dying to find out what happens? well don’t worry! here’s chapter 16 :D enjoy!

The next morning I woke up alone and my heart fell, Eric had never come back to bed. Getting up I pulled on pajama pants and checked my phone. I had a few texts from people saying congratulations on the album and I figured I’d get to them later.

Opening the bedroom door I stepped out into the living room and checked the couch for Eric, it was empty. His shoes and jacket were still there though so I knew he hadn’t left. Then I saw him sitting out on the deck staring into space sipping a mug of coffee. I walked over to the glass door and slid it open, he turned around and we met eyes,

“Good morning,” I lightly murmured stepping out onto the deck, “how long have you been out here?”

“All night,” Eric replied, “I didn’t sleep.”

Taking a seat next to Eric on the bench I sighed and leaned up against his arm and whispered “please don’t hate me.

“I don’t hate you,” Eric replied not taking his eyes off the sky, “I could never hate you.”

“But you’re mad at me,” I borrowed my head between his neck and his shoulder.

“I’m not mad at you,” Eric took a sip of coffee, “I’ve been thinking about this non-stop.”

“So have I,” I admitted, “I didn’t want to tell you, it wasn’t even worth it, but I hated keeping it from you.”

“I understand,” he replied placing his cup down, “I was just as guilty as Brian back in July.”

“But it’s not like that,” I began to explain, “Brian and I, we were drunk and his head already wasn’t in the right place, I shouldn’t have let him kiss me. Back in July Eric, I kissed you, because I wanted to.”

“And I wanted to kiss you,” he replied this time facing me, I could smell the coffee on his breath, “because I loved you, I always had.”

“I know Eric,” I kissed his nose, “and Brian and I are not in love, not even close, the kiss was a joke, it was just like kissing Jess.”

“You kissed Jess?” Eric laughed, “How drunk were you?”

I slapped his arm, “I did not kiss Jess,” I laughed, “I’m serious, that’s how unimportant and meaningless the kiss was. Just imagine me kissing Jess.”

“Oh I’m imagining,” Eric smiled, “that’s hott.”

“You perve,” I screamed, “So we’re okay?”

“We’re fine,” Eric replied, “I just feel really bad now, like I know how Kennedy felt when he found out we kissed before you guys were done.”

“Actually,” I bit my lower lip, “funny thing about that, I never told him.”

“You never told him!” Eric’s eyes widened, “about Wal-Mart or anything?”

“No, I never had the chance to,” I explained, “after we broke up I didn’t talk to him for months, and by then we were together for a while.”

“Wow,” Eric chuckled, “that’s probably why he still hasn’t killed me for having you.”

“He wouldn’t have killed you anyway,” I laid my head on Eric’s shoulder; “he’s the one who fucked up.”

“So you’re not gonna end up with Brian now are you?” Eric asked sarcastically.

“What do you mean?” I replied confused.

“Well when you were dating Kennedy we kissed and now you’re with me,” he began to explain; “well now you kissed Brian, should I expect to be single again?”

“You’re an idiot,” I laughed, “no way, no how! Brian and I are just friends, and I could never leave your sad ass, what would you do without me Mr. Halvorsen.”

“Nothing,” he replied laughing, “I’d cry all day and wait for my song about me.”

“I’ll start it now,” I joked, “dear Eric, you are the love of my life, but I left you to be with Brian, because he doesn’t eat meat, I’m into that kind stuff now,” I fake sang.

“Well, that’s a Grammy waiting to happen,” Eric joked and picked up his mug, “you want a sip?” He motioned the mug towards me,

“Sure,” I replied and he held the steaming coffee up to my lips, I took a sip and winced, “Eric this is disgusting!”

“Sorry,” he laughed, “it’s not my fault you have like no sugar in this damn apartment.”

“I can guarantee you I know where all my friggen food went,” I replied frustrated, “fucking Josh and Stephen destroyed my kitchen making drinks.”

“Those guys,” Eric shook his head, “they scare me.”

“All of them do,” I rolled my eyes, “except John, he’s one of the most thoughtful people I’ve ever met.”

“Oh John,” Eric chuckled, “that guys my hero.”

“You’re my hero,” I quickly snuck a kiss.

“Well you’re hero is starving,” Eric kissed me back, “go make me some breakfast women!”

Laughing I replied, “For one, I don’t cook; your choices are cereal and pop tarts. And for two, if you ever order me to do something like that again, we’re never having sex again, ever.”

Eric’s eyes widened, “I, I’m sorry,” he laughed, “That will never happen again.”

“Good boy,” I patted the top of his head and stood up, “now what do you want for breakfast?”

“Sex?” Eric winked.

“Is that an order?” I laughed.

“No, just a suggestion,” Eric grabbed my hand and stood up, “you take suggestions right?”

“Suggestion taken,” I smiled and lead him inside sliding the door closed behind me.

* * *

“Goodbye apartment,” I sighed and shut the door behind me, Eric carried his bag and one of mine, we were finally heading home. It had been a hell of a month and a half in Los Angeles but I was so excited to finally go back to normal.

I couldn’t wait to sit on our comfy couch and watch Waiting… until we couldn’t breathe we were laughing so hard. And scream for each other when we got a great idea for a song in the shower and had to get it written before we forgot it, that’s how “Shadow” came to be. Spending days shopping with Dana, Eric’s sister, and helping his mom pick out the best recipes for dinner. In the small time I’d spent in Arizona I learned to love everything about it, especially the fact that it was home now.

Following Eric down the stairs I started tearing up, I was going to miss the apartment and everything I’d accomplished in LA. Meeting Taylor Swift, and recording with Brian, I was leaving a huge part of my life in a small apartment in the center of Los Angeles. Eric pulled his keys out of his pocket and clicked the unlock button, yawning he tossed the bags in the back seat and hopped in the driver’s side. Placing my bag behind my seat I set in and put my seatbelt on, Eric flipped on the radio and “As Sweet As Sunday” was playing on K105.7. Eric looked over at me and smiled,

“I’m so proud of you,” he put the car in drive and pulled out of the parking lot. We hit the highway and I watched as the billboards passed by. My phone vibrated in my pocket breaking me from my trance, I pulled it out and read the screen, it was a text from Dana,

“Hey Britta, just picked up your album! I’m so incredibly proud of you and honored to call you my “kinda sister in-law.” You’re part of the family now, I hope you know that. Love you and have a safe trip home.”

I smiled and hit reply, “thanks for picking up the album,” I typed back, “and I’m honored to be a part of the family, I love you guys so much. See you soon, and I’ll tell you all about my trip.”

Gazing back out the window a billboard for “David’s Bridal” caught my attention, the bride was a little darker than me wearing a pasty white smile and holding a flute of champagne, her smiling husband stood next to her carrying a matching flute, they both looked so happy.

I looked over at Eric; he sat with his mouth popped open in all his cute “mouthbreatherness” and bobbed his head along to the Theory of a Dead Man song on the radio.

“I love you, you know that?” I smiled.

“I love you too,” Eric looked at me, “you feeling alright?” he laughed.

“Yeah, just thinking,” I replied.

“About?” Eric asked returning his eyes to the road.

“I’m thinking about that fact that we’re three exits away from Vegas right now,” I replied.

“And what does that mean?” Eric laughed.

“Let’s get married,” I blurted, “right now.”

“You’re serious?” Eric looked at me in awe.

“I’ve never been more serious about anything,” I replied shaking.

“Alright then,” Eric changed lanes, “we’re getting married, in Vegas!”

“We’re getting married in Vegas!” I exclaimed.

We reached the exit and quickly got off the highway, “Welcome to Los Vegas, Nevada” I read the bright sign as my left arm began to itch.