Bound to You

Chapter 30: Goodbyes

“THANK YOU LOS ANGELES! YOU GUYS ARE ALWAYS INCREDIBLE.”

Darcy quickly snapped a few pictures of the crowd as the band came running into the backstage area. They had just finished the first concert of their three week tour. After the show they were all heading to the airport to catch a flight to the next stop, Colorado. “You guys killed it!” Breanne gushed as Rocky pulled her into his sweaty embrace. “As always.” Darcy commented. She immediately stretched out her arms as Ross came bounding towards her. “Great job, babe.” She called. His lips immediately met hers without warning, catching her off guard. The adrenaline from performing always made him a bit overzealous. His lips were the same as always, soft and warm, and a tiny bit salty from the sweat dripping down his cheeks. His hands came to rest gently on her hips, as always, pulling her body tightly against his. The only difference was the pang of guilt that Darcy felt shooting through her. Riker. It wasn’t as if she had a choice. This was her job, the only reason she had even come to California in the first place. She hadn’t anticipated falling for Riker, and it wasn’t as if she could share her discomforts with Ross. The kiss lasted longer than usual and when Ross finally pulled away Darcy found herself breathless. “Dang, bro.” Rocky laughed. “Trying to make up for the next three weeks? Or should I say make out?” He smirked. Breanne lightly smacked his arm. “Leave him alone. It’s their first time being apart.” She smiled sympathetically at Darcy. “It gets easier, I promise. After a while you won’t even miss him.” She joked, eyeing Rocky. He scoffed. “Please. I’m impossible not to miss.” Darcy felt Ross tug lightly on her hand. “Well on that note, I’m moving this party back to my dressing room. C’mon, baby.” He said, waggling his eyebrows playfully. Darcy giggled as she allowed him to lead her down the rough, brick-walled hallway. She heard Rocky ‘whooping’ loudly behind them. “You sure do like to get him started.” She commented once they were out of earshot. Ross shrugged. “It’s funny.” He said simply. Darcy rolled her eyes. Boys. “Hey bro, great show.” Darcy felt her heart begin to race as a familiar voice came echoing down the stone corridor. Riker smiled innocently at her as he squeezed in between them. “Darce, thanks for letting me borrow your phone charger. It’s in my room if you want to come and get it.” He said nonchalantly as he continued walking down the narrow hall. Darcy immediately bit down on her lip to hide the smirk she could feel slowly growing. “No problem, I’m coming.” She called. She turned to face Ross. “I’ll come and find you before we head to the airport.” She said quickly before following in the direction Riker had left. It took all of her self control not to sprint down the hallway after him; they’d barely had a moment alone all day, what with Breanne and Mackenzie being around to get in a few last hours with their boys. She hated having to spend their last hours together fawning over his brother when she would much rather be wrapped in his arms instead. “Phone charger, nice.” She smirked as she stepped into Riker’s dressing room. He grinned proudly as the door clicked shut behind her. “Thanks, came up with it myself.” He boasted. She laughed as he crossed the room and immediately pulled her into his embrace. Her arms locked around his waist, and her head rested instinctively against his chest. She could hear the steady thumping of his heart beneath her ear. “I don’t want you to go.” She said quietly, her arms tightening around him. She could feel his do the same. “I know.” He murmured, gently kissing her forehead. “I wish you could come.” She closed her eyes, allowing the sound of his heartbeat to drown out the noise coming from outside the dressing room. “I wish I could too.” she whispered. They stood in silence for several long moments wrapped in each other’s arms, listening to the sound of the other’s steady breathing. “What are you going to do for three weeks without us?” Riker asked finally. Darcy shrugged. “Enjoy the quiet, mostly.” She joked. She heard Riker laugh. “The quiet gets old pretty fast, trust me. I give it about three days before you call Bre or Mackenzie to come over and stay with you.” Darcy shook her head. “I love them both to death, but I think I’d prefer a few weeks where I don’t have to pretend I’m missing Ross.” She sighed, tears beginning to sting the corners of her eyes. The reality of their situation had started to weigh more and more heavily on her. “I wish we didn’t have to hide all the time. I wish I could kiss you goodbye at the airport and be able to talk to my friends about how much I miss my boyfriend, my real boyfriend, and wanted him home with me.” She paused. Boyfriend…girlfriend… Words she never got to use in context with Riker, no matter how true they were. To the public she was with Ross, and that was just how it had to be. She felt Riker’s arms loosen slightly as he stepped back to look into her eyes. “Well when I make a joke about your cooking skills before I leave, just know that’s me saying I love you.” He said, using his thumb to tenderly wipe away a tear that had begun to roll down her cheek. Darcy smiled. Riker had a way of making her forget all the negative things going on around her. Even her problems with Sean seemed to fade whenever she was with him. “What would I do without you?” she asked quietly. He shrugged. “Have a less complicated life?” he offered. She laughed. “My life is complicated whether you’re in it or not. You just provide a welcome distraction.” She assured him.“Riker?” They both jumped when they heard Mark’s voice just outside the dressing room door. “Yeah, dad?” Riker called back. The doorknob rattled.“We’re leaving for the airport in five minutes, hurry up.” Darcy breathed a silent sigh of relief as she heard Mark’s footsteps echoing down the corridor away from them. “I better go, I should probably be hanging around Ross as long as Mackenzie and Bre are here.” She said, frowning. Riker nodded, understanding, before leaning down to gently press his lips against hers. His lips were familiar, soft and warm. The scent of cologne mingled with sweat enveloped her, making her feel at home. Safe. Secure. His kiss always sent a tingle down through her body, all the way to the tips of her toes. It took her breath away. And as always, it was over much too soon. “I’ll see you in three weeks.” he said quietly, keeping his eyes locked firmly with hers. She stretched up on her toes to give him one final kiss before stepping back out into the cold, dim hallway.

**

“Call me once you guys land in Denver.” Mackenzie instructed, stretching up on her tiptoes to give Ryland one last kiss. “Awwh.” Ross and Rocky chorused. “Shut up.” He muttered, begrudgingly throwing his carry-on bag over his shoulder. Darcy shook her head as she turned to face Ross. “You’re both terrible.” She chided. Ross smirked. “I’ll call you once we land too.” he said, reaching up to gently toy with a loose strand of her hair. “You better.” She poked her lower lip out slightly, giving Ross her best puppy dog expression. He smiled in return as he leaned forward to gently peck her lips. “Always.” He said, resting his forehead against hers. “Alright lovebirds, break it up.” Riker grumbled, nudging Ross slightly. Darcy could hear the tightness evident in his voice. It only added to the guilt she had been feeling all evening. She allowed her eyes to meet his briefly, attempting to convey the silent remorse she felt with one quick glance. He seemed to understand her wordless plea, as his gaze immediately softened. “Try not to burn the house down while we’re gone, Darce. Stick to microwaveables.” He teased, his eyes boring a silent message into hers. She smiled wryly back at him, allowing her eyes to return his unspoken affection. “I’ll try. Don’t fall off the stage.” The corner of Riker’s mouth turned up into a slight smirk. “I’ll try. See you in three weeks.” he said, lifting up his duffle bag and throwing it over his shoulder. Darcy watched as he approached the gate and handed his ticket to the attendant. He threw one last, longing look at her before disappearing from view. “I’ll see you soon, babe.” Ross’s voice immediately brought Darcy back to reality. She felt him press his lips lightly against her temple. “Call me when you land.” She said quietly, still staring in the direction Riker had left.