Page 107 of Stone Heart

The skin around Danny’s eyes wrinkled as her words sank in, the spark of hope he’d brought with him obscured by a cloud of doubt. It didn’t make her feel good.

“You assumed we’d live here—in New York—didn’t you? My home’s in California.” As she looked at Danny, Lauren realized she felt more fondness than pain. The hurt was still there—might always be there—but it was softer now, the edges blunted.

“Danny, my life would grind you up and spit you out. And you’d eventuallyhateme for it.”

He faltered in the face of her resolve.

She took his face in her hands and kissed him. When it ended, he asked, “What was that for?”

“That’s the goodbye kiss you could never give me.” Lauren took a step back, putting more distance between them, and started to turn away.

“Lauren…” Danny swallowed hard.

“I have to go. They’re waiting for me.”

She didn’t look back.

Epilogue

Ayear into theStone HeartWorld Tour, The Kingmakers made a quick stop in Los Angeles for the Grammy Awards. After sweeping the Rock Category, they did a group performance with several other artists, joined onstage by several rock luminaries including Steven Tyler and Dario D’Scala. The eclectic group got a standing ovation from the star-studded crowd.

When it came down to Album of the Year, The Kingmakers faced some stiff competition, and they looked legitimately stunned when their name was called. The band whooped as they clambered out of their seats and high-fived each other all the way to the stage. Lauren hung back and let the guys have the spotlight to thank everyone who’d helped makeStone Heartsuch a success.

As they shared their appreciation and gratitude, Lauren thought about everything that happened during the album’s creation. Her affair with Danny nearly destroyed her, nearly wrecked the band. But at the same time, he’d helped makeStone Heartthe success it was. She owed him for that, and—for a moment—Lauren considered thanking him.

She decided against it. She’d heard through the grapevine that Danny and Heather had separated—temporarily—for several months before attempting to reconcile again. Beyond that, Lauren wasn’t sure if they had worked things out or not. She’d explicitly told Carolyn that she didn’t want to know.

Just before the outro music started to pipe them off, Lauren—with a helpful shove from Augie—stepped up to the microphone. She looked at the gold gramophone award in her hands. When she looked up, her eyes were shiny.

“I have to thank my family for all of their support—Mom, Dad, Carolyn, Steph, Jackie,” Lauren said, biting her lower lip before she continued. “I think the guys have covered thanking pretty much everyone else—Fitz, Tisha, you’re at the top of the list.”

She paused and looked over at her grinning bandmates. As she caught DJ’s eye, the impudent smile that crossed her face matched his. She looked down at the award once more and then out at the gathered crowd. She held the gramophone up in the air.

“Over the hill, my ass!”

The audience went wild.