~Shakira’s POV~
“Shakira? You here?”
At the sound of Adam’s voice, Shakira shot up off the kitchen stool and ran through the living room and around the corner to the main entrance. She collided with Adam, who wrapped his arms around her and held her for a while. It was the best hug she had ever had and felt lost when he finally let go.
“Where’s Milan? Is he alright?”
Shakira smiled at Adam’s concern. “He’s fine. He’s sleeping in one of the beds down that hall.” Her smiled faded as she asked the dreaded questions. “Are you alright? What happened after I left?” She paused, and Adam patiently waited for her to ask the question he knew she wanted the answer to most. “Where’s Gerard?”
Adam looked at her a moment, as if debating whether he should tell her the truth or not. “I am fine. After you left, he stopped struggling and Mariane left.”
Shakira looked expectantly at him; she knew there was more to be told.
“He said some untrue things, and I got a little...offended. And so when he broke out of Usher and Blake’s hands and got in my face screaming, I ...punched him.” She could tell he tried not flinching when he admitted the last part. It didn’t work.
She stood there a moment, then surprised herself when a giggle came out of her mouth. And then full blown laughter. Adam stood there, looking at her like she was crazy.
“Wow, I really wish I was there to see that one. I don’t even feel bad for him. Thank you, Adam.” He looked relieved, and she knew he had been worrying for a while about her expected reaction to the news.
“Well, now that that’s settled, you up for some food? I’m starving. I didn’t get to eat today because...yeah not going there right now.”
“Oh? Alright then. And yeah, I’m hungry too.” She was curious, but didn't press the matter. When he wanted, he could tell her.
They went into the kitchen and together they made homemade macaroni and cheese. They were both covered in cheese and crying with laughter by the time it was done an hour and a half later.
Adam took the glass pan out of the oven and set it down on the island. Shakira hopped up on the stool on the other side and looked at it. Her stomach growled impatiently.
She watched as he took a forkful from the top and smiled as he held it across to her. Slowly she leaned her head forward and took the mouthful off the fork. He watched her closely as she chewed and swallowed, amazed at how delicious it tasted. She licked her lips and smiled.
“So?”
“Absolutely perfect.”
“Really?”
Getting down off the stool and walking around to Adam’s side of the island, she looked up at him and said, “Really.”
He wrapped one arm around her waist and pulled her against him, planting a gentle kiss on her lips.
She melted into his touch, placing her head on his chest when they broke apart. He put the fork down and put his other arm around her. She circled her own around his warm body. She loved being in his embrace.
There is no where I would rather be.
“I should probably have said this earlier.” His voice vibrated his chest and she snuggled into it, the food forgotten.
“I love you, Shakira.” She felt her heart skip a beat and a flutter in her stomach. She looked up at him, a warm smile on her face. “I love you too.”
She replaced her head on his chest, unwilling to move. Thankfully, he seemed to think the same.
"We'll figure this out, Shak. It'll be okay. I promise."
She smiled gratefully as a tear tolled down her cheek.
If only I could be as sure.
***
~Blake’s POV~
“What do you know?”
Usher looked taken aback, the question probably not expected after such a morning. Blake didn’t care; he needed to know. They were walking to their trailers, having just got back from their episode with Shakira and her boyfriend.
“What do you mean, what do I know? About Adam and Shakira? I know everything, I think. Wouldn’t be surprised if I didn’t. You two left me out in the first place. I’m willing to bet Adam didn’t tell me everything between him and her.” Blake wasn't really convinced. He wasn't sure Adam would have kept his mouth shut under the scrutiny of Usher.
“He only talked about him and Shakira?”
“Yeah, why?” Now Usher looked suspicious. Does this mean Adam really didn't say anything? Maybe because it doesn't mean enough to him.
“Okay. Just making sure. Just thought he would have said something about the show. I don’t like the way he whispers with his team. I thought maybe he would have said something to you that he wouldn’t to me because I’ve been here but never mind. Let’s not mention any of this to Carson, okay? It’ll only make things more complicated.”
Blake was relieved to see the suspicious look fade from Usher’s face, knowing he had tricked him. He couldn’t let Usher know about Adam and himself. Now that would have caused a reaction from him. Thankfully, he seemed to have believed Blake. After all, Adam had been whispering a lot with his contestants.
“Don’t worry, I won’t say anything. I know; more people, more chance of it getting out. I’ve already gotten the spiel from Adam.”
Blake laughed knowingly. Leave it to Adam to bug about privacy.
“Sounds like him.”
They went their separate ways and Blake collapsed onto his bed in his trailer after turning on the radio. Adam’s voice floated into his ears.
"And when the daylight comes I'll have to go
But tonight I'm gonna hold you so close
Cause in the daylight we'll be on our own
But tonight I need to hold you so close"
Blake grabbed a bottle of whiskey from his cabinet and poured it into the glass, downing it in seconds. He poured another, then laid back down on his bed, closing his eyes and listening to Adam’s smooth voice.
He couldn’t help the wave of jealousy that came over him at that moment. It consumed him, and no matter how hard he tried to think of something else, he couldn’t take his mind off of it.
He knew Adam was with Shakira. He knew they were probably doing things he shouldn’t be bothering with caring about.
But damn, did it hurt to accept. The fact that what Gerard had said earlier came scarily close to the truth made it that much harder to stop the tears that threatened to spill onto Blake’s cheeks.
What if it was the truth. Hell, he just might have already screwed her. His heart clenched and his breath caught. It was too much pain for him to think about.
"Here I am staring at your perfection
In my arms, so beautiful
The sky is getting bright the stars are burning out
Somebody slow it down
This is way too hard, cause I know
When the sun comes up, I will leave
This is my last glance that will soon be memory."
Adam was happier with Shakira than him. It was understandable; Adam wasn’t bisexual. Blake didn’t think he himself was earlier, but the way he felt towards Adam made him think otherwise. He knew Adam better than anyone; all his secrets, all his favorite things and least favorite things. Adam was his other half.
He can’t help it; if he really does love her, I need to understand that.
But he couldn’t help but feeling more alone than ever, laying in his trailer with the sun shining through his window down on him. He felt cold, despite its warmth. He gulped the last of his glass and went for a third. His wife was on the other side of the country for a week, so he had no reason to go home. He didn’t even have rehearsals today.
Holding his cup out to the empty room, he said aloud, “Cheers to being one messed up country boy,” then proceeded to drink the whole bottle before passing out.
Sorry it's so short, it's kind of a filler and wrapup to the last chapter. The song mentioned was Daylight by Maroon 5. Hope you enjoyed the chapter!! Purty please comment and vote, I LOVE the feedback and any suggestions!! :)