Page 115 of Heartstring

I stand from the stool and wrap my arms around him as our lips crash against each other.

Loud cheers and whistles fill the room, but I can still hear him say, “I love you.”

“I love you too.”

With my face cradled between his talented hands, I’m forced to let go of his lips.

My eyes search his, even as they keep drifting to his mouth.

“Too many people here,” I groan.

He chuckles. “All the important people in our lives are here, baby, because I want to show you that from now on, this is us. My family, your family…our family.”

“The kiss didn’t mean—”

He puts a finger over my lips. “I know. Seymour told me, not that I had doubts. I just got…sidetracked by my fears.”

“I saw your video.”

He smiles. “I was in panic mode, Ty…I should have handled things differently. I didn’t mean to push you away.”

“Don’t ever ignore me like that again, Mik.”

“Never.”

“Tell me we’ll always talk. We’re too old for this shit.”

“Always, baby.” He leans closer so his lips are by my ear. “We’re not too old for some things.”

“God, I love you so much.”

We hold each other until someone says aloud, “Now that the lovebirds have made out, let’s play some real music.”

“Fuck off, Stone. I was eighteen and barely shaving. Give me some credit,” Mik shouts.

“It was a beautiful song, baby,” I say.

“You’d say that. The song is about you.”

“Maybe.” I wink and kiss him as Stone, Fox, and Bastian grab instruments from the stage and start playing.

36

MIK

NOW

My heart hasn’t stopped gallopingsince I saw Tyler walk into the bar with Ellis.

Planning this whole surprise for Tyler was the easy part. Executing it was a little harder because patience was not on my side.

Three days. I had to wait three days to see him. Three days of knowing he was hurting and questioning my feelings for him. And I knew all of that because Seymour, the fucking bastard, made a point of telling me.

No fucking shit.

I glance at the guys on stage, jamming like we do at home for shits and giggles. The audience, which consists of Tyler’s friends plus Bastian’s mom and dad, who wanted to come along for the show, and to look after Kay, are also here.

My mom would have come too, but it was too last minute, and she couldn’t find flights. I promised her we’d visit soon so she could see Tyler.