Hacked For Love & The Dom's Songbird

by Michelle Love

  Kip’s eyes flash at me. “Secret?”

  “I told Mom who you are, who you really are,” I answer as I go to get a bottle of juice from the fridge.

  “She was afraid your guests would mob me if they knew.”

  “They may well have done just that,” Mom says and takes a seat. “This smells great, Peyton. Thanks for making breakfast. I hear your brothers grumbling so they’ll be in to eat in a few minutes. They all told me they could only stay one more night before they have to get back to their own lives.”

  “Thank God,” I say as I come back to the table and fill the glasses with orange juice. I pull out two chairs and gesture for Kip to sit next to me. “I hate sharing a bathroom with those slobs.”

  I place bacon on both my plate and Kip’s as he watches me with a smile on his face. I spoon some eggs on both then drop a biscuit on each of them. “Gravy?”

  He laughs. “You’ve done everything else. Why not?”

  The gravy boat I pick up. “On your biscuit or beside it?”

  “However you wish to serve it to me,” he says and watches as I pour the gravy over the top of the opened biscuit.

  “This is how we eat it around here.” I look up to find my brothers staggering down the hallway. “Well, look who is up.”

  My brothers sit down at the table and Levi looks at Kip. “And you’re the guy who had his hands all over my baby sister last night. Please do not tell me you stayed here last night ‘cause I’d hate to have to kick your ass with this hangover I got going on.”

  “My ass is safe,” Kip says as he glances at me. “Your sister’s honor is intact as I went back to Austin to my hotel room last night.”

  “Glad to hear that,” my brother says. “I’m Levi, Peyton’s oldest and obviously best-looking brother. Dad said your name’s Kip, is that right.”

  Kip nods as he takes a bite of the gravy covered biscuit. “Oh my God, Peyton, this is delicious.”

  I smile. “I thought you’d like it. It’s a southern tradition. Let me introduce you to the other two pains in my rear end. That guy over there scratching his beard at the table like he knows better than to do is my second oldest brother, Blake. Next to him is the third oldest, Tyler. They’re over-protective too, but not as bad as Levi is.”

  Kip nods at them. “Nice to meet you all.”

  “Yeah, you too,” Tyler says.

  “What is it you do for a living?” Blake asks.

  I pat Kip’s leg. “I got this. He’s in a band.”

  Levi eyes Kip. “Have I heard of this band?”

  “It’s just my name really,” Kip answers as he dabs at his mouth with a napkin. “Kip Dixon.”

  Levi chuckles. “Do you really expect me to believe that? I’ve seen that guy and you ain’t him. Are you trying to pull the wool over my baby sister’s eyes? She’s pretty easy to fool and naïve as Hell.”

  “He is Kip Dixon! You jackass.” I wag my finger at him. “He played a charity concert at my college yesterday and he sang to me on stage. It’s really him, he wears make-up and hair stuff when he’s performing, and that’s why you don’t recognize him.”

  Levi cocks his head as he looks a lot harder at Kip. “What’d ya sing to her?”

  Kip looks at me and smiles. “I sang, ‘Ask Me to Kiss You’ but she didn’t.”

  Blake laughs. “She knows better than to kiss a stranger.”

  “I found that out. Your sister is a very good girl, you’ve trained her well,” Kip says with a laugh.

  I blush. “Can we talk about anything else?”

  Blake takes a bite of bacon then narrows his eyes at Kip. “Just what are your intentions with my baby sister, rock star?”

  Kip shrugs his shoulders. “I just want to hang out with her. She’s different, so natural and normal. Treats me like she’d treat anyone else. I don’t get that often, or ever really.”

  Tyler nods his head. “Bet you’re spoiled rotten.”

  “I’d not say rotten,” Kip says. “I’ve never wanted for anything if that’s what you mean.”

  Blake laughs. “He means girl-wise. It’s a fact you’re a player.”

  Kip’s brows raise, and he looks at me.

  “I get why only the two boyfriends now.” He turns to look at Blake. “I’m not a player as I’ve never had a relationship. Maybe a woman here or there, but not like it’s made out to be.”

  Levi rolls his eyes. “Yeah, cause everyone is on the up and up in Hollyweird.”

  Blake gestures to me with a fork loaded with scrambled eggs. “She tell you what we did to the two motherfuckers who broke her heart?”

  Mom drops her fork, making a loud bang. “Blake Reed, control that mouth of yours!”

  “Sorry, Mom,” he apologizes then looks back at Kip. “Did she?”

  Kip’s taking a drink of juice and swallows hard as he looks at me. I smile at him, “My brothers kinda whopped their asses.”

  Kip chokes and my brothers all laugh. I take my napkin and wipe the juice from Kip’s chin. He looks at each one of my brothers as he says, “You have nothing to worry about. I’m not trying to hurt your sister. I’ll not do anything to warrant an ass whooping.”

  I eye my brothers. “You’ll be sorry if you beat this one up. He’s famous, his family can sue you or get you arrested. Don’t be stupid, do you hear me?”

  Levi looks at me and points at Kip. “He does anything, you better tell me.”

  My eyes roll to my mother. “Can you help me out at all? I mean you two just sit there and let them do this all the time.”

  My parents both shrug and then Mom says, “They’re a force to be reckoned with. Don’t ask us to do battle with them. We learned a long time ago that our intrusion is useless.”

  Kip pats my leg. “They care about you, pet. It’s nice.”

  My eyes fall on his and I smile. “You’re too nice.”

  Mom gets up and takes her plate to the kitchen. “You cooked, Peyton, so I’ll clean up. You kids get out there and fish or something.”

  My eyes light up as I look at Kip. “You wanna fish or ride horses?”

  Lightly his finger touches the end of my nose. “You going to bait my hook?”

  I shake my head. “No, you’re going to bait mine, and if I catch a fish, you’re going to take it off for me.”

  Levi stands and walks towards his bedroom. “I’ll get changed and go with ya’ll. I’ll bait your hook, Sissy.”

  Kip and I get up as I shout after my oldest brother, “The Hell you will, Levi. You leave us alone!” I take Kip’s hand and pull him along with me. “Mom, don’t let them bug us, please.”

  Mom stacks plates in the dishwasher. “I’ll get them busy cleaning those gutters they promised me they’d do while they’re here. That’ll keep them out of your hair.”

  I smile at her and tug Kip out the back door. “They’re awful, I know. You probably want to leave now.”

  His arm slips around my waist and he pulls me into him. “I don’t want to do anything of the sort. Now take me fishing, I’ve never done it on my own.”

  “Neither have I,” I say as my arm slides around his waist. “My brother’s always did it all for me. So you and I can learn how to do it on our own.”

  Kip smiles. “Everyone should know how to fish on their own anyway.”

  While I’m thankful my parents are finding so much work for my brothers to do they’ll have no time to bother Kip. I am surprised Kip would put up with their threats for a girl he has no future with.

  Kip

  After fishing for a while and doing fine on our own, we caught a fish each. We threw them back as neither of us wanted to clean them. Peyton took me horseback rising through their place until it got too hot, then we went for a swim.

  Now we lay on a large chaise lounge by the pool where we both are dozing in the cooling evening air. Never have I been more relaxed with a woman. She’s the easiest person to get along with. Everything seems effortless.

  I stroke Peyton’s back as she lies on h
er stomach next to me. “This has been the best day ever, Peyton.”

  She turns her face to look at me. “You and I both know you’ve had way more exciting days than this one, Pop Rock.”

  I can feel her breath cease as I trail my fingers over her cheeks. I say softly, “Did I say the word exciting, pet?”

  With a shake of her head, she props her head up on her hand to look down at me as I lie on my back. She runs her fingers over my tightly muscled stomach. “I should admit to you I think it was a pretty fantastic day as well.”

  The sun sets behind her, reds, oranges, and yellows fill the space around her. “Being with you is so easy. I’ve never felt more a part of someone,” I say.

  She smiles. “You’re easy to get along with. I’m sure you’ve felt connections before. There’s nothing special about me.”

  I take a curl of her hair and twist it between my fingers. “There is no end to what all is special about you.”

  Stroking my abs and leaning over me, she begins to get closer. She gives my lips a quick glance. Steadily she moves down to me. My hand goes to the back of her neck as I lick my lips and anticipate her lips on mine.

  “Hey!” a voice calls out. “Aren’t you making dinner? That’s what Mom said.”

  Peyton jerks up and I see Tyler standing next to us.

  Now how did he manage to sneak up on us like that?

  “Shit!” she says. “You scared me, Tyler.”

  Tyler lightly punches me on my bicep. “I bet I did. You two come on inside and be sociable.” He hands me my shirt and Peyton a towel. “Cover up now, we don’t want any of the goods on display now, do we?”

  I get up and pull the shirt over my head as Peyton grabs the towel from her brother’s outstretched hand. “Thanks, Tyler,” she says then sticks her tongue out at him.

  Tyler runs his arm around his baby sister’s shoulders. “Anytime, Sissy. I got your back.” Peyton sighs and allows her brother to lead her into the house, followed by me.

  Don’t believe I’ve ever come up against such protective brothers before!

  I change clothes and find Peyton cooking away in the kitchen. “Let me help you, pet.”

  She hands me a bowl and grabs some things to make a salad from the fridge. Gesturing to the counter, she says, “The cutting board is over there along with the knives.”

  He laughs as I walk over to grab a knife and the cutting board. “Salad, maybe I can get this right.”

  “Ever cook before?” she asks.

  I wink at her, igniting a smile. “Would you actually call what I’m about to do cooking?”

  She shakes her head. “Uh-uh, but have you even made a salad before?”

  I scan the area for her brothers before I grab her from behind and hold her to me as I whisper in her ear, “No, you’re my first one.”

  Giggles fill the air as she wiggles in my arms. A kiss I leave on her neck before I let her go. It’s stopped her giggles and made her cheeks pink. The urge to push all this stuff off the counter top and place her on it is overwhelming.

  I see her watching me out of the corner of her eye as I carefully pull the lettuce leaves off and tear them with my hands before placing them gently in the bowl. A layer of hand torn lettuce leaves, followed by cherry tomatoes I cut. A purple onion I chop into rings.

  “Kip, who writes the songs you sing?”

  “A lot of different people,” I answer as I continue to make the salad look as good as it can.

  The noodles done, she pours them into a colander in the sink and tosses them with olive oil. “Do you write any?” she asks.

  A tiny cherry tomato cut into a rose I place atop the pile of vegetables and turn to her. “I write, but they hate my stuff.”

  I lean back against the bar and cross my arms as she looks me over for some reason. “Why would they hate your music, Kip?”

  “I write about things like life, love, and the pursuit of happiness. They want songs about my rockin’ bod, and how I use it to get the girls.” I turn back to pick up the bowl of salad and take it to the table. “It sells though, so who am I to tell them any different.”

  Following behind me with the spaghetti, she says, “You’re an artist who should get to do the type of art he likes to do.”

  The platter I take from her and place it in the middle of the table. “You’re a sweet girl, but that’s not how the music industry works. You want to make money, you do what sells. My father taught me that.”

  “Is it hard to sing things you don’t like?” she asks as she places plates on the table.

  I pull forks from a drawer and grab a handful of napkins. “It’s not hard, it’s just a bit unfulfilling. It’s all an act.”

  “All of it?” she asks.

  After the last fork is placed on the table I turn to her and wrap my arms around her. “All of it.”

  She lays her head on my chest and runs her arms around me. “I find that sad, Kip.”

  I kiss the top of her head. “Don’t, I make lots of money to do that act. I do mean lots, pet. Sure sometimes I begin to feel a bit used then I look at my bank account and forget about it.”

  “Money isn’t everything, you know,” she says as she clings to me.

  “No, it isn’t, but it sure does help.” I gently push her back. “Should we call them all in to eat now?”

  Letting me go she nods and goes to get her family. I watch her walk away in a pair of faded blue jean shorts and tank top. Long, tan legs, still wet curls and not an ounce of make-up and she’s taking my breath away.

  What is happening to me?

  Peyton

  After dinner, Dad put on a movie and the whole family gathered in the living room to watch it. He’s put on a comedy and Kip seems to be finding not only the movie, but the comments my family makes about it more than hysterical. “You are the funniest people on Earth. You need your own reality show.”

  Mom’s snuggled up next to Dad. “No way,” she says. “These boys ain’t movin’ back in here. And since Sissy has graduated college, I’m sure she’ll find herself a place pretty darn soon. Nope, no reality show here.” She looks at Dad and kisses his cheek. “We’re loving the place to ourselves after so many years of raisin’ kids.”

  I awe while my brothers look as if they may be sick. “Gross,” Tyler says as he gets up off the sofa he and my other two brothers were sitting on. “I’m going to bed.”

  Levi stands up and stretches then taps Blake on the shoulder. “Wanna go down to Huebel’s and see what’s up?”

  Blake is up and grabbing his keys before he answers, “Hell yes I do.”

  Kip looks at me. “What’s a Huebel’s?”

  “A bar,” I answer.

  A smile creeps over his face. “Let’s go.”

  I raise one eyebrow. “I don’t know why you’d want to go anywhere with my brothers. They’re assholes, as if you haven’t noticed.”

  A quick kiss he gives my cheek. “I adore them, Peyton. They’re part of the reason you’re the way you are, which is perfect.”

  My eyes narrow as I look at him. “Levi, can we go with you?”

  Both brothers stop their exit and look at each other. Levi’s head tilts to one side. “You sure, Hollyweird? I mean, we party pretty hard down here. You might not be able to keep up.”

  My whole head rolls along with my eyes as I look at Levi. “Literally, you goof, do you remember who his father is? Huebel’s ain’t nothin’ and his nickname ain’t Hollyweird, it is Pop Rock.”

  “Come on,” Levi says with a wave of his hand. “It’ll be interesting to see how your fan club handles you showing up with a guy anyway.”

  Kip gives me an odd look. “Is he talking about your fan club, Peyton?”

  I nod and follow my brother’s out the door. “I’m kinda famous for my kick ass dance moves and Karaoke singing. I’ve won most of the competitions they put on at that bar.”

  “Really?” he asks with a smile. “Maybe you and I can do a duet, what do you say?”

&nbs
p; Levi opens the back door to his four-wheel-drive truck. “You need a boost, Hollyweird?”

  I smack Levi on the shoulder. “Stop calling him that. We can’t let anyone know who he really is or they’ll mob him.” Levi takes me by the waist and lifts me up into the backseat of his tall truck. I scoot over and Kip grabs the handle and gets right in with no trouble at all.

  Levi laughs as he gets into the driver’s seat. “Ain’t no one gonna mob him at Huebel’s. We don’t get star struck around here. Austin is so close we’ve seen all kinds of stars in there. Hell, Harry Connick Jr. still shows up and has a beer with all of us every now and then.”

  Kip takes the seat belt and straps me in, he leans in close and whispers, “Is he serious?”

  I nod. “Every once in a while some actor will come in. They’ve made a few movies around here. When I worked at the convenience store before college, I waited on Lou Diamond Phillips and that was weird.”

  “So, that’s why you didn’t get all crazy when I talked to you at the college, you’re used to celebrities,” he says and smiles. “I knew there had to be some reason.”

  “I don’t think that’s the only reason why,” I say as Levi pulls out of the long driveway and heads towards the small town. “I also don’t see the need to get all crazy, like ever.”

  “Ever?” he asks, quietly. “I think I’d like to see how crazy I could make you.”

  I look at him and know he’s talking sexual and my face heats up as I know he’d make me act plenty crazy and that’s why I have to keep my wits about me. He slips his hand around mine as Levi turns up the radio and one of Kip’s songs is playing. My brothers start banging their heads as I look at Kip and he looks back at me.

  Kip

  The bar is small and dark with bits of neon light here-there-and-yonder. The parking lot is full as it is a Saturday night in BFE and this seems to be the only watering hole. Peyton’s brothers walk in as she and I follow them. I have my arm around her waist.