Page 24 of False Promises

“If you’re nice, I can make you forget about your shitty date?” She wiggled her eyebrows, and I burst into laughter.

Still standing, Lyla positioned herself between my legs, and my hands clamped on her hipbones to pull her closer.

“I was hoping you’d say that. I’m due for a fuck session. The last time was months ago. And I prefer it to be with you than anyone else right now.”

She splayed both hands on my chest. “Well, in that case, let’s not waste any more time.”

Her lips descended on mine, soft and familiar, and I forgot all about the last few hours and the sense of panic that had paralyzed me earlier as we both made each other feel better for the moment.

* * *

“Thank you, Amsterdam,” I screamed, my guitar high above my head. “You were the best crowd tonight. How about an encore?”

Droplets of sweat traced my spine. I pushed my wet locks away from my forehead and adjusted my instrument around my neck.

Wolf-whistles and screams filled the stadium. I nodded to a technician on the side of the stage, and he brought me a wooden stool. The lights turned off, and a lone spot shone on me as I performed the acoustic version of “Forever.”

I strummed the first few chords. All sounds died down in the amphitheater. It always impressed me the way all these people turned silent the moment I started playing, to not miss a single lyric of the song.

Lights glowed around me like little stars when people lifted their phones and sang along with me.

My heart swelled in my chest.

My eyes brimmed with emotions.

I’d been doing this for years, and each time people sang my songs and knew all the lyrics, it hit me. Like a balm of love enveloping every inch of my being.

The show ended, and I was flying—or at least, that’s how I felt. Light and content. Nothing could bother me when I was surfing this post-concert bliss.

After I showered and changed, I met up with my musicians.

I had been invited to a club opening tonight, and I promised I would make an appearance.

Bradley, the owner and a fellow guitarist I had the honor to play with in the past, welcomed me when I reached the VIP section. We chatted for a couple of hours, and after a short night of sleep, I boarded the plane to my next destination.

I had a concert scheduled in Germany tonight. This was the European leg of my tour. Three months across Europe. One month off. Then two months in Asia.

These days, I couldn’t get enough of the music. Never in the past had I pictured myself as a solo artist, but so far, I was enjoying the freedom it provided me. Sure, most times, it felt lonely since I was used to having my bandmates slash best friends with me all the time.

June called as I was about to leave for a sound check. I greeted her in a teasing tone. “Hey you. Miss me already?”

Her clear laughter resonated through the phone. “Hello to you too, Carter. You sound to be in a great mood. Everything going as planned?”

“Yes. Last night’s show was perfection. It always puts me in a good mood for days afterward when it happens. What can I do for you?”

“Listen. I was thinking… That wedding you said you would come to with me next month? I’m not sure it’s a good idea after all.”

“Why not?” On her invitation, I had agreed to accompany June to her cousin’s wedding in her hometown. She didn’t want to go alone, and I was fine with being her plus-one if it meant great food, music, and a fun night. And June and I always had a good time together.

“I-I heard he might make an appearance. And I won’t put you in the middle of my clusterfuck.”

“At some point, you’ll have to talk to him. Explain everything. If I were him, I’d wanna know. Wouldn’t you if the roles were reversed?”

She sighed. “Yeah. I would. We had a nasty breakup. I lied to him. Rather, I hid the truth from him. And when I decided to come clean, he never returned my calls. What was I supposed to do? Pursue him? Harass him until he talked to me?”

“Still, the guy had no idea. I’m sure once you tell him the truth, he’ll regret not having been there for you when you needed him the most. And not taking the time to talk to you. And see you.”

“Maybe. We really loved each other. I’m not sure I’ll ever find someone like him. It felt like a one-chance-in-a-lifetime kind of love.”