Once Upon a Sure Thing (Heartbreakers #2)(55)

Then my daughter had played the clip of us singing “Coming Together” in the studio.

That was the final lightbulb moment. In that clip, I looked like I was having the time of my life. Fact is, I’ve always loved playing with Miller, and with Miles too.

Even years after we’d split, I’d savored the little moments when we had a chance to sing together again.

But it wasn’t till I saw those moments reflected back that I realized there was an ache inside me too. A longing to have that once more, but to have it be different this time around.

“What if you could have that again?” Mackenzie suggested.

I looked to Sam, swallowing hard. “I don’t want that crazy life.”

“Dad,” she said. “It doesn’t have to be crazy. You guys can do it on your terms, like Ally and Miller were doing it on their terms. Be local and do online videos. The internet is where the action is, anyway.”

I keyed in on one word. “Were? You and Miller were doing it on your terms? Does that mean you’re done, Ally?”

She shrugged, but it was a mostly happy one, with only a hint of sadness. A lone tear rolled down her cheek. “You guys were meant to play together.”

I scrubbed my jaw, considering her suggestion. Could I still play with the guys in the Righteous Surfboards? Sure. Why not do both? Could I still teach? Of course. It’s my life, and my schedule. And could I play with my brother again, making videos for the Web and playing shows in New York City?

“Can I do this?” I asked Mackenzie.

A huge smile spread across her gorgeous face. “Campbell, it makes you happy. And Sam is fourteen. You don’t have to worry about her. Plus, you have me to help. We’re a family.”

My heart soared like a hot-air balloon. Could there be a more awesome woman by my side? I curled a hand around her head and kissed her.

“Dad!” Samantha squealed.

I moved away from her and shrugged. “What can I say? I love her, and she’s right.”

As I’ve been learning, the women in my life are usually right.

Then I gave them my answer.

Hell to the yes.

Now, I turn to my brother. “Want to get back together?”

He laughs. He smiles. He can barely speak. All he manages is a raspy, “Yes,” followed by, “Am I dreaming?”

“It’s real,” someone shouts from the audience. “Play ‘Hit the Road.’”

My brother and I finish out the set to thunderous applause.



*

Miller



I didn’t see this coming. I had no idea she’d do something like this. When the show ends, I find her in the wings, back her against the wall, and kiss her senseless.

“This is the coolest thing anyone has ever done for me,” I say once we come up for air.

She beams, her fingers playing with the hem of my T-shirt. “I wanted you to have what you wanted most.”

“I do want this.” I reach for the belt loops on her jeans, then her ribbon, bringing her close again. “But you’re wrong, baby. You’re what I want most.”

She wriggles against me. “Then have both. You can have me, and you can have this. Package deal.”

“Like you and Chloe?”

She nods and smiles, the kind that can’t be contained.

I press another kiss to her lips, then another, and one more. “You’re my best friend, my lover, and my girlfriend, and I will look out for you and for Chloe because I’m going to be there for both of you. You know that, right?”

“I do,” she whispers.

I arch a brow, wondering what this means for Hot Stuff. “What about you? You don’t want to perform with me still?”

She shakes her head. “Why don’t you and I focus on being together and being in love?”

I can’t argue with that, so I don’t even try.



*

Later that night, I show Ally all the ways I love her. I tell her all the things I didn’t say the other evening. I slide inside her, whispering words of love.

If I thought the first time with her was out of this world, I was wrong. This is galaxies better, because when you can both say I love you, it’s simply the best.

Afterward, I run my hand through her hair. “So, we’ll pick up Chloe tomorrow morning. Together?”

She laughs. “We will.”

“Can we tell her we’re a thing?”

Smiling, she answers, “I think she’s going to be quite happy.”

“I think so too.”

The next morning we take Chloe out for breakfast. Over pancakes, Ally clears her throat. “There’s something we need to tell you. Miller and I are involved now. We’re a couple.”

Chloe snort-laughs. “It took you long enough.”





Epilogue





Ally



I wrap my hands around a mug of tea and take a drink as Chloe searches under our little Christmas tree for a gift.

“Hmm. What should we open next?” she asks.

With my slippered feet tucked under me, I peer at the Christmas loot, hunting for a pretty green box containing a silver necklace I bought for her. It has a camera charm on it, and I hope she likes it.

“Miller, can you grab the green box with the silver bow?” I ask.