Because of You (38 page)

Maddie

he theater is packed. Heavy black curtains hang on either side of the large stage. Two black grand pianos grace center stage. Bright lights shine on them. Kyle and I wait in the wings.

Nervous butterflies flutter in my stomach. I lick my bottom lip, painted and shiny with red gloss. All of my makeup is heavy tonight. While Gina applied it, she explained I needed the drama. She also put big curls in my hair.

From my position on the stage I can see people milling about, chatting, smiling as they take their seats. They are dressed in gowns and tuxedoes. Lights along the walls are dimly lit, giving an air of sophistication to the entire room.

“Ready?” Kyle asks, gracing me with one of his perfect smiles.

“As I’ll ever be.”

“Sorry your aunt and uncle couldn’t be here.”

I shrug and my black dress rustles. “It’s okay.” And it is. Sure, I’m sad my aunt and uncle can’t be here, but not too much. At least they’re alive. It was touch and go for several weeks. There was more than one close call. The bullet wound in my uncle was especially awful and caused a lot of internal damage. But after several surgeries, he’s doing better. He’ll recover. As will my aunt.

I’m beyond grateful.

Professor Jenkins walks by. “You’ll do great,” he says to us as he walks on stage and steps in front of a microphone. He taps on it. “If you can all be seated.” He waits while the patrons sit. Clears his throat. “Our final performance of the night will be a piano duet with Maddelena Martin and Kyle Hadley. They are two of the best and brightest students I’ve ever had the pleasure to teach. Please put your hands together and welcome them on stage.”

He claps, and those in the theater seats follow suit.

Kyle and I take the stage. Me in my dress and ballet flats. Kyle in a black tux. I keep sneaking glances his way. He looks incredibly handsome.

“Here we go,” Kyle says.

I follow and take a seat at one of two black grand pianos situated on the stage. I squint momentarily, waiting for my eyes to adapt.

Kyle sits at his piano and looks at me. He counts quietly. “One. Two. Three.” Then he begins to play. I watch the stress leave his features. He visibly relaxes. Music is his drug.

I come in at the proper time, and we play
F Major, K. 533/494: III. Rondo. Allegretto.
Like it was written for us.

When we finish there’s a roar of clapping. The crowd stands. They are on their feet.

Kyle and I stand next to each other. He motions to me with his right hand. I take a bow. He does the same. Gina walks on stage wearing a gorgeous green dress. She’s carrying a large bouquet of red roses. “Ya kicked ass,” she whispers, and places them in my arms.

“Thanks, Roomie.”

“Bravo! Bravo! Bravo!” people in the crowd shout.

Professor Jenkins takes the stage. “A big thank you to Kyle Hadley and Maddelena Martin.”

The clapping gets louder. I hear a “Whoot. Whoot. Whoot.” I try to see over the stage lights. They’re too bright, but I’m sure it was Gina. I smile in her direction, and hope she knows I mean her.

Once we leave the stage, Kyle wraps me in a hug. “You’re amazing, Freckles.”

“So are you,” I respond, and press him to me.

“Wanna get out of here? I have something for you.”

We should stay and mingle, but after what we’ve been through the past several months it’s doubtful anyone would be upset if we didn’t stay.

I check his face. “What is it?”

“Come home with me. I’ll show you.”

I smile. Kiss him softly. “Can I meet you there? I told my aunt and uncle I’d stop by.”

“Want me to come with?”

It’s a testament to how much he loves me that he offered. My aunt and uncle know Kyle is the one who saved me, but they’re still wary. I’m hoping tonight’s conversation will help.

My uncle is lounging in his recliner. A wooden cane leans against the armrest. He’s been using it to get around. My aunt is sitting on the couch next to him, crocheting. The yarn is baby blue.

I can’t help but smile. If I hadn’t seen them get shot in this very living room, I never would’ve believed it happened.

“Hi guys,” I say, leaning over and kissing my uncle on the cheek. He wraps his arms around me and squashes me to him. “Can’t breathe,” I say joking.

Uncle John lets go. “Fine.”

I do the same with my aunt and then sit next to her. “Whatcha working on?” The yarn is soft.

“It’s a scarf.” Her eyes fill with tears. She sniffles and glances at my uncle.

“Oh, Lizzie. I’m fine. But he reaches over and takes her outstretched hand, twining his fingers with hers.

They adore each other. And seeing the way they are makes me want to bring Kyle around. He’s going to be in my life a very, very long time. Hopefully they will too. I want my aunt and uncle to understand how amazing he is.

“How was your performance?” Aunt Eliza asks, going back to her crocheting. The tension is immediately thick, palpable.

“It went well. We received a standing ovation.”

Aunt Eliza pats my hand. “Of course you did.”

I sigh. “Kyle played beautifully. He’s seriously so good. I can’t wait for you—”

“That’ll be the day,” Uncle John interrupts, flipping on the TV like we’re done talking.

Anger bubbles to the surface and I stand in front of the TV. “Here’s the thing. I’m in love with Kyle.”

My aunt covers her mouth. “No.”

Uncle John grumbles something incoherent.

“Yes. He’s amazing. Caring. Sweet. Kind. Gorgeous. Loving. Compassionate—”

“We get it, dear. You’re smitten.” Aunt Eliza goes back to crocheting. Her eyebrows drawn together in consternation.

I sit back down. Place a hand over hers. “It’s more than that.” She looks at me and I meet her eyes. “You used to say
evil men raise evil kids
, remember?”

She balks and pulls her hand from mine. “Of course I do. It’s a fact.”

“Maybe it usually is, but Kyle saved me. And not just my actual life, but in here too.” I press a fist to my chest, over my heart. Tears of frustration fill my eyes. I blink them away, but my voice breaks. “Without him I’m incomplete.” I turn my gaze to my uncle. “Without the two of you I’m incomplete.”

He grumbles.

“I need the two of you and Kyle in my life, and it would mean so much to me if you could give him a chance.” I look at my aunt. Her mouth is hanging open. “Please.” I wipe the tears that escaped off my face.

“Alright.” My uncle gives my aunt a look, one that says, “It’s settled.”

“Fine. Why don’t you bring him to dinner on Sunday? I’ll make taco sushi and chocolate cake.”

I reach over and hug her. “Thank you. Thanks. I will.” Then I stand. Because Kyle is waiting, and I’m anxious to be alone with him.

“You want some pie? I made apple.”

I shake my head. “Can I take a rain check? I have someplace to be.”

My uncle rolls his eyes.

I knock on Kyle’s apartment door. It bursts open. I notice he’s still in his tux, but the bow tie is gone and the top button is undone. He yanks me in, crushing his lips to mine.

I want him. Need him.

“Hi,” he says between kisses. “How did it go?”

I giggle. “Good. You’re in. They want you to come to dinner. Taco sushi.”

He makes a face.

“It’s delicious,” I say, oozing sarcasm.

“I’m sure I’ll love it.” He unzips my dress. Pushes it off my shoulders, and lets it fall into a pile at my feet. I step out of it. His lips are immediately back on mine, suckling my tongue.

I slide his jacket off. He sticks his tongue in my mouth, and I grab hold of his hair. He groans. Cups my ass with his hands, pulling one of my thighs up. A hungry heat warms my lower belly.

“I love you, Maddie Martin. More than I believed it was possible to love.” He whispers the words against my lips, and tears of joy fill my eyes.

“I love you too.” I pull back and take in his face, his beautiful, ice blue eyes. “Thank you for waiting for me. For saving me. For being the first person to see all of me.”

He kisses me tenderly, his fingers slowly moving up and down my arms. Goosebumps pucker all over. He looks at me, puts his hands on my waist.

“Will you be my first time?” I ask quietly, unbuttoning his shirt.

In answer, he pulls me to him, his hands in my hair and his tongue in my mouth. “I would be honored. In fact… well, let me say that I love you chose red. You look beautiful.” Kyle’s eyes slowly trail down my body, take all of me in. Slowly. Deliciously. Warm tingles spread through me. He grabs my hand. “Come on.”

I follow him, glancing down at my lacy red bra and undies. Something Gina helped me pick out. “I’m so glad you like it,” I say and only blush a little. Because as much as I want him, I’m nervous.

The light flips on and he stands off to the side. I walk past him, unable to help the large smile that pushes up my lips.

Red rose petals are scattered across the white bedding, pillows, and floor. A bottle of something chills in a container next to the bed. Strawberries dipped in chocolate sit on a platter. It’s like every fantasy I’ve ever had. “How did you do this?”

“Gina,” he answers, kissing my neck, trailing a row of hot kisses down my back. Then he turns me around, kneels, and kisses my stomach. Each tattoo. He leads me to the bed and lays me on it. The heady scent of petals fills my nose. “I love because I am loved?”