Fair enough. I was more interested in the journey anyway. I wanted to savor the ride with Tegan. I glanced at the tattooed band around his ring finger and smiled. I’d had quite a few cool moments over the past year, but marrying my best friend was by far my favorite.
Sure, “The Magic” hit number one in the charts, and Jealousy’s debut album sat in the top ten for weeks. We played the Palladium twice, The Greek once, and if all went well, we’d be playing the Hollywood Bowl next summer for sure.
We also had our drummer back. Cade rejoined Jealousy last March after extensive physical therapy. We’d jokingly given him a hard time for blowing out both wrists before a tour, but truthfully, I should have written him a thank-you note. If Cade hadn’t gotten injured, Tegan wouldn’t have played with Jealousy…and none of this might have happened. I didn’t want to think about that.
Tegan was my number one.
No amount of success, fame, or fortune meant anything without him. He was my best friend, my confidant, my muse. We hadn’t necessarily planned on getting married, but it seemed right. We’d wasted years worrying about excess noise. We vowed not to let that happen again. We also agreed not to share our relationship with the public. In fact, other than our friends and family, no one knew about our impromptu Vegas wedding. We tattooed rings with each other’s initials in lieu of traditional gold bands. T had so much ink that his wasn’t as noticeable as mine. Some overzealous reporter or blogger…or even a fan, would discover the news eventually, but that would be their story. This was ours.
“You know this party is for us, right?” Tegan’s deep voice broke my reverie.
I smiled. “I had a feeling. Justin isn’t great at surprises. And your mom asked me if it was supposed to be cooler in LA tonight. She said she was just curious, but I think she wanted to know the dress code.”
“Did you tell her we’re having a cannonball contest and she needs to bring a bathing suit?”
I snorted. Tegan’s mom had been cancer-free for six months. Her hair was growing back, and she felt better than ever. Probably not cannonball contest ready…but close.
“No way,” I chuckled. “She’s still mad we snuck away and got married.”
“Nah, she understands. She just wants us to be happy.” He pushed my hair from my eyes, then leaned in to rest his forehead on mine.
“Are you happy?”
Tegan kissed me tenderly. “Yes…and grateful. I love you.”
I flung my arms over his shoulders and sealed my mouth over his when the well of emotion threatened to choke me. Yeah, I loved him. More than I could say.
And love was a funny condition. Sometimes sweet, sometimes slow, sometimes wickedly quick and overwhelming. I’d felt every facet of that emotion for this man possible…and more. He was my other half, my better half. He was my past, my present, and my future. I couldn’t wait to see where our journey led, starting from here.
“The Magic” by Declan McNamara, Percussion and Backup Vocals, Tegan Monroe
I used to find magic everywhere.
I used to know that the right signs would take me
Where I needed to go
Somehow I knew you’d be there
And it would be magic
You shine brighter than the best
You fly high above the rest
Like you’re some kind of magic
With your sweet smile and your flawless style
Your sense of right and wrong
Your sense of where you belong
You’re magic
But life isn’t so simple
And it isn’t so righteous
And the best things are elusive
Like you
you’re gone now
You took the magic
And I’m so lost without you
I know now to pay attention
The clearest signs might be hidden
Life isn’t always fair
I can’t find the magic when you’re not near
I’m lost without you.
But I believe in second chances
Tell me it’s not too late
I don’t want to lose this magic
’Cause I’m so lost without you
So lost without you