“Wait, really? How does that work with two brothers being in law-enforcement?” I closed my menu, knowing exactly what I wanted.
“They’re not a 1% club,” Jaxon said, dropping his menu on top of mine.
“That’s the illegal kind, right?”
“Right.”
“Wow,” I breathed out.
Peggy returned to take our order and I chose a burger with everything, including a chocolate milkshake.
“I’ll have what she’s having,” Jaxon said. “I’m good with the coffee, though.”
“Which one’s the vet?” I asked.
“Aidan. His club name’s Knight.”
“Because he’s dark or because he’s a hero?” I asked.
Jaxon’s mouth turned up in a slight smirk. “Very astute. Definitely the hero kind. He trains horses as well. His wife, Kim, won Olympic gold in Rio under his tutelage.”
“Shut up, really?”
He nodded. “She’s kind of badass.”
“Sounds like it.”
“Your turn,” he said.
“My turn?”
“How did you get roped into being Melody’s punching bag.”
“She wasn’t always like this,” I admitted. “Believe it or not, she was the sweet one.”
“I’ll take your word for it.”
Peggy delivered my milkshake and I leaned back in my seat. “It started out as the three of us. We were a family act and did everything together, but then a skeevy manager told my mother Melody was the cash cow and would make her millions, and the rest is history. Lyric went on to law school and I followed Melody. I got my degree online for the most part, so it took a little longer than I liked. But I just felt like I couldn’t leave her alone with our mother, and then when Mom died, I was so far in, I didn’t feel like I had any other discernable skills, if that makes sense.”
“Yeah it makes sense. But your skills are exceedingly apparent to me, even if you don’t see them.”
I smiled. “Thanks. I’ve been so focused on my sister, I’ve let that side of my life lapse. Which is sad, because my mom created a monster. I hate to say that, because I love my sister, but she’s spiraling. And I think she’s self-medicating with more than alcohol, although, I haven’t been able to find out what she’s taking.” I shrugged. “I just need a break.”
“And you’re getting one,” Jaxon reminded me, gently.
I sighed. “Yes. I need to be in the moment and enjoy it.”
I took a long sip of the milkshake and grinned.
“Do you still sing?”
“Sometimes. I don’t get to do it as much, just because we never have time, but I drag my acoustic out of its case on occasion and get lost in the moment,” I admitted. “I really miss my piano, but it’s not as easy to carry an upright around. What about you? Are you musical?”
“Yeah. I play a little guitar and have been known to sing.”
“Do you have a guitar with you?”
He cocked his head. “At my parents’ place, yeah. Why?”
