Home Again (6 page)

“Just go stand with East. He’ll take care of you.” I pushed her into his direction and took the stage.

Breathe Aisley. Breathe. Just breathe.
Why was I all of a sudden hyperventilating? I had done this a million times.

This time though, it wasn’t just a crowd of strangers, it was people who knew me. People like Easton. I hadn’t sung for East in over two years. “Hey, everybody. I just want to say happy birthday to Becks.”

I took a deep breath and started to strum, as if it were just another night on tour. I instantly got lost in the music.

“Every time I come across your old picture,

Or think I spotted you in a crowd,

My heart races ‘till I realize you’re not around.”

As I sung, I could hear people cheering, and my smile grew wide.

“And every time I find myself all alone,

I can still hear your laugh,

From across the room, you’re trying to hold it back.”

My eyes found Easton’s as I started the chorus.

“I wish we could travel way back in time, time.

Hash out the details of our old love affair.

Back when we each had a partner in crime, crime.

We would fight, make up, and still be in love.”

From the stage, I could see his expression darken. He whispered something to Becks, who broke out in a fit of laughter, and then led her with him out the door. Where in the hell were they going?

“Back when we had it all,

And took it for granted,

Lost in the moment nothing was planned—”

I went through the motions robotically and forced myself to finish the entire song. As soon as it ended, I bolted off the stage and to the back door.

Out in the alleyway, I looked around, hoping they were still nearby. I heard the faint sound of vomiting around the corner. Sure enough, Becks was hunched over puking her guts out, and Easton was rubbing her back.

“I’m never drinking again.” She groaned.

“I don’t believe that for a second,” I said from behind them.

“Ais? Is that you?” She tried turning around, but that caused her to get sick again.

Easton looked at me hopefully. “Wanna take over?”

“Yeah, I’ll take her home.”

He smiled, walking up to me. “You looked beautiful up there, babe.”

I met his eyes. “You really think so?”

“Ais, you were born for this.” He pushed his hair out of his eyes. “But, I always knew that. That’s why I let you go.”

“Well, I’m back now.”

“Yeah, but for how long?”

I bit my lip. “Does it matter?”

“Yeah, Carter, it matters.” He brushed some hair away from my face, letting his finger trace my jawline. “I don’t think I can take you leaving again.”

I swallowed hard. “I’m back on tour in seven weeks.”

He nodded. “That’s why nothing can happen with us. The other night at the lake, that was a mistake.”

“It wasn’t and you know it.”

“I can’t do this again, babe. It was hard enough getting over you the first time.” The pained expression he wore broke my heart.

“Why can’t we just have these seven weeks?”

“Because seven weeks with you wouldn’t be enough.” He kissed my forehead gently, and it felt the same as it did two years ago. The first time he broke my heart.

I took a deep breath, trying not to cry. “East, forever wouldn’t be long enough with you.” I brushed my hand across his cheek. “And even after two years away, I’m still not over you, and I don’t think I ever will be.”

He brought his lips down hard on mine. “Come on,” he whispered in between kisses. “We need to get Becks home. She’s about to pass out right here.”

“I don’t want this to end, East. Tell me it’s not the end.”

“Aisley fucking Carter. Why do I always have to go searching for you?” John yelled from behind us.

“Fuck,” I grumbled, ignoring John. “Can you come over later?”

“Aisley—I don’t know if that’s a good idea.”

“Aisley, you need to get back inside,” John yelled again.

“Hold on, John!” I gave Easton a pleading look.

“Okay, fine. I’ll be over in an hour.”

“Okay.” I smiled. “I’ll have John help me with Becks.”

“I’ll see you later,” Easton said, walking back inside.

“John, can you help me with Becks?”

“I need a raise.” He rolled his eyes but ran over to help me, and lifted her up over his shoulder with ease.

“You’re a lifesaver.”

“Quit running off,” was his only response.

***

I was literally a ball of nerves. Even when I was in front of thousands of people, I never felt this nervous. But that’s what Easton did to me. He turned me into a ditzy fucking schoolgirl. Complete with enough butterflies to fill an entire football field.

I checked my watch. It was eleven, and he should be here any minute. That was if he actually showed. Part of me thought he’d bail, but part of me prayed he wouldn’t.

After promising John that I wouldn’t try to sneak out tonight—about a thousand times—he agreed to sleep in the guest bedroom, instead of my bedroom floor.

I can’t express how grateful I was for that.

I heard a soft tap on my window.

Another.

And another.

I slid it open and found myself staring down at Easton, who was getting ready to toss another pebble. “Come down here.”

I almost did, but if John found out, I would never be out of his sight again, and that was just not happening. “Climb up here.”

He cocked a brow, but started up the trellis. When he got to the top, he gave me a crooked smile. “This feels like high school all over again.”

I laughed. “Sorry, the only way I could get John out of my room was to swear on my unborn child’s life that I would not leave the house.”

“You know, he’s kind of creepy,” East joked.

“He’s a bodyguard; I think that’s in his job description.” I giggled. “So where were we?”

He stepped closer to me, tilting my chin up. “We were saying what a bad, bad idea it would be for us to be anything more than friends, since you’re leaving.”

“Yeah, really reckless,” I agreed, sucking in a breath.

He kissed me softly. “I can’t help myself. When I’m around you, I don’t think right.”

I kissed him back. “I like it when you don’t think right.”

“You’re not drunk, are you?” he asked, kissing up the side of my neck.

“No, I only had, like, one drink.”

“Good. I want you to remember this,” he whispered roughly in my ear, as he unzipped my dress.

“Oh, East.” I stepped out of my dress and led him over to my bed. He pulled off his shirt, showing me a perfectly maintained six-pack. “Kiss me.”

He crawled on top of me, and I knew if this were our only night together, then I would just have to take full advantage of it.

And it would be a night I would never forget.

***

Chapter 6

I rolled over into something hard. It groaned, and my eyes fluttered open. Then I remembered last night. That something hard was East’s stomach. I looked up at his face, his eyes were still closed and his breathing even. He was still asleep.

Last night was perfect. My eyes studied his face, taking everything in, as if I’d never get to see it again. Savoring the feeling of being this close to him.

“If you take a picture, it’ll last longer,” he joked groggily.

I inched back, and was a little surprised he was awake—and a lot embarrassed. “That is a lame joke.”

“Not as lame as you staring at me like I’m not real.” He stretched, and then pulled me close to him, kissing my nose.

“I wasn’t staring.”

“Right and I
don’t
have a hard on right now.”

I blushed, suddenly all too aware of his body against mine.

“Cat got your tongue?” He laughed, and I punched his arm.

“You’re such a punk, Easton Everson.”

“You’re so pretty, Aisley Carter,” he whispered against me.

The butterflies that I had officially named ’Easton’s butterflies,’ all of a sudden took flight. No one else had ever made me feel this good. No one but him. “Hey, East?”

“Hmm?” He snuggled in closer to me.

“What now?”

I felt him shrug against me.
Well, that’s helpful.

“I don’t want to lead you on, East,” I continued, “No matter what I’m leaving in seven weeks.”

He finally brought his head up to look at me. “For seven weeks, I’m going to pretend you’re not.”

I started to object, but he flipped on top of me, bringing his lips down on mine. Which caused me to forget whatever stupid thing I was about to say.

“Aisley!” Mom called, as she knocked on the door.

“Ugh,” I groaned underneath East, and he snickered.

“You’re so busted!” he whispered.

“Don’t look so happy, you’re going to get the same lecture, pal,” I whispered back.

He stopped laughing, ducking under the covers, which caused me to giggle.

“Aisley? What are you doing in there? Is someone in there?” She knocked again, and the doorknob twisted. Thank god I had locked the door.

“No, Mom, I’m fine. I’ll be out in a minute.”

“Are you sure you’re okay, sweetie? I thought I heard a man’s voice,” she called through the door.

Easton stifled a laugh and I shoved him lightly. “No, Mom, just me.”

“I can go get John, if you want.”

“No, Mom. Please don’t,” I groaned. “Give me five minutes.”

“Okay, sweetie. I made scrambled eggs and bacon. Make sure you eat.”

She meant well, she really did. Yet I couldn’t help but want to bang my head against my headboard repeatedly. Once we heard her footsteps retreat down the hall, we couldn’t help but laugh.

“I’m surprised she didn’t bust the door down.” Easton laughed.

I got up out of bed and stretched. “You ready to make your grand escape, green eyes?”

He groaned. “I don’t suppose I can use the front door?”

I leaned down for a kiss. “Sorry, hon.”

He sat up. “All right, but before I leave, tell me you’ll go out with me tomorrow.”

A smile automatically crossed my face. “Do you even have to ask?”

He threw his t-shirt over his head and started to dress. “I believe that’s the gentlemanly thing to do, yes.”

“Then, yes. I would love to.”

“I’m looking forward to it, babe.” He met me for a kiss. “I’ll call you tomorrow, Carter.”

“Wait,” I said with a blush. “You don’t have my number.”

“Don’t I?” He winked, and then he disappeared through the window.

Easton and his damn butterflies were going to do me in.

***

After a shower, I made my way through the kitchen in search of the scrambled eggs, and ran straight into John. “Aren’t you proud of me?”

He grunted. John was definitely not a morning person. “What for?”

“I’m still here.”

“Yeah.” He chuckled under his breath. “I’m pretty sure I know why, kid. And, no. I don’t want to know any more than I already do.”

My face must have turned seven shades of red. “You’ve got to be kidding me,” I muttered.

“What kind of bodyguard would I be if I didn’t know what you were up to all the time?”

“I don’t know, maybe the kind that has boundaries?” I joked.

“Relax, kid. I hightailed it back down to my room as soon as I knew who was up there, and that you weren’t planning to leave. I heard nothing.”

“I really hope that’s true.”

“Well, next to nothing.”

I groaned. My cell phone rang and I grabbed it off the counter. I couldn’t stop myself from groaning a second time. Devin’s name flashed on my caller ID.

“Better answer it. He’s relentless, you know,” John said, pouring us both a cup of coffee. He handed one to me and I mouthed ‘thank you’, before answering the phone.

“Hey Dev.”

“Aisley, what the fuck were you thinking?”

“A simple ‘hello’ would have sufficed,” I said sarcastically.

“Well, a simple ‘stay the fuck out of the press’ didn’t,” he shot.

“I have no idea what you are talking about, Devin.” I rolled my eyes, even though he couldn’t see me. I dished myself up two pieces of bacon and a big scoop of scrambled eggs, while I listened to a stream of curse words filter out of his mouth. He cursed more than a drunken sailor.

“Does the impromptu show you put on for your little friends last night ring a bell?”

Oh that.
“Yeah, about that. I’m—”

“Don’t you dare say ‘
sorry
.’”

“Well, what would you
like
me to say then?”

“I don’t fucking know, Aisley, but get used to the camera again real fast. It’s all over the internet.”

Great. Apparently, confidentiality agreements meant nothing anymore.

“Maybe I should send a second bodyguard.”

“No!” I practically yelled. I set my plate of food on the table, and took a seat. John was eyeing me from his place at the table. “Please, one bodyguard is enough. Really.”

“Fine,” Devin said. “But, the good news is, people are starting to say good things about you again.”

“That’s great,” I lied.
What did I care?
But deep down, I cared more than I should have.

“Try to lay low, Aisley. I mean it. Now that the paparazzi know you’re there, you’re going to be bombarded.”

And that was not a lie.
The thing I hated most about my career choice was the paparazzi. Some of them were nice, but the majority—not so much. They would do just about anything to get a good picture. Except this was Burden. Nothing ever happened in this little town, so the paparazzi would be stupid to show up here. They wouldn’t get anything good. I was counting on them to realize that.