Tucked away off the main road, behind a gated entrance and miles of sprawling trees, is something akin to paradise. Rhett’s house is massive. I can’t help but feel intimidated by the opulence of it all as Lyle and I climb the stone steps.
“You all right, Li’l Bit?” Lyle smooths a bent finger up and down my back.
I nod. “Just a little nervous.”
“Don’t be.” He bends to press a tender kiss to my lips. “They’re going to love you.”
I sure hope so, I think to myself as he reaches forward to press the doorbell.
“You made it!” A petite blonde who I’d recognize anywhere as Rhett’s wife, Korie, greets us at the door wearing frayed cut-off shorts, a black tee that says “crew” on the front, and black chucks. Her hair is dangling over either shoulder in twin braids. On her hip sits an adorable baby girl who immediately, upon seeing my husband, lurches toward him with her pudgy arms extended, causing my heart to somersault in my chest.
“Happy birthday, Hadley girl,” he coos, taking her from her mother and flying her around in the air before positioning her on his hip. Gosh, the way he looks at her. I swear it makes my ovaries quiver. If I weren’t already knocked up, I’d be begging him to put a baby in me tonight.
“Aren’t you a cutie?” I say, admiring her adorable outfit—a black onesie with “Being ONE rocks” scrawled above an electric guitar, tucked inside a rainbow tutu with pink high-top Converse. Top it off with blonde ringlet pigtails, and I damn near get a toothache from the sweetness.
Freaking adorable.
“Hey Kor,” Lyle says, hugging her with his free arm. “Allow me to introduce you to my wife, Sammi.” He looks over at me. “Sammi, this is Korie, Rhett’s wife.”
“Nice to meet you.” I reach out for her hand, intending to shake it.
“None of that.” The little spitfire rolls her eyes. “We greet family with hugs around here.”
Before I’ve escaped the awkward embrace, Nick’s wife, Raven, appears. “Oh, Anika wasn’t lying. You are gorgeous.”
I’m still stuck on the fact that Anika had anything nice to say about me when I find myself wrapped in yet another set of arms.
“She said that?” I ask, trying to return the sentiment with the same bubbly excitement as my assailant.
“Mmhmm.” She releases me, taking a step back. “She’s a real bitch, right?”
“Heard that.”
My stomach drops at the sound of their manager’s familiar voice.
“What I was about to say, if you’d have eavesdropped just a little longer, is that you’re actually harmless and all bark once you get to know a person.”
Anika sneers. “Don’t believe a word she says.” She hikes a thumb at Raven. “I bite. Try me.”
“Ahem…” My husband appears at my side. “Can you tone down the cuntometer for the duration of our niece’s birthday party, please? This is low, even for you.”
Justly chastised, the brunette sucks her tongue over her teeth and nods. “You’re right.” She looks from my husband to me. “Enjoy the party, Mrs. Livingston.”
With that she stomps off, her stilettos clacking louder than necessary as she takes her leave.
“Woooo, girl,” Raven hoots. “She really doesn’t like you.”
“Don’t listen to Ray. She didn’t like any of us,” Korie offers. “Anika’s just protective of the boys. Once she realizes you aren’t here to cause trouble, she’ll be just as protective over you.”
I choke out a laugh because I don’t see that ever happening. “If you say so.”
“Come with me,” our hostess says, slipping an arm through mine. “I’m gonna borrow your beautiful wife for a bit, Lyle.”
He searches my face to make sure I’m okay.
“I’ll be fine,” I say, wiggling a few fingers in his direction as I’m dragged off to the kitchen.
“Holy crap!” I clap a hand over my mouth. “Sorry,” I add, “forgot there were little ones, but this is incredible.” There are Pinterest parties, which I’ve been to aplenty, and then there are celebrity parties.
The entire room is draped in crepe paper, balloons, and tulle. There’s an arch specifically set up for picture taking, neon letters forming the words “Hadley’s Groupies” on the wall. And I’m not talking about cut-out letters. This is a Vegas- style neon sign glowing bright pink. And if I were a betting woman, I’d say that’s a professional photographer snapping pictures.
There’s a section for face painting, and a paparazzi photo booth.
“Is that…are they doing tattoos over there?”
“Temporary ones,” Raven says, beaming. “The one in the hot seat, working on his second full sleeve, is my little guy, Alex. He’s obsessed.”
“Wants to be just like his daddy, huh?”
“Yeah,” she says with hearts in her eyes, as the man in question bursts into the room with their little girl on his shoulders. “Nicholas,” she calls. “Come over and meet Lyle’s wife.”
At the sound of his wife’s voice, he changes course, galloping over while Ava squeals with delight.
“Giddy-up, horsey,” she shouts, tugging on his spiky blond hair when he stops in front of us.
“Take a break, your highness.” Raven pulls her down. “Say hello to Uncle Lyle’s wife, Aunt Sammi.”
Aunt Sammi. I don’t know if it’s the pregnancy hormones but being accepted into the fold so quickly has me ready to burst into tears.
“Loverly to meet you, Aunt Sammi.” The little girl goes into a full curtsy in her princess dress.
“The honor is mine,” I say, reacting in kind.
The little girl purses her lips and nods, studying my form. “Your curtsy needs work. We’ll get it. Don’t worry.”
“All right, Ava,” her father says. “Buzz off.”
“Ugh,” she gasps. “Rude.”
“She’s precious,” I say, smiling after her.
“She’s a fucking mess,” Nick counters before wrapping me in a hug and lifting me clean off the ground. “Welcome to the crazy, sis.”
“Thanks,” I say, trying not to be tense, but I can’t help but wonder if he can feel the bump I’m hiding beneath my shirt.
“There she is!” Aiden, the long-haired keyboard player, comes charging into the room.
“Uh, hi.” I can’t tell if he’s going to hug me or rip me a new one. This guy is very intimidating.
“Fuck,” he groans, shaking his head in defeat. “Bring it in, sis.” He holds out his arms, opening and closing both hands in a come-hither motion.
“Nice to meet you.” I walk into his embrace, awkwardly hugging him back.
“Of course it is.” His brows furrow and he tosses his hair, very Justin Bieber-esque, but he’s no pretty boy. “I’m awesome.”
“I don’t know how to read you,” I say, honestly.
“He’s just mad cuz he wanted to hate you for stealing his wingman,” my husband says, sneaking up behind me and snaking his arms around my waist. “But Aiden never could be mean to a pretty girl.”
“Ahh.” I quirk a brow in the caveman’s direction. “What about an ugly one?”
He shrugs. “Haven’t met one yet, but I was sure hoping you’d be the first.”
I choke on my next breath. “I heard you were a ladies’ man. Guess the rumors are true.”
“Most of ’em,” he agrees with a nod. “When something’s this good,” he says, smoothing a hand down his chest, “You have to share it with the world.”
“I’m sure that’s a huge sacrifice for you.”
“You know,” he says, nodding, “it really is. I’d love to be settled down with one wom—” He spits out a laugh. “Shit. I can’t even say that with a straight face.”
Aiden’s personality is larger than life. He’s such a cad…reminds me a lot of someone I know. Someone peppering kisses along the bend of my neck.
My eyes flutter closed beneath Lyle’s ministrations. I reach back and swat him away. “Stop that,” I growl, losing the ability to focus.
“So,” Aiden says, propping an elbow on the counter. “I hear you’ve got the crème de la crème of well…” He stares at me as if I should understand where he’s going with this. “Uh, crème.”
Lyle chokes on his beer behind me.
“Is he referring to what I think he’s referring to?” I ask, my eyes volleying from each member of our very captive audience, which now includes the entire band, their wives, and a few elders I haven’t met yet who I’m assuming are the birthday girl’s grandparents.
“I believe your husband’s exact words were that he found the Cristal of…well…” The scoundrel’s eyes drop to my waist while he runs his tongue over his lips seductively. “Kitty.”
My husband jumps into action, ready to go after him, but I pull him back, shaking my head. Something tells me I need to prove I can hold my own with this one.
“Well,” I say leaning in close, “considering I’ve sampled it myself, I must concur.”
Aiden pounds a fist on the countertop, laughing hysterically. “You’re a little pistol, aren’t ya?”
I shrug. “Got a big brother. And grew up next door to this one.” I dip my head back toward Lyle. “You ain’t got shit I haven’t seen before.”
It’s hard not to react to everyone hooting and jeering around us, but that would diminish my badassery. Make it seem like I’m playing to an audience. So, I stand firm, refusing to crack even a hint of a smile.
Then Anika comes slithering out from behind the crowd, positively beaming, her face red from laughing. It’s the first time I’ve seen her smile. “Wooo,” she howls, slapping her hands on Aiden’s shoulders. “I do believe you’ve met your match,” she goads.
Aiden hangs his head in mock sadness. “It’s true,” he says, shaking it from side to side, “but as luck would have it, Lyle met her first.”
Anika walks up to me, looking every bit the dog with its tail tucked between its legs. “Anyone who can get one over on Aiden Addams is all right in my book.” She holds out a hand, a peace offering.
If she were anyone else, I’d tell her where she could shove that olive branch. But I’m smart enough to know when to fold. Anika isn’t going anywhere, and neither am I. So, I swallow my pride for the benefit of my husband and the band and reach back.
“Welcome to the family, Cristal Cooch.”
