Finn
The venue is packed. There’s at least a dozen security guards out there as well as another lot backstage. Autumn and Sophie have been given four guards to watch them everywhere they go. Sophie thinks the whole thing is crazy. She doesn’t really get how serious this is. Wes would have a dozen guards watching her if he had his way. I told him to take her home, but he won’t. I’m not sure how tonight’s show is going to go. At least Ryan and Zane are taking it all in stride. They’ve even promised to do their part to keep an eye on the girls.
I’m doing my best to avoid looking over at Autumn just in case anyone is watching. From now on, if we’re out in public she’s just Sophie’s chaperone. There’s no way I’m going to put her in harm’s way. I need to focus. I’m about to go onstage, and for the first time ever, my mind’s a blank. Crap, how can I go on like this?
I elbow Wes. “Hey, what’s the first song?”
“Make You Love Me. Are you alright?”
“Not really. Can you sing tonight if I get stuck?”
“Of course, don’t worry about it. They’re going to catch this person and everything will be fine.”
“You really believe that?”
“Would I be here with Soph if I didn’t?”
“Good point.” I take a deep breath and close my eyes. God, if you’re out there, please take care of Autumn and Sophie. I’ve never asked for much, but please just this one time, I need to know they’ll be fine. I open my eyes and a sense of calm fills me. I’m not sure why, but the feeling of dread has lifted. The lights dim and I walk out on stage.
I open my mouth to sing and the words come back to me. I can hear Wes singing backup, making sure I don’t crash and burn. I don’t let my eyes wander, but I keep part of my attention fixed on my peripheral vision, making sure Autumn is right there by the stage. I’ve made her promise not to go off on any toilet breaks, even if she desperately needs to. She actually giggled and turned bright red when I made the request, but no way can I focus on my job if she disappears tonight.
This isn’t going to go down as my best performance. My heart’s not really in it. I look out into the crowd, wondering if psycho chick is out there somewhere. Well, she’s never going to get into my room again. We’ve left three security guys on our floor and the security footage is being watched live as well. Every possible avenue has been covered. She can go back to wherever the hell she came from.
My eyes wander back and forth over the crowd. It all looks normal, but the press of bodies seems more ominous somehow. I’ve never been more grateful for the safety barrier that’s between me and the audience. Every single person out there is a possible suspect in my eyes and it sucks the joy right out of my performance. I forgo the usual banter with the crowd as the songs pass by in a blur.
It’s a relief to finish the encore and take a final bow. Simon takes my guitar and hands me an oversize hoodie. I pull it on as I head straight over to where the girls are standing. Wes is right behind me and we follow the security guys down the backstage corridors and straight out the back door. I pull the hood over my head to hide my face. It’s too soon to expect anyone to be out here yet, but I’m taking no chances.
The dimly lit road is empty except for our waiting van. Wes and Sophie take the first row of seats and I follow Autumn into the back. Relief washes over me as the van pulls away. Autumn looks pale, but she still smiles at me. I’m relieved I can finally take her hand, I lift it to my mouth and kiss the soft skin.
“How are you?”
Autumn shrugs. “I’m fine. I was a bit nervous someone would be waiting outside, but I’m fine now. How are you doing? You’re the one who has the crazy stalker.”
I chuckle. “I never told you, that when I saw you at all our concerts, I thought you might be a crazed fan.”
Her mouth forms a surprised ‘o’. “Really? I can’t believe you actually noticed me.”
“How could I not? Those sexy dresses you used to wear and the way you can dance. How could I not notice?” I grin. “I hope you still have some of those outfits, especially that red one.”
She slaps my leg playfully. “Don’t count on it. I’ve moved on since then. I’m not that girl anymore.” Her forehead crinkles adorably. “Would you really want me to dress like that in public?”
“No, my love, not in public.” I delight in watching her cheeks flush. She’s so beautiful and somehow she has no idea. It wouldn’t really matter what she wore, but it’s fun to tease her.
“Are we going straight to the hotel?”
“Yeah, we’ll order some room service.”
“Alone or with Wes and Sophie?”
“As much as I’d love to have you alone in my room, I don’t think that’s wise.”
Her mouth turns down at the corners. “I know I’m not really that experienced…but I…I want to be with you, Finn.”
I place one hand against her cheek and look straight into her beautiful hazel eyes. “I think I need to make something clear here. I am in love with you Autumn. You and no one else. I haven’t done a lot right in my life but this, this is something I can do right.” I gently kiss her lips. “I want this to work, so I’m going to do this properly. I never thought I’d want to get married, do the whole family thing. Not after my own messed up childhood, but then something unexpected happened. I met you and my life has irrevocably changed forever. You bring out the best in me Autumn and I want to prove that I can be the kind of man you need. The kind of man you deserve.”
Autumn
My heart is going crazy in my chest. Did Finn really just mention us getting married? I know he didn’t actually propose, but he made it seem like he might. Wow, just wow. I know if he asks me to marry him one day, my answer will be yes. To be with Finn forever… I feel like I can find a way to live life in the spotlight. For him, I would attempt to climb the highest mountain, and not just because of who he is. What I felt, or thought I felt for Finn before I knew him, pales into insignificance compared to what I feel now. He is so caring and loving. Even when he doesn’t get it right, the fact that he tries to do what’s best for me staggers me. Finally, I have someone in my life who actually wants me to have what I need. Nothing on this earth could make me regret loving this beautifully complex man.
“Thank, you. Finn, just know that I will follow you to the ends of this earth to be with you. I love you.”
He moves closer, and gently brings his lips down to cover my own. The kiss is sweet and gentle, but underneath I can feel his restraint. I can feel his longing, just below the surface. It sends a shiver through my whole body. He kisses my jaw all the way to my ear and then he gently kisses my forehead and last the tip of my nose. I giggle, and I can’t believe I’m actually capable of such a sound. I thought the carefree girl within had died a long time ago.