In the Lyrics (42 page)

Taking a deep breath, I prepare to go on stage and play my set, eager to finish so I can go find him and tell him I feel the same. I wish these last few months filled with distance and heartache would just disappear too.

I’M GLAD SHE showed. Now she knows how I feel. I hope she realized that my words were directed towards her. I hope she put two and two together. Walking off the stage, I wish her good luck and then head towards the exit sign. When I get back to my apartment, it’s empty. I would think I had been robbed if Brittani hadn’t already texted me today calling me every nasty name in the book. Since Hensley came back to town, it’s been like Brittani has been on edge all the time wondering what I’m doing or where I’m at. I had to put my foot down. She didn’t like it and decided it was best to move out. I didn’t stop her obviously, and I guess that irritated her more. So much more that she decided to take everything I owned with her.

Looking at the counter in the kitchen, there’s a note.

Have fun sitting on the floor tonight, you son of a bitch!

Laughing, I crumple up the note and toss it into the wastebasket – at least she left that. But, I miss and the paper lands on the floor. And what she doesn’t realize is I’d rather sit on the floor any day than have to sit next to her ever again. Grabbing a half empty bottle of water from the refrigerator, I walk towards my bedroom. Luckily she didn’t take my bed. Lying down, I put my phone on silent and set it on the nightstand, and then I close my eyes. I’m not so much tired as I am mentally exhausted.

THE POUNDING ON the front door startles me, causing me to jump up from a dead sleep. The light is still on which tells me I dozed off on accident. “Go away, Brittani!” I shout from the bedroom, but the knocking continues.

Getting up, I stretch before I walk into the living room.

“Hello?”

Who in the hell would be pounding on the door at this hour?

Looking out the door, I see my Sunshine. Turning the lock, I open the door and she looks up at me. Her eyes are hooded and her cheeks are wet with tears.

“Are you okay, did someone hurt you?” I ask worried as to why she would be pounding on my door, crying, unless something was going on.

“No, I hurt someone.”

“What? Oh, no, come here.” I pull her through the doorframe. “You hurt someone? Was there an accident?”

“No, dummy,” she frowns with a sigh. “I hurt you and I’m so sorry. I failed us. I’ve been so wrapped up…”

My finger finds the center of her mouth as I lay it against her cold lips. “Shh, don’t say another word.” Moving my index finger out of the way, my lips crash into hers. The feeling is amazing, and her mouth feels like home. For the first time since the day she left, I feel like if I pulled away from her right now, I could actually breathe. Deciding I’d rather breathe with her as close to me as possible, I grab her and pull her towards me. Her arms instantly wrap around my neck. It makes me smile knowing she wants to be just as close to me as I do her.

Moving my hands down, I grasp her butt and pull her up. Lifting her into the air, she wraps her legs around my waist. Our lips don’t part, as I shut the front door behind her and then push her up against the aluminum door. Moving my mouth from hers, I trail kisses down her neck. Knowing that her neck was her sweet spot, my tongue grazes her skin in an attempt to drive her wild. My head is tugged back as her hands find my hair and run through it.

“I’ve missed you,” I mutter before her hungry mouth finds mine again.

Between kisses she pants, “I’ve missed you so much, Colby. So incredibly much.”

The way she purrs my name makes my dick throb in my pants. I’ve missed her and the sound of her sexy voice.

Our needy hands roam one another’s bodies, until it’s not enough. The clothes we’re wearing are too big of a barrier between us. We’ve been apart for so long, I don’t want anything between us tonight.

My feet fail me as I turn and attempt to run towards the bedroom. Stumbling, Hensley holds me tight around the neck and giggles. The sound is fucking sexy as hell, and all I want to do is drop her to the floor, lie on top of her and be inside of her. Moving quickly to the bedroom, I shut the door and lay her on the bed. Almost as soon as her back hits the mattress, she is sitting back up and removing her shirt like it’s on fire. Pulling mine over my head, I unbutton my jeans and kick them off. I’m standing in front of her with a throbbing cock, but all I can think about is pleasing her. I want her to feel my mouth on her core and remember how good we were together. I want her to beg for mercy as I make her come. I want her, plain, simple, and right now.

My knees hit the top of the mattress as I unbutton her jeans and slowly slide them down. My lips plant small kisses on her exposed legs as the material slides off of them. Glancing down at her parted legs, I palm the area that my mouth waters to taste. Kneeling on the floor, I place both hands on either side of her waist and turn her so she is lying horizontal on my vertical laid bed.

As soon as my mouth finds her opening, all bets are off. She is mine and I am hers, and there’s not another day that I’m going to let pass us by without us cherishing each other. Grunts of need fill the air, and passion stirs around me, clouding my vision and leading me down a road. I’m normally good with directions, but as I enter her warm, wet opening, I take a leap into the unknown that is Hensley Elaine Bradley for the second time.

THE SOFTNESS OF Colby’s skin against my naked body reminds me that last night was real. If I’d been drunk I would have thought I dreamt all of this. It would have been a lady’s wet dream, but a dream no less. The perfection that is Colby Skylar Grant makes me wonder what on earth I did to have God place him in my life. Even before all of this craziness between us happened, I still thought I wasn’t worthy enough to call him mine. Where I am sometimes potty-mouthed and uncensored, he is always calm and reserved. It’s a trait I not only adore, but admire.

My flight leaves in less than four hours, so I know I need to get up, run home, and shower, and then have my mom drop me off at the airport. The warmth of Colby’s arms around me makes me feel a bliss that I’ve been missing for so long. Moving an inch over on the mattress at a time, I’m finally able to break free from his hold, and slide off the side of the bed. Grabbing my clothes, I slide them on and open the bedroom door.

I didn’t notice there was no furniture last night, but the entire living room is empty. There’s nothing but a white piece of paper lying on the carpet. Picking it up, I unravel it and read it. Brittani moved out, which explains the absence of furniture.

My heart drops to my stomach as I’ve said goodbye more times to this perfect man than he should ever hear in his lifetime. Opening my purse, I dig through it to find a pen and scribble down a message.

Colby,

Last night was unforgettable and I know without a doubt the best goodbye in the world. I left it all in that moment. The pain I’ve been harboring, the guilt I’ve felt for placing a million miles between us, and the regret for choosing music over you…I let it all go. I had to because it’s been eating me alive for a while now. I’m sorry for it all, but mostly I’m sorry for leaving you, again. I’m not asking you to wait, but once my tour is over, I’m telling my manager and label that I need a break. I lost sight of the things that mattered to me most, and I lost myself in California. Please know that as soon as I can, I’m coming home and I’ll spend eternity trying to make up for what I’ve done. I loved you since the first moment I saw you on the street corner. I’ll be back to make this right, and I hope you’ll leave the light on for me.

Your Sunshine,

H

Laying the note on the counter, I walk towards the front door and away from the man of my dreams for the second time. At least he has an option now. He knows how I feel and that I’m sorry. It’s up to him to decide what to make of it.

“ARE YOU SURE you have to leave, honey?” Mom asks as I towel dry my hair.

“I’m sure. I’ve got to wrap up some stuff in LA, but I’m coming home after that. I was hoping I could stay here for a while until I find a house.”

She smirks, “You’re so mature for twenty-one. How’d I get so lucky?”

“Dad had good sperm,” I gag while laughing.

Her amusement makes me exultant. It’s been a whirlwind of a week, but knowing that she’s slowly finding peace with my dad’s death makes me happy.

Tugging my fingers through my hair, I blow dry it and then braid it to the side. Throwing on a baseball cap, I text Robert and Will and tell them that I’m on the way to the airport and that I’ll be turning my phone off. Of course Robert sends me a three-page message about a shoot that needs to be done for some new posters as soon as I land. I ignore it.

Mom hands me a packed lunch and then grabs my bag and heads towards the door. The ride to the airport is filled with happiness. This is exactly what I needed today. I don’t feel horrible about leaving her or Colby behind because this time around, I know I’ll be back. No tour, label, or concert is going to keep me from the things I love ever again.