Page 125 of From Us, Forever

“Did you have a good day?” he asked, threading his fingers through my hair as the steady beat of his heart lulled me.

“Yes,” I lied as sleep came for me.

The glint of the diamond in my bracelet was the last thing that caught my eye before I drifted off.

CHAPTER 24

My eyes stayed glued to the window for the entire flight.

I was still in a mood—a penchant for melancholy.

Funny how time could change the perspective of worries, one moment I was fighting for my life, and the next I was sad that I was still just a girlfriend.

Though, I’d take the latter any time of the day.

“You’re acting weird.”

I shrugged, shifting in my seat to meet his eyes. “I’m fine.”

He frowned. “Is it LA? Are you thinking about the…?”

“No,” I cut him. “Today is your big day, I think you should focus on that.”

His frown deepened.

My eyes landed on Lan and Katy watching our exchange with a bemused smile. Lan looked outright confused while Katy looked sympathetic knowing the real reason.

I shut my eyes, drawing in some positive thoughts. I shouldn’t be thinking about baseless fears and letting them get to me. Sarah wouldn’t be proud of the way I was handling this at the moment.

We’ve come a long way, Sarah and I, almost to the point that I could call myself mentally free, which was addicting andliberating. I didn’t see her as much as I used to but occasionally, I did if I wanted to get something off my chest. I no longer depended on her to keep me sane, I simply depended on me instead.

Within minutes we were touching down and I was relieved for the distraction.

The dry LA air greeted us as we exited the jet and boarded the SUVs assigned to us. I’d slowly integrated into the norm of being a rock star girlfriend, jet-setting across the country, and having access to the most elite luxuries. It had its perks and I had zero objections.

We headed straight to the venue and I watched through the windows as the city blurred by. It felt like only yesterday when Jay first brought me here, I recall watching the same sight with so much hope for the future, filled with dreams and aspirations thinking I could do anything in life.

But somehow it all tied together in the end.

The path still led to the same destination.

Jay’s questioning eyes swept over me when we reached the arena. It was like he had many questions in his head but didn’t want to voice it instead he said, “I’ll see you after soundcheck.” He gave me a quick kiss while he joined the boys, a roadie showing them the way.

“You seem worried, Ms. May. Is something of the matter?” Tyler inquired, as he led us girls toward the green room. Ah, even Tyler was picking up on my mood. After the incident, Tyler wasn’t supposed to leave my side under Jay’s strict orders. According to him, I shouldn’t argue and he wasn’t taking any risks. I let it slide because I had grown comfortable with Tyler’s presence.

“I’m fine, Tyler.” I offered him a smile as I settled myself in a comfortable corner.

The expression on his face said he didn’t believe me one bit but he left me and got himself situated on a chair by the door.

“Are you still upset?” Lily dropped down beside me, hugging me from the side.

“I shouldn’t be. But I am.”

“You have every right to be,” Katy said, as she eased into the single-seater beside us. Grimacing as she shifted to adjust her position. Propping a pillow on her back, she sighed, rubbing her protruding tummy. “This pregnancy will be the end of me. My poor feet,” she mumbled under her breath before turning her attention back to us, flushing when she saw us looking right at her. “Yeah, what was I saying? You have every right to be upset, E. Every girl wants to get married to the love of their life and it’s okay to get your hopes up and be disappointed it didn’t happen.”

“Yeah,” Lily added. “Maybe it’s tonight who knows.”

“Don’t get your hopes up.” I slanted her with a chiding gaze. “But enough on this. I don’t want to think about it anymore or talk about it anymore.”

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