Nope, I was wrong. Way wrong. This room holds the recording area for the band along with Alexis’ desk. I didn’t realize she handled all of the guys social media accounts and marketing.
How cool is that?
Alexis helps them with so much more than I would have thought. Bethany does as well. She had brought her laptop to the backroom a bit ago and showed me some of what she does. Then she did something I didn’t expect. Offered me her job.
“I’m about to pop. I can barely fit behind my desk and I can’t see my feet. Chaz and I talked about this and thought you would be perfect for the job. I want to teach music again, so I’m going to do that, but also want to be able to spend more time with our daughter and this one,” she murmured as she put her hand on her stomach.
That was an hour ago. My mind is still spinning. When I graduated, I was under Justin’s thumb, so I hadn’t gone and gotten a job yet due to him ordering me to be at his beck and call. I’d always wanted to go to school and become a nurse, I might still do that but right now this means the world to me. I’ll not only have a great job in a music shop, I’ll be able to see Lex every day besides at the house.
“Baby, you want lunch?” This coming from Tanner as he leans his head into the room to speak to Alexis.
“Don’t I ever,” she snorts, lifting her head from the computer and meeting her husband’s eyes. The story between the two of them is baffling to me. At the same time sweet.
“How about I go grab you some Chinese?” he suggests.
“Sounds good to me. You know what I like,” she murmurs, smiling at him.
“Gotcha,” he chuckles, stepping into the room. Standing by his wife, Tanner places a hand on her distended stomach and leans to brush a kiss against her lips then turns to leave the room.
Soon as Tanner’s out of sight, I look back over to Alexis to find her staring dreamily toward the door. “That man is the love of my life,” she whispers.
“I know the feeling,” I murmur just as softly.
After this neither of us say another word, I go back to the book I was holding as she returns back to working on the computer.
My eyes skim through the words but I’m not fully seeing them as I think about Lex and Anabelle. I know he wanted her to come here with him and with my help in coaxing her, she came. Tears shimmering in her eyes as her gaze landed on one of the guitars on the wall.
I was about to say something to her to comfort her when Chaz stepped up, wrapped an arm around her shoulder, and guided her away. I knew some of his story but not a lot. From what I did know, I figured it was enough that he was the one to be able to help her come to terms with Derick.
I don’t know how much time passes until Lex comes in the room and kneels in front of me. “You want to head home? Bethany’s not feeling to hot and Chaz is taking her home. I still have a few more music lessons to get through before I can head out.”
Hmm . . . Stay here or go back to the house?
As exciting as it is here, Bethany could probably use some help at the house.
“I’ll go home with Bethany. Help her out. Who knows, I might just make dinner for everyone tonight,” I say, grinning.
“Fuck, if you’re anything like your mom in the kitchen, I can’t wait,” he chuckles.
“Does anyone have an allergy that I should know about?” I ask as I mentally sift through the recipes I know by heart.
“Melody is allergic to nuts but that’s it,” he informs me.
“Okay, so no nuts, got it. I’ll make Mom’s chicken marsala.” Lex’s smile grows even bigger at the mention of one of his favorite meals.
“You gonna make the chess pie to go with it?”
“It wouldn’t be the same without it,” I giggle.
“Alright then, well, let’s get your ass out of here, in Chaz’s truck so you can head home and do just that,” he commands as he stands to his full height taking me with him.
“Aye, Aye, Captain,” I laugh, using one of my smart-ass comments I’ve been known to use when I’m told what to do.
“Smartass.” He grins in amusement.
Works for me since I want to see him smile like that for the rest of my life. Never again do I want to see sadness lurking in his eyes.
Lifting up on my toes, I brush my lips against his for a brief yet loving kiss, before stepping away from him and head toward where Bethany was standing with Chaz.
“Let’s get you home and I’ll start dinner,” I announce letting them know I’m riding with them.
Bethany gives me a grateful smile at this news then leans further into Chaz who wraps a protective arm around her.
The three of us head out of the shop and head to Chaz’s truck. I climb in the back seat at the same time Chaz helps Bethany into the front.
Once satisfied she was situated, Chaz closes her door for her and steps around the front and climbs in behind the wheel.
“Alright ladies, let’s get you two home so I can put my woman’s feet up and indulge in some show that she wants me to watch with her,” Chaz chuckles as he starts the truck up and puts it in gear.
“You’re a goof,” Bethany giggles, shaking her head as I smile at the two of them.
We make it about halfway home when it happens. None of us saw it coming. The impact was instant and sends us barreling across the road and into the field.
Movement from outside the truck catches my attention at the same time
