Luci's Lullaby

by Leaona Luxx

  A few lights later, I turn into his complex and park in front of his place. I force myself to get out and not cry until I get Luci inside. As soon as the latch locks, I slide down the door and into a pile of tears.

  After a few minutes, I pick myself up and take Luci from her carrier. I get her bathed and fed for the evening and do the same to myself just in time for Alden’s first call.

  When my phone buzzes, I jump and grab it.

  “Hey, handsome,” I mewl.

  He sighs heavily. “Hello, beautiful. How are my girls?”

  “We’re good, snuggled in bed.”

  “Wish I were there with you.” His voice is low.

  “Where are you?”

  I hear Aksel in the background. “Thanks, man. Getting my luggage.”

  “I’m glad Aksel is with you.”

  He takes a deep breath. “I think we’re ready. I’ll FaceTime as soon as we’re settled.”

  “Sounds perfect,” I say as my heart races. “Later.”

  “Later, babe.”

  I click end and curl up into a ball. My heart tells me he loves me, but my head keeps screaming, ‘he hasn’t said it’. Memories of my dad and when he left flood my mind, and I remind myself this is different.

  I check the time; it seems as though it’s been hours and it’s only been minutes. Luci’s restless tonight, I suppose I can understand. I pick her up, taking my phone with us, and walk to her room.

  I sit back into the rocking chair Reese found at an antique store in town and begin to slowly move. “I feel your pain, sweetie.” With Alden gone, I feel everything again.

  The chime of FaceTime startles me, and Luci whimpers. “Shhhh, baby girl. It’s Alden, we’re okay.” I hit answer as she continues to snivel.

  “Hey, girls. What’s wrong with my baby girl?” Alden says sympathetically as he watches her through the screen. “Oh, gosh. Look at that pouty lip.”

  “She’s restless tonight.”

  “I know the feeling.” He runs his hand through his hair. “Do you have one of my shirts on?”

  I bite my lip and release it. “I do. Is that a problem? Because I’m sleeping on your side of the bed too.”

  “Not in the least.” He lays back in bed. “I can imagine your nipples from here.”

  I ease from the chair and head back to bed. “Well, you don’t have to imagine.” I lay Luci in bed and hold the phone out from me.

  “Damn, you look so fuckin’ good in that.” His eyes smolder.

  A tingle spreads through my body as he stares at me, making me feel wanton and a little dirty. I love to feel sexy, but hot damn, give me dirty once in a while too.

  “Have you unpacked?”

  He shakes his head. “Nope, but you’re about to make me unload.”

  “Perv.” I giggle. “You should at least check your pockets before you go to bed.”

  A smile plays on his lips as he glances across the room. “What did you do?”

  “No way in hell was I letting you go on tour with women being slung at you daily without reminding you who you belong to.”

  He adjusts himself as he stands and walks over to his suitcase. “Trust me, baby. I damn well know who owns me.”

  “I don’t own you, but it’s a goal.” I giggle.

  He picks his pants up and shoves his hand in. A smile spreads across his face. “No, you did not.” He pulls out a pink pair of my panties.

  “Just a little reminder and hopefully tease to keep your mind here, even if your body can’t be.” I sink my teeth into my bottom lip.

  He stares into the camera and reaches into the pocket of the pants he’s wearing. He holds up my purple ones. “They match.”

  We both laugh, sharing a smile across the miles. “Well then, I suppose you’re all set.”

  “Please tell me you’ll be wearing panties while I’m gone.” He glares.

  “Only if I’m not thinking of you.”

  He narrows his eyes. “What are you saying, baby?”

  “If I think of you, I might need to touch myself. Ya know, to relieve any issues.” I shrug.

  His nostrils flare. “Those are mine, no one else’s.”

  “What are yours, Alden?” A delicious pull yearns deep in my core.

  His lips part, and my breath hitches. “You are, Charlee Rae. You’re mine.”

  “Two weeks and a few more FaceTime’s like this and we’ll not make it out of the airport.” I press my thighs together.

  “Trust me, baby. I’ll not make it two weeks if you plan to wear my t-shirts during every call. We’ll have to plan a shower call.” He rubs his chin as if he’s planning it all out.

  “I’m down with that. Nothing like a sexy bath with a country crooner.” I wink, making him chuckle.

  “Miss Wright, I do believe my country charm has won you over.” His boyish smile knocks the breath out of me.

  “Yeah, yeah. I think you might be right, but don’t let it go to your head.”

  He lowers his chin. “You already have.”

  “Geez, we sound like hormone-ravaged teenagers.” I giggle.

  He bites his lip, and I melt. “One of my biggest regrets, I should’ve ruined you in high school.”

  “Oh, but you did, Alden Beck. You so did.” His face lights up, and I swoon.

  We spend the next hour talking about everything, from his room to the tour dates and city, to Luci and him coming home. My heart feels lighter when we hang up, but my chest still feels heavy.

  I don’t like this feeling.

  Emerson helps to carry Luci’s bag as we deplane. We trek through the tunnel to find our guys on the other side. Alden swarms us with kisses as he wraps us in his arms.

  “I don’t think I ever needed to see two people more in my life.” He kisses me again.

  I hold him with one arm as we gaze at one another. “It’s so good to see you.”

  Luci begins to babble, and Alden takes her from me. “Look at you, baby girl. You’ve grown so much. Is this even possible?”

  “She loves cereal.”

  Alden’s eyes glisten. “I can’t wait to feed her. I’ve been so worried she’d forget me.”

  “Never.” I slide my arm around his back as we walk toward the luggage.

  Aksel drives us all back to the hotel after we grab our bags. Alden has a spacious room and already had a crib brought up.

  “Like she’s gonna use that. She’ll be sleeping on your chest like always.” I cock my brow.

  He yanks me to him and takes my lips, not releasing me until I can’t breathe. “She’ll need her own bed at times.”

  A knock at the door cuts our reunion short. I could scream. Alden places his forehead against mine and sighs. He pushes off and walks to the door. He peeks out the peephole and groans.

  “You’ve got to be kidding me!” He opens the door to Samantha Moxy.

  Yeah, I’m screaming. Of all the stories I’ve heard about this woman, never once have I heard about how beautiful she is. Long legs and longer hair. No wonder she signs all the men.

  She rakes her nails down Alden’s chest in plain view. “Hello, handsome. I’m so glad I could come.”

  Did you just gag? I did. Now, I see why Alden doesn’t like her. She’s too damn handsy. He takes her by the wrist and peels it off of him.

  “Why are you here?” Alden borders on being rude, and I like it.

  She pushes past him without so much as a nod in my direction. “I came to see your bundle of joy.”

  “She’s sleeping.” I leer at her.

  She cuts her eyes at me. “Aren’t you a wonderful sitter, or do they say nanny now?”

  “Sam, this is Charlee, my girlfriend. You know this and the fact we’re raising Luci together.” Alden takes my hand as my heart pounds against my chest. He called me his girlfriend, yeah, I’m a teenager again.

  Sam cackles, waking Luci. “Of course she is. It’s good to see you’re dressing the part.”

  Alden bends over, picking Luci up. “We just got of
f the plane.”

  “So I see.” She raises her brows. “Alden, please remember we have a fan signing before the performance this evening.”

  “I haven’t forgotten.” He grits his teeth.

  “Please,” she side-eyes me, “try to be on time tonight. No more dawdling; these girls need to learn to let you go.”

  “We haven’t been here to hold him up.” I cross my arms.

  She narrows her eyes. “I wasn’t speaking of you.”

  “I’ll be on time,” Alden huffs. “Now, if you’ll leave, I can get ready.”

  “See you later, star.” Sam runs her hand over his jaw and walks out.

  I shudder. “Ewe, she’s so gross.”

  “Tell me about it. I can’t stand her.” Alden rolls his eyes. “Enough of her, back to us.”

  “Let’s get her down so she can finish her nap, and then we’ll talk.” I wink at him.

  “Sounds fantastic.” He leans in, kissing me.

  “I hate that we didn’t get more time together before we had to leave.” I hold Charlee’s hand on my thigh.

  She half shrugs. “I’m okay, I’m happy we’re here for you.”

  We pull into the underground parking, and the SUV is swarmed with women. Charlee’s eyes widen as we circle around, and the line circles the building.

  “Wow, this is amazing,” she says.

  “All to see me. I have to admit, I love it.”

  She scans the crowd. “I can see why, it’s awe-inspiring.”

  We come to a sudden stop, and the door swings open. Security guards flank us as we exit the car and hurry inside. Charlee holds Luci tightly as we get pushed by the crowd.

  “Hey! Watch the baby!” he yells when someone yanks me back into them.

  I put my arm around her, shielding them from the fray. Once in the building, things go downhill quickly. There’s a room for Charlee and Luci and a room full of women and booze for me.

  “So we wait in here until you’re finished in there?” Charlee’s eyes dart across the hall to the loud, waiting fans.

  I take a deep breath, trying to stay calm. “Not for long. I guess Sam thought this might be better for Luci. Let’s make it work this time, and I’ll change it later.”

  She shifts her stance and forces a smile. “We’re fine, do what you need to do.”

  I take her in my arms and kiss her deeply. “None of this matters without you two.”

  “Go be a star.” She pushes on my chest.

  “I’ll be back as soon as I can.” I hold onto her hand as I move toward the door, stretching it as far as we can until she slips free.

  In the other room, I watch the clock as Aksel watches me. He knows I’m over this shit and about to bolt. Sam did this to keep me away from Charlee, just like the jab about the sitter. She’s evil.

  “I know you’re ready to go, but she sold these promising you’d stay an hour with the fans.” Aksel’s jaw sets.

  I shove my hands in my pockets. “She was such a bitch to Charlee. I know that’s what this is about.”

  “I can’t apologize enough.” Aksel hangs his head.

  I pat him on the back as the group of women begins to get louder. “Hey, you’re not to blame. Sam did this, you only work for her. You know as well as I do, she’d do the same to you.”

  “Do you see Emerson?” Aksel growls.

  I scan the room, he’s right. “Why is she not here?”

  “It doesn’t look good for my wife to be hanging around.” He uses air quotes. “She’s with Charlee and Luci.”

  “Speak of the devil herself.” I nod in her direction.

  Sam slinks up to us with a smirk. “Aksel, I need you to go check security and round the band up.”

  He glances at me and sighs. “I’ll be right back.”

  Sam slides her arm around mine, and I cringe. “We have an interview after this. I know you wanted to keep the little one under wraps, but it was leaked, and they’ll be asking you about her.”

  “Her name is Luci, and how in the hell was it leaked?”

  “Alden, you can’t meet people at airports and keep them in your room without others noticing.” She blinks as if I’m insane.

  I fold my arms to get away from hers. “What else, Sam?”

  “I don’t know what you mean?” She raises her brows, but we both know she’s winning, and I’m getting sick of the shit.

  I grind my jaw. “What else was leaked?”

  “Nothing else. You’re raising your brother’s child, and she visits you on tour. It’ll be great for the courts and, of course, we should say nanny and not girlfriend; they may think she’s a roadie.” She elbows me. “Smile, here they come.”

  “We ready?” the lady asks as she smiles at me.

  “Sure.” I shake my arms out and roll my neck, trying to disperse the tension in my body.

  “They’ll count us down,” she says, cozying up to me with Sam on the other side.

  A gruffy man with a camera begins to count and flash his fingers. “And in three… two… we’re live.”

  “Hey all you country music fans! We’re on tour with up and coming artist, Alden Beck. Alden’s just released new tour dates and is planning an upcoming album,” she says, all news to me. “Tell us about your new songs.”

  “I’ve worked on so many, I think we’re still in the air about what’ll be on the record.”

  “But his first new single will fly up the charts,” Sam insists.

  The reporter turns solemn, and I still my nerves. “We’re all learning new and exciting things about you every day, but I must say, the story of your brother touched me the most.”

  I swallow hard, knowing in my gut this is wrong. “Yes, I recently lost my brother and sister-in-law. It’s the reason I dropped from the Carolina Country Fest in Myrtle Beach this summer.”

  “I also hear you’re raising his newborn daughter, Laci,” she says as I grit my teeth. Her eyes widen, and there’s no doubt she’s upset me.

  “It’s Luci and yes, I am.”

  “How are you doing that—touring, promoting, and making a record while raising a child?” She shoves the mic back in my face.

  I leer at her. “Like many single mothers do, you work hard and have a great support system.”

  “That’s right, ladies, he has a nanny contrary to reports it’s his girlfriend. Alden Beck is our single dad, country crooner, and I must say, I’ve already swooned.” She smiles and they cut the light. “Thanks so much, you did great.”

  My head spins as I round on Sam, but it’s not her who brings me up short. Charlee stands at the door, her eyes glossy with unshed tears. I push past Sam but not in time to stop Charlee from getting away from me.

  Suddenly, I’m crowded with people and autographs. I keep one eye on Charlee’s door, but she doesn’t emerge before I have to go on. A few songs in, I catch a glimpse of Charlee standing backstage. Sam’s smirking as they talk.

  In a blink of an eye, she’s gone.

  I search the crowd and motion for the boys to look for her. Nothing. I battle through my first set and rush from the stage. I scan the crowd of women but can’t find her anywhere.

  I run to the dressing rooms, searching them. As I get to ours, I’m yanked backward into the opposite room by two women. Their hands are all over me as I fight them off without security.

  One has my head locked in her hands, kissing me, and the other is down the front of my pants when something at the door draws my attention. I push and plead, but she disappears again.

  “Get the fuck off of me! What the hell is wrong with y’all? Aksel! Gary!” I yell, slipping and sliding from their grasp. I trip and fall flat on my face as I work to get away.

  I look up from the ground and Sam is looming over me. “What in the hell did you say to her?” I growl as I get to my feet.

  “Nothing she couldn’t see for herself.” Sam sneers as the others giggle.

  I cut my eyes and back to Sam. “Fuck you, I quit.” She grabs my arm as I walk past.<
br />
  “Go ahead. You’ve lost her, and I’ll make sure you have nothing else.” I jerk away. “Including your brother’s daughter.”

  Bile rises in my throat. “How in the hell can you do that?”

  “I have photographic evidence.” She leers.

  “Go to hell.” I storm from the room, bursting through the door across the hall. Emerson sits in tears, holding a wailing Luci.

  “I tried to stop her, Alden. I told her it was Sam, this had nothing to do with you.” She wipes Luci's face.

  My lungs go dry, and I can’t breathe. “Where is she?”

  “Gone.” Emerson’s face tells me she’s not lying.

  I fall against the wall, sinking to the floor. Fisting my hair as the tears fall from my eyes unrestrained. Anger boils deep in the pit of my stomach, and I begin to elbow the concrete behind me.

  “Alden! Alden, stop!” Emerson begs me as I bust the skin on my arm and begin to bleed. “Aksel!”

  Her cries echo through the room, but I keep hitting that damn wall. Thrashing on it until I can’t anymore. I beat the hell out of it, one strike for every scar my battered heart beats.

  Aksel bursts through the door. “Alden, no! Man, what the hell?”

  “She left, Aksel. Sam did something. Charlee’s gone,” Emerson breaks, falling into the seat behind her.

  “What the fuck?” Aksel squats in front of me as I pummel myself and everything around me. “Em, get her outta here.”

  “NO! She’s ours.” I grit my teeth, getting to my feet.

  Aksel holds his hands up. “She doesn’t need to see this, no matter how old she is.”

  I hold my head, nodding. Emerson reluctantly leaves, and I continue my assault. I shatter everything in the room, including my hand. By the end of my rampage, I sit in the middle of the floor, everything around me broken.

  Broken and alone.

  I bury my face in my hands. “You promised I’d never be alone again.” Something deep inside me breaks. There’s no coming back from this. Now, I’m done.

  I find refuge at the bottom of every bottle I hold. No thoughts of her, no memories of anyone. Just the way I like it. I stay sober enough to take care of Luci since I’ve been home.

  “Two weeks for a broken hand, what in the hell do I get for a broken heart?” Not a damn thing. I’m up all day, drowning at night. Luci’s teething and crying constantly.