Epilogue

“Come on, boo!” Ronin called out. “We’re gonna be late!”

I was already sweating through my shirt, despite the air conditioning, and my suit jacket was next. Damn restrictive clothing.

“This is the last time I ever wear a suit,” I grumbled.

“Stop complaining,” Ronin replied. “You look sexy as fuck.”

I stared at my reflection in the bedroom mirror. The black suit fit me perfectly, but I hardly recognized myself. Anything except jeans, t-shirts and running shoes was totally out of character.

“This shirt collar is choking me. And not in a sexy, kinky way.”

Ronin’s laughter filtered through the suite. The sound made me smile.

“Either unbutton it or get used to it. You’ll be wearing that shirt for hours.”

“Why are these things so formal?” I asked. “We’re rockstars. We don’t wear suits. Except our birthday ones.”

Ronin stepped out of the bathroom in slim cut, navy dress pants and a white button down, his long hair loose in those messy waves I loved. My man was gorgeous no matter what. Still, as soon as we were done at this event, the clothes were coming off. And staying off.

“It’s a wedding, so deal with it.” He shook his head and smiled at me. “By the way, we have a stop to make before we pick up Brodie and Van.”

“For what?”

Ronin didn’t answer me.

“Baby?” I asked.

My boyfriend was busy getting his suit jacket on. “I’ll explain on the way.”

Something was up with him these last few days. But I’d let him work it out in his own time. When he was ready to tell me, whatever it was, he would. No matter what, we were partners, in all aspects of our life. There were no secrets, and nothing was left unsaid.

It was hard to believe that we were celebrating one year together as a couple. So much had changed and yet, it felt like no time at all. That’s what happens when you fall in love with your best friend, and he falls right back.

I grabbed my cell and texted Brodie, letting him know we were on the way. Ronin’s sister and mom had already left for the venue. They were helping Bibi organize the wedding.

Ciara had gone through a lot of therapy, and she was doing great. She’d decided to stay in Nashville and was now working full-time with Hardwick. Dallas’s confession about the concert threat eventually led to him pleading guilty on the assault charges. He’d been in jail for the past year and would stay there for the foreseeable future. Thank fuck.

Ronin’s mom moved down here as well, not far from us. Our home was always filled with family, music, and laughter.

But that wasn’t all. My brother Rae had also moved here. He got a job as a marketing director for a beverage company, and he was loving it. The only ones who hadn’t made the move were my parents. Guaranteed, as soon as Ronin and I had kids, they’d be selling up and joining the rest of us.

Not that we were in any rush to do that. I relished having Ronin all to myself.

Well, he’d always been mine. And now he was in every way, and I was his, too.

Ronin slipped up beside me and held out his hand. Palm to palm, fingers interlocking tightly. It was simple, really, but holding Ronin’s hand made my heart take off running. Every fucking time.

“You ready?” Ronin asked me.

I nodded.

Lennie and Petyr were waiting outside our door and escorted us to the SUV.

“Looking good, gents,” Lennie stated. “Any thoughts about today? Twenty bucks says Holls faints before he makes it up the aisle.”

“Make it fifty,” Ronin offered.

I nudged my boyfriend with my sharp elbow. My lethal weapon.

“Ow, that hurts.”

I rolled my eyes, not believing Ronin’s complaint for a second. Then I placed a gentle hand on his waist and started rubbing the same spot. He pulled me in close, leaning down to kiss me.

“Don’t start that here,” I warned.

“What? Why?”

“You know what happens when you start kissing me. We can’t be late. Not today.” I smiled at him. “And stop taking bets. I talked to Holls this morning. He’s not freaking out at all. But he’s worried that Dawson might be.”

“No way,” Petyr commented. “Dawson’s been ready to marry Iain since last year. It’s all he talks about.”

“It’s true, he’s nuts about him. Ugh, all these couples in love,” Lennie muttered as he opened the back door. “Crazy rockstars.”

“Hey, we’re so not that.”

“Not anymore,” Ronin chuckled. “Okay, maybe sometimes. But not like before.”

“Yeah, we’re settled now,” I argued. “Grown up and shit.”

Lennie scoffed. “Really? Is that why you paid that stripper at Dawson’s bachelor party to pull me up on stage? While I was on duty?”

“You weren’t on duty,” I replied with a dirty chuckle and slid inside the car. “Admit it, you enjoyed yourself.”

The group went wild that night when poor Len lost his shirt, and nearly his pants. The guy had a ripped body that everyone in the crowd appreciated.

“I’d rather face a drunken mob at a concert than that.” Lennie’s face flushed, and he shook his head. “I can’t dance for shit. It was the most awkward five minutes of my life.”

“Are you kidding?” Petyr chuckled. “The audience loved you. I’d never seen so much cash thrown on stage.”

Ronin nodded and slid in beside me. “He’s right, Len. Maybe you could work the pole on your off hours?”

Lennie gave Ronin a choice finger and then slammed the door.

Ronin and I shared a laugh. Despite all the growing we’d done, deep down, we were still the same bratty teenagers who liked to play loud music and joke around.

I was pretty sure that Holls and Dawson’s wedding today would be the same—full of laughter and music, an all-night party that would be the talk of the town. The event was being held at their home, which was a short drive from our place.

Lennie pulled out of the driveway and headed west.

Wait. We were going in the wrong direction and my curiosity engaged.

“Where are we going?” I asked.

“I told you, just a quick stop before we pick up Dee and Van.”

“For what?”

“You’ll see,” Ronin replied.

I swallowed down my remaining questions. I loved Ronin and I trusted him without pause. So, wherever he was leading me, I’d follow.

We drove by sprawling ranches and suburban dreams, every passing mile busier than the last, as we headed into the city. When we reached Brooklyn Street, I realized that this was the route we took to get to our recording studio. But why would we need to stop off there before the wedding?

We didn’t. There was no reason.

Suddenly, my heart beat out a frantic rhythm, so fast and hard I could feel it pulse in every part of me. Ronin’s hand was damp as he gripped mine tighter.

And when I turned and stared into his summer blues, I knew.

Ronin

Faise knew me so well, I swear, he often knew what I was going to do before I did it.

I’d been planning this for months. Working on it in secret. Which wasn’t easy when we spent nearly every day together. And night.

Lennie pulled up to park on the busy city street, and Petyr opened the door for us.

My boyfriend didn’t utter a word. Not a question, not a comment.

When I looked in Faise’s amber eyes, it was like being home. No matter what happened in life, he was that to me. Always had been. Always would be.

But I was still nervous as hell about today and when we stepped inside the building, my heart raced out of control.

Lennie and Petyr escorted us into the recording studio, did their rounds, and then slipped out the main door to wait outside.

I guided Faise into the booth, turning on the editing board, and the mics, and then motioned at the two chairs that sat in the middle of the room. There were no instruments today, just me and Faise. Every word that happened in this moment would be recorded. For me, for him, but most important of all, for us. For all time.

“Wondering why we’re here?” I asked, tremors running up and down my arms. Hell, my whole body was vibrating like an amp. To my own ears, I sounded breathless, and no wonder.

It isn’t every day that you propose to the love of your life.

“Kind of. But I’m in the best hands,” Faise replied as he sat down across from me. “So, I’m leaving the explanation up to you. When you’re ready, I’m ready.”

I was.

In the dim lighting, and surrounded by soundproof walls, every word, scent, and sound magnified. He smiled slowly, and the beauty of it, like the sun rising on a lazy summer day, completely wrecked my heart.

Just like the first time we met, being near him was the only place I wanted to be.

I reluctantly let go of his hand and reached for the notebook in my jacket pocket. When I pulled it out, my hands were shaking so hard I nearly dropped it.

“I wrote something,” I confessed, my voice cracking, hoarse with emotion. “A poem that belongs only to you.”

The page in front of me blurred until I blinked, unshed tears wanting loose.

I reached out for his left hand and his tremble matched mine. Clearing my throat, I managed to find my words.

My heart is a rhythm known only to you

And I don’t care what they say

Baby, I don’t think like they do

Neither do you

Playing hard, moving fast, the fans, the fame

But it’s not a game

Living with you, loving too

Is a road that bends, never ends

We chose this life, no regrets except

One year, two

Beyond the set, ten, twenty is too few

Together, forever

Our love is one rhythm

The song that’s me and you

I slid off the chair and went down on one knee, pulling the ring box out of my pocket. Thankfully, without fumbling.

“Faise, baby, I love you more than anything. Will you marry me?”

Faise launched himself at me and we nearly toppled over.

“I take it that’s a yes?” I chuckled as I squeezed him tight.

“I love you too, Ro, always, so it’s a million times yes,” Faise whispered as he turned his head and kissed me.

We didn’t need words after that.

Faise

The wedding was simple but beautiful, and the outdoor setting was perfect. It was sunny and warm, just like our friend. Holls and Dawson were both wiping away tears as they said their vows, Holls promising that the only running he’d be doing from now on was to his new husband. I couldn’t be happier for Iain and seeing him with Dawson, and their son, Jaxon, made me think about everything I wanted with Ronin.

Once the reception got started, me, Ro, and Brodie headed over to give our band brother hugs and congratulations. Of course, I kept my left hand in my pocket, not wanting anyone to notice the ring and make a fuss. After all, it was Holls and Dawson’s day.

“So.” Holls stared at me.

“So?” I asked.

“Show us the fucking ring, Faise!”

“You told them?” I turned to Ronin.

“Of course.”

I pulled out my hand slowly and held it up, Holls, and Brodie crowding around me.

“Is that a bass clef?” Holls asked.

“Yup,” Ronin replied. “In blue diamonds.”

Brodie whistled. “You done good, Ro. And we couldn’t be happier for you guys.”

We had a group hug and when we pulled back, Brodie wiped his eyes. Our frontman was crying, holy shit.

“Someone take a picture to confirm this moment. Brodie is tearing up,” Holls quipped.

“Well, speaking of good news—” Brodie paused. “Shit, maybe I should wait.”

We all stared at Brodie. It wasn’t like him to hesitate about saying, well, anything.

Holls shook his head. “No way. Spill. What’s going on?”

“Van and I are…we’re… holy shit, I’m so overwhelmed, I can barely speak.” Brodie bit his lower lip. “Our surrogate is pregnant. We’re having twins. A boy and a girl.”

We stood there with our mouths open.

Holy. Fucking. Shit.

“When?” Holls asked.

“In six months.”

“Oh my fucking God!” Ronin yelled and everyone at the reception turned to stare at us.

“A little louder, Ro. I don’t think the rest of Nashville heard you.”

Then we group hugged again, but this time, we were all in fucking tears. Van and Dawson walked over to join us.

“Be prepared, guys,” Van warned with a grin as he held Brodie tight to his side. “In short order, two mini-Brodie James will be unleashed into the world.”

“That’s a lot of attitude and snark,” Dawson chuckled.

Brodie gave the groom a choice finger.

“And you’re gonna have to stop doing that in front of the kids,” Dawson reminded him.

“Christ.”

“You gonna trade in the sports car, Dee, and buy one of those big ass minivans?” Ronin teased.

“Fuck, no.”

“You’ll have to stop swearing too,” Holls quipped.

“Shit,” Brodie blurted out. “I have a bad feeling their first words are not going to be suitable for preschool.”

“Yeah, but they’ll be the coolest kids around,” I assured him.

Holls grabbed Brodie’s arm. “Holy fuck! I just had the best idea. Jaxon and the twins, along with Faise and Ro’s kids, can start their own band!”

Ronin’s eyes nearly bugged out. “We just got engaged, Holls. Slow it down.”

I laughed at my fiancé’s expression and took hold of his hand. “Don’t worry, baby. We’ve got plenty of time.”

“Nah, I agree with Holls.” Brodie nodded. “Get moving on those kids, Ro. We have another band to form.”

Van groaned and pointed to his hair. “This is all going to turn white in no time.”

A waiter passed by and offered everyone a glass of champagne. And yeah, we needed it. There was a fuckton to celebrate.

“Let’s have a toast,” Brodie offered. “To Iain and Dawson, on their wedding day, to Ro and Faise on their engagement, and to the second generation of Wayward Lane.”

“To the best of friends.” Ronin winked at me.

“Rockstars forever,” Holls quipped.

“To our family,” I added. “To love.”

Everyone held up their glass.

“To love!”

Thank you for reading 4-EVER!