He rolled his eyes but reached out and took my still outreached hand. The kid had a firm shake and gave a squeeze. Jett was warning me and it was cool to know he cared about Ruby so much.
Releasing my hand, he looked at his sister. “I thought you were at a work thing, so what is he doing here?”
Ruby gave him a warning look and I had to suppress the chuckle trying to escape.
“Iwasat a work function, but I had to take care of something else. Lyric is helping me.”
Jett raised his brows. “Yeah, helping you how?” His voice dripped with skepticism.
After clearing her throat, Ruby tried to change the subject. “You might be excited to know that Lyric also sings and plays multiple instruments. His parents are also musicians.”
That seemed to get a different reaction out of the kid. He was interested but not about to back down all the way and show it. At eighteen I wouldn’t expect anything else.
“What kind of musicians?” he asked with a lazy tone as if he didn’t care even if his face told a different story.
I heard Jett playing, listened to what Ruby said music meant to him and I grew up around people who loved it with a passion. The moody teen had it in him and I would bet he liked all different genres.
It was time to test my assumption.
“My parents are Hawk and Sparrow Knight, their band is Knights of Lyric.”
Jett’s jaw dropped and his eyes bugged out of his head. “You're kidding?”
“I’m not joking.” I chuckled. “ Want me to call them and you can ask them yourself?”
“W-what?” Jett fumbled with the word and I smirked.
Ruby stepped closer to her brother and smiled. “How wonderful, so you’ve heard of them?”
He rolled his eyes at his sister again. “You seriously need to catch up on your music, sis. His parents are awesome and their stuff is the bomb.” He looked back at me. “You weren’t honestly going to let me call them were you?”
I didn’t go around announcing who my parents were. To me, they were just talented, amazing parents, and as much as I liked music, I also had found my own way in life. Something my mom and dad fully supported. But if Jett wanted to call them he could.
“If you want, you’re more than welcome to. They love to hear from fans and talk about music. Maybe sometime when they’re in town to visit me, I’ll introduce you.”
It was like an alien took over Jett’s body and a completely different person stepped inside it. The transformation was head-spinning but great to see.
“That would be dope. I’ve got to go call my friends.” He started to walk toward the house but turned around and looked me straight in the eye after taking a few steps. “I might like music and your parents, but don’t hurt my sister.” The kid practically growled at me. And then he was off into the night to join Gramps inside.
“See what I have to deal with.” Ruby groaned, then laughed. “Moody,” she drew out the word, earning another chuckle from me. “But that was sweet of you to offer to let him meet your parents, even if it never happens.”
I understood Ruby didn’t know me well, but I wasn’t the kind of man who talked out of his ass.
“When I say something I mean it. I always follow through.” My voice came out a bit gruffer than intended. I didn’t want her thinking I wasn’t a man of my word.
Not when it came to her brother, her family, and for sure not Ruby herself.
Ruby walked closer to me and laid her hand on my upper arm. Another jolt of electricity raced through my limb at her touch. This time she didn’t pull back.
“Thank you, Lyric. I appreciate everything and I didn’t mean to insinuate that you’re not a man of your word.”
I felt guilty for sounding harsh. For some reason I wanted her to see the man I was and understand that I was a good person.
“Ruby…” I whispered. “I shouldn’t have overreacted. I’ll gladly introduce your brother. His passion for music is clear and my parents eat that up. They will love him.”
Her dazzling smile had me taking a quick intake of breath. At the sound, she dropped her arm and took a step back. She didn’t look scared, but she did look affected by our closeness. Once more, something sizzled between us. And then yet another moment was broken by her brother as he ducked his head out the door and yelled.
“Sis! Gramps screwed up the TV again!”
