He pulled back out of my arms and looked at me. “If you don’t want to live here, it’s okay. I just thought…”
“Adam,” I said, taking his face again. “Of course I want to live with you, but I think we might want to leave things as is until we come back from the tour. If we don’t want to kill each other by the time it’s over, then I’ll formally move in. But for right now, let’s just keep doing what we’re doing. Okay?”
He huffed and rolled his eyes, but then gave in. “It’s no different from what we’re doing right now. But if that’s what you want, I guess I don’t have a choice. But you’re still going to stay with me until we leave, right?”
I smiled at him. “I’m not going anywhere, Rockstar. I promise.”
Adam took a deep breath and nodded. “Yeah, okay. I don’t mean to be so needy, but you know how I am.”
“Idoknow how you are, and I love every single thing about you. When we get back from the tour, I’ll sign your fake lease agreement.”
His body relaxed as the tension fell away. Then he gifted me the grin I loved before he tried to push my buttons. “You still love me even when I leave my clothes all over the place?”
“Even then,” I lied. “I love it when you’re naked.”
“What about when I mess up the kitchen? Still love that?”
He was treading on a sensitive subject. But I kept right on with my lies. “Even then, and even when you destroy my favorite pan.”
He threw his head back and laughed. Even the slightest movement from him never failed to make me plump up.
So I stared at the art tattooed along his neck to get control of myself. I was mesmerized by him and his smart mouth. When he fixed his gaze on me to respond to my statement, it almost took my breath away.
“Now I know you’re lying, He-Man.”
The warmth from the loving gaze he bathed me in made my heart skip a beat. We needed to finish this shopping shit so we could move on to the important things.
I brought my hands to his face and cradled it before speaking. “Whatever you say, Rockstar. Let’s get this place decorated so I can blow you on the sofa while we watch football.”
Adam smiled and the playful man I loved came out. “Yes, sir!” he saluted, and climbed off my lap to continue shopping.
CHAPTER29
ADAM
We were rehearsingour new song,Out of my Hands, when my dad and Logan walked into the studio. I didn’t notice them at first because I was focused on the song. It was a heartfelt, angsty ballad about two childhood best friends who’d grown up together and fallen in love. It was eerily familiar, and I loved it.
When the song ended, movement in the control room caught my attention. I looked up to find my dad beaming at me, his eyes filled with the familiar unshed tears. I guess I knew where I got that from. Waving, I motioned for him to come into the booth.
I still couldn’t get over how it was like looking in the mirror every time I looked at him. His dark hair was the same shade as mine, only with a few sun-kissed highlights, probably from all the time spent living in the California sun. I could make out some gray strands intertwined within his shorter waves, too.
His brown eyes and jawline were just like mine, and every time I saw him, it reminded me how Michael had found him for me.
“That was amazing! You’re so talented,” he smiled, eyes bright with excitement, and wrapped me in a tight hug. He held on to me for a little longer than normal, and I was more than good with that. When he released me, he draped his arm over my shoulders.
I introduced him to Owen and Sam, saving my best friend for last. “Dad, this is Cole Bradley, my best friend and brother.”
He held out his hand, then pulled Cole into a hug. Slipping from my hold, he held onto Cole, then whispered, “Thank you.”
Cole looked at me over my dad’s shoulder with watery eyes. “Way to destroy us, Dad,” I teased.
My father pulled back and wiped his eyes. A soft chuckle accompanied his smile. “Sorry about that. I’m just very grateful.”
Cole looked at me with a knowing grin. “You’re really going to love our mom, then.”
He stepped back, and I threw my arm over his shoulders again.
“When are we doing that? I can’t wait to meet them?” he asked.
