Page 17 of Rhythm Of Our Souls (Heartbreak Melody #3)

Lulu

Even though the concert is over, there’s still this vibrant energy about the place. Everyone’s rushing around, working together like cogs in a well-oiled machine.

“Is it always like this?” I ask Nate, my eyes taking in the organized chaos around me before looking up at him.

“Oh yeah,” he chuckles. “There are a lot of moving pieces to make every show run successfully.”

Nodding, I hum before going back to watching people as they pass us on our way down the hall.

“It’s crazy to think this is Ally’s life,” I comment.

“She used to talk about it so much when we were kids. She was determined to make it happen for herself. And I always did my best to support her.” A wave of melancholy hits me.

“I’m just sad that I wasn’t there to experience it with her. ”

“Hey.” Nate places his hand on my shoulder, giving it a reassuring squeeze.

“I can’t speak for either of you—I haven’t been through what you two have—but what I do know is that there’s no changing the past. And if we spend all our time dwelling on it, it’s only going to ruin the here and now.

Don’t let it. You two found your way back together, that's what matters.

Yes, it took a long time, but you're still here. And while you might not have been there with her in the beginning, you get to experience that piece of her life now.”

“You're right.” I nod, taking a deep breath. “Thanks.”

“No problem.” He grins.

“So, you and Ally?” I ask with curiosity. “What's going on between you two?”

“As of right now? Nothing,” he says. “But from how our little firecracker made it known tonight, that's about to change.”

“Do you want that? To be with her, I mean?”

“More than anything.” His smile softens. “It’s been a goal of mine for a while to get Liam and Ally together, so we can all be a pack. But it’s not that easy when you have so many things working against you. That's why I want to thank you.”

“Thank me?” I ask in surprise. “For what?”

“For being Liam’s scent match,” he chuckles. “It really is the best outcome we could have asked for.”

My heart sinks. “Was Liam’s past really that bad?”

Nate’s face goes grim. “Not my story to tell, but it’s enough to keep him from the woman he’s loved for years because he was afraid of getting hurt like he did in the past. Big dummy didn’t realize he was hurting himself just as bad by denying her.” He laughs, shaking his head.

“Then I’m glad.” I smile. “Quick question.” I lower my voice and look around, making sure no one's watching before whispering. “Liam isn’t a serial killer, is he?”

Nate’s eyes widen before he snorts out a laugh. “Ah, no. Why on earth would you ask that?”

“I have my reasons,” I huff, narrowing my eyes.

He grins wide. “I like you, Lulu Carter. I think we’re going to be good friends.”

I smile. “You're not too bad yourself, Nate Wilder. I think you’re alright.”

“How do you know my last name?” he asks, raising a brow.

“I have my ways.” I shrug, smirking playfully before pushing my way past him and into the dressing room.

“Lulu!” Maya’s voice sounds frazzled and worried. My eyes dart over to my best friend, and guilt smacks me right in the face.

“Shit. Maya!” I rush over to her. “I’m so sorry. Are you okay?” I check her over. Her eyes are red. Damn it, she was crying.

“Me?” she asks. “What about you? What the hell is going on, and what was all the screaming over? Was it what I think it was?”

I chew on my lower lip. “So, ahhh, guess who has a scent match?” I give her jazz hands. “Surprise!”

Her eyes widen. “Really?”

“Yup. And I’m happy to report he is not a serial killer.” I grin wide as Nate snorts a laugh from somewhere behind me.

Her brows furrow for a moment, seeming confused, but then lets out a laugh; probably remembering the conversation we’ve had a few times on my opinions on scent matches.

Guess they’ve changed, big time.

“Just like that? You're okay with it? I thought you were turned off by the idea of having your life turned upside down for a complete stranger? Guess it’s hard to keep the same mindset after you’ve actually met your scent match. It’s powerful stuff.”

“That’s for sure,” I huff, already missing Liam. So weird. I don’t even know the guy. “But here's the kicker.” I can’t help but vibrate with excitement. “My life isn’t just getting turned upside down because of Liam.”

“It’s not?” she raises a brow. “How? He’s the bodyguard for a celebrity. Is he going to quit his job to be with you or something?”

“What?” My brows furrow. “No, no, nothing like that.”

“And you're okay with him working so closely and spending so much time with another Omega?”

“That's the thing,” I start. “It’s not just any Omega.”

“Well, no, it’s not. It’s Ally Cat.” She grins. “This is so crazy. I bring you to see your favorite singer, and you wind up scent matched to her bodyguard.”

It’s just now I realize... Maya doesn’t know who Ally is to me exactly.

“I have a confession,” I admit, guilt flowing off me in waves.

Her smile drops. “Oh boy. I’m not going to like this, am I?”

“Remember you love me and I’m your best friend, okay?”

“Lulu,” she says in a warning tone

“Okay, so remember the girl I told you about from my past? The one I’ve been hung up on, and am kind of still in love with.”

“Yeah...” She narrows her eyes. “What about her?”

“She's Ally.” I grimace, waiting for her to lose it.

Her eyes widen. “What!?” she shouts.

“I know, I suck. I’m so sorry!”

“Why didn’t you tell me?” she demands. “Lulu! What the fuck? That’s huge.”

“I know,” I groan. “I wanted to tell you for so long. But you really were a big fan of Ally, and I didn’t want my past with her to influence your thoughts on her.”

Maya’s face softens. “Still. I wish you would have trusted me.”

“I’m sorry.” I feel like crying.

“And here my dumb ass has been trying to get you to come meet Ally for the past year.” She groans. “I’m the one who’s sorry.”

“Don’t be. You didn’t know. And honestly, I regret not going now. If I knew this is how things would have ended up, I’d have gone the first time you invited me.”

“So wait, you’re scent matched to basically the love of your life's bodyguard?”

“Yup.”

“How upset is she?” Maya asks. “Not going to lie, babe, but anyone with eyes can see there’s something between the two of them,” she says with a pitying look.

“Don’t look at me like that,” I mutter. “It’s not an issue.”

“It’s not?” she asks. “I’m so confused.”

“Sooo, pretty much, Ally has been in love with me this whole time, too, and we’re going to join our packs together, so no one has to choose.”

“Joining packs!?” she shouts. “Holy shit. What about Gavin and Brady? Are they okay with sharing you? They are obsessed with you, babe. They looked like they’d rather stab Liam than share you with him.”

“They kind of have to, seeing as how I’m sharing Brady with Ally.”

She thinks for a moment before gasping. “That's why he was losing his shit! He’s scent matched to Ally?”

“Yup.”

“Wow.”

“I know.”

“This is crazy.”

“Tell me about it.”

“So, what are you going to do now?” Maya asks.

“I don’t know. We haven’t really had a chance to talk about it.

Ally is doing a meet and greet with the band, and I need to find Gavin and Brady to talk to them to see how they’re holding up.

Ally kind of made the choice for everyone, but I’m not upset about it, because it’s exactly what I want, and really, it's the best option so that none of us winds up getting hurt.”

“I agree. Joining packs, if it’s something you're all on board with, is the best choice. But what about your life? And hers? She’s in the middle of a world tour.”

I blink. Huh. That kind of slipped my mind. “I don’t know,” I whisper, an edge of panic hitting me. I don’t want to stay here while Ally is gone for the next few months. I don’t want to be away from her or Liam that long.

And what about her? She needs to be with Brady when she goes into heat. I need to be with Liam when I go into mine.

“Lulu.” Maya cups my cheeks. “Breathe. You're panicking.”

“There’s a lot that needs to be talked about,” I whisper, swallowing hard.

“I’d assume so.” She gives me a soft smile. “How about Benji and I leave you to talk things through with your pack, and you fill me in when you can, okay?”

“Yeah.” I nod. “Yeah. Okay.”

“I’m so happy for you.” She pulls me into a hug. “You deserve all the good things in life, Lulu.”

“I have a lot of them already.” Tears fill my eyes.

“Well, you deserve even more.” She kisses my cheek.

“You're the best friend a girl can ask for,” I tell her.

“The same goes for you. It’s your time to shine.” She grins. “Trust me.” She looks up at Benji, who looks down at her like she’s his sun. “It’s the best thing that's ever going to happen to you.”

“I think I believe you,” I laugh.

“Congrats, Lulu,” Benji says, giving my shoulder a squeeze as they leave. “Couldn’t happen to a better person.”

“Thanks.”

As they leave, Gavin and Brady come into the room, saying goodbye to them as they go.

“Soooo.” I rock back on my heels, hands behind my back. “What's up?”

Gavin chuckles, and Brady sighs. “Getting bored of the MC life, and wanted to switch it up a bit?” Brady’s lips twitch with a smile.

“Hey. Same could be asked about you, big guy.” I smile, walking towards him. “You went and got yourself another Omega.”

He raises a brow. “And you went and got yourself another Alpha... and an Omega.”

“Yeah.” I chew on my lip. “I did. Are you mad?”

“No, baby.” He steps close, pulling me into his arms. “I could never be mad at you. Are you? Mad at me?”

“No.” I shake my head. “Of course not.”

He looks me in the eyes, face serious. “Just because I’ve found Ally, it doesn’t mean my feelings for you have lessened. Not one bit. I love you, Lulu, and I want you to be my Omega forever.”