Pulling away slightly, she grips my forearms. “I’ve seen a lot of what you guys have said about them. No matter how mad I am at you, no one deserves to be treated like shit.”
I smirk. “Is this your way of being nice to me?”
She scoffs with a shy smile. “If you think this is being nice, then that’s pretty sad.”
I’ve never seen something I hate more. Lily’s tears.
With my thumbs, I wipe her lingering teardrops away before bringing them to my lips and sucking on the salty liquid.
In shock, she drops her plump pink mouth open. She stammers before deciding to just stay quiet. I always loved when she just watched me like the whole world around us disappeared.
After a few moments of silence, she whispers, “I don’t think I can talk about my parents tonight. Can we do a rain check on this conversation?”
“Of course, Sweet Cheeks.” The old nickname makes her green eyes widen. I haven’t called her that in so long. “It’s pretty late. You should go back inside and get some beauty sleep.”
“Are you telling me I look tired?” She pouts, hugging her torso as I take a step back.
“The eyes.” I point to my eyeball. “They never lie.”
“You’re going to want to call me Daddy soon,” I announce, barging into the studio.
Beelining for Levi, who has a disgusted look on his face, I smirk down at him.
“Never fucking say that again,” he barks at me and rises to his full height.
“Never say never because I think I just solved all your problems.”
Placing his guitar back on its stand, he raises a brow, giving me his full attention. “Am I finally not an alcoholic? Did my drinking problem magically disappear from your hands alone?”
He’s got me there.
Slumping my shoulders, I hit his. “Can you stop being a smart-ass and listen to me?”
He rolls his eyes. “Get on with it. I’m trying to make music.”
“We all are,” his band and my brother and sister all say in sync.
Sending them all dirty looks, I throw my middle finger up in the air. “What is our biggest concern about going on tour?”
“Stella’s schooling,” Amelia answers from the sound room.
As she adjusts the headphones on her ears, I give her a thumbs-up.
“Let’s just say, I may have found the best teacher that will ever walk this world.” The smug look on my face makes Levi’s face scrunch up. “Before you all attack my intelligence, I know this person very well, and they’re currently on the hunt for a job.”
“Are you forgetting that we know each other’s business? Who is this so-called friend I know you don’t have?”
I want to punch the smug look off Leonidas face.
“Okay, if you know everything about me, what color underwear am I wearing?” Pursing my lips, I wait for his response.
“Navy blue.”
Damn. How the fuck does he know that?
I glare at Amelia as she muffles a laugh behind her fist.
“Yes, but that’s beside the point of you thinking you know all my friends.”
