Page 106 of Out of the Blue

I focus on the latter part of her reply. “I’m sure she’ll find something. After all, we New Jerseyans love our hair.”

“We sure do.” My thought about her sister vanishes when Cordy kisses my nipple, then blows on it. “Hey, I forgot to ask you about your meeting with Brax earlier. How’d that go?”

We’ve continued meeting up weekly to discuss band stuff. And more personal things as well, if I’m totally honest. These meetings started out of curiosity, but now I look forward to them. “It was good. He gives some really good advice, you know? About performing, connecting with the audience, that sort of stuff. Plus, we’ve been talking about things like Sara and his other kids.”

“I’m glad. He really seems interested in your progress as a band. He’s backstage with me for your performances more nights than not.”

“I know. Sometimes I catch him singing along.”

She kisses my other nipple. “Yeah. And the other members of Hunte join him from time to time. It’s pretty cool how they’re mentoring you guys. Can’t ask for better teachers.”

Cordy’s been so supportive of how I’ve been making my way to Brax. Not pushing me. And I appreciate her more for it. Using my index finger, I tap her nose. “Thanks for your support with him.” My father. Still can’t use the term. Too weird. But he is a fantastic mentor. And man.

“Today, King called when we were meeting. I chatted with him for a little while. I was thinking of asking to get together with him and his fiancée when we’re done with this leg of the tour. I want you to meet him. He’s sort of pretty cool. And I want to meet his Angie.”

Her eyes brighten. “I’d love to meet them. And your sister and her hunky fiancé.” She shimmies her shoulders, and I roll over on top of her.

I stretch her arms over her head. “Hey. I’m the only hunky guy I want in your orbit.”

She laughs. It’s an uninhibited sound. “Believe me, I only see you. But I do think it’s pretty cool you’re getting a whole new family.”

“Yeah.” Right now, though, there’s only one family member I’m interested in. And we’re not even family. Yet. I rock my hips so she feels how hard I’m getting. “Enough talking about the Huntes. The only hunt I want to go on is for your next orgasm.”

“Well, when you put it that way…”

* * *

After a shower, we drift into the kitchen for some snacks. Need to refuel after how Cordy laid me flat. Tenor plays with a catnip mouse in the living room area.

While my girlfriend browses through the hotel’s offerings, my pterodactyls take flight again. I’ve been thinking about this for a while, and I’m comfortable with my plan. Still—it’s not every day a guy proposes to his girl. I take a cleansing breath. “So, we’re going to be in Las Vegas tomorrow.”

“Uh, huh,” she replies, holding up a Snickers bar. I nod.

“It’s a short, four-hour drive from here,” I note, putting two champagne flutes on the counter. Opening the fridge, I stand a bottle of champagne next to the glasses and peel the label away from the cork. “Fun town. Lots of gambling.”

She picks up some trail mix, scrunches up her nose, and replies, “Yeah. Great place for TLR, considering you guys bet on everything.” She drops the trail mix into the drawer and checks out what I’m doing. “What’s the bubbly for?”

I pop open the bottle and it overflows the neck. She giggles. Fuck, I love that sound. While I pour the glasses, she perches onto a high stool on the other side of the counter.

I walk over to her and hand her the flute. Her choice of seat isn’t ideal, but I don’t care. It’s our moment.

“I love you.”

“I love you, too.”

Our glasses clink together. We sip the effervescence.

“So good.” I put my glass onto the counter and reach into my pocket, pulling out a ring box. I swallow sawdust. When I visualize the beach, calmness descends. I drop to one knee.

Holding the box upward, I say, “I lived without you for too long, and that ends now. I want you at my side for the rest of our days, if not longer. You’re my person, Cordelia Hernandez. I promise to be at your side forever, as your husband.” I open the box. “My Cordy, will you marry me?”

Her mouth falls open as soon as she sees the box. She hops off the stool, screaming, “Yes! Yes! A thousand times yes!” She barrels into me and we both fall backward onto the hard floor, laughing.

I take the diamond out of the box and place it on her left ring finger. “Perfect fit.” I kiss the symbol of our commitment, and she lets out a squeal.

One final ask. “Elope with me. When we hit Vegas tomorrow, let’s go find a chapel and get married. Just you and me. I don’t want to wait, or to share you with anyone else.”

“Like no one? Not the band, or my sister?”

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