Rocking His Fake World (Love You Forever #3) - Alexis Winter Page 0,65
Immediately, two people rush over to start loading everything onto the bus. Daniel and I walk hand in hand over to where the band is standing with Wesley and someone from the label. They’re all talking and laughing, but I can’t seem to fit myself into the discussion. All I can think about is how this is it—the moment we’ve all been waiting for, counting down to, and—some of us—even dreading. This is our end . . . for now at least. This is the moment when we have to say goodbye and mean it. There’s no more we have to stop this while knowing we’ll only come together later. This is it.
While we wait for everything to get loaded up and ready to go, Daniel pulls my back against his chest and wraps me in his warm arms. I can feel the love radiating off of him. It’s hot—like a heated blanket has been wrapped around me. It’s comfortable and something I never want to leave when I think about braving the cold world without him.
“All right, we’re ready to go,” the driver says, climbing onto the bus.
Everyone starts shaking hands and saying their goodbyes. The two of us watch the guys climb up, leaving us all alone.
I spin around in his arms and meet his eyes. They’re shining and he’s smiling, but something tells me he’s smiling through the pain of this moment. His hands move up to cup my cheeks, keeping my eyes trained on his. “I want you to know that no matter what happens—you could come right back here in a couple of weeks or you could decide to run off and marry some rock star—I will never let us go. No matter where you are in the world, I’ll be right here, thinking of you, rooting for you, and celebrating every accomplishment you ever achieve.” He leans in and presses his lips to mine for a long, slow kiss.
“Come on, Luna!” Van yells from inside the bus.
I pull back and study Daniel’s face. “I’m not marrying anyone. I will come back here, and if you’re still here, wanting me as much as I want you, we’ll pick up right where we left off.”
He smiles and nods. “Go on. Your destiny awaits.” He walks me over to the open door on the bus.
I take a step up, but then turn back for one last kiss. I wrap my arms around his neck and pull him against me, kissing him hard and fast and full of love. We haven’t told each other I love you yet, and I refuse to do it like this. When we utter those words, I want them to be real—not something that fell out in a moment of uncertainty. Those words will be said, and they’ll change everything. That will be our real beginning.
I pull away and offer him a smile. “I guess I’ll see ya later.”
He nods and steps back. “See ya later, Luna.”
I force myself to turn around and walk up the steps to get on the bus. Inside, the guys are hooting and hollering, excited that we’re finally embarking on this adventure. But I can’t match their enthusiasm. I can’t take in the awesomeness of the bus or the excitement of the guys. All I can do is have a seat and look out the darkly tinted window at Daniel, who’s still stuck in place. He can’t see me, but I can see him. Somehow, he feels me and offers up one last smile as he holds up his hand to wave. The door on the bus closes and the driver shifts into drive. Slowly, we start rolling forward.
Daniel and I are officially not together anymore.
Fourteen
Daniel
I stand there, in that wet parking lot in the middle of the night, until the bus taillights are no longer in sight. The night around is me quiet, cold, windy, and wet. Suddenly, I’ve never felt more alone. I turn and walk back to my car, climbing behind the wheel and starting it up. On the drive home, I call Calvin, not knowing what else to do.
“What’s up, man. How’s it going?” he asks when he answers.
“I just put Luna on her tour bus and am driving back home.”
“Oh, man. That sucks. I’m sorry.”
I shrug even though he can’t see me. “It is what it is, I guess. We both knew this was coming.”
“And how do you feel now that everything is said and done? Would you have changed anything?”