Ember

28 - How long have you been there?

Ember

“How long have you been there?” I ask.

“Long enough. Falling for each other?”

I know Hanna hadn’t been there long enough to have heard what Marco said, I would have noticed her there. So, she must be going off what I said. I know Hannah doesn’t care much for me; she never has. The whole time we’ve been on this tour, she’s made no secret of that fact. I know she will make things difficult for me where Marco is concerned. I know without a doubt that she’ll tell the others what she heard tonight; no sooner have they woken tomorrow.

The comments she’s made regarding what people write about Marco and me leave much to be desired. Hannah is very opinionated and likes us all to know it.

“You two have been warned how many times?”

“It’s none of anyone else’s business.”

Hannah raises her eyebrow at me sarcastically, and I roll my eyes.

“I don’t know how many times in one day I need to tell you that this band, this chance, means everything to Colin. He and the others know just what will happen when Marco gets what he wants from you. Do you really think he’s any different from Nate Rigby?”

My eyes widen in shock. I can’t believe she just said that!

“How dare you? Marco is nothing like that man, and you know it!”

Marco is a gentleman, and I will not stand here and let this woman suggest otherwise!

“But you still gave it up for Nate, didn’t you?” Hannah smirks, and I clench my fists. I’d gladly smack her in the mouth if I thought I could get away with it.

“You don’t know anything, Hannah, and I’m not about to explain myself to you. Whatever Marco and I feel for each other is more than se.x.”

I look back at Marco and smile because I can’t help myself. It feels good to allow myself to feel for him. Hell, it feels good to know my heart is mended because of Marco. And it really is mended. I don’t feel the pain of Lydia and Toby’s betrayal any longer. It’s gone, and I feel ready to move on. This man is perfect. He treats me with so much respect. He picks me up when I’m down, makes me laugh, and puts me first.

What more could a girl ask for?

“Oh, my God,” I turn to look at Hannah again. “You actually are in love with him. It’s written all over your face.”

“I know why everyone would think Marco and I being together is a bad idea. I’ve thought the same thing more than once. But no one can choose who they fall in love with, Hannah. I doubt Marco thought that’s what would happen to him. I certainly never thought it would happen to me again, and never this strongly. You can’t fight destiny, Hannah.”

She nods slightly. “That’s all well and good, Ember. But what if things don’t work out between the two of you? Where will that leave Dun’s Dungeon?”

“Is that what people said to you about Colin?” Hannah furrows her brow. “I know how in love the two of you are and how solid your relationship is,” She smiles and nods slightly. “Did these guys doubt your relationship at any time?”

“I guess,” She sighs.

“But you didn’t let that stop you being with Colin, did you?” Hannah shakes her head. “Isn’t it possible that Marco and I could have a relationship as strong as yours and Colin’s?”

She doesn’t answer.

“I didn’t plan to join the band and fall in love with anyone, Hannah. I joined because it was my dream to be a singer-songwriter. I was not in a good place when I joined Dun’s Dungeon, and Marco knew that. He was there for me when I needed a friend the most.”

“You could have spoken to Colin. He’s your friend.”

“Yes,” I smile. “Colin is my good friend, but his attention is always on you, and that’s exactly as it should be, Hannah. You are the love of Colin’s life, and you will always come first.”

Hannah nods her head while leaning back against the counter. “I get that, and I appreciate you saying it. If Marco is your friend, why can’t it stay that way?”

“It can,” I agree with Hannah. “And it will. Marco and I will be friends for life. However, if Marco has fallen for me the way I have for him, it’s inevitable that we’ll end up together. Don’t you think?”

Hannah sighs while rubbing her hands over her face. “I get what you’re saying, really, I do. But you don’t know Marco the way the rest of us do, Ember.”

“Maybe you just don’t know him like I do,” I counter back. “Look, I know you don’t like me, and you probably never will. But Marco, Colin, Bob, Saint, and even you mean a lot to me. I would never do anything that would harm what we have here. Like it or not, we’re a family. If I know anything, it’s that families stick together.”

I learned that from birth. I grew up with so many surrogate aunts and uncles, cousins, and grandparents from all walks of life. Mom and Dad always told Eagle and me that family were the people in your life that meant something to you. You don’t have to be blood-related; you just always have each other’s backs. I like to think that I have that with my bandmates.

“I do like you, Ember,” It’s my turn to be shocked. “I can see why you’d think otherwise. I know we’re no longer in school, and I have no reason to be jealous of you, but I guess I still am a little bit.”

I blink rapidly. Hannah has no reason to be jealous of me, and I’ve never given her a reason to be so.

“Don’t look at me like that, Ember. Have you looked at yourself in the mirror?”

Look down at myself. Right now, I look like a mess. I’m in PJ shorts and a black Cami top, with my long hair in a high bun.

What’s to be jealous of?

“You’re beautiful, Ember, and you don’t even see it; you never did. I guess that’s why men are so attracted to you. You’ve got so much going for you, including hair that’s so fuckin’ straight and shiny it makes me sick.”

I chuckle because that’s the weirdest thing to be jealous of.

“You have legs to your armpits and the flattest stomach with the most refined abs I’ve ever seen on a woman. Your damn skin is flawless, and for a woman raised by bikers, you’re way too nice.”

I’ve heard the ‘too nice’ comment more than once in my life.

“Compared to you, the rest of us look like shi.t.”

“Bull,” I snap while shaking my head.

I understand how she’s feeling because I’ve never felt as good as most people. But Hannah is gorgeous, as I point out to her. She has curves in all the right places, her brown eyes sparkle when she laughs, and she has a man who would die for her.

“You’re stunning, Hannah. God, look at your eyes; they’re so brown and shiny that I even get mesmerized by them!”

“Weird,” She chuckles.

“That and you have fantastic breasts. Not like my buttons,” Hannah looks at me, and we both laugh - not something I thought the two of us would be doing together.

We stop laughing, and Hannah tells me, “Whatever you and Marco decide to do, just make sure it’s the right decision at the right time. If it is that the two of you want to be together, just be honest with Colin, Bob, and Saint. They won’t be happy, but they’ll get used to it.” Hannah smiles and then takes herself back to bed.

I’m not going to jump into anything with Marco right away. There’s a lot to both think and talk about. I’d be a liar if I said that I didn’t want to try with Marco, but I’m scared at the same time. I’m afraid of things going wrong, not because of anything Marco might do but because of my insecurities. None of that would be fair to Marco.

Maybe you’re not as ready as you think you are yet, Ember.

Perhaps I need to spend some time away from Marco. When I get free time, at least. That should help me figure out if I really want to start a relationship with Marco and how we’d make it work. We pretty much live and work together right now.

What if when the tour is over, and we spend a couple of weeks at home without each other, we realize we have nothing in common?

What if Marco meets someone else and leaves me for her?

You’re overthinking, Ember. Stop looking for problems in a relationship that doesn’t exist yet.

Texas is calling; six gigs left, and to record our album. That is when I’ll speak to Marco and find out if there is an us.

Yeah, that’s what I’ll do.