Spotlight (Famous Book 2), page 27
I reach between us and grip his cock. His eyes flutter closed, and his hips thrust forward. The friction on my dick makes my eyes roll back in my head.
Lyric’s hot breath lands on my skin, and my brain short-circuits to the point my hand stops moving.
“I’ve got you,” Lyric says and takes over.
I’m right. It only takes a few minutes of stroking and grinding for me to come without even having taken off my underwear, and it doesn’t take Lyric much longer.
“That’s a nice way to wake up,” I murmur, sleep claiming my voice.
“Sounds like I almost put you back to sleep.”
“Mm, I want to sleep more.”
“One full-night’s sleep in five years and you want even more? So greedy. But I think Maggie and Kaylee will be back soon, and we should probably clean up the mess in your underwear.”
I laugh. “Yeah, that’s probably a good idea. Shower?”
“I will never say no to showering with you.”
“I’ll never say no to you for anything.” I don’t realize how much I mean that until the words are out there.
I’d do anything for the man on top of me.
I’ve never had this kind of fullness in my heart with anyone but Kaylee.
Lyric has wormed his way inside, but instead of it feeling like an intrusion, it’s comforting.
It’s a complete feeling—an infinite promise.
I just have to build up the courage to tell him so.
Lyric tries to climb off me, but I stop him and suck in a sharp breath. I prepare to say the words dancing on the tip of my tongue. “Lyric, I …” I’m falling for you. I’ve fallen for you.
I don’t know how to not fuck this up.
“You’re still so out of it,” Lyric says lightly. “I think you function better on less sleep.” He moves off me. “You’re never allowed to sleep in again.”
Moment lost.
After another mind-blowing handjob in the shower—where I have to bite my lip to stop from blurting out my thoughts about Lyric and me together forever at the wrong time—Lyric leaves me to recover and actually wash myself without getting distracted.
When I finally amble downstairs, I find Lyric fussing over a fruit platter.
He’s staring at it like the kiwi fruit’s arrangement on the plate is offensive.
I wrap my arms around him from behind. “Nervous?”
“Were you when you signed your first contract?”
“Fuck yes, but my excitement outweighed my nerves.”
“How were you recruited into Eleven? Had you signed with a label first or—”
“I wanted to move to LA. Joystar was holding auditions—first video auditions and then face-to-face. I sent my video in, got a callback, and the rest was history. Unlike you, I didn’t mind selling out if it gave me a ticket out of Texas.”
Lyric turns and leans against the counter. “What if …”
“What if you made the wrong choice?”
“I’m wondering if I’ll forever be known as the dumb idiot who turned down Cameron Verikas.”
I press myself against him. “Not if you become the first platinum-selling artist on Harley Valentine’s label.”
Lyric touches his forehead to mine and whispers, “Damn, that sounds amazing.”
“It’s normal to be anxious over your first ever record deal. It’s scary and exciting, but you deserve all of it. You deserve everything, Lyric.”
“I want it all with you.”
The words bubble to the surface again, threatening to spill out. I want to tell him. I want to say those three little words that scare the crap out of me.
Before I can, Lyric’s lips touch mine, and like every time he kisses me, my brain goes fuzzy, my heart feels full, and words like love float around in my head.
I get lost in him, so much so I’m taken off guard when Maggie’s voice interrupts us.
“I thought I gave you two plenty of time to get all the kissing out of your systems for the day.”
We pull apart with wide smiles, but mine falls when I see Kaylee’s little face screwed up.
“Kissing is yucky, Daddy.”
“Oh, so sorry.” I run after her while crouching. “I guess you’d hate it when I do this, then.” I grab her and pick her up, planting kisses all over her face.
She squeals while trying to fight me off. “Stop, Daddy. Stop!”
I let out an exaggerated sigh. “Fine.”
As soon as I put her down, she runs behind Lyric for protection.
“Ooh, don’t think he’ll save you,” I tease.
“Kaylee, run!” Lyric yells.
This time she runs around the counter while I try to chase her, but Lyric’s in my way. He wraps his arms around my waist.
Kaylee runs behind Maggie this time.
“Oh no. She’s found my weakness.” I pretend to be in pain and sink to my knees.
“Women?” Maggie jokes.
Lyric snorts.
I glare. “Not cool, baby momma.”
She cocks her eyebrow at me.
I hang my head. “I won’t call you baby momma ever again.”
She smiles as I get to my feet.
Lyric leans in. “She really is your weakness.” He lifts his chin in Maggie’s direction. “You’re gonna have to teach me how to do that.”
“Sorry. It’s a gift. It can’t be taught.”
They share a look, and shit, it’s moments like this when I really think we can make this all work.
Of course, we’re going to have to get Maggie on board with my plan, but I don’t know if she will be.
“Hey, Kaylee, how about you help Lyric set up the backyard for the party while I talk to Mommy?”
Lyric holds out his hand. “Come on, little one.”
Once they’re gone, Maggie gives me an inquisitive stare.
“I have some news,” I say.
She beams. “You’re pregnant!”
I flip her off. “Funny. But, uh, can we sit?” I gesture to the small dining table.
“Uh-oh. Sounds serious.”
“It is, but it’s good news. I promise. I just don’t know how you’re going to take it.”
“You want me to move out?”
“Oh my God, woman. Just sit.”
She does, but her green eyes that are so much like Kaylee’s stare at me with worry.
“Lyric’s moving in.”
She doesn’t appear surprised. “That’s amazing. He’s really good for you. I’ve never seen you happier, and that includes when you were this big pop star with the world at your feet.”
“To be fair, I don’t think I was overly happy back then.”
She reaches for my hand. “Was that all you had to tell me?”
“No. There’s more.” I swallow hard because this is the part she won’t like. “With Harley and me starting this label and Lyric being signed, we’re both going to be busy in the upcoming months.”
“Which reminds me. You know that Brix guy? He’s ex-army as well, and while Harley was here and he was playing with the kids, we got to talking. He offered me a job on Harley’s security team.”
“A job …” I’m not sure if I can work all of this out without Maggie’s help, and if she’s on tour with Harley, and us, that means Kaylee would have to go back to the life I took her away from on purpose.
Maggie leans back in her seat. “I told him I’d have to think about it. And now with Lyric signing to Harley’s label, it will probably mean you’d need a new nanny, and—”
“Okay, well, that’s the thing. I was hoping … I mean, you said you wanted more time with Kaylee, and I’ve always had full custody, but maybe it’s time to change that. I figure if we work out a custody agreement where you become the primary carer and Lyric or I are on tour or whatever, you could bring Kaylee to see us on weekends when she’s not at school. Unless it’s too much for you, and—”
“Oh my God, I’ll do it.” Her brow furrows. “But what does that mean for me getting a job and working?”
Yep. There it is. “If you can get a job that works with our hours, then that’d be perfect, but …” Fuck, I’m sweating. I bumble the words in a hurry. “Do you know how much child support I would have to pay if we changed custody agreements? You wouldn’t have to work. And I know you want to work, and you’re independent and don’t want my money, and I can already hear you yelling, and—”
“You know me too well, but—” She bites her bottom lip. “—getting to know my daughter is more important right now. Eventually, I will want to work, but if this is a way I can get close to Kaylee and make up for lost time, I’ll take it. I just thought you would never let this happen. I mean, in the past, you’ve been worried about me trying to change our custody agreement.”
“I’m not going to lie, and you know I love you, but you coming to take Kaylee away from me has always been in the back of my mind because you left her with me so she could have a ‘good life.’ But the media hasn’t left us alone for five years. My fear comes from feeling like an inadequate parent, not thinking you’re an evil person who wants to steal her, and if I can overcome that, I’m certain we can do anything.”
Maggie’s eyes soften. “I understand, and I’m just thankful you’re giving me enough trust with this.”
“It’s hard thinking of leaving Kaylee. We might have to have some practice weekends for a while first, but Lyric has made me rethink how I see the world. That maybe there’s more to life than sacrificing everything for a tiny human I created.”
“A cute tiny human,” Maggie says.
“The adorablest.”
“I don’t think that’s a word.”
“Don’t care. Anyway, I realize Lyric’s right. I can’t always protect Kaylee from all the bullshit, and I can’t put my life on hold trying to do it either. It’s possible to have a career and protect her, but I know she’ll still be exposed. There’s not much we can do about that except teach her how to handle it. It will be manageable if we have the right people on board, and there’s only one person I’d trust to make sure that happens.”
Maggie smiles at me. “You must really love Lyric. For you to even contemplate all this for him when you’ve been the most uptight parent I’ve ever known.”
My mouth drops open, but nothing comes out. Apparently, I can’t even say the words to other people even if they’re right there waiting to explode from my mouth. “I should probably tell him first before saying anything.”
Her eyebrows arch. “He’s moving in, but you haven’t told him you love him yet?”
“It’s been implied.”
“How special for him,” she says. “Just tell him. Go out there, march up to him, and say, ‘I love you, you big, gorgeous idiot’ and kiss him. There. Done.”
I cock my head. “You think my boyfriend is gorgeous?”
“So much so I have no idea what he sees in you.”
I burst out laughing. “Thanks for always being you.”
She stands and pulls me into a hug. “I can’t thank you enough for giving me the chance to make it up to her.”
“Aww, Mags.” I hold her close.
Lyric’s voice comes from behind us. “Should I be worried?”
Maggie moves out of my arms. “Yeah, right. The only time you’d have to be worried is if Ryder and I were both in emotionally horrible places at the same time.”
“Recipe for disaster,” I joke.
“Hey, not that much of a disaster.” She nods in Kaylee’s direction as our daughter comes running in from outside.
I pick her up as she runs into my arms, and I find crumbs around her mouth. “You got into the cookies already?”
She licks her lips. “Uh-huh.”
Definitely not a disaster.
Totally worth it.
CHAPTER 30
LYRIC
The pen in my hand hovers over the spot where I need to sign. I’m excited and ready to change my life, but I also want to make sure I don’t rush it and forget what this feels like.
I’m surrounded by my family old and new, Harley and his partner, Harley’s assistant, and even Cameron.
“He’s hesitating,” Cameron whispers. “My offer’s still on the table,” he calls out.
“Not hesitating. Just taking it all in.”
“Suck it, old man,” Harley mutters.
Cameron smiles.
Maybe Harley’s venture will fail. Maybe it will take off. Right now, it doesn’t matter. What matters is taking this new opportunity and running with it. With Ryder by my side.
I slide the pen across the page, signing my future away.
I’m the happiest I’ve ever been in my life.
When I straighten up, Ryder’s right there, kissing me and making my dreams complete. After Ryder releases me, everyone else shakes my hand and offers me their own congratulations.
“We need a photo,” Harley says and turns to his assistant. “Jamie, get a snap of this so we can use it as promo when we announce the label.”
We take a photo of Harley and me shaking hands and smiling. I probably look like an absolute goofball. My first official public photo is going to haunt me for years.
Cameron approaches us. “I’m heading out, boys. Best of luck to you both. And remember, either of you can call me for advice whenever you need it. I have high hopes for this.” He shakes our hands.
“If you weren’t so obsessed with money, you could get in on this,” Harley says.
Cameron scoffs. “It’s not me who’s obsessed with money. That would be wife number four.”
“Divorce her!” Harley says. “Get into business with us.”
Cameron laughs. “You’d think I’d learn after the first three. I’d be more broke divorced.”
“Prenups, man.” Harley claps Cameron on the back. “We told you that with the second one.”
“I know, I know.” Cameron sighs. “But if your man over there asked you to marry him, would you ask for a prenup?”
Harley stares at his bodyguard boyfriend, who’s talking with Maggie right now, and then hangs his head. “No.”
“Exactly. I’m a romantic at heart.”
“I’d sign a prenup,” I say. “But, you know, that’s me wanting to protect Ryder.”
Ryder’s voice comes from behind me. “Wait, we’re getting married?” He wraps his arm around me and pulls me close. “Were you planning on telling me? I thought that was a long, long, long, long, long way off.”
I nudge him. “Hypothetically.”
“Oh, well, in a hypothetical situation, I wouldn’t make you sign one.” He kisses my cheek.
“Thank you! My point exactly,” Cameron says. “I knew my boys would see it my way.”
“Speaking of your boys,” Harley prompts. “You wouldn’t happen to know where Mason is, do you?”
Cameron looks at his phone which is most definitely not ringing. “Oh, shit, I have to take this.” He walks toward the house with his phone pressed to his ear.
“I’ll get it out of him,” Harley says with determination.
I love the dynamic between Cameron and Harley. I like that Cameron isn’t bitter I didn’t choose him. That says a lot, and it makes me realize no matter what I would’ve chosen, I would have been okay, but going with Harley, I know I’m getting the type of family environment I could’ve only wished for.
Ryder’s arm around me squeezes tighter. “You all right? No regrets?”
I smile at him. “None at all.”
Kaylee bounds up to us and tugs on my hand. “We’re ready.”
Chase is behind her.
My nerves kick up a notch.
“Ready for what?” Ryder asks.
“My gift to you.”
“You got me a gift? This party is for you.”
I put on a confident face even though I’m shitting bricks. “Let’s go, guys.” I usher Kaylee and Chase toward the middle of the backyard, grabbing my guitar from where I stashed it under the cake table earlier.
As we take our positions to perform the song we’ve been practicing together, I take a deep breath.
I look out at the small group, and doubt begins to cloud my mind.
This is a mistake.
This is the worst.
I can’t believe I’m doing this.
Ryder’s smiling.
Harley looks confused.
My brother is just plain trying not to laugh at me.
He won’t be able to contain it soon.
“Okay,” I croak and then clear my throat. “Some of you probably don’t know how Ryder and I met.”
“Oh, I told everyone I know,” Ryder cuts in.
“Thanks. No, really, thank you. Anyway, I might have said something about boy bands being lazy, cliché, and, well, sucky.”
Brix puts his fingers in his mouth and lets out a loud whistle. Harley elbows him.
“While I still think their songs are a bit cliché, I’m not ashamed to admit I was wrong about the other two. Ryder’s one of the most hardworking people I know, and I can’t wait to begin this journey with him. Both professionally and personally.” I glance at my brother and Brenna. “Oh, by the way, I’m moving out.” I don’t give them a chance to react before I strum the opening chords to a song that should burn in hell. “Ryder, this one’s for you.”
The kids start with the Ooh, ooh, oohs.
I join in with the first verse, and everyone in the backyard erupts into laughter.
Yes, I’m singing an Eleven song.
And I’m not spontaneously combusting. Who knew?
Because I like you. Ooh, ooh, ooh. I like you.
My soul is dying.
But as I lock eyes with Ryder, I realize I’d sell my soul ten times over for that man.
I think I might’ve been a little bit in love with him since the moment he didn’t get offended at the rude, jealous comments I made the day we met.
I fell a little more when I saw him with his daughter.
Was completely enamored by the time he helped me with my demo.
Now?
We may not have said the actual words to each other yet, but I’m so in love with him it’s been hard to keep it in until I thought he might be ready.
