Page 43 of Don’t Love the Boy Next Door (Hotties Next Door #2)

Ten years later

I stare at my reflection in the mirror, forcing myself to breathe in and breathe out. Because I think I’m about to faint.

Some of my castmates pop in and out of my dressing room, wishing me good luck or offering me advice. Because this is my first Broadway show as the principle role. I’ve been part of the ensemble in other productions, but never lead before. I think I might be sick.

Closing my eyes, I allow a calm feeling to pass over me.

It’s from my mom, who’s been with me every step of the way.

I feel her with me all the time, but I feel her the most when I’m on stage.

I know she’s really proud of me. I miss her so much, but I’ve learned to move on and cling to my memories of her.

“It’s this way, Husband,” a familiar voice says. “The guy said the second door on the left. You can never follow directions.”

Then I hear a familiar chuckle.

No more than thirty seconds pass before two men and a woman peek into the room. As soon as the red-haired woman notices me sitting at the table, she squeals and rushes into the room, throwing her arms around me. “Katie!”

“Phoenix,” I laugh as I hug her tight. I’ve missed her so much.

“Oh my gosh.” She pulls back and looks around. “This place is amazing. Your own dressing room. I can’t believe you’re Maria in the Sound of Music .” She grabs hold of Ethan’s hand and yanks him forward. “Husband, are you going to say hi to Katie or what?”

He chuckles. “Don’t you think she should kiss her husband first, Wife?”

Phoenix’s eyes pop open. “Oh my gosh, you’re right! Ugh, I’m sorry.” She and Ethan step out of the way.

My eyes creep to the man lingering in the doorway with a bouquet of roses. The man with the long dark hair and mesmerizing blue eyes. The man I call my own.

“Hey,” he says with a warm, loving smile.

I return the smile as I get to my feet. In a flash, Eric zooms over and gathers me in his arms, spinning me around as he plants kisses on every single exposed area on my face. “Katie,” he breathes as he buries his face between my neck and shoulder. “I’ve missed you so much. I’m so proud of you.”

I wrap my arms around his neck, clinging onto him and kissing him. I don’t let go, not for a long, long time. Because right now, I’m making up for all the time we lost.

When we finally pull apart, he hands me the flowers.

“Thanks,” I say as I sniff them. “They’re beautiful.”

“ You’re beautiful.”

“ You are,” I say, then we both laugh, thinking back to our Beauty and the Beast production in our junior year of high school. The year that changed both our lives forever. I caress his cheek. “You’ve been giving me roses on my opening nights ever since Beauty and the Beast .”

He grins. “And I’ve never missed a single one of your opening nights.”

“You should have seen him on the ride here,” Phoenix says. “The poor guy was freaking out the whole time. He thought we wouldn’t make it on time. And look, we’re early.”

Ethan takes her hand and kisses it. “That might have to do with the fact that a certain wife of mine couldn’t get up this morning.”

She playfully narrows her eyes. “I was up all night editing my video. That new game was brutal.”

He laughs as he nuzzles her nose. “I know, Phoenix. I was there.”

“Is your dad coming?” Phoenix asks me.

I shake my head. “He can’t make it tonight, but hopefully tomorrow. Are you guys going back on tour after the performance?”

An apologetic look takes over Eric’s face. “Sorry, sweetheart, but we have no choice. We have to leave for Tennessee right away. But there are only a few weeks left to the tour.”

“It’s okay. And then I’ll be on tour with you guys once my show closes.”

Ethan, Eric, and Cody are the main members of The Rock E’s, with me popping in as lead singer whenever I don’t have a job in New York City.

But we’ve only been a real band for the last year or so, after Ethan retired from football.

He had an amazing and successful football career, and is glad to be back with the band again.

Phoenix is still a popular content creator online.

The good thing about her job is she can do it anywhere.

Which is why she’s able to tour with her husband and the rest of the band.

“Places!” the announcer calls.

Phoenix squeals. “Oh my gosh! The show’s about to start.”

“Yeah, you guys should head to your seats,” I tell them.

Phoenix flings her arms around me. “Break a leg, bestie. You’ll kill it out there.”

“Thanks.”

Ethan hugs me. “You’ve got this.”

“Thanks.”

Phoenix takes Ethan’s hand and pulls him toward the door, but he gently yanks her back and plants a big kiss on her lips.

“What was that for, Ethan?” she breathes.

He smiles at her with nothing but love in his eyes. “It’s to show you how much I love you, my beautiful, amazing wife. We’re with each other all the time, but I don’t know if I tell you enough how much you mean to me.”

She stares at him like she’s melting into a puddle. Then she grins at him. “I think I chose the right guy to marry.”

He chuckles. “You’re only realizing this now?” he jokes, giving her another kiss as they leave the room.

Eric sends me another loving smile. He rushes forward and gathers me in his arms again. “I’ve missed you so much, Katie,” he whispers as he rests his forehead against mine.

“I’m sorry,” I say. “I knew this would be hard, but—”

He places his finger over my lips. “No apologies. We’re both living our dreams. I promised you back when we were sixteen that I won’t be like my dad. That I could have a music career and be a good husband. I think we’re doing a pretty good job.”

“The best.” I stretch my neck to kiss him. “You’re my world, Eric.”

“And you’re mine.”