by K. R. Reese
Too bad all that happiness was short-lived. Tara’s frantic call a week ago set me running across the country to pick up Hailey, my daughter who had only seen me a handful of times and had no idea who I really was.
We’ve been in the studio the past two months, completing our next album. I had to sing a few songs twice before they no longer needed me, but I’d still shown up. Luk, Trey, and Zane had to repeat multiple parts of songs, fixing where they’d messed up and changing others where it sounded better. I kept going, sunrise to sunset, to support them. Luk hated being away from Haven and Avery all the time, sending me to the house a couple of times to eat lunch with them. He felt like he was abandoning them, when really he was just making sure he was taking care of them.
Our music was what we loved, as much as it was our job. It provided our food, a roof over our heads, and anything we could ever ask for. But that didn’t prepare any of us from being away from those we loved. I didn’t understand Luk’s need to be home until now.
Haven: Hey, Bry. You are still coming to dinner tonight, right?
Haven’s text message caused a mini panic attack. I’ve been away from the studio all week and have avoided all their calls. I knew Zane was getting worried, but I kept assuring him everything was fine. A week ago, that would’ve been true, but now I’m not so sure.
I pull the message back up on my phone and type out a quick reply.
Bryce: I’ll be there, but you’ll need an extra seat. A high chair if you’ve got one. Isn’t that what those things are called? I’m bringing my daughter…
I click send before I can regret it. Not like I can hide it anyway since I’m not the full custodial parent to Hailey. When I flew across the country to be with Tara, when she was having a meltdown about bills, school, and everything else, I hadn’t expected to come home a single dad to a 10-month-old. Things were going to get interesting. Chaos was growing, and not in the sense that we could easily work around. Wiping my hand over my face, I ignore the insistent buzzing that is my phone.
Haven: See you then…
Haven wasn’t one to ask a million questions, although I know she probably wanted to. None of them knew about Hailey, not even Zane. Shit. My brother was going to kill me for keeping him out of the loop. Explaining this situation gradually might’ve been easier than dropping it on them at the last minute when I couldn’t avoid it.
I wasn’t embarrassed about Hailey. Far from it. She’d been my life for the past year, before she was even born and after, even if I hadn’t seen her as often as I could. No, the embarrassing part was the mother I chose for her. Tara had done fine for a while. The past few months though, the calls and text messages became more urgent, closer together, and almost pleading. Had I known she was in trouble, or worse yet selling everything she owned to keep a roof over our daughter’s head, I would’ve helped her. But she hadn’t said a word and hadn’t asked for help. She gave up.
Hailey’s small whimper from the closed bedroom door catches my attention. Jumping to my feet, I rush down the hall and slowly open it. She’s sitting in the middle of her bed, her big blue eyes staring up at me full of tears.
“Hey, sweetheart, it’s okay. Now that you’re awake from your nap, want to go meet some new people?”
Carrying her out into the living room, I grab all her things and head to the car. After the tour, we’d all separated houses and vehicles. It seemed sharing an apartment and car no longer worked. Especially not with Avery on the way. Luk was the first to move and we all followed suit.
Sitting in the front seat, I type a message to Haven.
Bryce: Is Z there yet?
The text bubbles pop up for a second before her reply.
Haven: Yes, but I haven’t told him anything. Luk knows, but he’s going to leave you alone. For now. Can’t say the same about Z, though. That’s your call.
I blow out a breath and look in the rearview. Hailey’s barely big enough for the upright car seat that’s reversed in the back. I had it delivered when I was still in Oregon with them, as well as her bed and anything else I thought I’d need. But the mirror attached to the back headrest lets me see her anyway.
Quit prolonging the inevitable. I was hesitating to attend this dinner, but I couldn’t – wouldn’t – disappoint Haven because I was afraid of what my brothers would think. Lukus and Trey were as much my brothers as Zane, and all their opinions mattered the same. They were going to be hurt that I hadn’t confided in them, but it’s what I felt was right at the time.
Zane was going to be the challenge. He was hot-headed and could go from happy to pissed off in less than a second. Being twins, a lot of people could tell us apart by our temperaments. I just hoped I didn’t have to see his tonight.
A few minutes later, I’m pulling into the driveway just as Carissa’s getting out of her car. My heart begins to hammer in my chest as she turns her full megawatt smile at me. Tonight just got a hell of a lot more complicated.
Haven’s best friend is a dangerous temptation I can’t afford right now.
Buy Sing to My Heart now.
Thank you so much for reading Tune My Heart. I hope you loved Lukus and Haven’s story as much as I did.
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My first thanks goes to my husband, who not only tolerates me but loves all my weird obsessions; he’s been my first cheerleader from the beginning of this crazy journey. The second goes to my mom for always supporting me and encouraging my love for books at a young age; you were my first reader and continue to be one of my biggest inspirations.
To one of my partners in this crazy book world, Kayla Ries, who I can always bounce ideas around. You have kept me on track often and haven’t waivered from being an accountability buddy. You don’t know how much your support and friendship has meant to me over the years. To my other partner, Kandi Lehsten, for being a role model and inspiration during our many conversations and stories.
To all the bloggers, beta readers, and my ARC team, a million times thanks!
And saving the very best for last, THANK YOU to ALL my readers! All your kind words make this entire journey (and the nonsense) worthwhile. I’m truly grateful for all of you support every day. I love each and every one of you!
Wilson Creek
Come Back to Me
Fall for Me
Rescue Me
Stay with Me
Chaos
Tune My Heart
Sing to My Heart
Play to My Heart
Beat of My Heart
Standalone
Rough Around the Edges
Saving Ryleigh
Chasin’ You
This Isn’t Goodbye
K.R. Reese is an author of contemporary and new adult romance. She writes sweet and sexy small town romances, crazy rockstars, and feisty heroines. K.R. gives a bit of herself in each novel; her love of music, real-life experiences, or close-knit friendships and families. When she’s not busy being Mom or Wife, you’ll find her lost in a book, at a concert, or snapping memories with her camera.