Page 86 of Everything After (Everything Trilogy)

“You mean me,” I quietly muttered. My heart ached with the sad smile he gave me as he stood. “Come here,” he mumbled, tugging me back to my feet. “Don’t you dare cry. The move I’m taking is best for both of us.”

We stood for a long minute just hugging out the pain we both held in our hearts. It was the end of an era for XrAid, for Cody and for me. My only hope was that Cody found something much better.

The moment Cody and I walked back into the sitting room I saw Alfie’s jaw tick. Cody’s arm dropped from my shoulders and settled down at his side.

“Guys can we have a moment of your time?” I asked, lifting Charlie from Shawn’s arms, who now had him, and hugged my baby to my chest. I stared down at my beautiful son, and I figured if I could iron things out with Lennie my position in the band could work.

Then I thought on what Alfie had said about asking Kieron at Sly Records to coordinate Crakt Soundzz, Cobham Street and XrAid’s schedules and figured his wasn’t a bad idea after all.

If the label’s PR could strike a balance that gave all of us quality time with our families, then perhaps I really could have it all.

“Everything alright?” Alfie muttered. His voice laced with concern.

He glanced down at Charlie and immediately began to stroke his head.

He never could be near our son and resist the need to touch him.

His gesture of love toward our baby brought a smile to my lips, and when my gaze met with Alfie’s, his lopsided smile mirrored mine.

“So, I’ve had a chat with Lennie today, and as you all saw, one with Cody too. And I’m afraid to say there will be a change to the XrAid lineup going forward.”

Lennie’s jaw dropped, his head reeling back on his neck and his eyes wide with shock. “You’re leaving?”

“No, I am,” Cody muttered.

“You?” Digs muttered as he shook his head.

“Yeah. I’ve been thinking about it for a while, and with everything that’s happened, I…

I think it’s time I made the break. It’s not all bad news.

I’ve been offered a three-album deal as a solo artist by a small label just starting out.

I’ll be their ‘catch’,” he said, making quote marks with the fingers of both hands.

“We can’t change your mind… work this all out between us?” Shawn countered, sounding diplomatic for once.

“No, I’d almost made my mind up before I came here today. Too much shit has happened. And y’all know the elephant in the room isn’t going to abate unless I get time away from it,” he said, nodding toward me.

“I’ve decided I will stay with XrAid, but the schedule of work is going to look a lot different from now on,” I quickly said to smooth over any awkward comments that may have been said once Cody had said his piece.

“We can work something out,” Lennie agreed, sounding keen to have me back.

I immediately diverted his attention to talk about the general issues we’d had.

“Over the years, our dynamics had changed, not just for XrAid with me having Charlie, but for Cobham Street, with Coral and Lennie, and for the guys in Crakt Soundzz too. So, with all the bands being signed with Sly, Alfie suggested discussing our schedules to ensure there’s no surprises, as in clashes of tours that affects important time or occasions with our families,” I said.

“I’m sure they can work that out, Lily,” Rick agreed.

“We’ll miss you, dude,” Digs said, focusing back on Cody. He slapped his back in a genuine show of affection. “You’ll do amazing things out on your own.”

“Yup,” Cody chirped.

“But we’ll meet up regular, right? Friends for life… no matter where your career takes you,” Shawn insisted.

“Friends for life,” Lennie mumbled as he stepped forward and held up a fist.

Cody nodded and bumped it. “I’ll still expect an invite to parties and significant events, but right now, I need time to see where this opportunity takes me.”

“I wish you all the luck in the world, Cody. You deserve it. You’re a fabulous artist, and you’ll shine even better without us lot cramping your style,” I said.

“Doing something different can be exciting. I’ve written a song with Delilah and we’re thinking of releasing that as well.

I just need to speak to Kieron at Sly about it. ”

“Can’t wait to hear it,” Cody and Lennie said in unison.

“Well guys, I guess now it’s official, I’ll get my PA to announce that I’m leaving XrAid on Monday morning.”

The last boat left just after 10:00 p.m. and Alfie and I got ready for bed.

“What a day,” he muttered, flopping down on our big bed beside Charlie who was wide awake.

“Productive. And to think I was crippled by nerves,” I admitted. “I can’t help feeling…”

“Sorry for Cody,” he finished. “Yeah. I can’t imagine what it’s like to love someone for all this time you can’t have.”

“Don’t,” I said when tears suddenly sprung to my eyes.

He shifted onto his side and perched his head up on one arm. “He’ll get over it. Best thing he can do for himself is to make a clean break. You’ll see, Lily.”

I nodded, convinced Alfie was right. Cody was a fabulous, good-looking guy who deserved to be happy. I only hoped the future would bring that special someone that he couldn’t see past, just like I couldn’t see past Alfie.

“So, Mrs. Black. Back to XrAid, eh?”

“I guess so, but no touring at least for the next year.”

“Sounds to me like you really can have your cake and eat it too,” Alfie said, grinning. The way he said it sounded very much like an ‘I told you so’.

“You know, I should be excited about that, but I’m not. I’m more excited about having the next year at home with you and that little guy you’re lying next to.”

“And you thought you wouldn’t be a great mom.

I see that in you every day. Baby, when I see you holding our son in your arms, I feel so much love in my heart, it can threaten to get overwhelming.

You and this little man are all that I care about.

If I never sang another note, played another gig, or wrote another song, it wouldn’t matter because I have both of you. ”

“I noticed you never included not having sex in that list of the things you love doing,” I teased.

“Sex? I’m so sleep deprived my brain isn’t fully functioning.”

“Tell that to your morning wood, you almost drilled a hole in my back this morning,” I said, laughing.

“Talking about drilling, when did the doc say we could have sex again?”

I nodded slowly and raised my eyes to the ceiling to look like I was trying to recall. “I think he said 2028.”

Alfie laughed, shot off the bed and scooped me up in his arms. “He didn’t say anything about not using toys to get you riled. The penetration can wait. But as for the rest, I think you’re just about sassy enough now, for us to start playing again.”

“Playing?” I queried, a little apprehensive, yet wet from his playful suggestion.

“It’s kinda hard to explain. Why don’t we put Charlie to sleep, then maybe I could show you,” he said like he was about to teach me.

“I’m sure you could,” I said, playing along. “But you will be gentle with me, won’t you?” I said, sounding innocent.

“Baby, until the doctor says we’re good to go, I’m going to treat you like glass.”

“I’m not that fragile,” I insisted.

“No, but I don’t want you blacking out either,” he said in a mock stern tone.

“Blacking out… what exactly did you have in mind for us, Alfie?”

“Ah, now that would be telling,” he mumbled, flashing me his infamous lopsided smile and waggled his brows.

Right then, I figured life couldn’t get better… then again, with Alfie Black as my husband, and if I knew him like I thought I did, I figured it wouldn’t be long before he’d prove me wrong.

The End