Luci's Lullaby

by Leaona Luxx

  What was for dinner?

  A well-warmed bottle of 2018 Soy milk formula. ~C

  And lasagna. ~C

  I hope Luci left me some.

  She did, there’s plenty of milk. ~C

  I’m thinking of having some. ~C

  Glad you’re not driving.

  Lol, me too. ~C

  I gotta go.

  c ya. ~C

  Sure enough.

  “You doin’ alright?” Aksel slides in beside me.

  “I’m doing.” I force a smile.

  He folds his hands on the table. “Anything I can do to help?”

  “Naw, man. I miss them. It’s crazy and weird and amazing all rolled into one.”

  A blonde crowds into the booth with us. “Hey, Alden. I’m so glad you’re back.”

  “Thanks.” I stare at Aksel, praying she’ll take the hint.

  “Can I get a selfie with you?” She brushes her boobs over my arm, and I roll my eyes.

  I angle my body toward her but don’t touch her. She snaps the picture and before I straighten, she kisses my cheek and takes another.

  “Hey, don’t do that.”

  “I got it. Here’s my number or come find me after.” She winks at me and struts off.

  “You hate this, don’t you?” Aksel asks.

  “When I’m on stage, I love it. Would I like to look out and see them? Yes, but that isn’t possible. But yes, I’m over the women.”

  “How about I ask for a dressing room with no access unless we approve?” He slides his hands under the table.

  “That might work.”

  “You haven’t even had a beer.” He narrows his eyes.

  I wave my hand in front of me. “We have wine or a beer once in a while, but we’re done.”

  “We?” He tilts his head.

  I scratch my beard. “Me and Charlee.”

  “You still haven’t told her.” He pins me with his stare.

  I shake my head. “I don’t know what I’d say. I’m not sure how.”

  I get back to work, hoping the night will go faster. I love singing again, Charlee was right. I think I need to change how I do it and where. It’s after two in the morning when I get home.

  Unlocking the door, I ease it open as to not disturb them. I step in but before I can close it, the blonde from earlier is all over me.

  “Gotcha!” She laughs like a loon and she’s no bird.

  I push her off me. “Shhhhhh, you have to be quiet.”

  “Do you want me to be? I’ll do anything you want, Alden Beck.” She’s all hands.

  I grab her wrist and try to back her outside. “I don’t want that. I don’t want anything.”

  “But you wanted me earlier, baby.” She slurs her words, and the smell of alcohol knocks me back.

  “How’d you get here?” I look around hoping her ride is still here.

  She flings her arms around me as I back away and into the door again. “Come on, you know you want it. You’ve slept with both of my friends, and my pussy is so much better.”

  “Ughhh, are men this bad drunk?” I force her arms off me.

  “Yep, pretty much,” Charlee growls from behind me.

  I whip around and push the blonde back out the door behind me. “It’s not what it looks like.”

  “Really? Cause it looks like she’s trying to hump you by the door?” She glares at me, and my stomach rolls.

  The blonde locks her arms around my waist. “Come on, baby. Let’s go fuck. Oh! Hiiii, you wanna do a threesome?”

  Charlee comes barreling toward us and I cringe, thinking she’s going to kill us both. She takes the blonde by the arm and walks her out the door.

  “Get a hold of yourself and have a little self-respect. Not every man wants a woman to act this way. Now, leave before you wake the baby up.” She takes the blonde all the way to the curb. “Alden, call her a ride.”

  “Yes, ma’am.” I’m already on the phone.

  Charlee stands on the curb with the blonde until her ride gets here. Luckily, the one that dropped her off was right around the corner and he just turned around.

  Charlee stalks back toward the house, and bile rises in my throat.

  “Is this going to happen every night?” She crosses her arms, waiting for me to answer.

  “I didn’t…” I hold my hands in the air.

  She walks past me and turns with a smirk. “I know, I watched the entire thing from the couch. I just wanted to see how you were gonna handle it.”

  “You did what? You left me to fend off that man-eater?”

  She backs down the hall, smiling. “I sure did. What’cha gonna do about it.”

  I take a step toward her. “You realize this means war.”

  “Do I look worried?” She curls her fingers in a ‘bring it’ motion.

  “You better run.” I take another step in her direction.

  “Huh? What did you say?” She cups her hand around her ear. I take another step, and she whirls around. “Ya gotta catch me first.”

  I chase her down the hall and into the bedroom, tackling her on the bed. We wrestle as I tickle her, laughing as we roll. We each try to get the upper hand, but we’re out of breath.

  She’s straddling me and we’re locked in a gaze, panting when Luci whimpers. We freeze, hoping we’ve dodged a bullet and start to snicker when she snivels.

  “You’re gonna wake the baby,” Charlee whispers.

  My breath hitches as I stare up at her. “I missed you.”

  “Yeah, yeah. I could tell with ol’ skank-asaurus in there wanting a threesome.” She waggles her brows.

  “For the record, she followed me home.”

  “If I had a dollar for every time I heard that excuse.” She pokes me.

  I laugh and things get scandalous. Meaning, things begin to rise. “Good talk, you need to let me up.”

  “Seems as though you’re already getting up.” She bites her lip, turning it from pink to crimson. I sweep my thumb over it as she releases it.

  “Charlee, I missed you tonight.”

  “I have no doubt you did amazing though, even without us.” She slides from my lap, and I’m immediately cold.

  I grab her hand, holding her there. “Don’t go.”

  “Never.” She lays her hand on my chest and stays as we talk until early morning.

  “We need to get into bed.”

  She sighs into my neck. “I’m so comfortable though.”

  “I know but you’d be more comfortable without those clothes.”

  She giggles. “Always trying to get my panties off.”

  “You’re wearing some?” I poke her side as I slide from the bed.

  “Noooo, don’t go.” She reaches for me as I pull my drawer open.

  “Take off your clothes.”

  She opens an eye, peeking at me. “Okay, let’s not say it like that again.”

  “I’m getting you a t-shirt to sleep in.” I lay it on the top of the dresses and tug my shirt off, dropping my pants before walking back over to her.

  Her eyes burn a path up my body. “Oh, let me get these off.” She crawls toward me making my pulse race. Stepping from the bed, she takes her shorts off and turns around, taking her shirt off.

  “Arms up,” I growl in her ear and watch as she shivers. She raises them and I slip it over, watching it fall. She tugs it over her ass and my cock jumps. My mouth waters as she gets on all fours and into bed.

  She crooks her finger at me. “Come on.”

  “Charlee,” I bite and release my lip. “you’re gonna be the death of me.”

  A wicked grin plays on her lips as I climb in beside her. “Then I’ll need to make sure you go to heaven.”

  I wrap my arm around her, pulling her into my chest. “I’m already there, Charlee Rae. I’m already there.”

  Our breathing staggers before we finally find the same pace and fall fast asleep. I’m not sure when but without a doubt, I need to tell her how I feel because there’s no way in hell, I can l
ose this.

  The bed shifts, rousing me, but I don’t move. Late nights have never agreed with me. Alden doesn’t even look tired when he does them, but I wake up looking like death warmed over.

  “Hey, baby. Good mornin’, beautiful.” I hear Alden murmur to Luci. “How about a dry diaper and some breakfast?”

  I listen as his feet pad through the house to the kitchen before dragging myself from the warm bed. Fall is in the air this morning, the last days of the summer from hell coming to an end.

  The closer I get, I hear him singing. I stop in the hall, afraid if he hears me he will quit. He sounds amazing, his voice is intoxicating. Don’t tell him I said that, though.

  The closer I get, I hear him singing. I stop in the hall, afraid if he hears me he’ll quit. He sounds amazing, his voice is intoxicating. Don’t tell him I said that, though.

  He’s singing as I peek around the corner and watch as he sways, holding her close.

  “You came along when I didn’t have a prayer; loving me, trusting me and believing I’d care. My resolve melts away with every breathe you take, smiling at me like I’m your everything. I can’t promise never to make a mistake, I can only pray that I don’t break. I’ll love you as best I can, ‘cause you make me want to be a better man.”

  That right there is pure swoon-worthy, sweep me off my feet, slap my ass and call me ‘yours’ goodness. My heart races, making me catch my breath. Alden hears me and turns, smiling.

  “I think she might like me after all.” His face is beaming as he gazes at her, pride filling him and making my eyes well with unshed tears.

  I walk over to them, wrapping my arms around his waist. “She loves you. She always has, you just needed to let her.”

  His eyes flicker to mine, teeming with emotion. “I’m trying.”

  “I know you are, and you’re doing amazing.”

  There’s a yearning in his gaze, and it rocks me to my core. I allow myself to get lost in this feeling that’s overwhelming and yet calming. He begins to sway again, his eyes locked with mine.

  There, in the middle of the kitchen, not only do Alden and Luci bond, but I can feel it in my soul; a bond that will never be broken is formed. As much as I want this, I know all things come with trials.

  And many errors.

  The intensity of the moment becomes so surreal. I take a step back and crash into the here and now. Defense is my only option because falling in love was never part of the plan.

  “I think we need to talk about starting her on some cereal.”

  “How do we do that; do we ask her doctor?” He watches as I start some coffee.

  “Umm, yeah. We can totally ask her and see if she thinks Luci’s old enough.” I giggle.

  “What is it?” He half smiles.

  “I’m old school, we just gave it to Theo when he was her age.”

  He looks at Luci and back to me. “I trust you and if you say try it, we will.”

  “Thank you, but since she isn’t mine, we better take the extra step to make sure it’s the best for her.” I rub her cheek as my eyes dart to him.

  He’s frowning, and my stomach sinks. “Yeah, I suppose you’re right.”

  “Did I do something?”

  “Huh? No, not at all. Just thinking more than I should.” He fakes a smile.

  His phone vibrates on the counter, and we both reach for it. “Oh, sorry. I was gonna hand it to you.”

  His frown deepens. “It’s okay. I guess I need to get in the shower.”

  “Is there something wrong?”

  “No, not at all.” He cuts his eyes to his phone as it buzzes again. “I hate to go tonight.” He stares at the screen before shutting it off.

  “Try to look at the bright side—you’re playing music again.”

  He holds Luci’s hand, smiling at her. “Do you think, maybe, you could come one night?”

  “To hear you play?”

  He flashes his boyish smile. “Yeah, you don’t have to.”

  “We need to find a sitter.”

  His face lights up. “Tonight?”

  “Uh, yes.” I raise my brows. “I could ask my mom to watch her, if that’s okay with you?”

  “Really? Do you think she would?” He fidgets with Luci’s blanket.

  “She’d be thrilled. I’ve talked so much about her, she thinks she’s ours.”

  His eyes dart to mine, and I flush. “Does she now?”

  “Not ours,” I motion between us, “but ours like hers and mine and… yours. Anyway, I’m positive she’d do it.”

  “What would she need for the night?” He begins to pace.

  “We have plenty of time to make a list, but I’d say we could start with milk, diapers and the pack-n-play for her to sleep in.”

  “Sleep in?” His brows knit.

  “Yeah, I wouldn’t want to bring her home at two in the morning. Unless you don’t want her to stay.”

  “That means we’d be alone tonight.” He swallows hard. “All night.”

  Now he’s making me fidget. “Yes, it would. We might actually get a full night of sleep.”

  “Yeah, maybe.” He shifts his feet. “Do you think she’ll give your mom any problems?”

  Tiptoeing, I lean in and kiss Luci. “No, she’s the sweetest baby in the whole world. Besides, she’s just down the road, and we can run right over to get her. Which reminds me, I need to get a car seat.”

  “I hadn’t thought about it. We can swing by and grab one on the way to your mom’s tonight.” He chews his lip.

  “Sounds like a plan.”

  “So you’re going to come with me?” He drops his head. “Kinda like a date.”

  “A date?” My heart thunders in my chest. Holy mother of God, Alden Beck is asking me out! No freaking way.

  He half shrugs. “Yeah, you know with all our friends, hanging out and stuff.”

  “Right, that kind of a date. Sure, I’ll call my mom.” And there goes my heart, plummeting to earth to crash and burn.

  The day passes in a blur, and we’re ready and on the road by seven. First stop, my mom. I’m a little worried she may get attached, so I told her to do her best not to.

  I run into my room to find some clothes since I only have the basics at his place. I grab my black jeans and a black and white beaded lace crop top. A pair of black kitten heels and flat iron my hair.

  I slip into the kitchen and jot down Alden's number for Mom. Alden’s nervous. I’m not sure if it’s because Luci is staying with her or for another reason. I’m trying to be patient.

  “Are you sure you don’t mind?” Alden asks as he sets the pack-n-play up.

  “Please, we’re already friends,” Mom says as she holds Luci’s hand.

  “Here are our numbers, don’t hesitate to call. I can come anytime and Alden will if it’s an emergency.”

  Alden’s all eyes on me when I stroll into the room. If I didn’t want to make a scene, I’d pick his mouth up for him. Soon enough, he snaps back to the here and now.

  “Emergency? Do you think something might happen?” Alden frowns.

  I close my eyes. “They will be perfectly fine, I promise.”

  “Yeah, no I know.” He plays it off, but I know him—he’s worried.

  Mom looks from me to Alden. “We’ll be fine, and I’ll call if anything happens. You can also call at any time.”

  “It’s fine, Mom. We’ll be back early in the morning.”

  “Take your time.” She kisses me.

  “I don’t think we’ll be able to stay away for any longer.” I giggle.

  Alden kisses Luci. “Love you, beautiful girl.”

  I tug on his arm. “Come on, we’re gonna be late.”

  “Tell them bye.” Mom holds Luci up to us as we walk out the door and to the truck. She waves as we drive away.

  Alden turns onto Seventeen and hits the gas.

  “Are you in a hurry?”

  “Damn straight.” He side-eyes me, grinning.

  I turn to look at him. �
�Why are we in a hurry?”

  “No reason.” He curls his lip. “So are you gonna dance with me tonight?”

  “Are you gonna ask?”

  “I’m tossin’ the idea around, you know, keeping my options open.” He cuts his eyes at me.

  I flatten my mouth out. “Good to know. I will too.”

  “Huh?” He jerks his head around.

  “You know, for dance partners.”

  “Maybe we should just dance with each other, you know, to keep things low key.” He looks over at me.

  I nod. “Maybe.”

  He fidgets in his seat, adjusts his seatbelt, and moves the mirror.

  “At least save a couple for me,” he says, almost pouting.

  I nudge his shoulder. “Gotcha.”

  He does a double take, narrowing his eyes. “You were fuckin’ with me?”

  “Two can play the game, but there’s only one winner.” I wiggle my brows as he parks.

  “What were my first words to you? Oh, yeah…” His eyes flicker to mine. “Game on.”

  He slips from his seat and rounds the truck before I can get out. He grabs the handle at the same time that I do. A smile spreads across his face. He pulls the door open and holds his hand out.

  “Why, thank you.” I take it and slide from the vehicle.

  “My pleasure.” He plasters on my favorite boyish grin.

  We take our time as we walk toward the venue, using the time to just be together. At the door, he high fives the doormen and doesn’t break his stride. The further inside we get, the more crowded it becomes.

  I feel something on my hand and then a tug. Looking down, I see Alden’s hand in mine. He makes a zigzag through the club until we make it to our table. Everyone is here.

  Chord waves, and Alden’s face lights up.

  “Hey, man. Who’s this gorgeous woman you’re forcing to hold your hand?” Chord pulls me into a hug. We went to school together, along with Thayer.

  “What the hell? Is this how y’all felt all these years?” Alden tugs me to his side but hasn’t let go of me.

  “Yes!” the table yells as everyone laughs but Alden.

  Aksel is the next to kiss me, followed by Walker and Riley. Alden protests to every single one of them. His face is a deep red by the time we sit down.

  “Check him out, beet red from the neck up.” Riley cackles.

  Walker scoots closer to Reese. “Don’t worry, guys, Reese warned him off. She’s still single and ready to mingle.”