Page 74 of The Final Beat

“I’m sorry, Dest, I really am.” Wes hung his head in shame, shoving his hands into his pockets. “I don’t know what else to say.”

“Nothing,” she said with an edge of sadness. “Nothing at all. All I hope is that it gives you sleepless nights for the rest of your life. I also hope that if you ever have a daughter, you protect her more than you ever protected me.”

Destiny stared at him, and we waited. Wes didn’t move but just stood there watching her. If he was waiting for her to say she forgave him or that it was all water under the bridge, he’d be waiting for a long time.

It was finally time for me to step in and I moved up beside her. “I think you should go.”

“But I?—”

“Nope.” I shook my head. “I’ll explain to the happy couple.”

He frowned. “Happy couple?”

“Beau and Simone. This is their engagement party. You know, my bandmate.”

Wes shook his head. “I had no idea. I usually eat here when we’re in Manchester.”

Destiny hissed like an angry cat and pushed her palm against his chest. “Get the fuck out. This is a private party.”

“Des—”

“You heard her,” I growled. “It’s a private party so fuck off.”

Finally, he got the message and turned to leave. When the door slammed shut behind him, Destiny’s body relaxed, and shestumbled back a step. My hands rested on her shoulders and my mouth moved close to her ear.

“I’ve got you, Daisy. I’ve got you.”

She sagged against me and if it hadn’t been one of my best friends' engagement party, I’d have whisked her out of there. Instead, I guided her towards Amber who was still popping olives. Me and my best friends always looked out for each other because we belonged to each other. That was exactly what we were going to do for Daisy, because she belonged to me even if she didn’t realise it yet.

CHAPTER 31

DESTINY

When Wes first left the party, I felt sick. It had been a long time coming, confronting one of the band, but I couldn’t say that I’d enjoyed it. It brought too much back, reminding me of all the things I’d been put through… again. The anger had seen me through, but once Wes left the fury was replaced with relief. Relief that I’d got through it and that after almost ten years, I’d finally had my say. I hadn’t realised how much I needed it. How the weight would lessen just by telling someone they should have helped me. If I’d known how much it would help, I’d have sought one of them out a long time ago. The hate I felt had turned to pity. Vinny wasn’t a real man. A real man didn’t do what he did to a woman, to anyone. A real man made sure his woman was happy. A real man protected her… even if he was deluded to think that included punching someone else.

When I thought back over the last few years I’d let Vinny spoil every single moment. I’d let him turn me into a bitter, scared woman. Someone who didn’t take her chances at happiness. He’d stolen my future and I’d let him carry on taking it, even after he was dead, and I felt ashamed for not being stronger. I’d let Joey go because of a man who wasn’t fit to lacehis boots. I’d let the man go who I’d missed so very much over the last six weeks. I’d missed Joey so much I’d had to stop myself from getting in my car and driving over to see him, on several occasions. The hours I’d spent flicking through photos of him on my phone was bordering on obsession. If I didn’t know better I’d say I… no, I was not going there.

“Where do you go after Japan?” Simone asked, dragging me from my thoughts.

“China.” I forced out a smile. The idea of a world tour filled me with dread. I knew it was my job, a job that I normally loved, but I’d lost the buzz that I usually felt. Maybe it was because of the band. Five fucking kids who barely had a pair of hairy nuts between them, they were so wet behind the ears. One of them even had to have a chaperone because he wasn’t sixteen until we were a month into the tour. They certainly weren’t men who looked amazing in grey sweatpants and a white t-shirt or had amazing rhythm, especially when fucking.

Rubbing my thighs together I glanced over at Joey. He was laughing with the rest of the guys as Ethan relayed some story to them. I didn’t know Ethan that well, but I did know he’d had problems talking at one time. Joey said that as Beau taught Ethan guitar, the easier he found it to talk. Now, whenever I saw him, he never stopped talking. As I watched him making Joey laugh my heart stuttered. He had a hand on Ethan’s shoulder and had a huge smile as he chatted away to him. A son was something that I could never give Joey and I knew he’d be a brilliant dad. It didn’t matter how much he said he didn’t want kids; it was still a huge thing to take away from him. The problem was it was getting harder and harder to see it as a good enough reason to deny myself.

“That’s one gorgeous ring by the way,” I said to Simone, trying to move my thoughts away from the man who had my heart in a constant state of anxiety.

Simone blushed and held out her hand to gaze at the huge diamond on her finger. “I love it. I thought at first that maybe it was too big but,” she looked back up, “I think it’s perfect now.”

“My brother does have good taste.” Belle looked down at her phone.

“She’s fine with Maisie,” Simone said and turned to me and explained. “Maisie, Di’s daughter is babysitting Lily, and Belle is a little anxious.”

“Di is the lady who cleans for you?” I asked. “The lady over there in that gorgeous cobalt blue dress?”

“That’s Di, she’s with her husband Rob.” Simone turned to Belle. “Do you want me to ask her to call her?”

“No.” Belle shook her head. “God, no. I’m just being stupid.”

“If you’re sure, but I swear, she will be okay.”

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