18. Chapter 18

~ Heath ~

I watched her walk away, my heart in my throat, and my teeth clenched tight. I had listened to Kev talk about her and I heard her speech, felt the sting down in my soul. And though I hated the lie, she was right, she hadn't set out to use me. She was far from any ex I had in the past. Deep down I knew it.

However, I was worried that one small lie would lead to bigger ones, but I knew her better than that.

And the ass kicker in her whole speech? I mean besides seeing her tears or hearing her heart breaking. That did tell me how sorry she was. Not that I would let her in quite that easily.

But the real kicker? She said another man would have her body. Over my fucking goddamn dead body. No one was touching her as long as I was breathing. And though I wanted Torun after her, it wouldn't work. Not right now, not without a grand plan of everyone seeing and understanding how much she meant to me.

After all, didn't she claim to likesome PDA?

"Kev," I called, walking back into the bar. He was going to help me put things into place to make this right.

Three days later, I leaned against the doorframe to my dressing room, watching Tiffany. Usually before shows, I'm in my room, ignoring all the jokes and camaraderie going on backstage. Maybe that's part of why they peg me as a dick. I wasn't going to change, but maybe I wouldn't be so harsh on them moving forward.

What I did pick up on was how alone Tiffany was. As if she wasn't part of the group anymore. And I didn't like that. I also didn't like the fact that I hadn't heard her laugh. That was something I claimed to love, something I didn't want to lose. And what happened?

I lost it.

However, I was going to fix it. Tonight, if possible.

And it was going to come as a surprise to many people. With that, I smirked as I went back into my dressing room to finish getting ready. This was going to be the most epic show.

Two and a half hours later, I wiped the sweat off my brow, smiling at the crowd. From this view, with the bright lights, I could only see the first six or seven rows.But I knew the place was packed.

"Having fun?" I asked, having just come back to kick off the encore. "Me too.It's a great night, and it's such a great crowd. I always love coming to Boston."

The crowd cheered and I beamed. Sure, as an artist, you learn early on what pumps a crowd up and what makes them feel like they're the most important crowd or person is always the best.

"Fuck yeah. So, for this set, we're going to do something different, and something I've never done before. They bust their asses off for me, helping me to give you all lovely people a hell of a show, and I've never once introduced them."

I glanced at the side stage where both Tiffany and Charlene were waiting. They were dressed for the last number like I had told everyone to be. When the drumbeat kicked in, along with the deep sound of the bass, I waved at Charlene.

"Ladies and Gents, the amazing Charlene." She did a twirl with a kick and then walked over, smiling yet speaking out the side of her mouth.

"What are you doing?"

"Give me your worst," I muttered to her, far away from the mic."This is for the crazy exes that won't leave you the fuck alone and you wish would!"

I winked before rocking out to the beat and belting out the lyrics, knowing that she would find her own dance to the number.

Don't...don't...don'twant you back. Let me tell you a story, About you and I.

See, you were more than just a prettyface But how you fooled me, I'm still amazed, babe But I should have known that I would be Another victim of your (sexuality) You…you…you…started going out with so-called friends But I was blind, and so I lost all common sense But there were things that made me realize Like all the hundred, no, thousand lies

Don't want you back 'Cause you're no good for me Forgive my honesty but you gotta go

"Yeah, they all need to go," I told the fans, once the song was done. "Give it up for Charlene, she's an amazing dancer." She waved to the crowd before rushing off the stage and I locked eyes with Tiffany, waving her over. "The other talented dancer is Ms. Tiffany Lee folks."

I held my hand out to her, which she took. I twirled her into my arms and yet still held on to the mic.

"Tiffany stole my heart and if you have caught wind of it from any other show, the song ‘In Your Eyes' is for her. She's my muse, she's my friend, she's probably one of the only people who understands me. And tonight, Boston, in front of you all, I'm telling this woman that I love her.Heart, body, and soul."

With that, I sang the song, staring straight into those eyes I loved so much. That captured me and had me writing a song about them. Well, that and being in her arms. She wiped the tears away as she held onto my free hand, unable to move around. And I didn't want her to. This was her moment. And with the final notes, I pulled her close, my tattooed hand around her neck, as I kissed her hard, ignoring the cheering from the crowd.

I held her hand as we walked into the hotel room, glad that Kev was able to do what I needed him to. Which was a surprise for her.

"Glad for a room?" she asked.

"Yes! We got two solid weeks straight of buses, so I'll take the room now."

"Are you going to let me see what we're doing?"

"Nope." I took her into the bathroom and turned her around to face the huge tub with tons of bubbles, candles, chocolate, and finally, a wine I knew she would love."Surprise," I said, undoing her blindfold.

She gasped as she took in the sight. I never wanted to draw a bubble bath for anyone, like I had told her. But this woman made me do things I hadn't before. I slid her top off, tossing it aside as I kissed along the back of her shoulders.

"I'm sorry for all the awful things I said to you," I whispered."You deserve someone who will treat you right, not a dick."

She turned slightly to glance at me over her shoulder.

"You're not a dick, Heath. You were hurt. I know I was wrong-"

I placed my finger on her lips and shook my head.

"No, none of that. We both apologized. It's in the past. We move forward from here." With that, I stripped the rest of her clothes off and then followed suit. I stepped into the tub and held my hand out for her."Shit, I love looking at that body and it's such a shame to cover it up with bubbles."

She laughed as she climbed in, and we both sank into the heat.Okay, maybe, just maybe, I could get used to this.

"What else do you have for me?" she teased.

I grabbed my phone and opened the app, setting the songs on repeat.

"It's my next album. There's your song. And then there are some naughty songs that you gave me lyrics to. Of course, no one will know what's behind it."

"Mmm, that hand tattoo part of it?"

I wrapped that hand around her neck, making her gasp. And then I let my other hand trail down, easily finding her wet.

"What is this?" I chuckled as I kissed along her neck. "Finding you wet and wanting me is something I love; do you know that?"

"No, but I'm figuring it out." She pulled away and turned to look at me, a smirk on her face. "All this," she waved at the tub and candles, "the romantic side here, it's not very rock n roll."

"What can I say? A man in love does crazy things. You know, I have to confess something."

"What's that?"

"When you gave me your speech at BeeAnn's, the thought of never writing again, never having the ideas, because I didn't have my muse, it killed me. Almost as much as you even thinking of someone touching what is mine. In fact," I grabbed the bottle and poured each of us a glass of wine, handing one to her. "Try it."

"Fine," she said, taking a sip. "But if I don't…" she trailed off and then took another sip, followed by another. "This isn't bad! I could do this."

"For ten grand a bottle, I would hope so. It's my private wine. I only made a few cases. But way back when, when I did, I wanted something different than what was out there.Sweeter, but still good."

"It's very tasty," she said as she took another sip and then blew the bubbles at me. "I love you."

"Good to know. I love you too." I moved in to capture her lips, grinning. "What else do you love?

"Hmm." She held up her glass to me and gave me a devilish smirk, looking me over. "Now, I Love Rock N' Wine."