking. I didn’t respond. But, the minute he referred to us as engaging in an ‘inappropriate relationship,’ I fucking lost it.
I grabbed the camera and slammed it to ground, shattering it to pieces. “What’d you just say, cocksucker?” I seethed. “Say it again.”