Everything goes black and I barely feel the pain when my knees hit the floor.
Chapter 43
Surprise
Raven
I fly into Atlanta and only have an hour until I board my red-eye flight to Paris. I buy some snacks and find a charging station so I can plug in my phone. I listen to my messages and hear the desperation in Declan’s voice trying to find me after the show. I wonder if he knows about Paris yet. Then I listen to the last message and my heart breaks.
Paris, Sparkle? Were you going to tell me? I am so fucking sorry. Please tell me the damage isn’t already done on us. I know I made a colossal mistake. If you aren’t already on that plane- don’t get on. Call me; I’ll come get you. I’m gonna spend the rest of my life letting you know how important you are to me. I fucking LOVE you! You’re. My. Everything. Please call me and come home.
They announce that it’s time to board. I pack up my stuff and send a quick text to my parents and friends telling them that I’ll let them know when I’ve landed.
I send Declan a quick text as well because I can’t talk to him right now.
You were amazing today. Sayge is going to be great this summer and I wish you all the best. I do love you, Declan Collins, and I will call you when I’m ready. I have to turn off my phone now, but be safe and show everyone how awesome you are. xoxo
I don’t mention the note I left in his guitar case because I’m pretty sure he hasn’t found it yet. A minute later, I feel the buzz of an incoming text.
Please get off that plane and come back to me. I surrender- I need you.
Even though I promised myself I wouldn’t cry anymore, tears fall onto my cheeks. I wipe them away and turn off my phone.
“Excuse me, I think this is my seat.”
It can’t be. I recognize the voice immediately and whip my head around to see him. I jump in his arms, forcing him to step back.
“Finn Black! What are you doing here?”
“You didn’t think I’d let you go across the ocean for almost two months without me, did you?”
I can’t even form any words. I’m so excited to see my friend; I almost choke him from squeezing so hard.
“Okay, Baby Girl, we’ve got a lot of time for you to squeeze me to death. Let’s get settled for this god-awful long flight. We’ve got some catching up to do.”
For the first time in weeks, I feel a burden lift from my shoulders. Finn is my rock and he came through for me once again, following me across the world to help nurse my broken heart. God I love him.
*****
Finn
She’s so beautiful when she sleeps. Well, she’s beautiful al
l the time. But when she sleeps, she looks serene. I know I’m a bastard. And I’m pretty sure when she finds out why I’m here, she’ll kill me, but I can’t stay away. I was willing to walk away and let her have her happily ever after with Declan Collins, but he did an epic job of screwing that up. As soon as she told me what was going on with Declan and Paris, I called James and asked him to get me involved with this summer project. James was curious at first, but I think he finally figured me out. Shit, it took me long enough to admit it.
I told the guys shortly after. Out of all of them, Robbie was the most encouraging. His only concern was Raven’s happiness. Truth be told, that’s all that matters to me too. If she chooses to go back to Declan, at least I know I tried and I laid out all my cards. I am in love with Ravenel James Hayes and I have almost two months to prove to her how much.