ten

BEAU

"So what do you think?" I take my eyes off the road for a second to look at Emma, in the passenger seat of my old Mustang. Her blonde hair whips around her face but her eyes are protected by the blindfold I made her wear. Catching sight of her with her vision obscured makes my stomach tense. Not just for the sexual implications, either. I have no idea how she'll react to the surprise I have in store, and the thought makes me nervous. Dr. Dex would've called the surprise "impulsive" but I didn't give him the chance to, keeping him out of my plans entirely.

With the tour only a week away, I've been looking for ways to show Emma how much she means to me before I go. I'm not sure it gets much grander than this, I only hope it wasn't just a grand mistake.

"I think," She huffs, pouting just enough that I get the urge to take her bottom lip between my teeth and tug, "That I can't see anything."

I roll my eyes and turn the radio down. "Silly girl, you were supposed to be listening," I had been trying to distract her from the surprise by showing her some of my new music. If there's one thing in the world that I'm confident about, it's my music - I know I'm good at it, as cocky as it sounds, and up until Emma, playing was the only way I could ever feel like me... Just Beau.

Even still, waiting for her reaction is hard. I've never cared if anyone liked my stuff before, and now, all of a sudden, I do.

"I know," Emma leans her head back against the seat, a smile playing on her full lips. "It was really great, Beau. It seemed more... you, if that makes sense."

The way she knows me so well never ceases to amaze me. I haven't been the easiest person to get to know, but she picks up on everything, something that makes me feel both uncomfortable and... loved.

I take the chance to admire her when I pull to a halt at a stop sign. The constellations of her freckles twinkle back at me as she grins, lips perfectly pink and soft, and even though I can't see them, I know her brown eyes are giving me that look. The one that shows me exactly how she feels, without using any words. It's amazing that this girl has no idea she can bring me to my knees, with just that look alone.

"I don't have the label or the other guys dictating what I do anymore, I feel like I can finally make the music I want to make, you know?" I watch her stick her hand out the window, catching the breeze between her long fingers.

Fuck, she's so beautiful.

She nods her head slowly, careful to not dislodge her blindfold, and turns to me, even though she can't see me. "I'm really glad you went solo, it seems like you're so much happier this way."

The comment takes me by surprise and I let the thought stir in my mind. It's true, going solo has made things better for me, but I wouldn't have even gotten the chance if I hadn't gotten sober. Determined not to dwell on the past, at least not today, I reach over and give her thigh a squeeze.

"You make me happier, too," I smirk, "Does that mean you'll come with me on tour?" I'm only half teasing - I know she won't come and I don't blame her at all, but part of me still wishes she would.

"You know I'll miss you," Her long fingers graze my forearm, sending goosebumps up my skin, "But I really do have to stay here and work." She turns away from me, still absentmindedly drawing circles over my tattoos, and mumbles, "Besides, you'll have Rey to keep you company. It'll be good to have a friend,"

Peeking from the corner of my eye, I can see the pink color in her cheeks just as I hear the hint of jealousy in her voice. I bite my lip to hide my smile and decide not to tease her. If only she knew how little she has to worry about Rey. Hopefully today will show her.

As I pull to the side of the old dirt road, I take a minute to steady my breath. Feeling the car pull to a stop, Emma looks to me eagerly, smile stretched wide across her delicate face.

"Is this the surprise?" She nearly jumps out of the car, despite telling me earlier that she hates surprises. I think the problem is that my actions have left her shocked before, just never in a good way.

Chuckling to myself, I get out quickly and rush to her side so she doesn't trip on any tree branches or loose stones. Taking her hand in mine, I guide her down the intricate stone pathway down a slopping lawn, making sure she walks slowly, even though she doesn't want to.

"Okay," I stare down at her intently, feeling my heart racing in my chest. Get it together, Beau.

Turning her body forward by her shoulders, I place her directly in front of the house and slowly remove her blindfold, standing behind her as she opens her eyes.

A moment passes and Emma doesn't speak. Worry begins to build in me as I look up at the lake house - a beautiful cabin-esque home, decorated with ornate stone work and flowerbeds, directly overlooking the lake view. The description said it comes with a dock in the back and that the thick forest on either side keeps the property peaceful and private. While beautiful, the appearance of the home barely registers in my mind. Not when I know that Emma looks at the house and sees so much more.

"Emma?" I whisper, anxious to hear what she thinks. Maybe this wasn't a good idea.

She turns to me slowly, eyes wide as she tears them away from the front porch. "Why did you bring me here?"

Shit.

I bite my lip. "Well," I lamely lift my arms to the side, as if I'm presenting the property to her, "It's yours. Surprise,"

I find her eyes and try for a playful smirk, but she only turns away wordlessly, taking a tentative step forward. Emma stares at the home in silence, giving no indication of whether she likes the gesture or not, while I shift my weight nervously behind her, going crazy trying to figure it out.

"Em?" I try again. Is she angry? Sad? I run my hands over my hair, quickly tying it up with a rubber band.

This time when she turns to look at me, her eyes are full of tears. Fuck, I didn't expect tears.

"You bought my parents lake house for me?"

I nod once, slowly, unsure what answer she's hoping for. It had actually been pretty easy - I contacted Nadine at the cafe and asked if she knew the address. She had been skeptical at first, but gave in when I told her it would be something nice for Emma. Then I contacted the family that had moved in - the house has a great view, I knew they'd need a good incentive to leave, so I made an offer they couldn't refuse. I didn't care the price - hearing Emma so sad after her retreat was just too much, and seeing her happy in the place she grew up would make it worth any cost.

Looking at the house and then back to me, Emma speaks slowly. "Beau, it's too much, I can't accept this,"

She looks over her shoulder longingly and that's all the confirmation I need. "Says the girl who never does anything for herself," I grin, stepping forward and raising my brows at her, challenging her to argue.

Stubbornly, Emma juts out her chin in defiance, her sweet voice wobbly despite her efforts. "I just bought myself a condo,"

I chuckle and rock back on my heels. "Yeah, and you should keep it. If I recall correctly, this place was more of a summer spot anyways."

"This is so much, I can't just..." Emma covers her mouth with her hands, brows furrowed above her eyes, concern etched across her face.

"Hey, if we keep it in your name or change it to mine, I don't really care, Emma. Whatever makes you comfortable. But this place means something to you - you deserve it." I can practically see the wheels turning in her head and I know she has plenty of reason to doubt all of this. Hoping she knows I mean it, I add, "It really doesn't matter to me. I just know that when I get back from tour, I want to come back to you. My place here, in LA, where ever, none of them feel like home, because you're not there."

Emma stares up at me and the look on her face urges me to continue. "If you aren't ready to move in, then fuck it, be a good friend and water the plants for me while I'm away. Just be here when I get back, okay?"

I notice her bottom lip tremble first, and then her cheeks flush red. Suddenly, Emma is in tears, covering her face with her hands, and I have no idea how we got to this point.

"Oh fuck, Emma, don't cry. I'm sorry, I thought you'd like it," I pull her to my chest, running my fingers through her hair. "Please don't cry,"

Fuck, I should've talked to Dex before buying the damn house, after all. I'm so out of my element here, I don't know how to show her that I care. I thought this might do it, but her reaction doesn't exactly scream romance to me.

"I'm sorry," I mumble again but Emma grabs my face between her hands and crushes her mouth to mine. Confused, but never one to turn down a kiss from her, I welcome her mouth with my own. Tasting the saltiness of her tears on my lips, I can't help my grin as we pull away.

"Thank you," Her eyes are watery as she stares up at me and my heart almost hurts. So she's not mad. Thank God. We'll figure out the details later, but for now... the kiss was enough.

Playing it cool, I wink at her. "For the kiss or for the house?"

Rolling her eyes, Emma wipes away a tear and shoves me playfully. "Oh, shut up,"

Grabbing the hand she used to shove my chest, I tug her to my side and throw an arm over her shoulder. "So, why don't you show me around a little?"

Seeing Emma's childhood home is exciting to me, I'm not sure why. I've never been one to care about a girls past, but maybe that's because with all of them before her, I never really saw a future.

I want to spend hours listening to her talk about her parents, the dinners they'd make in that kitchen, the games she'd play in the yard, the daydreams she had in her childhood room. I want to know it all.

"You mean you haven't even seen it?" Emma stops in her tracks, tugging me to a halt with her just before the porch.

"Didn't need to," I shrug, guiding her towards the front door and handing her the key. She breaks into a breathtaking grin that almost knocks the breath out of me. "I just wanted to see that smile."