“Me neither.” He sighs, frustrated. “I just wish I could experience all of it with you.”
A glimmer of hope shines inside me. “Then experience it with me.”
“But how am I supposed to do that with all the stuff going on?” Sadness consumes his face. “And what about Sadie? How can I just bail on her?”
“You wouldn’t be just bailing. You’ve helped a lot. And you can still help.” I step toward him until the tips of our shoes brush. “You want to know how you do it? You just do it—you just go. You say to hell with the faulty roof, flip it the bird, and live your goddamn life.”
“I wish it were that simple,” he says quietly. “But no one would ever let me just take off. And what if the Soulless Mileas chase me down? What if I put everyone in danger?”
“Those are all possibilities, but so is the police finding the people who are doing this to you. They could find Sadie. This could all be over soon. You never know. That’s the thing, Ayden, you never know about anything. Just like you never know if you’ll ever have a chance to do something like this tour again. It might be a once in a lifetime opportunity. And if you want to go, then we’ll find a way. Don’t let anyone take away your life from you.” I hold my breath, waiting for him to agree that he’ll do it. Go with me on this crazy three-month journey lying ahead of me.
He doesn’t flat out say it, but he does faintly smile and the tension in his body unwinds.
“We’ll talk to our parents and figure something out if you decide you want to do this,” I say, trying not to get too hopeful. Not until he says it aloud. “But right now, there’s something way more important we need to do.”
His forehead furrows as he stares at me. “And what’s that?”
A wicked grin rises on my face as I haul him toward the door. “We need to go jump in the ball pit. Like, right now.”
He laughs as I drag him out of the bathroom and through the restaurant. I don’t slow down as we race for the ball bit. I just hold on until the edge and then jump.
WE LAND IN THE BALL pit, holding hands, and sink into a sea of plastic balls. When our feet hit the floor, Lyric laughs and pushes up to the top, like she’s swimming in water.
“I always loved playing in these when I was a kid,” she says as she twirls around in a circle, creating a funnel.
“I’ve never actually been in one,” I admit as I pick up a ball and chuck into the air like a baseball.
“Well, now you can’t say that anymore.” She moves over by me. “Tell me one of your secret wishes.”
I cock a brow at her. “One of my secret wishes?”
She nods, her green eyes sparkling. “I used to play this game with my dad when I was a kid. He would tell me his secret wish, then I’d tell him mine.” She grins deviously. “He once told me that he secretly wished he could be a superhero for a day and wear a cape. I think he just said that, though, because he was trying to keep his wish PG.”
I snort a laugh. “Why would I tell you my secret wish when you just outed your dad’s?”
“Because you love me.” Her bottom lip juts out and she bats her eyelashes at me as she clasps her hands in front of her. “Pretty please, Shy Boy.”
I shake my head, but she’s too damn adorable, and I can’t help but smile. “You know that I know you do that on purpose, right?”
“Do what?” she asks innocently.
I touch the finger to her bottom lip. “Pout to get your way.”
“Then why do you give me my way still?”
“Because I love giving you your way,” I admit with a shrug. “I guess that’s my secret wish. That I could always give you your way all the time. That I could give you what I know you want.”
“You mean with the tour?” She catches my hidden meaning.
I nod. “I’m going to try to go for you, but I can’t promise anything.”
“Don’t try for me.” She loops her arms around me, angles her head back, and looks up at me. “Try for yourself.”
Her long, blonde hair veils down her back, her green eyes glisten in the light, and her chest is pressed against mine. She looks so fucking beautiful right now, I could write a song about it.
Eyes so green
That carry love for me.
How is that even possible?
How can something so beautiful
Be in love with some like me?
And her lips, so perfect
I can’t taste enough of them.
And when she touches me,
It’s too fucking complicated to breathe.
“I’ll try for both of us,” I tell her. “Just as long as you do something for me.”
“And what’s that?”
“Kiss me—”
She crashes her lips to mine before I can even get the words out. Our tongues tangle as we sink into the pit. My hand skates down her side to her thigh and I lift her leg up and hitch it over my hip. She moans against my mouth as she grinds against me. I knot my fingers through her hair, feeling so comfortable being with her it’s mind blowing. Just like the other night when she put her hands on me. It was the first time I ever allowed someone to touch me like that, and it was terrifying and incredible at the same time.
“Mom, Lyric and Ayden are making out in the ball pit!” Fiona announces as she steps up to the edge of the pit and points at us.
I softly toss a plastic ball at her, and she laughs, skittering out of the way.
“One day, when you’re making out with your boyfriend,” I tell her, “I’m going to get you back for that.”
Fiona sticks out her tongue then skips off toward the game machines.
I spot Ethan and Mr. Scott heading our way. I don’t think they’re coming to yell at us for making out, but I’m not about to keep kissing Lyric when her dad could see us.
I sigh. “I guess that puts an end to our ball pit fun.”
“You know they know we kiss, right?” Her brows arch. “In fact, I’m pretty sure they think we’re having sex already, since my mom found that safe sex pamphlet in my nightstand drawer.”
My lips part in shock. “She—You didn’t—You told her we weren’t having sex, didn’t you?”
“I told her we weren’t yet,” she says. “But I’ve always been pretty close with my family, and I felt like I needed to tell her,” she shrugs, “That we’re getting really close to that point. At least I think we are.”
I cast an unnerved glance at her dad as he busts up laughing at something Ethan says. “Does your dad know too?”
“My mom and dad tell each other everything, so maybe.” She tosses a ball aside then lines her chest with mine. “Would you relax? They know we’re in love, and that we aren’t just two teenagers getting their freak on.”
“You told them we’re in love?” I whisper, a mixture of fear and nerves.
“Not yet. But I’m sure they can tell. I should probably tell them, though.” Her head angles to the side as she muses over something. “It’s actually my secret wish. That I could shout it out right now and everyone could celebrate the love with us.” She jumps up and presses a kiss to my lips.
She hasn’t smiled like this in a while, and it makes me so fucking relieved to see her happy like this.
My lips turn upward. “Well, how can I argue with that?”
“Really?” she asks, her eyes light up.
I nod, a knot twisting in my gut. “Yeah, go ahead.”
“Hey everyone!” She shouts with laughter ringing in her voice. “I love this beautiful boy right here. And guess what? He loves me too!”
I can’t bring myself to look in the direction of Ethan and Mr. Scott. “I feel sick,” I mutter.
“My declaration of our love is no reason to get sick,” she says, playfully pinching my arm. “Now cheer up. This is a good thing.”
“Do they look mad?” I whisper with my head ducked.
She stands on her tiptoes and peers over my shoulder. “No, but they’re headed over here.” Lyric’s eyes sparkle mischievou
sly as she returns her gaze to me. “We could always sink to the bottom and hide from them.”
I nod. “Yes, please.”
She takes my hand. “Ready. One . . . Two . . . Three . . .”
We jump up then dive down, pressing our lips together.
THE ENTIRE NEXT DAY I’M so nervous and twitchy, people probably think I’m a spazz. But I can’t help it. Today is an exciting day for everyone in my band. I just wish we didn’t have that giant cloud constantly hovering over our heads, reminding us that a rainstorm could come at any moment.
Around two o’clock I head off to record my first album, and spend the next few hours with Ayden and my band at Infinitely Studio, my dad’s recording studio, starting our career. We don’t record every song that’ll be on our album in one night, but we are planning to return within the next week to finish. Before we clock out for the day, I make sure Ayden and I do a duet, because, in my opinion, it’s the best part.
“Are you sure you want to do this?” Ayden asks me as we prepare to go in and sing the song we wrote. “Because you can always back out.”
“No way am I about to back out on one of my dreams.” I plant my butt on the stool and put my headphones on, motioning Ayden to do the same.
He nervously sits down, slides on a set of headphones, and situates his guitar on his lap. I collect my guitar and get comfortable, disregarding Sage and Nolan gawking at us through the window.
“Ready?” My dad’s voice floats through the speakers.
Ayden’s been extremely jumpy around my dad, ever since I belted out that we were in love, and he flinches at the sound of my dad’s voice. I don’t know why he’s acting all squirrely. No one has brought up our love declaration, except for my mom and she seemed pretty happy about it.
“I’m so glad you can just say it like that,” she said to me as she worked on a painting in her studio at our house. “I had such a hard time expressing my emotions when I was younger.”
“Really?” I was shocked because, for as long as I could remember, her and my dad have been happy and in love and not afraid to show the world.
She set the paintbrush down, nodding. “I had a lot of problems when I was younger. Thankfully, your dad stuck with me while I worked through them.”
I couldn’t help but think of Ayden and myself. He struggles sometimes with his emotions, but I’ll never, ever give up on him. I want him. Forever.
I blink back to reality and lock eyes with Ayden. “Are you ready?”
He nods, his gaze fused to mine. “Whenever you are.”
“We’re ready whenever you are, daddy-o,” I say through the microphone.
My dad gives me the go ahead, and I strum the first chord. Ayden follows my lead, and we play a few more chords, completely in sync, before I open my mouth and pour out my soul to the microphone.
“I never knew it could be like this, never thought such desire was possible, kissing the air from his lungs.” My heart hammers in my chest. “And the heavens rain stars down on us, pieces of shimmering gold around us, pouring warmth all over us. Kiss me until I can no longer breathe. Raveling me up with you until I can hardly think. God, please fucking kiss me before I crumble to pieces.”
We strum a few more chords, keeping the beat soft until it’s Ayden’s turn to come in. He summons a breath then opens his mouth and kisses the world with the beautiful sound of his voice.
“You make me weak. You make me strong. You make me ache. You make me feel so wrong. You make me burn for just a taste.” His gaze burns into me, scorches my soul. “You make me, make me, so fucking insane. I can’t stand it anymore. I want you all the time. It’s always on my fucking mind. Please, just let me have you. God, please just say yes.”
I nod. I don’t even know why, other than I want him to have me.
He keeps his eyes on me until the song is finished.
I’m so riled up, I’m actually sweating.
My dad walks in, but I barely register what he’s saying. I’m too caught up in Ayden, the sound of his voice, singing with him, singing one of our songs.
“You guys did a great job.” My dad congratulates us with a huge-ass smile on his face. “Seriously, I’m not really a fan of duets, but that was pretty amazing.”
“Thanks, Dad,” I say, my gaze never wavering from Ayden.
My dad says a handful of other things about coming back in next week, but I hardly hear a word.
“Lyric, did you hear me?” my dad asks, looking at me with concern.
I blink my attention from Ayden and attempt to focus on my dad. “Nope. What’s up?”
He sighs, sinking into a stool. “I asked if you want me to drive you home.”
“We can just drive ourselves,” I say as I slide off the stool to put my guitar in the case. “I know you have stuff to do.”
“I’d rather you not drive home alone,” he replies, crossing his arms. “It’s late.”
“I thought you had a meeting,” I remind him. “That’s what your secretary said when we came in here. And we won’t be all alone. The officer will be following us.”
“Yeah, I know.” He frowns, actually pouting. “I forgot about the meeting. I wanted to take you out for ice cream or something.”
“You can do it tomorrow,” I suggest as I lock up my guitar case. “I can even clear my super busy schedule, just for you.”
That cheers him up. “All right. I’ll think of something fun to do.” He turns to Ayden. “You can come too, if you want.”
I smile as I tie my plaid over shirt around my waist.
You just got mad cool points, Dad.
Ayden glances at me, and I mouth, come with us.
“Sure. That sounds good, Mr. Scott.” He picks up his guitar case.
“Call me Micha, okay,” my dad insists. “Mr. Scott makes me feel so old.”
“You kind of are old,” I say. When he shoots me a nasty look, I add, “But the coolest old man ever.”
He laughs, opening up the door. “Come on. This old man needs to get to work.”
After we say goodbye to my dad, Ayden and I walk outside with Sage and Nolan to the parking lot. It’s later in the evening and the sky is splashed with pink, orange, and gold.
“We so rocked today.” Sage fist-bumps Ayden. “If we can sound like that on the tour, there’s no doubt we’ll get more tour offers.”
Nolan tosses his drumsticks into the backseat of Sage’s truck. “We did sound fucking awesome today, but what’re we going to do when we have a sucky guitarist instead of Ayden?”
“Don’t start,” Sage warns, leaning against the back of his truck. “I already hear enough of that shit from Lyric.”
“That’s because it’s the truth,” I say, pulling my hair up as the heat instantly gets to me.
“Would you guys please stop arguing?” Ayden asks, shocking the three of us.
“Sorry, man,” Sage says, holding up his hands. “I was just pointing out that they can complain about it all they want, but it doesn’t fix the problem that we’re going to be short a guitarist on the first fucking tour we got hired for.”
“I’m sure they don’t all suck,” Ayden says, glancing at the screen of his phone.
Nolan shakes his head. “Yeah right. They’re freaking terrible. Seriously. I’ve started wearing earplugs so I don’t go deaf from the God awful noise they think is music.”
“You wear earplugs?” I narrow my eyes at him and put my hands on my hips. “So not fair.”
Sage sighs, retrieving a pack of cigarettes from his pocket. “You know, you could still change your mind, Ayden.” He pops a cigarette between his lips, cups his hand around his mouth, and lights up.
Nolan perks up, rubbing his hands together. “Yeah, you could always do that. Make our lives easier.”
Ayden fiddles with the leather bands on his wrists while staring at the ground. Sensing his uneasiness, I grab his hand. “We need to get home,” I tell Sage and Nolan. “See you guys tomorrow.”
Their moods def
late as they turn and get into Sage’s truck. Ayden and I hop into his car without saying anything and he pulls out onto the busy road. I ignore the headlights of the cop car following us, and instead focus on stroking Ayden’s palm during the entire drive to our neighborhood.
‘That feels good,” he murmurs as he steers the car into our subdivision.
“Yeah?” I brush my fingers across his skin again, tickling him softly.
He nods, his eyelashes fluttering. “It’s relaxing.”
“Maybe when we get home, I can give you a massage,” I tease with a wink.
“Maybe,” he says, surprising the crap out of me. He turns his head and our gazes weld. “What?” he asks. “Why are you looking at me like that?”
I keep looking at him the same way. “Looking at you like what?”
“Like you were when you . . .” His Adam’s apple bobs up and down as he swallows hard. “Like you were when we were singing.”
I rest my head against the seat, keeping my eyes on him. “Maybe because I feel the same way as I did when we were singing.”
He grows silent as he turns the car into the driveway of his house. The lights are off, but my house is lit up and music is blaring.
“My mom’s having a party,” I tell him, unfastening my seatbelt.
“I know,” he says, turning off the engine and headlights. “Lila told me about it earlier when she texted me and told me I could either go over to your house and wait for them to get home from Everson’s practice. Or I could go inside my house, lock the doors, and set the alarm. But if I did that, I’m supposed to text her and let her know so she could give the police a heads up to keep an extra eye on me.”
“How long is everyone going to be gone at practice?”
“At least until ten or so.” He shrugs, looking over his shoulder at the police car parked in front of his house. “I guess there’s a team barbeque after the practice.”
For some insane reason, I think about that silly pamphlet tucked away in my dresser drawer. I don’t know why it crosses my mind. Okay, maybe I do. “You want me to go to your house and wait with you? I’m sure my mom won’t mind.”
He stares at me, deciding his answer, before he unsteadily nods. My heart sprints so insanely I swear he can hear it.
Unraveling You Series: The Complete Set Page 50