It’s not a confirmation regarding Zayne’s sobriety, or lack thereof, but not a denial either. He knew he’d be asked about those photos of us all looking a little too cozy and unstable, and he was undecided about how to address it knowing that his best friend didn’t need anything out in the world while he tried to recover.
“Garrick, what was the cause of the first breakup with Violet Wonders, and do you think there could be a third comeback if something similar occurred this time?”
He shakes his head. “We’re older now, we want things we didn’t when we first started our careers in this industry together. We’ll always be in touch, always be a family, but we won’t be rejoining as a band for a third time. I’m sure some of you are grateful to hear that.” Garrick eyes the group of older men who all smirk and chuckle to some degree. “As for the past, there’s no point in bringing it up. I know the world wants to know what could have ended something that was at the height of its success, but maybe it’s as simple as life. Subconsciously, we all knew what was bound to happen and we ended things prematurely because of feelings getting hurt and other admirations getting in the way. It doesn’t have to be anybody’s fault. There doesn’t have to be some big reason. It’s the press, the tabloids and media that always make it bigger than it has to be.
“And before I’m asked, I’m well aware that my wife was part of that press problem in the past. But unlike most people, she was willing to own up to it. Rylee, like the rest of us, has faults that makes her human. It’s what I love most about her. She’s unapologetically herself, and because of that there’s no hard feelings between her, Zayne, or any of my mates. The rumors of any involvement between she and him are false, as most of the bullshit—” Gordon winces at the choice of language. “—circulated by the free presses. All the world needs to know is that we’re happy, we plan on living our lives in as much privacy as we’re allowed, and that things are good.”
“Garrick, what about—”
“Can you comment on—”
“Is it safe to say that—”
On and on and on it goes, but Garrick chooses not to stay and give them any more than what he already has. He walks away from the stage, jumping off the side as people throw questions out, and ignoring everyone behind him as he stalks toward me.
He takes my face in his hands, plants a very public kiss on my lips that lasts a little too long and works me up a little too much, until Gordon clears his throat next to us.
Blushing, I pull away first as Garrick pulls me into his chest and wraps his arms around me. My husband, probably grinning, says to his new manager, “Sorry, mate. Don’t fancy you enough to show you the same appreciation.”
Gordon snorts. “That’s fine by me. Are you ready to leave?”
Garrick repositions us so his arm is draped over my shoulders as the three of us walk toward the side exit that’s near our parked car.
I look up at him and whisper, “You know I love you too, right? I know we have stuff to work through still, but it’s true.”
His eyes heat as he bends down and kisses me again, keeping pace with his manager as we exit the building. Breaking away only to hold the back door open for me to slide into the car, he slides in next and takes my hand. His finger runs over the ring that’s been there since the day we went to see my parents. I only take it off to shower. “I was waiting for you to say it. Hoped.”
Nibbling my lip, I stare at our joined hands. “Better late than never, I guess.”
His smile is enamoring. “Is it too soon to talk about kids?”
I choke on my air.
Gordon chuckles.
Garrick winks.
Somehow, the thought isn’t that scary.
Epilogue
Rylee
“Ry?” Garrick calls from the front of the house. Once the door closes, footsteps come toward the kitchen where I’m standing at the counter.
He walks over and pecks my cheek, examining the mess of cheese sticks and Panko crumbs littering the countertop, then the tablet resting against the wall with a video pulled up.
I turn and smile at him. “Remember that girl I found on YouTube who does healthier recipe videos that don’t taste like cardboard?”
His face pinches in contemplation. “The one that’s married to that American football player?”
Nodding enthusiastically, I point the knife toward the screen where the video is paused. “Yes! Ivy Griffith. Her husband is the tight end for the New York Giants. Anyway, she uploaded this new recipe for air fried mozzarella sticks, and I wanted to try it. All the other stuff we’ve made from her videos have been a huge hit. Even your mom liked them.”
Garrick snickers, pecking my lips and pushing away to get water from the fridge. “I’m not so sure Mum loved those pizza chickpea things you made.”
I turn to him. “But she loved the chocolate ones.”
He simply shakes his head, leaving me to wonder if Elaine was just being nice and pretending to like them for my sake. It’s like when I stupidly suggested we go to Outback
