Chapter 32
Abby
“Well, I think we’d better get going,” Troy said, ruffling Mila’s hair. “We don’t want to catch Santa in the act.”
Mila rolled her eyes. “Oh my God, Troy. Just because you’re sleepy at eleven at night, don’t put that on me.”
Everyone laughed and Troy protested, “Hey! I work construction. I’m usually up by four am. What do you want from me?”
Abby felt like she was in the middle of a dream. Everyone she loved was together, it was Christmas, and she was backstage at one of Jet’s shows. Not only that, but she and Jet were together. Yep, an awesome dream. The best she’d ever had.
Jet stood up from on the couch in his dressing room. He looked around at each of the faces of his friends and family. “Damn, everybody—”
Grandmother Valentine cut him off with a stern clearing of her throat.
He laughed and started over. “I mean, dang, everybody. This has been one of the best nights of my life. Truly. And every single one of you are the reasons. This wouldn’t have meant anything without you here with me. So, thank you. Thank you for being here tonight, and every other time I’ve needed you. You all are the best. Really.”
“Okay,” Donovan said, giving him a hug. “I think we’d better bounce before the waterworks start.”
Jet laughed. “Yeah, probably a good idea.”
They all filed out, stopping to hug Jet on their way. Ella and Genevieve gave Abby quick hugs, too. Then, suddenly, they were all gone. It was only her and Jet, and the room was strangely silent after all of the festive chatter that had filled it for the last twenty minutes.
Jet sat back on the couch and Abby plopped down next to him, snuggling up and laying her head on his shoulder. “You were amazing tonight. You know that, right?”
He kissed the top of her head. “Thanks, babe. And, yeah. I know.”
They laughed and she gave him a playful swat on his flat abs, then sat up. “So Rock Star, where do you want to go to celebrate?”
He put a hand to the side of her face. “Home,” he said, his voice low and earnest. “Just home with you, Abs. That’s the happiest and the best place I can think of.”
Her eyes filled with tears and she leaned forward to press her lips to his. When they pulled apart, she wiped at them and said, “Let’s go, then, Jet. Let’s go home.”
They gathered up their things and, as they headed toward the door of his dressing room, he patted her ass and said, “Besides. There’s a bed at your place. And we kind of need one for the type of celebrating I have in mind.”