Epilogue II

Austen

Tour life is absolutely feral.

There"s not a day that goes by where something doesn't break, or someone needs to see a doctor, or we have a tech issue. The list goes on and on. It's rare for me to get more than a few moments of peace, even with a team to help me.

Not that I mind it much. While, yeah, it's not what I'm used to, I find myself thriving in this new world. Some of it could be thanks to the man at the center of it all.

Corrin Ray makes every single day worth it.

When he's not being his rockstar self—singing to millions of fans or awkwardly signing boobs backstage—he's working to keep the title of world's greatest boyfriend. He earned it with the secret love album, and he's kept at it with every new thing he's thrown my way.

I might have been mostly joking when I challenged him all those months ago, but he wasn't. Whether it's making sure I have my favorite food on the tour bus, or telling people he's unavailable so we can actually spend time together, he's showing up for us every single day.

"Who"s ready to party tonight?" Corrin's voice rings out in the massive stadium. We're on the last night of the American leg of the tour. Tomorrow, we catch flights across the ocean to start in Europe, then Asia, and finally Australia. It's the biggest world tour ever, according to all the news outlets.

And while some might be exhausted, my man is thriving. He's never been happier since SoulSource got bought out.

"Austen." Tennyson shouts my name from the side of the stage.

Rushing over, I weave around people with my clipboard. "What is it? You're supposed to be in back prepping for the meet and greet."

He shakes his head. "Corrin forgot his lucky pick. He can't play without it."

I glance around, searching for any of the tech guys who can go out there to hand it off. It's their job to ensure this type of stuff doesn't happen. Surely one of them can fix it.

Somehow, I can't find a single one. I know all of them by name, and yet, they're all MIA.

Yanking the pick from his hand, I motion for him to go. "You've got work to do, mister. Don't think you can take tonight off just because we're almost at the end."

Tenn raises his hands innocently, though his smirking face ruins the illusion. "I'll do what I'm supposed to. Just don't trip over anything as you head out."

I nod, then tuck my clipboard close to my chest as I rush out onto the stage. Corrin is still chatting up the crowd, which they love, of course. Their screams only grow the more he teases them without playing a song.

My size makes me easy to spot even with a personality as big as my boyfriend's. The crowd loses it as I close in on Corrin. He looks around curiously, then turns my way. His smile grows even wider.

"Hey, you," he says into the mic. "What a lovely surprise!"

I shake my head at him, then extend the pick for him to grab. "Forgot this?"

He shakes his head as he pulls out a pick identical to the one I'm holding. "Nope."

Before I can turn around, he tugs me forward. A stool materializes from one of the tech guys who was formerly MIA. Corrin points toward it.

"Have a seat, love."

There's a loud chorus of ‘awwww' from the thousands of fans watching this entire thing. I sit, the chair helping my unsteady legs. It's not that I hate the spotlight or anything. It's more that I'm not sure what I'm meant to do. This wasn't in the plan for tonight's show.

Corrin turns so he's facing me and the crowd at the same time. "Everyone, say hi to Austen."

The crowd screams hello to me. I blush as I wave at them awkwardly.

"Austen, say hi back." He tips the microphone my way.

"Hey everyone."

More cheering comes from the fans. They're excited to know what all this means, as am I.

"Tonight is a special night. See, it's not only the last night of this leg of the tour. It's also the anniversary of the first time I met Austen. Back then, he was a young guy who paid me no mind. He had no clue I was smitten or that I would spend the next several years wishing he'd give me a clue he wanted more."

Corrin strums the intro to the last song of the album. The one that's our story put to music. My eyes water. I have to fight not to lose my cool on stage.

This is totally going to end up all over social media. Tenn will have a field day over it.

"But then one day, my brother-in-law and his partner concocted this brilliant plan because my parents kept trying to set me up." He rolls his eyes dramatically. "Love them to pieces, but we weren't on the same page. Thankfully, Smith had my back on what I needed. And somehow, the stars and the universe aligned to make every best possible outcome a reality. I got my man. I got my album. I got my freedom."

The stadium roars with excitement. I'm clapping too, my love for Corrin and all he's been through tearing my heart wide open.

"While I'm more than happy with my career and the turn it's taken, I need you all to know that none of it would have been possible without this man right here. Austen Page is my muse. He's also my boyfriend."

Corrin twists his guitar to the side and pulls the mic from its stand.

"And I'm hoping…"

He reaches into his pocket.

"That he'll agree…"

He pulls out a small box.

"To be my husband."

He kneels.

"Marry me, love?"

I lean down as he points the mic my way. "Yes!"

If I thought they were loud before, I was mistaken. The drums kick up as the crowd loses their fucking minds. There are streamers and pyrotechnics. It's as if every big finale set up for the show explodes around us.

Corrin pulls me into a kiss in the midst of it all. I feel the confetti land on us, and I hear the noise, but none of it matters. Not when there's this moment, this memory to hold on to.