“Think I might be able to hack it.” I grinned, body still on edge from the wild beat of adrenaline pulsing through my veins.
Ash slung his arm around my neck. “Now don’t tell Zee I said this, but you nailed it. You’re a rager. Full on beast. You should have seen the sweat flying off of you. Going to have to have someone come in here to mop up the mess. Epic. Seriously, you’re playing with a country band? Don’t fit, man. That shit’s just weak,” he razzed.
I shrugged him off with a slight chuckle. “Excuse me?”
“Nothing but wasted talent. Squandered. It’s a damn travesty.”
I tossed the towel into the bin. “You even listen to us?”
“Nah. Like I said . . . country.”
I laughed. “You just keep telling yourself that. I bet you fall asleep listening to Carolina George.”
He gasped. “Blasphemy.”
Austin chuckled as he tossed his things into a bag. “Uh . . . Ash is the one who went nuts when Zee suggested we get in touch with you. Dude can lie through his teeth, but I’d lay down bets that if you looked up his most listened-to songs, Carolina George would be sitting at the top.”
Ash lifted his hands in defense. “Hey . . . I just heard the word. Rumor spreads fast in these parts. Every time Carolina George comes into town, people lose their ever-lovin’ minds. You’d think it was Sunder playing or something. Of course, that Emily girl might have a little something to do with it. She is somethin’.”
I laughed under my breath. “That she is. Pretty sure she is the draw. She’s an amazing girl.”
Talented and gorgeous and sweet.
Truth was, the whole band was crazy talented.
“She deserves every bit of the limelight that is coming her way,” I said. “All of them. They have worked their asses off to get where they are. I jumped on the train after they’d already paid the price. After they’d made every sacrifice. Can’t take any of the credit, but what I can do is make sure they get where they’re supposed to be.”
Guilt pulsed. Just hoped I didn’t fuck up before I helped to get them there.
Ash’s smile turned soft. “Get it, Leif. They’re your people. I’m just messing with you. Country might not be my thing, but there is no missing the fact Carolina George is stupid good. Great things are coming their way. After listening to you today? Can’t wait to witness that for you.”
More of that guilt.
This time suffocating.
“Thanks,” I managed to mutter. Turning away before it ate me alive, I started to pack my shit because it was clear I needed to get the hell out of there.
I’d allowed myself to get too close to Rhys, Richard, and Emily. Something I’d promised myself I would never do. Refused to make that mistake again.
With these assholes, it would be easy to get wrapped up. All of them too damned likeable for their own good.
Ash’s phone buzzed. He dug it out of his pocket, and a giant smile shot to his face. “Family’s here. I gotta go.” He bolted out the door.
Focusing on stuffing the rest of my things into my bag, I chuckled a disbelieving sound, wondering how the fuck I’d gotten myself here, the road I was supposed to be traveling getting twisted.
This band.
This city.
That girl.
Austin headed for the door. “See you upstairs. Don’t know about you, but I’m fucking starving.”
“Actually, I’m gonna take off,” I mumbled.
Thank fuck my bike had shown up this morning. Band had seen to it that it and the rest of my things were shipped here from my condo in Charlotte.
I sure as hell wasn’t going to stick around for some kind of family gathering.
Austin stalled, his hair damp from sweat, his grey eyes kind when he looked back at me. “You sure?” he asked. “You’re totally welcome. Think it’d be cool for everyone to get to know you.”
“Need to work on some Carolina George songs.”
“Ah, got you. No problem. See you at practice tomorrow.”
“Sure thing.”
The door shut behind him, and I breathed out a sigh of relief, only to tense when the voice hit me from the other side of the room.
“You played good today,” Lyrik said, leaned up against the far wall with his arms crossed over his chest.
“Think we’re going to jibe.”
“Yeah,” he agreed.
I kept stuffing nonexistent things into my bag. Didn’t want to acknowledge the questions I could feel swirling through the air.
This guy’s intensity fierce.
Loyal.
Savage.
Mix it with mine, and we’d bring the house down.
“About last night . . .”
Fuck.
I scraped a hand through my hair, blowing out a sigh. I chanced a glance his way, figuring I’d cut him off at the pass. “Heard the alarm go off and went to check it out. Thought I saw something.”
“Did you?” he asked, straight up.
I hiked a shoulder. “Not sure. Gut tells me someone was there, but if there was? Fucker’s a ghost. Was gone in a split.”
“You didn’t think too hard about chasing them down.”
I didn’t know if it was an accusation or not. Would take it, either way. Like I’d told Mia, if I dragged someone to their doorstep, I was going to be sure to drag them right back off.
Preferably in a body bag.
“Figure if I’m staying at your place, your place becomes my responsibility.”
“A lot to take on.”
I shrugged. “Life is what it is. You protect the ones you should. Hunt down the rest.” I let a smirk crack my face.
Lyrik nodded, his voice rough. “Thought so. Guess you and I are alike that way.”
“Doesn’t surprise me.”
“No. Doesn’t surprise me, either.”
I lifted my attention, intent clashing with his from across the room. “You want me to go? Just say it, man. I can find another place. No big deal.”
It would be for the best, anyway.
Disbelief rumbled from Lyrik, his voice turning light. “Do I want you to leave? Fuck no. You run faster than me.”
I gruffed out a cynical chuckle. “So, you didn’t want a drummer. You wanted a security guard.”
He laughed, low and dark. “Nah, dude, you’re here to play. But it definitely doesn’t hurt to have you around.”
Didn’t hurt?
Clearly, he had me pegged wrong.
Shifting, he pushed forward from the wall.
Warring.
Hesitating.
Like he was considering if he could really trust me.
Should do him the favor and tell him right then that he couldn’t.
“Going to be straight with you. I’m not sure my sister is safe. Some really fucked up shit has gone down in her life. Brought her out here to protect her. Have to admit, any extra eyes on her won’t be a bad thing.”
Bitterness bled from me on a sigh. “You don’t want me looking after her. I promise you that.”
He lifted his chin in a challenge. “You’ve got your eyes on her, anyway. You might as well.”
Wow.
Okay.
I scrubbed a hand over my face. “Already told you that I wouldn’t touch her.”
Yeah, and we saw how that went, didn’t we?
That lie a thousand pounds on my chest.
The girl perfection under my hands.
He pushed the rest of the way from the wall. “Listen, know she’s a grown woman. I mean, fuck, she has two kids. I can’t stand in the way of her making her own choices. She’s wicked smart. Strong and talented. I know I have to let her make decisions on her own. Doesn’t mean I don’t want to keep her from pain, and she’s had more than anyone should have to shoulder. Just remember that, and we won’t have a problem.”
Denial blazed through my being. “You don’t need to worry about it. Nothing is going on with us.”
He took a step my way. �
��Guess that’s what we all say when we’re drowning, isn’t it? So gone we have no idea that life is right there, waiting all around us. Love with a hand outstretched to rescue us.”
“Don’t believe in fairytales.”
And if I did, mine were buried six feet underground.
Lyrik crossed the room, heading to the door. Right before he opened it, he paused. “Neither did I, man, neither did I. Funny how life turns out, though, isn’t it? Now come and eat some chicken. Tamar insists.”
The fucker winked. But it was me who was completely fucked.
Fourteen
Leif
Climbing the stairs from the bottom floor, I hit the main level and quickly moved for the backdoor.
Like I thought I was all kinds of sneaky as I bypassed the kitchen that was packed with bodies preparing for a feast. Place filled with laughter and voices and clattering dishes.
It wasn’t like I was going to escape meeting them.
But if I was going to endure this thing, I was going to need some fresh air and probably about fifteen beers.
The salty air hit me as I stepped out onto the large elevated deck that lined the entire back of the house. The view of the Atlantic struck me with a swift kick of awe.
Smoke curled from the built-in grill that took up the far end of the deck, the sweet aroma of honey-glazed chicken billowing with the air and mending with the scent of the sea.
Austin and his wife, Edie, who I’d met before practice, were down at the shore, their knees tucked to their chests.
“Ah. Tastes like summer, doesn’t it?” Ash said where he manned the grill, dragging in an overexaggerated whiff.
I roughed a restless hand through my hair that whipped in the breeze. “Not exactly sure what summer tastes like, but that smells damned good.”
Ash stretched out his hulking arms, tongs in one hand and a giant metal spatula in the other. Buffoon was actually wearing an apron that said Kiss the Cook. “Knew you couldn’t resist this awesomeness. Welcome to a whole new brand of Ash-Magic. Griller extraordinaire.”
“You mean bullshitter extraordinaire.” The screen door slammed shut from behind just as the voice hit my ears. I spun around to find a tall, slender woman walking out, long, wavy dark-brown hair spilling around a face that appeared as innocent as could be.
“Darlin’. How could you wound me that way?” Ash asked, tone aghast and rippling with playful affection.
The woman tsked. “How could I what? Point out the fact that you are absolutely ridiculous?”
“Ahh, see, now I thought you liked it just fine when I got ridiculous.” There was nothing but suggestion in the words, and the woman was blushing as she walked toward him. Ash reached for her, tucking this shy girl into the curve of his side. She swatted his chest. “Like I said, ridiculous.”
With a huge grin, he planted a kiss to the top of her head. “Leif, meet my Peaches. My wife. Most beautiful girl in the world. Lover of the ridiculous.” His voice dropped to a whisper on the last, and he nipped at her cheek.
She giggled a small sound and he groaned.
“Nice to meet you, Willow.”
“We’re really grateful you came. Our sweet Liam would have been devastated if Zee couldn’t travel with him. It’s kind of you to take time out from your own life to come and help us out.”
I scratched at my temple, feeling like a total dick when I thought of the dollar signs that were currently going cha-ching as they popped into my bank account. But somehow, I had to accept it wasn’t just about the money. I’d probably be here either way.
“Uh, glad to. Not a problem at all.”
A clatter of movement burst from behind, and the door banged open again. This time, a stampede of kids came flying out.
Brendon was at the helm, the kid a complete wild child who clearly couldn’t be contained, with about seven kids on his tail.
Only one I really noticed was Penny.
Penny.
She was there, emerging last, looking around, unsure.
My heart fisted in my chest.
What the fuck was that? This feeling that was too close to awareness. Knowing that her mom had to be near. This urge that made me feel like I needed to wrap this kid up, too.
Protect her.
Fight for her.
Her feet slowed just a bit when she saw me standing there, her brown eyes slanting my way.
Curious and shy.
A blonde girl who had to be about her age reached out and took her by the hand. “Come on, Penny. You’re on my team. No way we’re lettin’ Brendon win this thing. His head’s already big enough, don’t ya think.? He’ll be rubbin’ it in forever if we let him.”
“My head is exactly the right size, thank you very much, Kallie!” Brendon hollered with a laugh over his shoulder as he bounded down the five deck steps to the boardwalk that led to the beach. “I think you’re all just jealous I’m faster than you. Butterflies aren’t exactly fast, now are they?”
Right, the blonde was Baz and Shea’s oldest child.
“Um, you’re older, that’s why,” she threw right back.
“And awesome. Don’t forget that.”
“Kallie is awesome,” Penny defended.
Brendon grinned. “Oh, I know. I just want her to prove it to me.”
They raced the rest of the way down the steps to the boardwalk. Austin and Edie stood to keep an eye on them as they tumbled into the sand.
Ash gave an amused shake of his head. “Hoodlums. All of them.”
“Yeah, and let’s just hope all those terrible crimes they are committing continue to consist of glasses of spilt milk and a few wrestling matches on the floor.” Sebastian had slipped out onto the deck, his voice a casual rumble as his gaze took in the kids tackling each other to the sand.
Tamar stepped out behind him, carrying a platter of steamed vegetables. “You do know they actually started betting on those matches the other morning? It’s escalating. Anarchy is descending. Like father, like son.” Her mouth tipped into a playful, sultry smirk as she glanced over her shoulder at Lyrik who had followed her out, carrying another tray.
He shook his head. “Uh, no. Swear to God, I’m going to lock that kid up from thirteen to twenty. Won’t even take the chance of him following in his daddy’s footsteps. That’s a no go.”
Tamar giggled. “You do realize that is in like . . . six months? I think you might have to rethink these plans, Rockstar.”
Lyrik curled an arm around her waist, tugging her back to his chest, his voice going deep. “Protect what’s mine. However I have to do it.”
She spun around, the fingers of her free hand crawling over his shirt up to the tat on his neck. “I think you’ve done a fine job of that. You’ve shown him how to be a good person. How to act. I don’t think a padlock on his door is required.”
“Yeah? Speak for yourself. Kallie is sure going to get one,” Baz piped in.
“In your dreams, Daddy Bear.” Baz’s wife, Shea, stepped out. I recognized her from the tabloids.
She and Tamar seemed to be the two that always seemed to pop up in magazines and stories, Shea an old country singer who’d left her mark on the music scene years ago, and Tamar refusing to miss a single show when the band was on tour.
Self-proclaimed as Sunder’s biggest fan.
“Don’t you know when you try to hold your kids back is when they stage a revolt?” Shea’s voice was pure southern persuasion.
“She turns thirteen, and you’ll see who’s staging a revolt.” Baz’s brows lifted to the sky. Clearly, he didn’t agree.
Ash cracked up. “Thank fuck I had a boy. I would lose my damned mind if I had a girl.”
Lyrik chuckled low. “Got one of both. Believe me, man, doesn’t change a thing. Worry’s gonna be there in one form or another. Worth every fuckin’ gray, though.”
A stake of agony pierced me, right at the center of my ugly, depraved soul. Wound bleeding hatred and vitriol.
My eyes squeezed closed like
I could block out the assault of the past.
Then my lids were peeling open when awareness skimmed my skin.
Fuck.
Mia.
Mia who was looking at me like she was surprised to see that I was there while somehow not being surprised at all.
Her small son was tucked to her side, pointing his finger like mad at the mess of kids down on the beach, wanting to take part.
A literal handful as she struggled to keep ahold of him.
Hadn’t seen her since last night.
Not since I was touching her and tasting her and making a litany of mistakes.
But with her, I wasn’t sure how to stop it. How to stop the consuming intrigue that hit me every single time she got in my space.
No different today than it was yesterday except for now I had the distinct memory of knowing exactly how good she felt.
“Aww . . . look who is up from his nap. Come see Auntie, my handsome little man,” Tamar cooed, moving to Mia and taking Greyson from her arms.
Mia rolled her eyes. “Up from his nap? He never went down. I swear, Greyson can smell fun, and if he thinks he’s going to miss a minute of it, he’s going to find his way back to it.”
“Well, I wouldn’t want to miss out on an afternoon at the beach, either. Can you blame him?” Tamar asked with her lips pressed against his chubby cheek.
He giggled and planted a sloppy kiss on her chin. “No blame me, Auntie TT!” Something tugged at my chest. Kid was cute, that was for sure.
“Get ready, this deliciousness is done!” Ash began to pile the chicken breasts onto a platter. “Time to eat, my love bugs!” Ash shouted toward the beach. “Come and get it while it’s hot.”
Badass rockstar, all right.
Shea headed back inside to get the rest of the sides, and Mia volunteered to help.
Sparing me a moment.
A second to get it together.
Impossible because she was back just a minute later, organizing the sides on the sidebar where plates and utensils were already waiting.
“Beer is in the fridge,” Lyrik told me, smacking me on the upper back as I stood there staring at his sister from behind, guy cutting me a glance as he passed telling me he was calling bullshit.
That he was fully aware that I was watching.
Kiss the Stars Page 14
