Out of The Box Awakening (39 page)

“Well, what did you expect? I told you she was hurting.”

“Yeah, and I feel so bad because she’s fucking got so much shit going on with her school work and I had to complicate things.”

“Well, I’m hoping your talk made things better?” He sounds like himself again, and I’m so glad.

“You were right and yes, we’re better today. I actually think things are going in the right direction. We talked until about four in the morning. I ended up staying at her place last night. No sex or anything, but I held her all night. It felt so damn good to just fucking hold her. It felt, well, right. I’ve never just held a girl all night before, not that way anyway. And I told her how I feel. I even cried. I cried because she cried and it just fucking tore my heart out. I never meant to hurt her and I promised that I would make it up to her. I told her how sorry I was, and how I want us to work things out, that I want her in my life. I told her things about myself that no one knows, not even you. You don’t mind if I tell you things like this, do you?”

“Todd, no, I don’t mind at all! You can always talk to me, you know that! And hey, maybe sometime soon, I’ll tell you about the night I lost my virginity.”

“Hey, you’d really share that with me?”

“Yeah, something like that. I’ve never told anyone about it before, you know.”

“No one? Not even your best girlfriend?”

“Nope. No one. You’ll be my first!” I chuckle.

“Well, I’m honored that you’d share that with me, and I would really like to hear about it. Jesus, I must be really special, then.”

“You are special! Oh, and just a heads up Todd…if and when you do have sex again with her, just make sure it’s making love and not sex, okay? And, please, I don’t need the gory details!”

“Ha! Olivia! I won’t give you any details. I do have scruples, you know!”

“Scruples, schmuples! Don’t forget, I know how you are. Oh, and whenever you’re ready to introduce Kyra, I’d love to meet her.”

“I’d really like that, Olivia, more than you know.”

I smile. “She’s got a great guy, by the way. And that’s no brag, its fact!”

As the weeks go by, I am fully recovered and D-Day is here. I’ll be going to court on Monday to finalize the divorce. Alan will be there as well. Abbey says that since Alan’s agreed to everything we’ve asked for, going to court is just the formality of having the judge sign the final decree. So, February fourth will be my Independence Day. Ash is taking me to watch the guys
play tonight. I haven’t been out too much since my surgery and I’m looking forward to going. He’s been spending a lot of time with Tommy lately and has been going to pretty much all of their practices. He said that Tommy wanted his opinion on their songs, as they ready themselves for the tour. Todd has asked Kyra to come to the club tonight and said that he is really excited for me to meet her. I haven’t told him that Emily and I have talked and that Emily said Kyra is the real deal. Emily’s met Kyra and really likes her. They regularly do lunch and go shopping. Emily tells me that she thinks Todd is basically head over heels for Kyra. She said he’s different, but in a good way. Not slinging the F-bombs as much as he usually does. I’ve kind of noticed that myself.

So, gonna wear my Avenue T-shirt tonight and represent. Ash is wearing his as well. When we get to the club and grab our favorite table, Tommy and the guys come to sit with us. Tommy gives me a kiss. “Olivia, so are you back in party mode?”

“Yep. Ready to party, sans the gall bladder!” Todd comes up and gives me a hug. “There’s my favorite girl! What? No wine tonight?”

“I may have one glass, but no more. I really have to watch what I eat and drink. Plus, Ash here won’t let me get away with squat!”

Ash shakes his head. “You damn right she ain’t getting away with squat—just let her try! I’ll pull her over my knee and spank her cute little behind!”

Todd laughs, “So, basically you’re the dominant in this relationship Mr. H.?”

“Oh, every bit so!” Ash laughs and says. I laugh and flip them both off.

Just then, Todd stands up, looks toward the door and his whole face lights up. He’s smiling from ear to ear. Emily and what I believe to be Kyra are just walking in. Todd whispers to me “Olivia, that’s her. She’s here. You’re gonna love her! She’s smokin’-ass hot isn’t she? Just look at her. I mean, Jesus! She’s fucking gorgeous and she’s mine!”

Well, I can honestly say that I don’t think Todd has trimmed down his use of the f-bombs. He’s just dropped two in just one statement. However, I do have to agree. Kyra is simply beautiful. She and Emily are two of the most beautiful girls I know—besides my Lainey, who is the most beautiful girl I know. Kyra comes over to the table and Todd takes her in his arms and gives her a tender romantic kiss. He affectionately brushes her cheek with two fingers.

“Hey babe, I want you to meet my family. Well, not blood family, but they’re family. This is Olivia and Ash. Ash is Tommy’s dad and Olivia is his best half. No disrespect, Mr. H., but she really is the best half of this deal!”

Ash nods yes and I smile. “So nice to meet you Kyra. Todd’s told me such nice things about you.” He looks at me and I wonder what he’s thinking. He trusts me one hundred percent, so he knows I would never say anything about our talk. “At Northwestern are you?”

“Yes ma’am, I just started at Kellogg Business School this year.”

Beautiful, with manners, too? Oh, I like her already! Todd gets down on his knees next to my chair, puts his arm around me and whispers in my ear. “So, what do you think? I told you she was amazing!” I whisper back in his ear. “I swear I couldn’t have picked a better one. She’s perfect Todd. You did well!” He leans in and tells me “Remember you said you wanted to hear my song?”

“Yes, and I still do.”

“Well, I’m doing it tonight. I hope you’ll like it.”

“It’s not gonna make me cry, is it?” I ask

“Yeah, probably something like that. Hell, I cried the whole fucking time I wrote it. But no tears tonight—me or you, capiche?”

I shrug my shoulders. “I’ll try. That’s all I can promise.”

“Okay. Me too! You’re gonna really love it I think.”

Just before he gets up to leave, I grab his arm. “Does Kyra know about it?”

He smiles that classic Todd smile, “Of course. I sing it to her all the time. She’s pretty stoked about it. And, just in case you’re wondering, she gave me permission to sing it tonight. Guess you think I’m pretty pussy whipped for asking permission, huh?”

I laugh. “Not in the least bit. In fact, I’m really proud of you for that!”

Emily comes over to Ash and I and gives us hugs and kisses. You would think she had been a part of our extended family forever because she just fits right in and is so at ease. Tommy comes up behind her, puts his arms around her, kisses the back of her head, bends down to my ear and whispers, “So, definitely I’ve got the hottest chick, whatcha think, Olivia?”

I laugh and tell him, “Well, Tommy, you know I’m partial; after all, I did broker that deal!”

He laughs and shakes Ash’s hand. “Well, gotta go get set up. Hope you guys have fun tonight. We’ve got a good show planned. Lots of new stuff.”

They don’t disappoint. This is by far the best show of theirs I’ve seen. Kyra is having a good time and Todd; from time to time does his little sexy bad boy wink at her.

After two breaks, I’m wondering just when he’ll do his song. Tommy’s at the microphone. “Folks, this is another new song for us. Matter of fact, tonight is the song’s debut. It’s called Fairy Tale Man and we hope you like it.”

They start, and Todd, with his high-pitched voice, sings solo. His eyes are closed and he’s totally focused. It’s a slow ballad type song played with acoustic guitars.

You gave something special, so special to me

But I was blind, so blind

Couldn’t see, couldn’t see

That what you were giving couldn’t be taken back

The hurt that I’m feeling

Abilities I lack

I know there’s no take-backs

But in a perfect world

I’d give it to you, give it to you

And then some, sweet girl

And if I gave it, gave it, gave it all back

Would you take it, take it, take it all back

Cause I’m hurtin, hurtin, hurtin so bad you see

Could you give it, give it, just give it to me

The chance, babe just one chance

To show you, show you I can,

Be that, be that, that fairytale man.

Cause I took something special that you gave to me

You kept it for so long and I finally see

So if I gave it, gave it, gave it all back,

Would you take it, take it, take it all back

Cause I’m lovin, lovin, lovin you all I can

Could you just give me, give me, give me the chance

I’ll show you, show you, that babe

I can be, I will be your fairytale man

Oh.My.God! My eyes are filled with tears and I look over at Kyra. She’s smiling at Todd as he points at her and pumps his heart. She stands up and claps, along with pretty much everyone else in the club. They get a standing ovation. That was the most beautiful song I’ve heard in a long time. Brilliant!

This is the last break and the guys come to our table. Ross brings beer for them and they’re all talking about the tour. Everyone is so excited for them and I suspect, though that in spite of their happiness, Emily and Kyra will be pretty bummed when they leave.

Todd comes over to me and bends down beside my chair and whispers “So, what’d ya think?”

“Todd, that was the most beautiful song I think I’ve ever heard in my whole life. I loved it!” I say.

“Did it make you cry?” he asks

“Well, put it this way. I had to turn my head away from Kyra so she didn’t see. I certainly didn’t want her to think I had any knowledge of what it was about…duh! And yes, it made me cry, silly! You know how I am!”

He hugs me. “I’m glad really glad you liked it Olivia. Really glad!”

I text Lainey and tell her about it. She texts back. ‘Awesome! So Todd has a girlfriend?? We need to talk!’ 

I text back. ‘Yeah, she’s gorgeous! You’re gonna love her. Getting her masters from Northwestern. Yep! Brains and beauty…just like you. ’

‘Picture please?’

‘Will do!’

The guys do one last song. Tommy is singing lead. It’s a song about waiting for someone, feelings, needs, and waiting until kingdom comes. It’s beautiful. “Is this one of their songs?” I ask.”

Emily answers, “No. It’s a Coldplay song. It’s called Till Kingdom Come. Pretty, isn’t it?”

“Beautiful!” Listening to the words, I am guessing Tommy is singing this obviously to Emily. I know once the guys go out on tour that relationships will be tested and it will be hard on all of them. I sense that Todd seconds the emotion to Kyra; given the lyrics I’m hearing.

Ash puts his arm around me and is softly rubbing my arm. Obviously he’s been listening to the lyrics of the song because he whispers. “I love you till kingdom come, Liv! I’m waiting for you.” He kisses my temple. God! I love this man!

We all hang out at the club after the show and have a perfect night. Once we get home, Ash takes me into his arms. “Liv, come here! I need to feel you.” He takes me into his arms and I start to cry. “What’s wrong, honey?”

“Nothing, I’m just so happy. Just so in love with you. I love everything about you Ash. Do you know that? Do you know that if anything ever happened to you I would just want to die?”

“Olivia, I feel the same honey. God you’re so damn beautiful! Let’s go to bed and let me just show you how much I feel the same!” We make love, incredible love and he wraps me in his arms. “Tomorrow, we’re going for a nice dinner. I wish to hell I could be here for your court date honey, you know that. But I’ve got to go back to North Carolina.”

“I know that, and I understand, really I do. I’ll be fine. Don’t worry!”

“Well, you know, I’d planned on being with you every step of the way, all the way to court. In fact, I promised you that. I had no idea this case was going to take so long.”

“Ash, really, I’m a big girl. I can do this! Abbey said she’d come pick me up Monday morning and will bring me back home. I have the day off, so I’ll be fine. Really!”

“Just know I’m with you, even though I won’t physically be there. I’m there. You know that right?”

“Of course I do!”

We have a phenomenal Sunday. We go to the country club for lunch and then driving around and end up at Navy Pier in the city. “Thought we’d just have some down time today and do nothing but drive around and look at stuff.”

“Ash, this is the perfect day! I’m having such a good time!” He takes me riding around Wrigley Field. “Liv, once baseball season starts, I’m gonna bring you to some games. It’s so much fun! You’ll love it! Tommy usually comes with me, but since they’ll be out on tour, you’ve got to be my go to gal…. you up for it?”

“Oh my God! Yes! I’d love it! I love baseball. I know the Cubs are probably your team, huh?” He looks at me with a silly face “Is there another team, I mean seriously?” he asks.