Epilogue

Journey

Six months later …

"Are ya ready?"

I smile. My nerves are taking a backseat as we enter the door to the new school/studio.

My new school. His new studio.

‘Rhaps and Rhyme' is a musical sensation we've opened together. I want to teach and Freddie wants to make music. We're getting the best of both worlds right now.

After that night at the bar, where Freddie stood up for me and Butch tossed my ex boyfriend out the door, it was like a light went on inside my head. The door to the past was officially shut and my entire future was laid out in front of me to do with as I please.

And I wanted to do it with Freddie.

Since the band's chance at a deal went out the door with Michael on his ass, we started brainstorming.

And then Butch had the best idea.

"Ya know, the band doesn't have to leave. I don't have a contract or anything, but I wouldn't mind putting ya guys on the schedule once a week. Ya keep the bar packed and I'll keep the Savvy B cold." He chuckled at his little joke then sobered. "There is an empty building two down from here, have ya seen it?"

I have seen it and wondered for the longest time why it was the only storefront with no business. And no one seemed to know who owned it in order to try to rent it out.

"Yeah, the big front window with the black shades? That place has been empty for years."

"Hmm." Butch grumbles. "Maybe it was waiting for the right business to take it over."

I furrow my brows at him. "It's yours, isn't it?"

"It's yours , if ya want it." My eyes water at his words and when he speaks again it only makes the tears fall. "Journey, I knew who ya were the moment ya stepped through the door. I didn't know the story of how ya got to me, but I've got an inside scoop on the underground circuit and your name has been whispered about since ya first stepped on stage at college. You're meant for much more than to be stuck in this dive bar."

"But this dive bar is my home!" I cry out through tears. Butch pulls me close.

"No ones saying ya have to leave. In fact, I'm hoping ya don't. But knowing you're two doors down and can run back and forth between businesses?" He looks at Freddie. "And when ya walked in, I knew you'd be the one to pull her back to her first love. You're the writer Fred, and she's the voice ya need."

So, in a matter of seventy three days, we stocked the building with studio equipment. It has a booth for singing. It has every guitar, piano and mic stand you could want.

We're slowly searching for up and coming bands who want to brush up their skill, or established bands who want to further their career with a track. I do the coaching, and Freddie lays it all down.

We're a perfect team together.

Under Rhaps is still looking for the right moment to hit the road, but in the meantime, the band is having an amazing time right here in the city of Boston.

We sit together at the piano, his fingers dancing on the keys, a light tune envelopes us. "Thank ya for not runnin' when I used that stupid line."

I laugh and scoot a tiny bit closer to him on the bench. "And what line is that?" I drop my voice down an octave. "I'm with the band?" or "I bet we can make sweet music together."

He chuckles, bumping me with his shoulder, before turning and pulling me in close, wrapping his arms around me. I snuggle in tight, feeling his warmth and security, knowing he's not here to use me. We're in it together. "I think it was, ‘There'd be no greater sound than the sound of our moans.'

I laugh again, "You're lucky you didn't get a drink thrown in your face for that."

He gasps. "Ya wouldn't waste Savvy B like that, would ya?"

"You're so corny, you're lucky you're cute." I squeeze his biceps, tracing the tattoo.

"Mm, and charming." He waggles his brows.

"Yes, charming."

"Sexy, too."

I giggle as he continues to tease. "Yes, Freddie, sexy, too."

"Has this been the best three months of your life or what?" He gives me a sweet kiss.

I throw my arms around him and say, "I'm having such a good time! I'm having a ball!" When he rolls his eyes, I laugh and say, "I just can't help myself. I always have to recite a lyric." I kiss him. "Thank you for listening to my story and not pushing, and for showing your love and allowing me to come around when the time was right."

"As long as ya sing it, and sing it for me, I'll always be here to listen."

THE END