A Love Song for Always - Piper Lawson Page 0,22
chuckles. “Not yet.”
What I don’t say is that I’m longing to. Part of me never wanted fame. I love my music and everything it’s brought me, but I’m looking forward to a manageable pace.
Annie makes her way from the front of the plane, bending over next to my chair. “Hey. Either of you seen Sophie’s board book? I figured it might’ve slid back here.”
I take her hand and press my lips to her palm. “Beck’s using it to practice his reading. He’ll be at a first-grade level soon.”
“You seen T’s balls, Manatee? Figured they might be in your pocket.”
She grins, and I rub a hand over my face.
“You can stay in the man cave if you want,” Beck offers charitably, gesturing to back of the plane. “But you’re gonna need to drink hard liquor.”
“That’s why Ernie’s down for the count?” She shoots an emphatic look toward the carrier, and I swallow a laugh. “I’ll leave you both with your testosterone,” she quips.
We both watch her return to the front.
“I bet you’re glad to lock that down.” Beck grabs another Sharpie from a cupholder on the table, uncapping it.
“Yeah, I want her to be my wife. More than anything. But she’s always been mine, Beck.”
“Cocky prick.”
“I don’t mean it like that. Since I gave her that ring, since the first time I kissed her, since the first time she looked at my blue hair and decided I was worth her time…” I try to put words to the emotions I used to shove down before Annie taught me to open up. “She’s part of me. Nothing can ever change that.”
Beck draws on a napkin, lines and letters I can’t read upside down. “I started pitching this reality series six months ago. No networks were buying because I wasn’t a big enough star yet. Fast forward to now, they’re returning my calls.”
“Your point?”
He pulls back to inspect his work, then holds up the napkin. Being Beck is in carefully printed letters with a smiley face.
“Point is, never say never.”
When we finally arrive, I’m the first one at the door of the plane.
I signed as many shirts, badges, and posters as I could manage. Now, I stretch out my stiff arms and legs, flexing my hand—even a private plane can’t make that long a trip entirely comfortable.
Outside, I’m greeted by sunshine and fresh air. This will be good.
I already feel more relaxed. The ride to our resort takes less than ten minutes, all of us piled into cars. Elle, Annie, Beck, Rae, and I share one.
Elle buzzes the window down, taking it all in. “Wow, I can’t believe you guys are getting married in—”
Annie covers her friend’s mouth with a hand. “Don’t jinx it.”
Elle rolls her eyes. “We’re already here. What could go wrong?”
We get dropped off at the hotel.
“Everything’s taken care of,” Annie assures us, brushing her hair out of her face as the breeze blows it back into her eyes and sweeps her skirt high up her thighs. I block her body from the wind, and she shoots me a grateful look. “All our bags are being taken to our villas.”
She and I have one with a private pool and hot tub. The others have been assigned to either their own villa, or in a few cases—like Rae and Elle—they’re sharing. We’re staying in a secluded place on the island, and we’ve been promised there will be little to no intrusion from the outside world.
I don’t take privacy for granted anywhere.
“What are we doing this afternoon?” Elle asks.
Annie looks around. “I figured people might want some time to themselves, so nothing’s scheduled until tomorrow.”
Rae folds her arms. I don’t think she ever sleeps. “I’m going to the pool.”
Elle frowns. “I need to bleach my hair before the weekend. I meant to do it sooner but ran out of time.”
“I’m sure the salon can do it.”
“Nah, it’s cool. If I can find an umbrella to sit under, I’ll come do it by the pool with you guys.”
Beck arrives and wraps an arm around Elle and Annie. “What’s going on?”
Rae responds. “Bonding.”
He makes a quick count and curses. “Told you, no foursomes. But I should check my contract and see if it stands outside the US.”
Annie laughs, and I’m grateful to my friend for helping lighten the mood.
“You guys go ahead. I’m going to see who’s checked in,” I say, spotting Jax. I need to see if our Wicked guests have arrived.
But Annie jumps in front of me. “I’ll stay too.”
Despite the long