“Listen to this,” Connor says. “Bad Bitch era loading. This song just became my entire personality.”
“What? Look at this one.” Abby turns her phone to show me the post that says, ‘Ruby Lynn Slays’ with a fingernail emoji beside it.
Liam laughs into his whiskey neat. There’s post after post from fans who stayed up later for the release, even some in other time zones who waited into the wee hours of the morning.
A yawn escapes me as I finish the last of my wine.
“We should call it a night,” Abby says. “I’ll take the couch since I’m too tipsy to drive.”
Liam takes his phone back from his brother. “Would you mind staying with Aiden? I don’t want him to wake up alone in a strange place.”
“Or you could stay with your kid. I’ll stay with Ruby for old time’s sake,” he says with a teasing lilt to his voice. “We can have a slumber party.”
“If you weren’t my brother, I’d clock you.”
“How many times have you thought that over the years?” he asks.
“More than a few.” Liam stands and swipes his hands down his jeans. “Now, if you’ll excuse me, I have to get my bad bitch to bed.”
I let out a squeal as he hoists me over his shoulder and lays a stinging slap on my ass.
“Night, bestie,” Abby calls after me.
The last thing I hear before the bedroom door snicks closed is, “Ok, Connor. Let’s play truth or truth.”
Liam
Ruby’s single hits number one on the streaming charts almost instantly, and the only person who’s even the least bit surprised is Ruby herself. When we finally peel ourselves out of bed around noon, it’s already been streamed and downloaded millions of times.
We find Aiden seated at the kitchen island with a stack of pancakes, and a very hungover Uncle Connor holding onto his takeout matcha like it’s going to single-handedly cure whatever ails him.
“Well, if it isn’t my favorite guy,” Ruby says, holding out her arms for a hug.
“Aww. That’s sweet. Still holding a candle after all these years?” Connor says teasingly.
She flips him off and pulls Aiden in for a hug. “Missed you so much,” she says.
“Me too.” He clings to her tightly, and my heart somersaults. Their bond runs deeper than I ever could’ve anticipated. It was instant and effortless.
I trail over to the fridge and scan its contents for something edible. I’m not surprised when I find stacks of leftover Chinese food, bottled cold brew, and three different varieties of coffee creamer. I throw my head back and groan.
“Why do you think I got takeout?” Connor says with a smirk.
Ruby slides onto the stool beside Aiden and props her head in her hand. “In my defense, I haven’t been home much.”
“You live like a college student.”
“I live like a woman with disposable income who spends most of her time in the studio and doesn’t want to cook when she gets home. Sue me.”
I cage her against the island and lean in next to her ear. “I’m not gonna sue you, but I will spank that ass if you don’t start taking better care of my future wife.”
Her eyes widen at my sudden declaration. I didn’t plan to say it, but the moment the words leave my mouth, I know them to be true, beyond all reason. I’m going to marry this woman someday. It’s not a matter of if, but when.
Abby returns later that afternoon with Adam in tow and a stack of folders in her arms. “If we’re doing this, we need to hire a team. I’m good, but I need help.”
“If we’re going to dowhat, exactly?” Ruby asks as she ties off the end of her braid.
“Go indie. Re-record the old albums. Plan a tour. Heaven is on board to produce. Your band is, and always has been, ride or die. We just need a management team and we’re golden.”
