in this with you, and I’m sticking around until the end. And by that I mean the end.”
He took that in, nodding a little, like he was trying to digest it. “I guess that’s good, then. Because this thing, it’s gonna take a while to work through. It’s probably gonna take the rest of my life, honestly.”
“Then I’ll be there with you, working through it with you. Or just hanging by and cheering you on, if that’s what you need.”
He was still shaking his head. “I don’t understand you.”
“Still?”
“Your willingness to put up with me is as frustrating as the holes in your socks.”
“I’m not wearing socks right now,” I said, and he glanced at my sexy boots.
When his eyes met mine again, I cocked an eyebrow at him.
“Come on, it’ll be fun,” I said. “We’ll make babies. And we’ll travel when you’re ready, and we’ll see the world. And you’ll go out onstage again, if you want to, when you’re ready.”
“Taylor… it’s not that I don’t want those things. But I’m afraid of leaning on you too much. Needing you too much. Taking too much.”
I sighed. “Then you need to go onstage, Cary. Because that’s something I can’t do for you. You have to walk out there yourself.” I ran my thumb over the back of his hand, choosing my words carefully and saying it as gently but honestly as I could. “Gabe isn’t coming back to help you. Only you can be Cary Clarke on a stage, doing what you do and giving people what you give them when you make music. But I’m here for you. Your sister is here for you. And Xander will be out there with you.”
“Yeah,” he said softly, like he was actually starting to believe it.
“The thing I think you just haven’t figured out yet is that we’ll always have your back, Cary Clarke.”
“I’m getting that,” he said.
I sat back, studying him in his black dress shirt and pants, all sleek and mysterious. I’d never seen him in anything but jeans and a T-shirt, sweats. He looked hot in those, too, but right now, he looked like a man ready to take on the world.
“Lovely Madness, huh?” I said.
“Yup.”
“Do I get a credit on the album?”
“You get that and whatever else you want,” he said seriously.
“Hmm. I’m partial to back rubs, cunnilingus, and happily-ever-afters, so.” I got to my feet, picked up his mask and held it out to him. “Why don’t you take me home and we’ll get started on that?”
He got to his feet and took the mask from my hand.
I turned to start toward Liam. “And by the way,” I said over my shoulder, as I slipped my own mask back on, “you can leave your mask on first.” I gave him the dirtiest look I possibly could through a cat mask, and twitched my ass to shake my tail.
Chapter Thirty-Two
Cary
Gimme Shelter
February
It was absolutely pissing cold rain as we ran for the backstage entrance, where a door was propped open for us. I held an umbrella over us as Taylor snuggled under my arm. Security was thick, the alley blocked off at both ends to traffic and pedestrians, and I could hear the throb of music emanating through concrete and steel as the opening band got the Pandora Ballroom rocking for us.
Somehow, we’d managed to get Johnny O’s band, Breakneck, to open the show, warming up the home crowd before the Players took the stage—with me, joining them on guitar.
We’d be followed by Dirty.
As we ducked in through the door—me, Taylor and Liam—we were greeted by Talia and Brody. Talia had someone take our umbrella and coats. Then there was a lineup of musicians and VIPs waiting to shake my hand as I made my way through the halls toward the stage. They all hugged me and welcomed me back, and as we moved toward the noise, the beat of the music, I felt like I was returning to the heart of the scene that I helped shape into what it was right at this moment.
Dean was already there, beer in hand, wearing a guest pass.
“Never thought I’d see the day,” I said, tapping his pass.
“What can I say,” he said, throwing his arms out. “I’m a fan.” He gave me a huge hug and a pat on the back and told me, “Love you, brother. Gabe would be proud.”
After that, I greeted the members of the Players, who were already there with their partners and friends. Summer and