Total pages in book: 99
Estimated words: 100441 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 100441 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 502(@200wpm)___ 402(@250wpm)___ 335(@300wpm)
“Back off. This one’s mine.”
I feel him pause—a little stall in Lyric’s hand on my foot—but then he moves again.
Maybe I should stop bringing up auditions and instead focus on having a conversation about finally labeling this thing between us. I mean, I figured he knew I wanted to be boyfriends the other day at Kaylee’s party when I told her that’s what we are, but explaining it on a basic level to a five-year-old and putting it into serious terms by adult standards are completely different.
He knows how I feel about him, doesn’t he?
Yes, because he’s so good at mind reading, my conscience tells me.
Yep, we’re definitely going to have to have a conversation about that.
When the buzzer goes off for the front gate, the three of us glance at each other.
“Anyone expecting a visitor?” I ask.
“Maybe the universe heard my pleas for a boyfriend and is delivering one to our doorstep?” Maggie says.
I get off the couch and go to the monitor, letting out a little laugh. “Sorry, Mags. This one’s taken too.” And gay. But I don’t say that bit out loud.
I do wonder why Harley Valentine is at my house, though.
I groan. “Harley’s tour has ended, hasn’t it?” I ask no one in particular.
“Why?” Lyric asks.
“He said once his tour was over, I couldn’t hide from him.”
He buzzes again—typical Harley, impatient and persistent as always—so I reluctantly let him in.
I haven’t seen him face-to-face in what feels like forever, but we’ve kept in touch over the last two years. I’m kind of eager to meet the man Harley’s been bragging about.
I don’t realize how much I’ve missed him until I greet him in the driveway.
He gets out of the car and flashes his multimillion-dollar smile my way. “Ryder.”
“Ride her? I barely even know her!”
He rolls his eyes at me. “You haven’t changed a bit. Although, you are looking older.” He turns to the wall of muscle beside him who I assume is his boyfriend, Brix. “Note for our future selves, let’s not have kids. I’m too beautiful to start looking old.”
“Oh, hey!” I feign enthusiasm. “It’s actually lucky you came by, because I have something to give you.” I reach into my pocket and pull out my middle finger.
“Aww, you’re the sweetest.” He finally wraps me in a hug, and we perhaps hold on a little bit too tight.
It’s funny when a boy band breaks up. Everyone wants to know the reasons why, who hates who, and what the big blowup was that ended it all. But with us, there was none of that. It was the most boring and amicable split ever.
Well, apart from maybe Mason, whose debut solo album tanked and then he disappeared. I don’t think he’s spoken to anyone from the group for a while.
“I’ve missed you,” I murmur.
Harley pulls back. “Why are you so obsessed with me?”
I laugh. “Fuck you.”
“Nah, that’s this guy’s job. Brix, this is Ryder. Ryder, this is Brix. As in dumb as bricks.”
Brix smiles and shakes his head. “He loves telling people that. My name is Brixton.”
“Come in.”
They follow me inside where I find both Lyric and Maggie peering around the corner trying to get a glimpse. I assume the kids are still watching TV.
“Hey, is that …” Harley starts. “Maggie?”
In the early days, when Kaylee was first born and Maggie had time off from the military, she was around for a while and hung out with all the Eleven guys.
She pops around the corner. “Hi, Harley. I wasn’t sure you’d remember me.”
“Any woman who manages to sleep with Ryder is memorable.”
“Nice, asshole. Real nice.”
While they hug and catch up, I go to find my boyfriend. He’s still hiding around the corner.
“You wouldn’t be intimidated by little ol’ lazy and cliché Harley Valentine, would you?”
He looks mortified. “Oh God, you didn’t tell him what I said, did you?”
“No. At least, I don’t think I did.” I grab his hand and pull him toward the foyer. “Harley, this is Lyric. Lyric, Harley Valentine and his bodyguard, Brix.”
Harley glances at our joined hands and then back up to Lyric’s gorgeous face. “Right. Lyric. The nanny.” He looks up at his giant boyfriend. “Come on, I’m so right. Am I right?”
Brix nods. “Definitely.”
“Right about what?” Lyric asks.
I sigh. “When I wanted to hire you, Harley accused me of wanting to sleep with you. Crazy, huh?”
Lyric grins. “Insanity.”
I lean in and kiss his cheek.
“Aww, you guys are so cute, and now knowing this revelation, this totally isn’t my bodyguard either. I mean, well, he is. But he’s also my partner.”
Lyric turns to me. “Did you lie? You told me Harley wasn’t gay.”
“Did I say that? Or did I say the Ryley4Ever rumors weren’t true?”
“Oooh, sneaky.”
“So where’s your rug rat?” Harley asks. “I haven’t seen her since she was, what, two?”
“Three.” I call out for Kaylee, and she and Chase come running.