Chapter 26
Monroe
My heart hurt.
Stone and I were in his truck on our way to his place. I had asked him at the restaurant to take me home, but as soon as we were in the truck I told him I wanted to go to his house. The ride to this point was filled with silence.
As I stared out the window, Stone’s hand wrapped around mine. He didn’t say anything, but I knew he felt for me. I gave his hand a gentle squeeze. I was upset and embarrassed. It was no surprise that Deacon and my dad were having a hard time accepting my new relationship before meeting Stone. I completely understood that, but for my father to continue giving him the silent treatment and for Deacon to be as rude as he was broke my heart. Stone deserved better than he got from them.
Stone turned into his driveway and pulled into the garage. After he shut down the truck, he got out and came around to open my door. We went inside and, without any words, walked right to the stairs. Once I was in Stone’s bedroom I walked through it to the bathroom. I went in, stripped down to my bra and panties, washed my face, and brushed my teeth. When I walked out of the bathroom back into his bedroom, Stone watched. I crawled into his bed and he eventually went into the bathroom.
Mere minutes had passed when the bathroom door opened again and I felt the bed depress with Stone’s weight. He instantly turned me toward him and hauled me up against his body. That was all it took.
The tears fell from my eyes.
“I’m so sorry, baby. I know that’s not how you hoped it would go tonight.”
“No, but you shouldn’t be apologizing to me,” I rasped. “I’m sorry for how they treated you.”
Stone rolled to his back and took me with him.
“I’m two and a half for five. That’s not terrible.”
“Two and a half?” I asked as I lifted my head from his chest.
“Your mom and Vaughn seem good with us. Couldn’t read Remi; I figure that counts as a half until we know for sure. Hopefully, he swings our way. If not, as long as I’ve got you, I’m still okay with two out of five.”
I nodded and put my cheek to his chest again. I took the next few minutes to replay everything that had happened that night in my head. My thoughts lingered a bit longer on the words Stone said to Deacon.
We stayed in silence a while before I spoke quietly, “You’re enough for me.”
“What?”
I lifted my head and looked at him. I held his eyes a beat and explained, “You are enough for me. I love you so much, Stone. You need to know that. I’m not leaving; I don’t ever want to leave. You are worth every ounce of love I have and then some. You’ll always be worthy of my love. Always, my love.”
“Angel…” he trailed off.
I felt my throat getting tight. I hated that he thought he wasn’t worthy of love. A single tear fell from my eye and dripped down onto his chest.
“You’re enough, Stone,” I croaked out.
His arms grew tighter around me.
I didn’t want him to have any doubts, so I repeated, “You’re enough, handsome.”
His fingertips pressed into my skin. Another tear landed on his chest.
“You’re enough.”
I barely got the words out of my mouth when Stone lifted his head and quieted me.
His lips captured mine.
His hands roamed over my body.
“I love you, baby,” his husky voice filtered into my ears before his mouth went to my neck.
Stone used one hand to unhook my bra, while the other rested on my ass. He removed my bra and tossed it aside. His hands went to my waist and pushed my panties down my legs. I shimmied my legs back and forth to help remove the fabric from my body. Stone quickly removed his boxer briefs.
I settled back over his body, my legs straddling his hips. My hand went between us where I wrapped my fingers around him. I was positioned over him and slowly lowered myself onto his shaft.
“More than enough,” I whispered.
“God, you’re beautiful.”
“Touch me, Stone. Love me.”
“I love you so fucking much, Monroe,” he responded as his hands came to my thighs.
“I know,” I quietly admitted. “I love you, too.”
“Show me, angel.”
I showed him. I brought my mouth down to his and kissed him while I slowly moved my hips over him. One of his hands traveled up my thigh and around to my ass as he kissed me back. The kissing was slow and unhurried, just like the movement of our bodies against each other.
It wasn’t long before Stone’s hands were moving over every inch in my body and we rolled in the bed several times. First, I was on top, then him, then me again. The sensations built and with my emotions running high, I was soon close to an orgasm.
“Stone,” I uttered.
“Come with me, Monroe.”
As we came apart together, my eyes held Stone’s.
“All I have and everything I want,” he breathed.
“More than enough, my love. Always...forever,” I returned, as I tried to catch my breath.
I collapsed on top of Stone’s chest. He took my weight and wrapped me up in his arms.
“I could stay like this forever,” I announced.
“Can’t say that I disagree,” Stone admitted.
I tensed at his words.
“I realize that’s not what you expected considering things I said at the start of this, angel,” he began. “I had some thoughts in my head before anything happened between us, but things have changed for me. What I said tonight was the truth. I don’t want to be without you. Not ever.”
I lifted my head and looked him in the eyes when I quietly responded, “You won’t.”
He held my gaze a bit before he asked, “Are you okay?”
I gave him a small smile and answered honestly, “I wish it had gone differently, but I’m with you and I’m happy about that. I know Remi will come around. I just don’t know about my dad and Deacon. That breaks my heart.”
“I’m sorry it wasn’t what you hoped for, but I’ve got to tell you how much it means to me that you left with me. I’m not happy that we walked out on your family, but it felt good to hear you say you were coming with me. Never had that, baby. Until you said you were leaving with me, I never knew it was everything I wanted to hear.”
“I love you,” I whispered softly.
“I love you, too. You tired?”
I nodded.
“Let’s get some sleep, then. You have a big day tomorrow,” he reminded me as he began shifting us in the bed.
When I was finally tucked in next to him with his strong arms wrapping me up tightly, I mumbled, “I hope you love my piece tomorrow.”
“It’s like the lingerie.”
“What?” I asked.
“Wouldn’t matter what the piece was, the fact is that you are doing it. Can’t help but love it for that reason alone.”
My heart warmed and my belly got a funny feeling in it. It was one of the good feelings.
“Did I ever tell you how much I love you?”
Stone’s body vibrated with a bit of laughter when he answered, “You might have mentioned it once or twice.”
“Good night, Stone.”
“Night, my angel.”
Minutes later, I was asleep.
The alarm went off early the next morning. I wasn’t scheduled to perform until later that day, closer to one o’clock, but I planned to arrive early. I wanted to check out the dancers that were competing. A competition like this could always serve as inspiration for choreography I’d eventually put together for my students.
Stone leaned over to the nightstand, turned off the alarm, and fell to his back in the bed. I rolled half on to him, pressed a kiss to his lips, and said, “Good morning, my love.”
“Good morning, baby.”
“I’m going to get up, shower, and get ready. You can stay in bed a little while longer if you want more sleep. After I’m ready, I’ll make breakfast for us.”
He gave me a sexy grin and advised, “You are going to be naked in the shower; I’m not staying in bed.”
“I’m naked now, Stone. I need to be ready on time; so, I’m not sure about sex this morning.”
“I am. You let me love you in the shower this morning and I’ll make breakfast while you finish getting ready.”
“Hmmm,” I thought. “What are you going to make me?”
“You let me make you come twice this morning and I’ll make whatever you want for breakfast.”
“Well, I mean, if you’re going to twist my arm,” I teased.
Stone laughed as he put his arm around my back, knifed up in the bed, put his other arm under my knees, and carried me to the bathroom.
We made our way into the shower where Stone made me come twice before he delivered a third mind-blowing orgasm. Not even thirty seconds later, with him still inside me, my back against the shower wall, and my legs wrapped around his waist, I instructed, “I want a bagel, toasted, with lots of cream cheese and a side of watermelon.”
Stone burst out laughing and pointed out, “Fuck, Monroe, I’m convinced there is nothing better in this world than hearing you talk to me immediately after we have sex.”
I shrugged my shoulders and admitted, “I’m hungry.”
He kissed the tip of my nose and gently confirmed, “Alright. I’ll finish showering quickly and go make you breakfast.”
At that, Stone finished showering, toweled off, and walked out of the bathroom. I stepped out of the shower a few minutes after Stone. After drying off, I threw on a pair of dance shorts and a cute sports bra. I then grabbed my phone, plugged in my earbuds, popped them in my ears, and cranked up the music.
Music and dancing.
That was how I typically got ready when I wasn’t just throwing on clothes to head to the studio.
So, I set my phone on the counter at the sink, plugged in the hairdryer, and started drying my hair.
Of course, I did this while shaking my booty.
My hair was nearly dry when I saw movement out the corner of my eye. I turned to see Stone standing there with a plate in his hands. It had a huge bagel loaded with cream cheese and a side of watermelon on it. Stone was grinning at me.
I turned off the hairdryer and the music.
“What’s got you so happy?” I inquired.
“Nothing, I’m just admiring the view.”
I rolled my eyes at him.
“Your breakfast,” he offered as he held the plate out to me.
I took the plate and walked back into the bedroom with him. I was about to sit on the bed when I stopped and asked, “You don’t mind if I eat in your bed, do you?”
“Why would I mind?”
I shrugged my shoulders and explained, “I don’t know. I’ve heard there are people who have a strict no-eating-in-the-bed policy. I wanted to make sure you weren’t one of those people.”
Stone took a few steps toward me and asserted, “I recall eating you in this bed many times already; so no, I’m not one of those people.”
I swallowed hard as I let thoughts of Stone eating me in this very bed filter through my mind. Then, noting he didn’t have a second plate in his hand, I asked, “What are you having for breakfast?”
“Carried your plate and a cup of tea up for you,” he said, nodding in the direction of the nightstand. “Was going to go back down and get my plate, but I’m not sure you want me to eat that for breakfast now.”
“Maybe not, but we don’t have time for that at the present moment, Stone. Besides, I like my bagel warm and toasty with cold cream cheese. If you eat me for breakfast, my bagel will no longer be warm and toasty.”
He chuckled before he ordered, “Tonight, then. I made you breakfast this morning; tonight, you feed me dessert. That work?”
I nodded.
“Good girl. Get in the bed and eat. I’ll be right back up.”
With that, I climbed in the bed and ate my breakfast. For the record, Stone made a mean warm-and-toasty bagel with cold cream cheese.
A couple hours later, I was set to take the stage for my exhibition piece. Stone impressed me with his willingness to sit and watch the other dancers perform their routines. I knew dancing wasn’t his thing, so the fact that he sat and watched for hours that morning overwhelmed me.
My group of dancers and Jenna both performed their exhibition routines at the mid-morning break. The students were dynamic and had done extraordinarily well. I had numerous compliments from other dancers at the performance my kids put on. It filled me with such a sense of pride. I didn’t think I could have been any happier, but then Jenna took the stage and blew those thoughts to smithereens. She was exquisite and everyone knew it. When she finished, she received an outpouring of love from the crowd. My heart was ready to burst at how happy I was for her. When she came off the stage, she walked over to me, and hugged me fiercely.
“Thank you so much,” she cried.
“You were incredible, kiddo. Everyone loved it.”
“I don’t know how to thank you for this,” she went on.
“Jenna, that was all you. You choreographed that routine and you made everyone cheer for you. All I did was believe in you. You are an incredible dancer and I’m glad you’re part of my team. You did me proud today.”
“My family is here. I’m going to go over and see them. Good luck when you go up there.”
I nodded to her and looked to Stone.
“You’re amazing, angel.”
“Why?”
“You make people feel good about themselves. She’s a great dancer, but you helped her realize her potential by believing in her. You made me believe in things I never thought were a possibility before now. I’m just saying that she’s lucky to have someone like you to see her talent and push her to do something with it.”
“Thank you for saying that, Stone,” I said as I wrapped my arms around his waist and pressed up on my toes to kiss him.
My family showed up just before I was supposed to perform. Vaughn came into the auditorium, found me, and asked if I’d step outside of the auditorium with him. I told him that I needed to be on stage soon and that we’d need to keep an eye on the time.
“Stone’s coming with me,” I announced.
Vaughn grinned at me and explained, “Didn’t expect that he’d prefer to stay here and watch the dancers, kid.”
We walked out of the auditorium and I found the rest of my family waiting for me outside. I took in their faces.
Melancholy.
Anxiety.
I walked up to my mom and greeted her, “Hey mama. Sorry about walking out during dinner last night. I needed to be with Stone.”
“Don’t worry about it, my darling. I would have done the same thing in your shoes. Your father and Deacon have both gotten an earful from me. What they did last night was unacceptable.”
“She’s right,” my dad said from beside us.
I looked to him and noticed the remorse in his face.
“I’m sorry. It’s not easy, baby girl. Seeing you grow up and having to come to terms with the fact that you are no longer a little girl anymore has not been easy. I’m proud of who you have become and what you stand for. I can see you love Stone and that he’s very much in love with you. I’d be wrong to stand in the way of that for my own selfish reasons.”
“Daddy,” I murmured, turning toward him and putting my arms around his neck.
He hugged me tight.
“It was like a knife through my heart last night when you told me I left you disappointed. I love you so much, Monroe, and I’m not willing to lose you because of my ignorance to what you want in your life.”
“I love you, too.”
My dad held me a minute more before he loosened his hold on me. I stepped away and watched as his gaze shifted to Stone.
“Part of me wants to stay mad at you,” he started. “I want her to come to me or one of her brothers when she needs something. Seeing you with her last night…the way you kissed her on the head and the way you look at her, I know you’d do anything for her. I was the same way with Shelly. She won’t need us anymore like she used to and I don’t like that. I also have to accept it. You’ve got the most important job in the world now, Stone. Please take care of my baby girl.”
Stone nodded, held out his hand to shake my father’s, and said, “Absolutely, Mr. Archer.”
“Call me Logan, son,” my father responded as he took Stone’s hand in his and pulled him in for a man hug.
My eyes welled with tears at the sight.
“I’m sorry to interrupt this, but I have to go on stage in less than ten minutes. I need to get in there. This is super important to me, though. Can we finish after?” I asked, my eyes sliding to Deacon.
He gave me a small smile and nodded.
Stone took me by the hand and walked me backstage.
Before he walked away, I said, “Wish me luck.”
“You don’t need it, angel.”
“Okay, then kiss me before I go out there.”
He grinned and did as I asked.
I found my way backstage, waited until I was called out to perform, and took a deep breath before walking out on stage. When I got to my spot at the center of the stage, I looked around the auditorium. I found Stone and, much to my surprise, I found he was not alone. Charley, Wes, Emme, Zane, Nikki, and Luke were surrounding him. Sitting just behind them was my family. All the people I loved, so close together, were here to support me.
I took another deep, calming breath. This piece was going to be difficult to get through as it was; I didn’t need anything else breaking my concentration.
I gave a nod to the side indicating I was ready.
The music started.
I no longer needed to concentrate on focusing.
It just happened.
Lukas Graham’s You’re Not There piped through the auditorium and my body took over. I moved my body to tell the story I needed to tell. I wanted, more than anything, to tell Stone’s story in a way that moved me.
In a way that would move him.
A story of love and loss.
A story of tragedy.
A story of anger and sadness.
A story that needed to be heard.
I moved across the stage, using a mix of technical dance and my own style to express what I was feeling. What I thought Stone had felt for much of his life.
The music eventually came to an end and so did my performance.
Noise.
All I heard was noise.
Screaming and cheering filled the auditorium. I let out a breath and relaxed only a bit. I brought my eyes to where all of my favorite people were sitting to see they were no longer sitting. Every single person was standing and cheering for me. The girls had taken it to the extreme. Looking at them, though, I realized Stone was no longer there.
My heart sank.
Not again.
He walked out again.
And this time was worse than that time at Lou’s when he walked out.
I thought telling his story was a good thing.
Clearly, I was wrong.
I felt my nose beginning to sting.
I dropped my head, feeling defeated.
Just as I was about to turn and run off the stage, I saw boots standing in front of me. My eyes traveled from the boots up the legs, abdomen, and chest to the eyes staring back at me.
Stone’s eyes.
Eyes that were filled with unshed tears.
I tried to swallow past the lump in my throat.
Stone took my hands in his and squeezed them.
“Baby…” he said, his voice thick with emotion.
“Stone…I,” I got out before he cut me off.
He dropped his mouth to mine and lifted me. I instantly wrapped my legs around his waist and heard the cheering grow louder. Somehow, though, the audience didn’t matter. I kissed Stone back with every emotion in me.
When he pulled back from me he said, “Loved it, Monroe. Thank you, my angel. Thank you for giving me that.”
“You’re welcome.”
He stood there holding me, staring at me, searching my face. After a while I pointed out, “Stone, we have an audience. Maybe we should get off the stage.”
“Don’t give a fuck about the audience. I’m memorizing this moment. Keep these legs wrapped tightly around me and let me have the beauty you gave me for just another minute.”
“Okay, handsome,” I whispered.
People continued to cheer for me as Stone finally walked me off the stage a minute later.
When we made it backstage, Stone set me down and I was immediately approached by tons of dancers who had seen my performance. They all loved it and wanted to see more. Stone told them about my studio and many of them expressed interest. Some said they’d be stopping in during the upcoming week.
Stone and I made it through the crowd backstage and went in search of our people. As we reentered the auditorium and approached them, my girls ran over to us.
“Honey, you were amazing! Wow, that was so beautiful,” Charley exclaimed, pulling me in for a hug.
“You know I try to be the tough one, but that moved me to tears, babe,” Nikki added, as she shimmied herself between me and Charley. “You totally rocked it.”
Emme put her hand on my forearm next and brought my attention to her. Tears had filled her eyes. “Mama, I’m blown away by you,” she said, before she turned her attention to Stone. Then, she said to him, “I’m so sorry to hear about your parents, Stone. I know one thing is true, though. A couple weeks back I told you that Zane brought down my walls and loved me harder than I could have ever imagined possible. He healed me and I can see it already happening for you. Monroe is going to take away your pain and letting her do it will be the best thing you ever did for yourself. I’m so happy you opened yourself up to her love.”
Stone gave Emme a hug and responded, “Thanks, Em. I should have listened to you back then.”
She shrugged her shoulders and said, “It’s okay. You figured it out and that’s all that matters.”
I felt a hand touch my shoulder. I turned to see Luke standing there. “You killed it, babe. I know zilch about dance, but that was awesome.” Luke leaned down toward me, wrapped an arm around me, and pulled me close to him. With his mouth at my ear he whispered, “Couldn’t be any fucking happier about what you just did for him. He needed that.”
“Thanks, Luke,” I rasped, my throat tight.
Wes came over and put his hand on top of my head. “That was unbelievable, Monroe. I’d imagine you’re going to be getting a lot of new clients after what you just did.”
“A group of dancers already attacked her backstage and said they’d be stopping in this week,” Stone shared.
“I’m not surprised,” Wes said, giving me a wink.
Zane gave me a quick hug and pointed out, “Congratulations, darlin’. Stone’s a lucky man that has thankfully gotten his head out of his ass. What you did just now was nothing short of amazing.”
“Thank you.”
My dad’s voice bellowed over everyone.
“My baby girl deserves a celebration. I’d like to take you all out for lunch before we have to head back to California tonight. Can one of you tell us a great place to go and then join us?”
I looked to my girls and we all shouted in unison, “Lou’s!”
“Sounds great to me. Stone, we can follow you and Monroe if that’s alright?”
“No problem,” he answered.
Emme, Zane, Nikki, Luke, Charley, and Wes started walking toward the door. My family surrounded Stone and me.
“Darling, you were incredible,” my mom said. “Not that I had any doubts.”
“Thanks, Mama.”
Vaughn came up and gave me a kiss on the cheek next and said, “So proud of you, kid. For what you did last night and what you did today.”
“Thank you, Vaughn.”
Remi took a step forward and looked to Stone.
“She’s wanted the fairy-tale since she was a little girl. I think you can give that to her, but more importantly, I think you want to give it to her. Please, whatever you do, always treat her like the princess she is.”
Stone nodded and offered, “You have my word. Thank you for your blessing. It means a lot to me.”
Remi nodded and said, “I’m sorry about your parents. I can’t imagine what that must have been like.”
“Thanks. I’ve had good people around me, so I managed to get through it alright.”
Remi’s eyes came to me and he said, “Spectacular as always, Monroe. Happy to have been here to see that today. Love you.”
I gave him a hug and murmured, “Thanks, Remi. I love you, too.”
I pulled out of Remi’s arms and looked to Deacon.
Guilt was all I saw on his handsome face.
“I’m so sorry, Monroe,” he rasped. “I want to protect you from everything and always keep you safe. I feel like dad does. You’re always going to be my baby sister and it’s hard to see you as a grown woman now. As long as there weren’t any guys around, we all felt like you’d still call us when you needed something. Now there’s a guy around you and he’ll be the one you call. My tactics in trying to get him to move on didn’t work because he doesn’t scare so easily. That’s what you need, though. Someone who will stand up for you, protect you, and always do right by you. I acted like an ass yesterday. You deserved better from me, kid.”
Then, Deacon’s eyes drifted to Stone. “You both did. All I can say is, I’m glad my sister found you because I believe now that you’ll always put her first. That’s all I want for her. I’m sorry, Stone. I’m sorry for how I treated you and I’m sorry about your parents. Like Remi said…I can’t even begin to imagine what you went through. I want you to know that you don’t just have Monroe. You take care of her and I promise you that if you ever need us, we’ve got your back, bro.”
“Deac…” I trailed off, tears streaming down my face.
Stone immediately pulled me into his side and held his other hand out to Deacon. They shook hands and all was forgotten.
It was then Stone announced, “Don’t want to rush anyone, but she hasn’t eaten since I made her breakfast at the crack of dawn this morning. Would like to head over to Lou’s now so I can make sure she gets some food in her stomach.”
“I’m fine, Stone.”
His eyes softened and filled with love when he claimed, “Love you, baby, but when it comes to taking care of yourself, you’re shit at it. You need to eat now.”
I rolled my eyes.
Vaughn said, “I told you he was good for her.”
The rest of my family laughed and we walked out of the auditorium together.
Not much later, the seven of us joined my girls and their men at Lou’s, where Stone made certain that I ate. He also made certain that I had an incredible afternoon with him, my family, my girls, and their men before my parents and brothers had to leave. I loved him even more for it.
After a late lunch that last several hours because we were all having such a great time, my family had to get going so they wouldn’t miss their flight back to California. I gave them all hugs and wished them a safe trip back. Of course, I cried a lot. They all promised to come and visit me again as soon as they could. Stone said that since the season was over we’d make a trip or two out over the summer to visit with them in California.
Just before they walked out of Lou’s, Vaughn walked up to Stone.
“This is my third time going home after coming to visit her. I never felt good about leaving her here the first two times. She’s my sister, but she’s also my best friend. I’ll always worry about her; I know that’s not ever going to change. You should know, though, that I feel good leaving this time because I’m confident she’s in good hands with you. Protect her and love her, and I promise you she’ll be the greatest thing that ever happened in your life.”
Vaughn and Stone did the manly, slap-on-the-back hug that guys always did and I cried again. Vaughn hugged me once more and said, “So happy for you, Monroe. Love you, kid.”
“I love you, Vaughn. Thank you for everything.”
With that, my family left and Stone held on to me.
I thanked our friends for coming out to support me earlier in the day and then Stone took me back to his place. We spent the rest of the night with each other. Much later, well after dinner, I made good on my promise from that morning and made sure Stone ate dessert.