Graceful Ashes (24 page)

“But I wouldn’t change how it’s turned out.”

His eyebrows furrowed.

“Because I’m on freaking Broadway! Surrounded by tons of outstanding people…and with
you
. Who’s to say that if I hadn’t lost Juilliard that we would’ve worked out? That you would’ve found your way like you have? Or that I would’ve ever gotten the opportunity to perform on a production like this one? One small change can completely throw your entire life off of the path you think it’s on. What we both have gone through hasn’t been easy, but I can’t say that I would change a single thing if it meant I would lose someone else or end up with a life I might not be happy with.”

Before he could reply I pressed my lips to his. A few seconds passed before he pulled back and a loving smile spread across his damp lips.

“I love you more than I can put into words,” he said.

A full-blown smile spread across my face from his words. “And I love you.” Thick emotions clogged my throat. “I’ve got to close up the locker room and then I’ll meet you out front, okay?”

Hendrix placed a quick soft kiss on my cheek. “I’ll be waiting.” He winked and I watched him walk away in the direction of the front lobby.

I blinked away my happy tears and slipped the duffle bag strap back onto my shoulder.

“He truly loves you.”

I jumped at Rick’s voice scaring the crap out of me. “Good lord! I thought I was alone.” I clapped a hand over my racing heart.

“Sorry.”

Rick smiled apologetically.

“It’s fine.” I waved him off, but the annoyance from what he’d said to me in his office returned.

The emotion must been displayed on my face because Rick’s demeanor changed and his smile faltered.

“I’m sorry, Zoey. I shouldn’t have come at you like I did earlier. You didn’t deserve that.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I just…I know from what you told me about your past that he turned your world upside down and you’ve been too scarred to move on from it. But after hearing him talk to you just now, and the way the two of you look at one another, I know what you have isn’t something that can be let go of easily. I just want you to be happy. No, I haven’t known you very long, but your kind heart and passion to make your dreams come true is hard to find in someone. A lot of the times they end up too hell bent on getting to the top so they step on the ones around them. You’re not like that. When I saw the two of you together outside I was afraid that you might lose the fire that has brought you back from all that chaos. That’s why I had to let you know…being your boss doesn’t give me the right to voice my opinion on the matter, but I couldn’t keep my mouth shut.”

I closed the distance between us and pulled Rick into a tight hug. He wasn’t expecting it, and honestly neither was I. But I wanted to let him know how much his apology meant to me. “Thank you.” I stepped back and smiled.

“For what?”

“For being honest with me. For giving a shit about the situation you thought I was putting myself in. Even though it completely pissed me off,”

He laughed.

“I appreciate you doing it.”

“I know you’ll go far with dancing. I just didn’t want you to lose your chance again is all.”

“I won’t.”

“I know that now.”

“I love him.”

A sad smile barely touched Rick’s face. “I’m happy for you, Zoey. I can only hope to someday find a love like you have for Hendrix.”

I touched his arm and grinned. “You will. It might not happen as fast as you’d like it to, or in the easiest way, but it’ll happen. Mine hasn’t been easy, more like a roller coaster ride but I hope that from here on it’ll be a smoother ride.”

“You’re a fighter. But if for some reason it doesn’t work out, I know it won’t be because you didn’t give it your all.”

Rick was right. If for some reason my second go with Hendrix didn’t work out, at least I would know I’d given it my all. Because, just like with dance, he was getting every ounce of love and support from me until the day I breathe my last breath or Hendrix no longer loved me. Hopefully it wouldn’t be the latter.

Chapter Twenty Three
–
4 Months Later

“I’m going to pee if you don’t stop!” I managed to warn through hysterical laughter.

“What? I’m sorry I can’t hear you,” Hendrix teased.

His fingertips continued their assault up and down my ribcage, causing me to squirm beneath him.

“I’m serious, Hendrix.”

He paused his torture on me and placed his lips against mine. A sigh of contentment left my lungs and caused a smile to break across my face just as Hendrix flicked his tongue against my bottom lip for entrance.

“What’s so funny?” He paused as he rolled onto his side.

“I’m not laughing, just smiling.”

“Why is that?”

His voice was low and sexy as he drew a pattern with his fingertip across my bare stomach. We hadn’t left his bed since we’d woken up. Even though I couldn’t see the clock from my spot on the bed, I knew it had to be close to mid-afternoon. Not that I was complaining or anything. If we spent the rest of our lives tangled in the sheets together, I believed I’d be perfectly content. “I’m happy.” I bit my bottom lip as I continued to grin.

Hendrix leaned forward and gently pressed his lips against mine. “Me too.”

It was now or never to jump in and tell Hendrix about Talon and Tegan and Madalyn coming to town in a few days. I hadn’t told him yet because I was afraid of how he would react. Even though they didn’t know I was dating Hendrix again, Hendrix knew I hadn’t told them. I was terrified of him being face-to-face with my brother again. But with everything under different circumstances, I was hoping they could work things out and we all could be around one another without any turmoil.

Like one big happy family.

A heavy sigh left my chest. “I have to tell you something I’ve been nervous about.”

Hendrix leaned back on his elbow and gave me a leery look.

“Talon and Tegan are coming into town in a couple days. They’re staying at my place since I have a spare bedroom. I’m sorry I hadn’t told you yet, but I’m nervous about the two of you being around one another again.”

“You don’t have to be nervous, Zoey. Talon and I have needed to talk for a long time, but I understand why you haven’t told them about us yet. This will be the perfect chance for us to clean the slate.” He cupped my face. “I promise you, everything will be just fine.”

As much as I wanted to believe that everything was going to be just fine, I couldn’t. My brother had always been my protector, and the way things ended the day they came and moved me back to Chicago wasn’t the best. Confrontation made me nervous, but my love for both of these men was stronger than any I’d ever felt. I had to make Talon understand that Hendrix was going to be a part of my life no matter how he felt about him. But maybe, just maybe, once he saw how different Hendrix was, he would be okay with that. Happiness and true love doesn’t come around very often. He knows that firsthand with Tegan, and surely he wouldn’t want me to ruin my chance.

The day for my family rolling into town was upon us. If Hendrix was nervous, he was doing one helluva a job to keep it hidden from me. Whereas my nerves were on full display as I ran around my apartment cleaning every inch of the place to keep my mind off of what might happen.

Once the place was as spotless as could be, with new bedding on the bed in the spare bedroom, I took the warmest shower possible to help ease my muscles and relax. My mind was a jumbled mess of what might be said between Talon and Hendrix, of what might happen, and how I was going to react. I hated stressing over all the possibilities.

I secured the towel around my body and padded into my bedroom. The next week would be a little hectic with having to share the apartment’s single bathroom with two adults and a small child. I wasn’t used to that, but was more than excited to have them here than not. Since they were arriving late, we’d previously decided on a night in. Madalyn would probably be cranky from the flight and that alone would wear them out. I slipped into a pair of yoga pants and an oversized sweater before drying my hair and braiding it down the front of my shoulder. Makeup wasn’t happening since it was late at night, so I made myself comfortable on the couch to await their arrival.

Halfway through one of my favorite crime shows my phone buzzed to life with Tegan’s name flashing across the screen. “Hey!”

“Hey, beautiful! We just got our bags. So we should be there within the hour.”

Tegan’s loving voice came through the line.

“I can’t wait to squeeze you! How’d Madalyn do?”

“She actually wasn’t bad. Slept most of the flight, a little grumpy at the moment, but I’d say she’ll crash pretty easily once we get to your place.”

“That little stinker has to stay up long enough for aunt Zoey to get some lovin’ in.”

Tegan laughed. “Yeah, what am I thinking? She probably won’t crash once she sees you.”

“That’s my girl,” I teased.

“You can have her for the night then,” Tegan countered.

I laughed. “I’ll order some food, Chinese sound good?”

“Perfect. Madalyn won’t eat it, but we packed food for her.”

“That was going to be my next question.”

“She’s picky, and I have no idea where she got that from.”

I smiled, knowing exactly where she gotten that. “Madden. He was always so picky with food.”

The mention of my baby brother who died in the house fire caused my chest to ache.

“Of course he was.” Tegan replied. “Talon says she reminds him a lot of Madden.”

“She does me too.”

“Well, they just got the taxi loaded. We’ll be there soon.”

“Can’t wait! If you need help with luggage just give me a call and I’ll come down.”

“Okay.”

“Alright, bye.”

Multiple knocks on the front door let me know they had arrived. I was excited to see my family. Several months has passed since they’d come for the opening night Wicked. I hated living so far from home, but I loved my career.

I hopped up from the couch, “Coming!” I made a beeline for the door and quickly unlocked it.

“Stinky baby!” Talon announced as I opened the door.

With Madalyn extended in his arms he gave me a kiss on the cheek. “Love ya, sis, but I have to change this little girl’s stinky butt before I can hug ya.”

“By all means.” I motioned in the direction of the bathroom and tickled Madalyn’s foot as they passed. Large giggles erupted from her chest.

“Don’t make her laugh! I really don’t want to clean projectile crap off of my clothes,” Talon warned.

Tegan and I filled the room with laughter as I shut the door behind her. She pulled me into a tight hug that made me miss home even more. Tegan has always been the loving type, someone to make you feel as if everything’s going to be okay not matter how big or small the situation at hand. I missed being able to sit and talk with her face-to-face, as well as helping out at Graceful Moves. The little girls I was lucky enough to teach helped pull me from a dark place when I first left New York, and that’s thanks to Tegan.

“It’s so good to be able to hug you,” Tegan said.

“I couldn’t agree more. But no making me cry as soon as you get here.” I playfully narrowed my eyes at her.

Tegan brought out the overly emotional side in people. Which was the last thing I needed with the vision of Hendrix and Talon coming face-to-face again weighing on my sanity.

“I never mean to make you cry.” She placed a hand on my arm.

“Do you want something to drink?” I dropped the conversation at that and went to the refrigerator.

“A glass of water is fine.”

“She shi—pottied clear up her back!” Talon called out from the bathroom as Madalyn’s giggles filled the hall. “I’m giving her a bath.”

Tegan joined me in the kitchen. She stood next to the fridge and called down the hall that led to the bathroom, “I can bathe her, Talon.”

“I’ve got it, babe. You and Zoey catch up.” He smiled lovingly at her before he slipped back into the bathroom and closed the door.

“I don’t know what to do with that little stinker. She finds it hilarious when she potties on herself. Maybe because we’re trying to potty train her? I’m not sure.”

“She likes giving her daddy shit, literally.” I grinned then opened the fridge and retrieved a bottle of water. “Here you go.” I flubbed the handoff to Tegan and the bottle tumbled to the floor. It bounced then rolled beneath the cabinet.

We both dropped to our knees, but Tegan reached the bottle before I did and snickered. We stood and I sighed as she took a long pull from it.

“Everything all right?” she asked.

“Yeah, why do you ask?”

“You just sighed, which you only do when something’s weighing on you.”

She gave me a knowing look.

I closed my eyes and leaned back against the counter. Deep down I knew telling Tegan would be easier than telling Talon. So I bit the bullet and dove right on in.

“I’m seeing someone.” I whispered.

“What!” Tegan whisper-shouted.

I shushed her. “Be quiet will ya?”

“Why are you keeping it from Talon?”

A heavy sigh left my lungs. “Because I’m seeing Hendrix.”

Tegan opened her mouth to speak but paused. “Zoey…’ she sighed.

I knew that tone in her voice; I’d heard it quite a few times when I was younger. It was disappointment at its finest.

“Before you remind me of how badly things turned out last time, he’s changed. I’m not just saying that, I mean it. He finally opened an art studio like he’d dreamed of, and it’s doing great. He’s off the drugs, cut his hair, and has apologized a million times for the past, even when it wasn’t entirely his fault. I’m happy with Hendrix. Please don’t make me feel like I have to choose between my family and happiness with him.”

“You love him,” Tegan whispered.

“I do.” My shoulders slouched.

Tegan’s beautiful features drooped. “Oh, Zoey.” She gave my arm a gentle squeeze. “This isn’t going to sit well with Talon. Not after everything that happened before. But I’m not going to stand in your way of happiness; I’ll give him the benefit of the doubt because you’re in love with him, not because he deserves it.”

“I understand, but you’ll see that he’s changed, Tegan. I promise.”

Tegan closed lipped grinned as the doorbell rang.

“The food!” I all but ran toward the door because the conversation had become too intense for me to keep my composure in front of Talon, and I didn’t want him finding out about Hendrix from me crying about it to Tegan.

I opened the door.

“Delivery for Zoey Fisher.”

I handed the delivery man an amount of money that more than covered the bill. “Keep the change.”

He glanced at the bills I handed him. “You sure?”

“One hundred percent sure.” I smiled at him.

“Thank you, ma’am.”

“No, no, no! I am far from old enough to be called ma’am.” I laughed. “But you’re welcome.”

The man tipped his head and smiled. “Have a good night.”