Epilogue

Justin

T wo years later . . .

I finish my set, my heart still having that familiar adrenaline rush I've always had after a show, but I don't leave the stage just yet. We're in Kansas City, in the Power and Light District.

Kansas City is our home. We built our own house together. We still have Waylon's dog, but when Cooper heard we were getting a bigger house, he talked us into adopting two cats—a brother and sister—the last of the litter. We couldn't say no.

Our house is a happy place. Full and loud at times, like when Ryan and Grady bring the kids over. Or when Jenny comes by with Dalton and his boyfriend.

It's wild that I thought I wanted away from this place. That I was so unsettled in my life only a few years ago. But now, I wouldn't trade what I have for the world.

And there's only one more thing that could make it even more perfect.

"You all know I'm madly in love with my manager, Waylon, right?" I ask into the microphone, and the cheers I get back are almost deafening. Waylon, who's standing in his usual spot on the side of the stage looks curious, his arms folded and his eyes on me. "Well, I want you all to welcome him on stage for me because I have a question to ask him."

The hoots and hollers are deafening this time. I can barely hear myself think, and I'm grinning like a fool and shaking like a fucking leaf as Waylon walks onto the stage in his impeccable suit with a suspicious, yet hopeful look on his face.

"I write words for songs, but I'm still not that great at this stuff," I say, reaching into my pocket for the custom ring I had made months ago, just waiting for the right time. I lift it in the air, and Waylon stops walking only a couple of feet away, his mouth agape.

The crowd is silent now.

"I love you. More than anything." I look out at the crowd and then back at Waylon. "Maybe even more than music." Waylon laughs, his eyes tearing up, and mine do the same. "Marry me, Waylon. Be my husband and my manager forever."

I swear I can hear the crowd gasp and then just hold their breath. Waylon walks closer to me, and for a moment, nerves hit me so hard, my knees nearly buckle. But then his arms wrap around my neck, and his lips press hard against mine before he says, "Of course I will."

Relief washes over me, and I pull his mouth back to mine, kissing him hard as he accepts my proposal.

Funny how life always has other plans for you. I thought I knew what I wanted. I thought I didn't need him or anyone else to survive, and maybe that was true, but I don't want to just survive.

I want to be happy.

I want to thrive.

And with Waylon, I will.