Page 229 of Fame & Rhythm

“What was that for?” he asks, amused.

“Just because,” I reply with a small smile.

He chuckles, and we make our way into my room.

As soon as the door closes behind us, his expression shifts slightly, more serious now.

“How are you really holding up?”

“I’m okay,” I say honestly. “It hurt… realizing she wasn’t who I wanted her to be. But at least I know now. I can move forward without wondering.” I shrug lightly. “My past isn’t something I want to keep revisiting.” I pull my shirt off and drop it aside, unclipping my bra.

“Well, I’m proud of you,” he says, stepping closer as he shrugs off his own shirt. “You could’ve let this break you, but you didn’t. You saw it for what it was and chose yourself. That takes strength.”

Warmth spreads through me at his words, and I step out of my pants, then grab my oversized gray 12GAUGE-Slayed T-shirt and pull it on before moving back into his space. He’s down to his boxer briefs now, solid and steady in front of me.

“I’m sorry about today,” I say, wrapping my arms around his waist and pressing myself against him.

He smiles softly, shaking his head. “Already forgotten, baby.”

“No… I mean it.” I tighten my hold slightly. “I should’ve listened to you. You were trying to protect me, and I pushed you away. I won’t do that again. Not like that.”

“Annie,” he murmurs, brushing his fingers along my arm, “I don’t need you to always agree with me. But pushing me away… that hurt.” His voice lowers. “For a second there, it felt like I was losing you, and I can’t… I don’t want to feel that again.”

My chest tightens, but not in a painful way this time, more like something real settling into place. “I’m not going anywhere,” I whisper.

I rise onto my toes and press my lips to his. It’s soft at first, gentle reassurance, but he deepens it slightly, his hand sliding into my hair, pulling me closer. The other drops to my hip, grounding me.

We part slowly, and I smile up at him.

“I love you, Annie,” he says quietly. “Don’t ever forget that.”

“I won’t.” I hold his gaze. “I love you too. So much.”

“All right,” he says, his tone softening again. “Let’s get you into bed.”

I nod, and we climb in together. He settles on his back, and I tuck myself into his side, resting my head against him while my fingers trace lazy patterns across his chest.

“Goodnight, Lennox.”

“Night, Aston.”

Wrapped up in his arms, everything finally goes quiet.

For the first time in a long time, I feel at peace.

Maybe knowing the truth about Loretta has lifted something off me. Maybe not having to chase answers anymore is a relief in itself. I wasn’t really comfortable around her, and deep down I knew it.

My life was fine before she showed up.

And it’ll be just fine without her in it.

***

Music notes drift around me in a slow, circular rhythm, perfectly in sync, like they belong together. I smile as ribbons of color trail behind them, soft rainbows that seem to hum with every movement, making the melody feel richer, fuller.

They rise and fall in the air, weaving sound into something that fills me completely—hope, wonder, a quiet kind of excitement that settles deep in my chest. It feels like possibility. Like second chances.

Aston sits beneath the willow tree, watching me.