Page 134 of Dirty Rock

“Rhett,” she whispered, my name from her lips making my chest pinch tight.

“Hey.” I beamed, talking to her like no one else was there. “You doing okay? Wait. Don’t answer that.” I squeezed her hand. “We both know you’re hating this, but some things need to be done.” I glanced at the audience briefly. “This woman does not like feeling out of control.” They laughed, and I turned back to Jules. “And she’s been feeling a lot of that lately because she stupidly went ahead and fell in love with me.”

Her jaw dropped, and the crowd got louder, earning a hush from me that brought their twittering down to a somewhat moderate level. My eyes searched Julia’s, and I took a step closer, pressing the mic to my mouth so the whole world could hear me.

“There’s a lot of speculation surrounding us both at the moment, and I know that scares the shit out of you, Jules, because you’re the one who’s meant to keep that speculation away—slay it all down then retreat to the shadows. But, sometimes the lady on the sidelines needs to be brought to the front and centre of her own story, and I’m your story, baby. This is it.” I looked all around us, at the stage, the bright lights, and the crowd, before I settled back on her. “We’ll give it a go. See what happens. We’ll make it work. And when it comes to the fucking media… we’ll make our own rules. If there’s anything to tell, we’ll tell it ourselves. Like this. Right now. You and me. Together.”

Julia’s eyes teared up, and her beautiful cheeks flamed to life as she watched me.

“That okay?” I asked, brows raised.

“Perfect,” she mouthed before she bit down on her bottom lip. I loved the way she did that.

“Awesome.” I grinned, laughing lightly before I leaned in to kiss her on the lips and then whisper in her ear, “I have a song for you.”

Before she could protest about me messing with the schedule, I glanced up at Presley, who immediately took my cue and began to do his thing. The guys joined in, and then it was just Jules and me. No one else existed as I sang to her and her alone.

Heard a rumour today.

You thought time had run away.

Slipped through your hand

While you rode off with the band.

Now, I’m looking at you, baby.

I’m staring at your soul.

I’m seeing what you really feel.

Needing some control.

What if I told you…

What if I told you…

You had time?

What if I told you…

What if I told you…

Time by my side?

What if I told you…

What if I told you…

That I’ve never lied?

What if I told you…

What if I told you…

You and I had time?

Chapter Forty-Six

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