By some miracle, baby Blaise has slept through the entire soundcheck. We’re far enough away that the music won’t hurt his little ears, and the band is only testing their instruments, not playing a full set.
“Let’s not fail to mention this baby’s cute daddy coming home soon.” McKenna laughs. “Oh, I never thought I’d see the day.”
Nocturne Court has reached the last leg of the reunion tour, ending in Manhattan. I didn’t accompany Wyn on the world tour, both of us discussing that in order to reach our dreams, we had to be physically separate for a while. I focused on building my own firm while Wyn found his feet again, planning to use the reunion of Nocturne Court to reignite public interest in him and profit off that fame by approaching other labels as a composer.
Neither of us has an easy road ahead, but we’re determined to do it together, even if we had to be apart for two months.
Today is the first time I’ve seen him in person, and my legs burn with the need to run down the aisle and frankly, jump his bones.
Blaise whimpers in between guitar riffs, and I turn back to McKenna. “Are you two doing okay?”
“He’s getting hungry.” She says it with an exhausted breath. These last few weeks haven’t been easy for her, with Blaise coming early and Mason leaving the tour for a few days so he could be there. But, despite his support and vow to leave the tour entirely if McKenna said the word, a shell-shocked McKenna convinced him to fly back to Germany, and she navigated the first two weeks of newborn life without his physical support. I stepped up where I could, helping with night feedings and letting McKenna get some sleep, but I’m not her husband, and finally convinced her to join him on tour once they landed back in the US. This is the first time I’ve seen McKenna in well over a week, and it’s obvious she can’t wait to go home and become an official family unit, without the craziness of stadiums, tour buses, and fans.
I squeeze her shoulder. “Let’s head backstage. They should be done soon.”
With my hand on her elbow as she carries Blaise, we navigate the aisle until we reach the side of the stage. Wyn notices.
As soon as his eyes meet mine, I freeze. Sound tunnels. All my senses tune to him.
He pushes back from his keyboard and leaps from the riser, eating up the stage until he reaches me. Wyn jumps down to our level and doesn’t wait to regain balance before I’m in his arms.
McKenna lets out a peal of laughter, and over Wyn’s shoulder, I see Mason doing much the same to her and the baby, although much gentler, before he leads her the rest of the way backstage.
Wyn squeezes my ass and I lift my legs and wrap them around him. His scent breezes into my nostrils and I inhale deeply.
“Fuck, I missed you.” One of his hands digs into my hair, pulling me closer.
I don’t leave him time to say much else, my lips fusing to his and our kiss lasting almost as long as we’ve been separated.
Rex whoops! in the background and Easton beats the drums in encouragement. Their wives and children were with them the entire tour, but I bet they’re searching the wings for the same kind of welcome.
Enough about them, though.
“I missed you, too,” I murmur into Wyn’s mouth, unwilling to pull away just yet. “I never thought I needed someone by my side, but here I was these last two months, wishing for your presence after each email I sent and document I made official.”
“But you did it.” Wyn punctuates his congratulations with a loud kiss. “As only my Dee can. And I’ll be there for the official opening of your doors tomorrow.”
I laugh. “Sparrow Enterprises runs out of my apartment right now, but I’ll take a bottle of champagne. Especially after hearing the news Dennis was fired.”
Wyn doesn’t bother to disguise the eager lift in his brows. “Oh, yeah?”
“My ex-assistant told me the same investigation conducted against me was also done to him. Larry’s been suspicious about Dennis’s abilities to triple investments for months, and he’s been skimming those investments to pay off other ones.”
“Shit. A Ponzi scheme.” Wyn studies me closer, probably searching for signs of my past trauma coming back to bite me.
“A small one.” I ease into his hold, showing him with my body that I’m relaxed and okay. “I deliberately went into this business knowing how easily it can be manipulated, but I was determined to be one of the good ones. To show that you can make a ton of money without hurting those you love in the process. Dennis doesn’t have that kind of tenacity. He wanted the immediacy that an illegal hustle brings, and he’s paying for it.” I add quietly, “Karma.”
Wyn squeezes me to him in understanding. “I’m glad somebody is getting their just desserts. I’m sorry it’s not your parents.”
“One day,” I say, but bite down on the wistful tone. I said goodbye to them as a family a long time ago. “Until then, I’d rather focus on you. And us.”
“And office sex. Lots of office sex in your apartment.” Wyn grins, accepting my lighter change in topic.
“I do believe I owe you some congratulatory sex, too. Your tour is a success.”
“Major.” Wyn nuzzles my neck. “I think it put the music bug back in these fuckers. There’s a solid chance we’re getting back together. But now that the reunion’s over and we’re taking a break to negotiate new contracts, I can concentrate on my original music, Ma’s rehab, fixing up her house, and helping Lucy catch a break.”
I nudge him until he raises his head and looks at me. “Don’t forget I’ll be there with you, every step of the way. If you want to keep composing and stay with Nocturne Court, I’ll help you negotiate those rights.”