Blame it on the Tequila by Fiona Cole (the reading strategies book txt) 📕

She pulled her shoulders back, her chin held high. “I want to.”

Smiling bigger than I thought possible, I reached my hand for hers, finally filling the gaping hole when she slid hers in mine.

We made it around the corner before she let go. Only because the guys bombarded her and jerked her into their arms.

“Missed me, didn’t you?” Ash muttered so only we could hear.

She rolled her eyes. “Yeah, right.”

“Fine, your pussy missed me.”

“Fuck off, asshole,” I grumbled but smiled.

He backed up, his hands held up in surrender. “Hey, I’m just saying I’m here whenever you need me.”

She shook her head and laughed, coming right back to my side, where she stayed the whole length of the carpet.

She fielded all the questions with grace and sarcasm that had me laughing more than any red carpet before. My favorite was when one reporter asked her if she thought it would have hurt if Hank had made it back and started cutting her.

I almost stepped in for such a crass question when Nova put on an over-the-top British accent and answered. “’Tis but a flesh wound. I would have bit his kneecaps off.”

The reporter blinked and blinked some more. Meanwhile, I choked on a laugh and pulled her away before the reporter could place the quote from Monty Python and the Holy Grail.

Before we knew it, we made it to our seats, and with Nova by my side, we won four of the six nominations. When we won best album, I made it a point to thank my girlfriend, Nova Hearst, for always being the inspiration behind my songs.

Now that she put herself out there how she wanted to, I could finally let everyone know that Nova Hearst was mine, and I was hers.

Epilogue

Nova

“Thank you, Vegas. We couldn’t end our tour in a better place.”

I watched Parker walk to the edge of the stage and toss out his pick, quickly followed by Ash and Brogan doing the same. Oren tossed out his broken sticks and they all bowed to the raucous applause.

My eyes burned, taking them in, huge smiles on their face.

Parker looked over his shoulder and met my eyes in the wings and I bounced on the balls of my feet, barely holding back from running out there to drag him off stage.

Over a year and the tour was finally ending.

One more bow and then he made his way over, passing his guitar off to the crew.

Before he could make it, I launched myself at him, wrapping my legs around his waist and kissing him as he walked us off.

“I love you,” I whispered.

His lips stretched into a smile under mine. “I love you, too.”

“Get a room,” Brogan shouted playfully.

I rest my forehead on his and breathed him in, so unbelievable grateful to be in his arms without any worries holding us back. The fact that I hadn’t seen him in two weeks also added to my exuberance.

Once we finished the album, he continued his tour and I continued to grow my brand, attending concerts, traveling to secluded hikes in my new van, taking pictures of it all.

“You ready?” he asked.

“Born ready.”

With a soft chuckle, he let my feet hit the ground. “Let’s go, Supernova.”

We made our way to the exit, hand in hand, receiving well wishes and back slaps from the crew all the way out the door.

“It’s about fucking time,” Rae called from where she leaned against the black SUV.

Vera slapped her arm and shook her head. “Ready to go?”

“Yup.” I answered.

“Why are we riding separately again?” Parker asked, not letting go of my hand.

“Because you can’t see me before the big day,” I explained.

“Ugh.”

“Stop being a drama queen and let’s go,” Ash said as he walked past toward the second black SUV.

“Just one more,” Parker whispered, leaning down to press his lips to mine. When he finally pulled away, I couldn’t stop smiling. “See you soon.”

I backed away, piling into the backseat. Vera sat in the driver’s seat and Aspen climbed into the passenger side, while Rae climbed in back with me.

“Strip,” she ordered.

“We’re sure these windows are tinted?” I asked, already kicking off my shoes.

“Promise,” Aspen assured. “I’ve had to do more than my fair share of quick changes.”

Aspen and I had clashed in the beginning, but I stood my ground against her with what I would and wouldn’t allow for publicity and in the end, I think I won her respect, which led to a friendship of sorts.

I quickly changed and sat as still as I could while Rae pinned my hair back and applied my makeup. The Vegas lights flashed by and I barely saw them, too focused on getting to Parker.

By the time we pulled up, I barely let Vera stop before I tried to open the door.

“Not so fast,” Rae said, pulling me back by the elbow.

The guys all waited outside in black jeans and black shirts. Parker stole my breath with his black button-up shirt, undone at the neck. I wanted to bury my face into that sexy crook and breathe him in.

“I’ll go get them inside,” Aspen offered.

She stepped out and I bounced my leg.

“I’d ask if you want to run, but I’m pretty sure the only place you want to run is down the aisle,” Vera laughed.

“Is it that obvious?”

“It might be more obvious than the cheesiness of this chapel.”

I looked at the small building with fake flowers decorating the arch and recalled the gold and cream interior we saw in the pictures online. It screamed corny-Vegas-wedding and I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Nico walked out to let us know they were ready and with my arm latched through Vera’s and Rae’s, the doors opened, and I walked toward the man I’d been dreaming of being my husband for longer than I could remember.

Time stood still. The music started and Parker finally saw me. His eyes raked over my white-lace crop top and white flowy pants. He smiled his approval when he got