We were on the last song of the set, but when we finished, I turned to the band. “Let’s do Baby Love.” I was going to find out once and for all if she was with me or not.
My bandmates shrugged. “Why not.”
I stepped up to the mic. “The last time I played this song in public, I nearly got my ass kicked.” I glanced at Trina, who looked away. Shit, maybe I shouldn’t do this. “I’ll be honest, I didn’t get why. The words of this song talk of love and why would someone be mad about that? The lyrics were written for my sister and her unborn child, and I was so moved by them, I put them to music. I’m going to play it again, and yes, Trina Lados, I’m going to sing your words, but this time, listen and know that they are now sung for you and the child you’re carrying.”
Her hands covered her mouth as if she was trying not to cry. She wasn’t mad. Good.
I started the song and sang the words, “My heart beats for you, my breath breathes for you…”
She was crying and my heart beat faster that she was finally hearing me. Each word I sang, I sang to her. Sinclair nudged her out on the stage. She seemed reluctant, and knowing she didn’t like being in public, I didn’t urge her to come to me. Instead, I broke the rule of performing and sang only to her.
As I went the last time through the chorus, I looked into her eyes as I sang, “Trina, my heart beats for you, my breath breathes for you, my life I give to you.”
As the words stopped and just the last part of the music played, I walked over to her. I pushed my guitar around to my back and slipped my arm around her, tugging her close.
“Does this mean you’re giving me a second chance?” I asked.
“No.”
My heart stopped in my chest. How had I misread all this? Stunned, I started to withdraw my arm, but she gripped my shirt.
“I’m hoping it means you’re giving me a second chance.”
Joy blossomed throughout my chest. I pulled her to me and kissed her, firm and sure. Around us the crowd erupted, but for me, the world had gotten very small. It was just me and Trina, and the life we’d made growing inside her.
When I pulled back, I looked into her lovely gray eyes and saw what I’d been looking for from her for so long; love. She hadn’t said it, but I was sure I saw it.
The band finished the song, and exited the stage, with my bassist saying goodbye as I was preoccupied.
“I need to pack up, but then I’m all yours,” I said, giving a slight tug on a curl of her hair.
“Yes, of course.”
“I’ll need to take my stuff home…will you come with me? I have some things I never got to show you.”
She nodded and smiled. “Yes.”
Unable to help myself, I gave her another quick kiss and then headed off the stage to pack up the band.
Twenty minutes later, I helped Trina into my truck and with her by my side, I drove to my house.
“I’m thinking of getting a new truck,” I said to her, all of a sudden feeling a little awkward.
“Oh? Why?”
“It’s not great for a baby. I was thinking of an extended cab. I don’t think I can do a minivan.” I shivered at the thought.
“Me neither,” she said.
I took her hand in mine and kissed the back of it. “Thank you for coming with me.”
“Thank you for inviting me.”
“Will I need to get you back to get your car?” I asked.
She shook her head. “Sinclair drove me. She said you’d forgive me.”
I glanced at her. “You didn’t think I would?”
“I hoped you would, but I was horrendous. I’m not sure I forgive myself.”
“Right now, I have what I want. Why would I push that away?”
She shrugged and I knew at some point we’d need to talk and hash out everything. It was important to do because while I was glad that she was here beside me, I didn’t want to repeat the issues of the past.
I pulled into the driveway of my house.
Her eyes widened and a smile lit her face. “Oh Ryder, look at the porch. It’s so clean and pretty. The flower boxes are lovely.”
I smiled, happy that she noticed. “That’s just the start. The porch has been reinforced, so you don’t need to worry about falling through.”
I helped her out of the truck and up the steps to the front door. I unlocked it and pushed it open for her. She stepped in and her mouth widened into a smile as she took in the living area. I still had most of the old tired furniture, but it was clean and tidy.
She stepped to the fireplace mantel to look at pictures. “Goodness, this is you and me and Alyssa when she was a baby.”
I stood, watching her take it all in, hoping she’d feel at home here. “Sinclair put those there. She and Wyatt helped me.”
“It’s lovely, Ryder.” She turned to me, her expression a bit chagrined.
“There’s more,” I said holding out my hand. She took it and I led her to the kitchen. “This didn’t need much work, but I did get a new coffee maker.”
“Is the coffee good?”
“You’ll have to tell me,” I said hoping I could convince her to stay the night. All the nights. “And look at this.” I opened a cabinet and took down a couple of plates.
“They match,” she said looking down. “God, I really am a bitch, aren’t I?”
“There’s nothing wrong with wanting matching plates.” I gave her a quick kiss and then led her back up the hall. “I hope you like this.” I pushed open the door to the room that had been hers during the fake marriage but was now set up
