about this? I stay with you until this is over; if after it’s over, you still want me to move in, if I haven’t annoyed you to the point you want to flee, then yes.”
He regarded me, and his anger soon melted into acceptance. “Okay, that’s fair.”
He was about to get up, but I stopped him. When he looked at me and smiled, I knew he was okay. “I really do want to, Ledger. I’ve never felt about someone the way I feel for you.”
“And how do you feel, Shane?”
“Like I’m flying.”
The relief I felt when Ledger kissed me was equated to a boulder being lifted off my chest. I could see how he thought I was playing with him when I said maybe, but I wasn’t. I just hadn’t realized, until he’d said those words, exactly how much we were sort of jumping into things.
As we got back into the car and drove to his place, I realized I wanted this to work…I wanted this to be my place too.
Lion greeted us with a mighty roar as we stepped off the elevator. It was a good thing Ledger let Riordan’s guys know, because even with the knowledge of the loud bird, one guy still went for his gun.
As predicted, Lion wasn’t happy with being left for so long and wouldn’t get off Ledger’s shoulder for a moment. He told Ledger that he pooped on his things and pecked at his speakers. Ledger apologized like a husband coming in late at night without calling.
Riordan’s guys were laughing as was I. It was a strange situation but endearing, and the most normal thing I’d seen in the last few days.
Ledger called the hospital, and Ziggy said he was good and going into a regular room tomorrow. Ciro made sure he had protection there, and the men here at Ledger’s had said they were working in shifts. I assumed that meant walking the perimeter and other security sorts of things.
That night, Ledger and I lay in bed, watching the rain patter away against the skylight. Lion was perched on the headboard, and all the chaos that was outside his place stayed there. I dreamed I had agreed to spend forever with Ledger.
Chapter Thirty
Ledger
For two days, we waited for any word we could get from Ciro or Riordan. All they said was that they were gathering it all, that these things took time. I spent a lot of my hours mixing songs and recording a few hours’ worth of dance mixes to send to Atlas, who was asking for them. He got this guy, who I knew of, to step in for me until I could get back, but Atlas wanted some of my mixes. That kept me busy, but I was still feeling the cabin fever.
“I made cupcakes!” Shane shouted from the kitchen. The aroma of vanilla, chocolate, and sweetness filled the place, and I loved knowing he was here.
“I’ll be right there.” I shut my laptop, powered everything off, and made my way toward the kitchen. Lion whizzed over my head, squawking.
“Want the goods, want the goods.”
“I have a special cupcake just for you, Lion.” Shane placed a tiny cupcake on the counter, next to a bunch of big, colorful ones. “I got the recipe off Pinterest.” He shrugged, but the kindness he’d shown Lion just made me like him even more.
“Friend, Shane, friend.” Lion started pecking at the cupcake, and we chuckled as he made a mess everywhere.
“You’re my friend too, Lion.” Shane gently petted the top of Lion’s head and looked up at me. “Want a cupcake?”
“Absolutely…oh, and a glass of cold milk?” I hopped up on the stool and watched as Shane got us both glasses of milk. He was wearing one of my shirts and a pair of my sweat pants. We hadn’t been able to get him to his place, but Ciro was coming by later, and hopefully they could arrange for him to go and get stuff.
“How’s the recording going?” Shane asked as we ate the delicious cupcakes.
“Good, I’ve got two nights’ worth of songs. I’ll give it to Ciro later, and he can take it to the club.”
“I know you’re missing it all. But, I have no doubt that Ciro will find what we need to catch this guy, and you’ll be back there soon enough.”
My phone buzzed next to me, and I saw it was a text from Ciro. “Speak of the devil. He’s here. I’ll just go let him in.”
When I got