Matt cut into pastel-colored pancakes, stuffed with Nutella and topped with candy pearls, edible flowers, and sprinkles. Talk about a morning sugar rush. Watching Bo and Ava fuss over the little ones from the sofa, he washed it down with champagne and orange juice.
Picking on grilled fruit salad, Kit sat to one side of him, while Sloan tucked into avocado toast and maple syrup-glazed balls of sausage on the other. Shocked that he came, since he rarely lefthis house, Matt nudged the voice of Venery. “Where’d you get that?”
“Miss Bo Peep has a spread for the grownups in the kitchen,” he said, popping another sausage ball into his mouth. “These are damn good.”
“I have to make a new plate.” Matt stood. “I’m about to go into a diabetic coma here.”
“Gimme the rest of your pancakes, then.” Sloan snatched the plate out of his hand. “Heh, those kids are gonna be wired for days.”
Now you can be, too.
But then, wasn’t he always? The dude hardly ever slept. He stayed awake most nights penning lyrics or playing his stupid video games.
Kit tapped him on the shoulder. “I’ll come with you.”
Matt wasn’t sure how he missed the bounty laid out on the kitchen island. Miniature quiches, chicken and waffles, bacon and eggs, pastries and breads. Coffee, juices, and bottles of champagne on ice. “Look at this. Ava was holding out on us.”
“It’s not her fault you went right for the kiddie buffet.” Kit snickered, handing him a plate. “I saw her yesterday, you know. Told her I was sorry about the other night.”
“You know, I don’t get you sometimes,” he said, loading the pink china with savory deliciousness. “How the fuck could you hurt sweet Ava like that?”
“She tried to, uh… never mind.” Long hair hiding his face, Kit shook his head.
“You should’ve stayed and played with us.”
“Nah, bro, I don’t shit where I eat. That gets messy.” He made himself a mimosa, gulped it, and poured another. “I’d rather not know their names. It’s better that way.”
“Safer, you mean.”
He shrugged.
“That’s so fucking sad, man.” Matt took the glass from Kit and, staring into his puppy dog eyes, he drank it. “When are you gonna let her go?”
“Who?”
“You know who.” There’d never been another, for fuck’s sake. “After all these years, that bitch still has a hold on you.”
“Is that what you think?” Kit turned away and reached for another glass. “Because you couldn’t be more wrong, brother.”
“If you say so.” Matt blocked his way. “Keep on doing what you’re doing, and you’ll end up dying an old man in that big house of yours all alone.”
He swiped his tongue across his lips, and the corners of his mouth ticked up. “Maybe, but the way your life is going, so will you.”
Then, taking the bottle with him, he walked away.
Kit might be right. He’d never had a girlfriend. Not even in high school. He dated them, fucked them, but Matt couldn’t say he ever had a true and meaningful relationship.
Ava followed Bo into the kitchen. “Hey, man, I’m glad you’re alone. I want to ask you something.”
“Shoot.”
“Did you mean it when you said you wouldn’t say no if we wanted to play again?”
His dick turned to stone. Refilling his glass with champagne, he grinned.
“Yeah, sure.” Matt turned to the drummer’s girlfriend. The pretty, young thing chewed on her lip as she put candles on Emery’s pink-frosted birthday cake. “You want to, Ava?”
“I do. Bo and I talked about it, and I know I can trust you. I don’t want to go to the club, though.” She leaned back against the counter, wringing her hands. “I think I’d be more comfortable here at home.”
