Page 151 of Pink and Country

We spent the rest of the night with our friends, the air in the room light and festive.

It was ten the next morning when we finished bubble-wrapping and boxing up all of April’s belongings. Pop music blasted from the speaker in the living room. Just for my sake. No doubt. Every time I cringed, April’s smile widened. Married life should be fun. And entertaining.

“The moving truck will be here in one hour,” Saunders informed, walking toward us from the kitchen, a cup of tea in hand. “I can’t believe you’re moving, girl. I knew it was coming, but I never thought I’d find it so hard.” She dried her eyes with a tissue. The moving truck was a trailer Taylor rented and hitched to his SUV. We were doing this moving-thing old-school.

“You and Reed will forever be my family, Saund. But now, Carter and I will be a family too. Don’t worry, we’ll visit each other all the time.” April hugged her best friend, and both women turned into a giant crying jumble.

Reed joined me as I watched them, my hands stuffed in my pockets, my feet frozen on the floor. He tapped my shoulder. “Women,” he said. “You’ll get used to those two. Don’t worry, it’s not as bad as it looks. They’re quite adorable once you get used to their antics.”

My phone chimed. I fished it out from my back pocket. My thumb glided on the screen.

June: Look at this.

Dozens of links to web pages and social media accounts devoted to April and my relationship. T-shirts with “I love April,” “April + Carter,” and other catchy phrases were now available for purchase all over the internet. April inched closer, and I turned my phone around to show her the frenzy surrounding us.

A wide smile tugged at her lips, chasing away all traces of her emotional breakdown. “Ohmygod. People are crazy. Yesterday they hated me, and now they worship us.”

If April thought it was funny, then it was all that mattered. Stupid fame. It was so unpredictable. The boulders that had taken root in my stomach when April left me two weeks ago fragmented to dust.

June: And you’re still number one.

For the third week in a row, “Pink and Country” topped the charts.

Was my life finally turning around?

June: I have over fifty interview requests in my email box as we speak.

June: They want to interview both of you. I already said no. The new PR firm will take care of it. Don’t worry.

The media would wait a very long time if they wanted to talk to me. Or my woman. I wouldn’t address my private life publicly. Never again. I’d learned my lesson the hard way.

Camping in April’s apartment for one last night, we looked like teenagers on a budget.

I sent Taylor to the hotel—again—wanting the entire place to ourselves.

We lit up candles in every room.

We ate tacos sitting on a blanket in the living room.

And made love in the kitchen.

In the shower.

And against the wall in her walk-in closet.

“Carter, no big wedding, okay? Friends and family only. Something simple. No fancy shit.”

I tipped April’s chin up with a curled finger.

“As long as I have you, nothing else matters. Anyway, there’re just a handful of people I want to invite, so it’ll be perfect. And April?” Her eyes met mine. “I’ve been thinking. No more world tours and sold-out stadium concerts. For now. I can’t say I’ll never do those again someday, but not in the next year. All I want is to be with you. I’ll do small-venue concerts like the one in Nashville instead.” My lips found hers. “Right now, I’m taking the next months off.” My tongue tasted her mouth. “I want to be with you. Build something together. Adopt a dog. Get pregnant. Or whatever we want. I want us to be a family. And I want you to focus on your career. I want you to fulfill all your dreams.”

“I love you so much.” I nibbled at April’s lower lip, and she became putty in my hands. “Don’t change for me, Carter. I love you just the way you are. But thanks for saying all those things.” April pressed her hands over her heart.

“Are you turning into a groupie, Ms. Simmons? Oh god, I can’t wait to call you Mrs. Hills.” April deepened the kiss, and I slid into her. I slid home. Where I belonged. “I’m tired. I need a break. I need you. All of you. Only you.”

April tilted her head back, and I grazed the column of her throat with my tongue.

April shivered beneath me, and my cock grew longer, thicker, and harder inside her. She squirmed underneath me, and we both went over the edge together, our bond stronger than ever.