Page 155 of Tortured Tones

“I know I have.” I swiped Ava’s hair back off her forehead. “Why don’t you get naked and into that tub. I’ll put Char to bed, then Josh.”

“The shit you’ll do for a bit of pussy.” Slip chuckled as he massaged Maddy’s neck.

“Worth it.” I kissed Ava’s cheek.

Tia raised her fresh bourbon toward me. “Never thought I’d see the day you’d be a doting dad and all loved up again, but I like it.”

“Me too. It’s good. Real fucking good.”

I was a father. In love. Ready for a steamy hot tub with Ava. And in one week, I’d continue touring with my band.

Life was good. No...it was fucking great. Every day got better and better.

Being a Flintlock rocked!

Bring on the next leg of the tour.

Chapter 35

COLE

On Monday morning, five days before we headed overseas, Harper arrived on my doorstep.

“Argh! Finally,” I hollered and drew her into a big hug. Rocking side to side in my doorway, I kissed the side of her head. “It’s so fucking good to see you.”

“Cole.” She stepped back and eyed me up and down, waving and shimmying her hand at me. “Baby cuz, you’re looking good.”

“So do you.” I flicked the tips of her pixie cut with my fingertips. “What happened to the long dreads? This is...different. Stylish. Kinda sexy. It suits you.”

“Thanks.” She pulled off her crocheted Nepalese beret, then ruffled her fingers through the loose strands. “Time for a change. Gotta look like a nanny not a hippy.”

“I loved your hair. But damn, this is sleek and professional.”

She slapped her beret against my arm. “Can’t have that, now, can we? I had my dreads for seven years. But they’d gotten too heavy, kept breaking, and weren’t comfortable anymore. It was time for them to go.”

“Fair enough.” I shrugged, then tilted my head toward the hallway. “So, you ready? Would you like to meet Charlotte?”

She sucked in a deep breath, drawing her shoulders upward. Excitement and nerves flickered through her eyes. “Yeah. That’s why I’m here.”

“Awesome. Let me grab your bags first.” After depositing Harper’s suitcases inside the door and heading into the living area, I called out to Charlotte. “Char? Harper’s here.”

“Coming.” From her room upstairs, footsteps patted across the carpet. Charlotte appeared at the top of the staircase and came scrambling down the steps. Her little feet struggled to keep up with the rest of her. She jumped to a stop in front of us and tilted her head back. Her eyes, big and curious.

I ruffled her soft, wavy curls. “Charlotte, this is Harper. She’s going to look after you when I’m working.”

Harper bobbed down and held out her hand. “Hi, Charlotte. Nice to meet you.”

Charlotte gave Harper’s hand a big shake, but her eyes widened even farther and her little mouth gaped. “Wow. You have eyes like daddy’s. Big green ones.”

“Yes, I do.” She tapped the center of Charlotte’s chest. “Just like yours too.”

Seriousness set in Charlotte’s tone. “Do you like coloring?”

“I do.” Harper nodded. “And painting. And drawing. And cooking. And reading. What do you like?”

“Ummm.” She tapped her finger against her cheek, then her eyes glittered and sparkled. “Playing Daddy’s drums.”

Oh!” Surprise spiked in Harper’s voice. “He lets you play his precious drums?”

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