Page 285 of Silver Sweet
I’m floating by the time we finish, and he’s at my side. Bathed in purple light, we face the stadium together while black and silver roses soar at us from every direction. The dark night sparkles in thousands of tiny lights.
I have almost everything I’ve ever wanted.
Looking to Phoenix, I soak in his awe.
I laugh as so much joy overcomes me. He shares in the laughter, his eyes caught on mine, and I see our breath in the frigid air.
Yet I’m on fire. Combusting.
Time ceases to exist when I rise up and kiss Phoenix St. Pierre. The fanatic eruption stumbles us together, but he curves his arm around me, bringing me even closer. I grip his back, and I feel his smile against mine. I feel his hands as they lift and frame my face.
He deepens the kiss to the most legendary music we could ever make.
This night will last forever.
EPILOGUE
TOM COBALT
It’s January 4. The day I met Phoenix.
Officially one year of knowing him. So technically speaking, it’s our anniversary, and I would like to file an official complaint regarding all little sisters everywhere. Because mine is usurping my day with myboyfriend.
But it’s fine—it’s okay. I’m very happy about Audrey’s arrival. I’m not at all concerned hell may break loose. Because if it does, I thrive best there.
I jolt from my guitar when a strange tap sounds against my doorframe.
Phoenix laughs. “Scare you?” He must’ve tapped his motorcycle helmet on the wood. Before I can answer, he’s already saying, “I let myself in.”
“Your key does need exercise.” I hop off my bed and set my guitar upright in its stand. “You should keep using it. Make sureit doesn’t grow weak and frail. Or else you might have to break and enter.”
“I’m sorry—you can’t open the door for your boyfriend?” His snappy tone makes me smile.
“Yeah, no, Phoenix, those duties are beneath me. I am a Grammy-nominated artist who might be a winner come February.”
“Then what the fuck am I?”
I inch toward him. “Grammy-nominated artist, dude, which is why your feet should really only be touching red carpets.” I gesture to the wooden floorboards. “Beneath you.”
“I’ll keep that in mind.”
“You will?”He won’t.
“No.” His sharp-eyed gaze scans the walls of my room in unfamiliarity. His fingers skim the sound-dampening foam boards attached to the charcoal paint. “Breaking and entering,” he repeats. “You would just love for my rap sheet to grow, nepo baby.”
“Not true. But I would bail you out of jail for defending my honor.” I take his helmet from him. “And I like the chaos.” I think about today and scrunch my face in a grimace. “Most chaos. You sure you want to be here today?” As if Phoenix isn’t almost always with me since the Forest Hills show.
Being apart is rarer.
“Yeah,” he says, no hesitation. “Not just for your sister.” He watches me set his helmet on my dresser. “It’s our one-year.”
“You’re here for the anniversary sex.”
He glares. “Yeah, Tom, I just really want to fuck you.”
“I mean, you better, dude.”
Phoenix lets out a tight laugh. He rakes his fingers through his dark hair, then says, “Come here.” He seizes my wrist and draws me into his six-four build before I can even make a move.My chest knocks into his, and I clasp the crook of his neck and shoulder, my body warming at his closeness.
