Total pages in book: 92
Estimated words: 88586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 88586 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 443(@200wpm)___ 354(@250wpm)___ 295(@300wpm)
“I do,” I said in a shaky voice.
“I love you, baby. Come here.” She opened her arms wide and pulled me close.
Yeah, part of me felt like a fucking jerk because I was the one who was supposed to be comforting her. I’d come to show my support and send her off with a smile and a cheerful “You’ve got this.” Instead, she was the one telling me everything was going to be okay. And because I needed it more than she did, I held on tight.
I squeezed my eyelids to avoid any waterworks. When I thought I had myself together, I kissed her cheek and released her. “I love you, Ma. If you need anything at all, call me. I’ll drop everything and—”
“Shh.” She set her finger over my lips and smiled kindly. “The only thing I need is to know my babies are happy. I want Rachel to spend time with her family, I want Maggie to make beautiful art, and I want you to build your band. I’d also love for you to find a nice man too, but he’ll come along when the time is right. Have an open heart and an open mind. And work on your happiness. That’s what you can do for me. Understood?”
I sighed and gave another childish eye roll. “I’ll try.”
“Good. When is your next tour? Is Declan going with you? I always liked that boy. I watched one of his videos on the YouTube and almost swooned.” Mom fanned her face theatrically and gushed, “He’s so handsome.”
He was. There was no point denying it. But Declan was the last person I wanted to discuss…especially after last night. Which was so damn ironic since my mother was the reason I met with him in the first place.
“It’s just YouTube, Ma. Not the YouTube,” I huffed.
“If you say so. Did you ask him if—”
“No,” I intercepted, continuing in a softer tone. “Not yet, but I will.”
Mom cocked her head curiously before turning when my sister entered the room waving a small card.
“I found it in your other handbag. You have to keep this in your wallet, Mom. Although I’m pretty sure Dad is handling the insurance craparoo for you now. Let’s get a move on. He’ll wonder what’s taking us so long.” Maggie grabbed Mom’s purse and gently set it over her shoulder. “Ready?”
“As ever,” she sighed.
I pulled her in for one more hug. “Hop on the back of my Harley, Ma. We’ll zoom in and out of traffic and beat Dad there for sure.”
“Tempting.” She chuckled, wiggling out of my arms to tuck her insurance card into her wallet. “Just drive that thing safely. Tell your band friends hello. Especially that Charlie. He’s adorable. And Tegan?”
“Yeah?” I paused in the doorway and drank in the sight of my mother. She looked like herself. Strong and resilient. Knowing she wasn’t made me feel helpless. I’d do anything she asked. Anything.
“Talk to Declan. I’d love to see him. For old times’ sake.”
Fuck.
Yeah, even that.
3
Declan
Had last night really happened? And if it had happened, why?
Just the thought of being on my knees with T’s hands in my hair made my skin sizzle. I couldn’t remember the last time I’d sexually detonated with someone. I would have loved to blame alcohol, but I didn’t think I’d finished one damn beer. Neither of us had been drunk. We’d just combusted…like the human equivalent of a stripped wire exposed to the elements in the middle of a lightning storm.
But in the light of day, nothing added up. We weren’t friends anymore, and our status as coworkers or colleagues was tenuous at best. As much as I wanted to bask in the afterglow, I didn’t trust Tegan’s motivation for agreeing to help me. I hoped an early start would bring clarity. And I wanted to get the awkward “morning after” chat over, so we could get to work right away and put last night behind us.
My cell rang just as I was about to head to the studio. I took one last swig of coffee and gave the screen a cursory glance as I reached for my helmet. Mom Cell. We’d been playing phone tag for two days, and though I could ignore any other person who called rather than texted, I never ignored my mother.
“Hey, Mom. What’s up?”
“I have really good news. Are you ready for this?”
“No. I’ve only had half a cup of coffee. I’m not ready for anything yet.”
“Well, pour yourself some more and listen up,” she said excitedly. “Guess whose company was nominated for a big, big award?”
“Whose?”
“Mine!”
“Congrats. Tell me all about it,” I prodded.
I pulled my phone from my ear when she squealed, then chuckled softly, unable to stop my grin from spreading across my face like wildfire. My mother was the queen of cool and collected. Emotional displays weren’t her forte. So whatever this award was, it had to be a big deal.