by K E Osborn
We walk through the main foyer toward the rear of the house where we can hear a commotion.
Lyri turns to me. “I think there are other people here,” she whispers to me, her eyes turning downward like a sad puppy.
I know she wanted to spend time with her parents, and if they’ve turned this into a who’s who of rockers, then that’s not fair on their daughter.
She just wants some family time, is that too much to ask?
We walk toward the back pool deck, making our way through the giant sliding doors. The back deck is set out like a Caribbean cabana. Stylo is over by the bar mixing drinks in his jeans, black shirt, and leather jacket. Not your typical pool wear, but it’s the two other people who catch our attention.
Lyri stands stock-still, letting out a small scream. Her hands fly into the air as she takes off from me, running. I stand, my eyes wide as she rushes toward a woman who has black dreadlocks with a purple ribbon running through them. She’s wearing a black bikini, and her body’s covered in tattoos that don’t seem to match. She races toward Lyri as well. They slam into each other embracing tightly, while I walk a little closer.
“Oh my God, what are you doing here?” Lyri practically yells.
“Hey, what am I? Chopped liver?” A guy with shaggy blond hair, no shirt, and board shorts with muscles that could rival mine, rushes up to the duo, throwing his arms around them in a group hug.
“Holy shit, you’re all here?” Lyri asks, then bursts into tears.
“Hey, we’re here. We heard you were having a tough time, and you were always here for us. It’s time we were all here for you, Lyric,” the goth girl announces.
This is all starting to click into place.
“And besides, it’s not often I get to use the excuse of a family emergency to get time off from tour,” the blond guy adds.
Lyri’s eyes widen. “No! You didn’t use me as an excuse to leave, did you?”
“Lyri, I needed a break. I’m thankful for a little R and R with the fam-bam.” His eyes shift to me. “Plus, I have to scope out the new lover. Make sure he’s good enough for my big sister.”
“You’re Clef?” I ask.
“None other.” He lets Lyri go and walks over, placing his hand out for me to shake. “Nice, firm grip… I like him, Lyri. Good choice.”
I stifle a laugh. “Well, that was easy.”
Her little sister, still attached to Lyri, narrows her eyes on me. “You hurt my sister, dude.”
I wince. “I know. And I promise you I will never do it again.”
Aria detaches from Lyri, strides over, and meets my gaze square in the eyes. “You pinky promise?” She holds up her hand.
“Aria, don’t be a dick,” Lyri calls out as Clef chuckles to himself.
Aria continues her death glare, so I wrap my pinky around hers and grip tight. “I pinky promise I won’t hurt Lyric ever again. I promise only to love and do right by her.”
Aria’s eyes widen. “Well, all right, then. That was better than I was expecting. You’re okay by me, sir.” She lets my hand go, slaps my chest a couple of times, and then spins, walking back over to Lyri.
“All right, then,” I mutter as Stylo steps over, handing me a small tumbler of whiskey.
“Sorry about my spawn. They’re idiots. But protective idiots. They just want Lyri with the best man possible, especially after the last one.”
I dip my head. “Corey?”
They all grunt their disapproval, making Lyri snicker.
Stylo exhales dramatically. “You’re nothing like him, Eddie.” He narrows his eyes on me. “Keep it that way, yeah?” He slaps my back and walks off toward his wife who’s standing just inside the house, watching us all.
I roll my shoulders, then take a sip of my whiskey. As far as first meetings with an entire family go, this wasn’t that bad. A flirtatious mother, an overprotective sister, a blasé brother, and a stern father. Yeah, this could have been much, much worse.
I stride over to Lyri who’s chatting with her siblings and invade in on their time. I can’t help but hear their conversation.
“So really, you guys are good now?” Aria asks.
“Yeah, little sis, we’re more than good,” Lyri answers. Her eyes shoot up to meet mine as she reaches for my hand. “In fact, we’re moving in together,” she announces as she pulls me to her.
Aria’s eyes widen as she gasps. “Shit, really?”
I dip my head, wrapping my arm around Lyri with one hand, holding my drink in the other. “Lyri’s moving into my place with me. Her, Polly, and Mikey.”
Clef turns up his nose. “For someone who wanted to leave the rock-star life behind, you’re kind of doing the opposite of that.”
She tenses. “Eddie’s a music producer. I’m going to be around the music scene now whether I like it or not, so I may as well live in a nicer house.”
Aria throws a backhand across Clef’s chest then lifts her chin. “Well, I’m all for it. At least you’ll be able to maintain his garden for him. Right, big man?”
“Lyri can do whatever she wants to our garden.”
She sinks into my side as I say it, and she exhales. “I like it when you say it like that.”
“Me, too, hummingbird. Me, too.”
“Dinner’s ready,” Annie calls out.
“About time. I’m wasting away here, Mom,” Clef calls back while bounding past me as if he’s an adolescent teenager. He’s anything but, being a man of my height and build, just with an air of lightheartedness about him.
Aria chases after her older brother, grabbing a sarong from a sun lounge on the way. I throw my arm around Lyri casually as we stroll back inside the house.
“Dinner with my entire family. Who would have thought?” she murmurs.
I lean in, kissing her temple. “Are you happy?”
Her eyes shift to mine. “Blissfully.”
***
The Griffins’ chef cooked a delicious meal, and we’re sitting around the dining table listening to another round of ‘what happened on tour.’ This time it’s Clef’s turn as he gossips about how much ass he’s getting on the road. I watch Lyri take in every word. She’s lapping this up, all the time with her family, because we all know when we leave, everyone will go back to their busy schedules, and who knows how long it will be before we’re all in the same room again?
Everyone’s joking around, having a great time. I feel a little awkward with the looks Annie’s sending my way, but I ignore her and keep my hand on Lyri’s thigh the entire night.
Dinner ends, drinks are served, and the conversation flows easily.
This family really has a lot to talk about, but I guess being famous does give you some damn fine stories.
With all the drinks that have been flowing, I find I need to use the bathroom. I turn to Stylo, who’s at my left, and ask, “Where’s your powder room?” while the others continue to chatter.
He gestures to his right with his drink in his hand. “Down the hall, last door on your right.”
I nod, down the rest of my soda water, and stand. Lyri notices but keeps talking as I wink at her.
Tonight’s going great. More than great. I couldn’t have asked for a better time with her family. In her element, Lyri’s glowing more than she ever has. She loves her family so fucking much it makes me want to find a way to have them around more.
I wander down to the facilities and take in the luxuriousness of the powder room. The taps are gold, and I can’t help but wonder if the gold is real. I wouldn’t put it past Stylo. Even the commode has gold trimming. The mirror is ornate, almost as big as the damn wall. The double vanity has a marble counter. There’s even a chaise lounge chair in here. Red plush velvet with gold legs. I feel a little out of my depth in here. and hell, I’m wealthy in my own right, but this? This place is over the damn top. There’s a crystal chandelier above me, and I shake my head.
A chandelier in a powder room?
I exhale, finish up, then move over to the sink t
o wash my hands. I stare into the massive mirror. “She doesn’t want this life, Eddie. You have to remember that. You can give her what she wants… what she needs without all this.”
I straighten my shirt.
I’ve got this.
I turn, walking for the exit, but when I open it, Annie’s standing there, her arm up against the doorframe, blocking my exit. I come to an abrupt halt as I take her in.
Her eyes run over me as she grins a little too salaciously. “Giving yourself a pep talk, Eddie? Think you’re not good enough for my baby girl?” she asks, stepping inside the bathroom and forcing me to take a step back.
I stand taller. “I think I’m exactly right for Lyri,” I tell her honestly.
She steps closer to me again, but I don’t want to give off any chicken-shit vibes, so I stand my ground. She inches right up in front of me, staring into my eyes. “You think she gets her good looks from her mother?”
There’s no right answer to that question.
“I think Lyri is stunning. She has a great gene pool from both of her parents.”
Her hand comes up, trailing down my chest. “Are you saying I have good genes, Eddie?”
I narrow my eyes on her. “I’m saying your entire family is blessed by their appearance. But Lyri is the one I have my eyes firmly set on.”
She leans in closer, this time I take a step back, the awkwardness between us becoming a little unbearable. “What if another has their eyes on you?”
I stand taller. “Well, it wouldn’t be an issue because as I said, my eyes are firmly set on Lyri, just like I assume yours are firmly on Stylo… your husband?”
She edges closer again. Inwardly, I groan. Her eyes focus in on my crotch. She’s not even trying to hide it now. “Stylo and I have an arrangement.”
I let out a loud laugh, more from shock than anything. “Well, I’m sorry, Annie, but your arrangement does not involve me. I love Lyri, and this shit… this is inappropriate!” I push past her, and she doesn’t stop me as I make my way back down to the dining room.
What in the fucking fuck was that? Lyri’s mother just tried to seduce me—that’s what that was. What in the hell am I going to do about it?
I knew from the moment we arrived there was something off about her. The way she treated Lyri, but still, there’s no way she could ever think I’d cheat. I don’t know what kind of arrangement she and Stylo have, but it’s not the kind of relationship I want to have with their daughter.
Their life is rock and roll and all the crap that goes with it.
Ours isn’t.
It’s as simple as that.
I storm back into the room, feeling like my footsteps are heavier than they should be for someone trying to be inconspicuous. Lyri’s concern crosses her features as I take a seat, folding my arms over my chest in simple annoyance.
“You okay?” Lyri asks.
I grunt in response.
Annie saunters back into the room as if nothing untoward has just happened. “Who’s for dessert?” she calls out.
“Is it the family favorite?” Aria asks.
“Of course,” Annie replies as she heads off to the kitchen.
I need to calm myself down, act like nothing’s happened. Until I can tell Lyri what’s happened in private. “Family favorite?”
“Banana caramel pie. My gran used to make it for us all,” Lyri answers.
My insides warm. “I like hearing your family stories.”
Lyri links her hand with mine. “And I can’t wait to hear yours.”
“Stylo, can you help me with dessert?” Annie calls out from the kitchen.
Instantly, my back straightens.
What if she tells him about what just happened?
What if she twists the truth?
Fuck, I have no idea what this woman’s capable of.
Stylo stands, walking out to the kitchen as I sit here, sweating bullets. My knee bobs up and down, wondering what the hell she’s telling him. My stomach twists.
If Stylo thinks I tried to come onto his wife, he won’t want me around his daughter.
Shit.
Fuck.
Is this all going to hell?
I stand abruptly.
Lyri turns to watch me, stopping mid-conversation.
The color drains from my face as I rush toward the kitchen.
“Eddie?” Lyri calls out.
“Just giving your parents a hand, babe,” I yell back.
“God, he’s so polite,” Clef murmurs as I reach the double swinging doors.
I take a deep breath, hearing muffled voices as I steady my shoulders, open the doors, and walk in ready to defend myself to this lying piece of scum. The doors fly back, and I see Annie with her finger in Stylo’s mouth. He’s sucking off some whipped cream. I shudder thinking I’m walking in on some weird sexual thing and immediately I want to backtrack. Sweat beads on my temple as they both raise their brows at me in question.
Annie pulls her finger from Stylo’s mouth, popping it into hers for a brief moment, then she places her hand on her hip. “Back for round two, Eddie?” she asks.
I choke on thin air as Stylo glares at me.
She told him.
But she told him her truth, not mine.
“Stylo, listen—”
“No. You listen, Eddie,” Stylo grunts, storming toward me.
I tense, thinking he’s going to hit me, but he stops short, gripping my shoulders with both hands, staring me straight in the eyes. I open mine wide, wondering what the fuck’s going on.
“I know what happened with Annie.”
I jerk my head back in confusion. “You do?”
“I do because I told her to do it.”
My body is riddled with a cold sweat as I try to figure out what the fuck’s going on. “What? Why?”
He cracks his neck to the side as Annie dips her finger into the whipped cream again, then shoves it into her mouth like she’s enjoying this bullshit. “I’m a father.”
I’m confused. “I understand, Stylo, but—”
“So, I need to protect my baby girl at all costs.” My body begins to relax a little as the cogs start shifting into place. “I’m not around a lot… hardly at all for her. When you called and told me what happened, I was grateful to help but also cautious of you.”
“I can understand that.”
“I had to make sure that if my Lyric was getting involved with a man, a man who went to jail and who had already caused her great pain, I could trust him not to be like Corey.”
My eyes widen as I glance at Annie. Her lips turn up but not in a mischievous way but more in a kind manner.
I’ve finally figured it out. “You came onto me to see if I would take the bait. To see if I would cheat on Lyri?” I direct the questions toward Annie.
She dunks her finger into the cream again, then sucks it off, saying nothing.
Annie, the woman who I thought was trying to seduce me was actually only trying to do right by her daughter. I can’t fault her for that.
Stylo exhales. “I asked her to do it. Of course, if you’d made a move, she would have called it off just to prove the point that you’re not worthy of our Lyri, but you proved us wrong. You stood your ground and fought for your relationship.”
I narrow my eyes. “Stylo, I will always fight for my relationship with Lyri. I’m not lying when I tell you how deeply, madly, and utterly in love with her I am.”
Stylo beams wide like he’s the proudest father on earth. “Then, in that case, Eddie… I give you my blessing for you to ask Lyric to marry you. When you’re both in the right place, I mean. Feel free to ask her because I know I’m not always going to be reachable for you to ask for my permission, so I’m giving it to you now, and you’ll have it when you’re ready. Tomorrow, a month, a year, ten years from now… no pressure, just know you have our blessing.”
My heart warms with so much fucking pride my legs feel tingly
I pull Stylo in for a hug as I let out a small
laugh. “Thank you, thank you both.” I move back as I smile like my cheeks might burst. “It was probably the weirdest fucking way to get your permission. I feel a little creeped out by it, I have to admit, but if proving myself to you guys is the only way to get this outcome, then I’d do it all over again. Because Lyri is the woman I’m meant to be with for the rest of my life. I know it in my soul. I’m just glad you can see it, too.”
Annie moves forward, smiling at me as she comes in for a hug. “Sorry about the flirting. We just had to know for sure.” She wraps her arms around me, and I embrace her back. Her hands move to my ass quickly, and she squeezes, making me jump. Her and Stylo both burst into hysterical laughter. “Should have seen your face, though, cowboy,” she says as she pulls back. “Thinking you pulled the MILF… it was priceless.”
I can see now her and Stylo are the pranksters in this family. When we do get to spend time together, I’m sure I am going to be the butt of their jokes for a long time to come.
“Good one, guys,” I play along as the swinging doors open, and Lyri steps in.
“What’s the holdup? We need pie,” she demands while moving in behind me and wrapping her arms around my waist. My hands slide against hers as she snuggles into me while her mom grabs the two pies, one in each hand.
“Let’s get this party started,” Annie announces, winking at me as we all walk back into the dining room.
What a turn of events.
Her parents plotted against me.
But I ended up with their blessing.
Now I know I can propose to Lyri but at the right time. First, we need to move in together. All good things come to those who wait, and Lyri’s worth waiting for.
First thing’s first—pie.
Then I will move her into my home.
Then I’ll get her a ring.
The things I’m going to do for you, Lyric Griffin—just you wait and see.
Chapter Twenty-Four
A WEEK LATER
As I carry the last box in from the moving van, Mikey runs at my feet, almost making me trip up. Lyri steps in with Polly on her shoulder.
