Page 35

THIRTY-FOUR

declan

It’s my first time backstage at one of Shattered Halo’s shows. The reason for that still stings a little when I think about it, but then I remember I have her. I have Willa. My wife. The love of my fucking life. And suddenly the sting fades away and all I see is her.

It’s crazy behind the scenes. Staff buzzing around everywhere in a way that looks like chaos, but considering the opening band was on stage right at eight and now Willa is about to go out exactly at nine like was scheduled, I guess it’s working.

“There’s a VIP you need to meet after the show,” Nate tells the band as he flies past us. They all roll their eyes.

“That’s bad?” I ask.

“They’re usually a spoiled brat that has a hissy fit when they realize daddy’s money doesn’t get them into our pants,” Kai says.

“You’re joking,” I say, looking at the lack of smiles on their faces.

“Nope. There was one guy who is the son of some airline tycoon that honestly thought he could buy a night with Willa.” A growl escapes my throat at Mav’s words, my fists clenching at my sides. Willa makes her way over to me and places her hands on my chest. She looks like a fucking badass in her tight black jeans and low-cut purple body suit.

“I told him I didn’t like men with such little penises they had to use their daddy’s money to get laid.”

“She also said she forgot her microscope at home so she wouldn’t be able to find his dick anyway. He cried a little,” Kai adds, looking like a proud brother.

“Don’t worry. The fans and VIPs are kept on the other side of the stage. We get to be on this side. So you won’t risk your marriage and career by murdering someone for saying they want to screw your wife,” Harlow says.

Willa sighs and grabs my face in her hands. “No murder. I only screw you,” she says, lips twitching when she uses Harlow’s phrasing. “I’m surrounded by fans who want to sleep with you at every one of your games, and I haven’t killed a single one of them. I think you can handle this without committing a crime.”

“Fine,” I grumble and lean down to kiss her.

“One minute,” Nate yells as he power walks past us in the opposite direction.

“Have fun out there, Princess.”

“Always do, hockey boy,” she says, getting up on her toes and kissing me before making her way out onto the stage.

“What?” I ask Harlow when I catch her staring at me.

“You make her happy.”

“Not as happy as she makes me,” I say, turning and smiling as I watch Willa. Her eyes are closed as she beats her sticks on her drums. She’s so fucking beautiful when she’s engrossed in her music like that.

“Maybe happy isn’t the right word. Soft? That might be closer.”

I turn my attention back to Harlow, raising a brow in question.

“Willa and I weren’t super close in high school, but we were friendly enough. Even when she smiled, she was hard. Like she was always ready for a fight or to jump in and defend someone.”

“And now?” I ask, curious about what point she’s trying to make.

“Now she’s happy. She doesn’t seem like she’s constantly waiting to wage war or something. Like her shoulders are finally relaxed, and her smile reaches her eyes. You know?”

“Yeah,” I say. I know what she means. I noticed it on Christmas after she told me she loved me. I don’t know why it was so hard for her, not that I can’t guess. But I don’t need to, and I’ll never ask her because just knowing she loves me as much as I love her is enough. Hell, it’s more than enough. It’s everything I never knew I wanted and always needed. The moment the words passed her lips, I felt like my life finally clicked into place. She was always the missing piece.

I’m glad I wore jeans. I had to excuse myself to the bathroom after the first song to strap myself down behind my zipper. I couldn’t help it. Watching my wife out there was hot as fuck, and all I wanted to do was take her back to the dressing room and show her.

The second they were finished and made their way to us, I had Willa in my arms. She wrapped legs around my waist, which did nothing to stop the painful erection I’m still sporting.

“I’m sweaty,” Willa says, trying to pull away from me.

“I don’t care.” I grab the back of her neck and bring her closer so I can take her lips. She gasps at how hungrily I kiss her, and I want to swallow every sound she makes.

“I’ve never felt so fucking single.”

I break away from Willa to see Maverick scowling at all of us. Harlow is in Cal’s arms, and Kai has Belle tucked closely to his side.

“Sorry, man,” I say, putting Willa down gently, but still keeping her in my arms.

“VIP meet and greet, now,” Jon says, coming up to us, looking pissed.

“Try that again but ask nicely, or you can explain to them why the band is refusing to meet with them,” Willa says, scowling at him. I try to hide my smile. It’s such a turn on when she puts people in their place.

Jon sighs and runs his hand through his hair. “I’m sorry. I’ve been stuck with her the whole show. She’s a real piece of work,” he says. “Can we please go get the meet and greet over with so I can get a beer?”

“Yes,” Willa answers. Jon lets out a breath and motions for us to follow him.

“Should I wait?” I ask, realizing the woman didn’t pay to see me.

“Nope. I won’t see you for a week, so I’m not wasting any time I have.” I smile at her answer and kiss the top of her head.

“Was Jon the best option for entertaining her?” I ask quietly. Not quietly enough because he turns his annoyed face on me.

“No. Jo usually does it, but she stayed home to edit the podcast episode since there were no VIPs. This was last minute, so I got stuck with it.”

“I’m surprised she’s still here,” Cal jokes. Jon snorts and turns back to lead us to a room down the hall from the dressing rooms. I looked at Willa’s longingly as we passed it. She caught me and laughs. Jon opens the door and moves aside so we can step in.

“What the fuck are you doing here?”