Page 87 of Fractured Frets

“Mmmm.” She threw me a saucy grin and wriggled her butt against the seat. “You know I like a party in the back.”

I laughed out loud. My dick jolted to life, aching, hard and ready. Damn. I’d need a minute before I walked into the garden. Not a good look, catching up with family with a raging hard-on. “Mads, I’ll give it to you anywhere, at any time.”

She slid her hand around my thigh, brushing her knuckles against my dick. “I’ll hold you to that.”

Tease . . . but I love it.

As we drove closer to the villa, the party came into view. Maddy gaped at the massive gathering of people spilling across the lawn, drinking at tables, and standing in the late afternoon shade of the huge trees. “Holy shit. How many people did you say would be here?”

I pulled up by a hedge and killed the engine, and my friends parked beside us. “Um...about two hundred.” The majority would be relatives with a few ring-ins like my friends. But they were a given.

“That’s a lot of people.”

“I have a big family.” Mom was one of six siblings. Dad was one of seven. Everyone had married and had children, then they’d all married and bred, including my brothers. I was the only one without kids, and I didn’t want that status to change.

“I’m already overwhelmed.” Maddy wiped her hands on her dress.

“Don’t be.” I jumped out of the car and rushed around to open the door for her. I held out my hand. Hers slid into mine, and I helped her to stand. “You ready?”

“As ready as I’ll ever be.”

Same. It was time for the showdown. “Let’s go find Mom and wish her a happy birthday. Then I’ll introduce you to everyone.”

Our friends joined us, and we set off.

Hand in hand, Maddy and I made our way through the sea of people. A few relatives stopped us to say hello and congratulations, and to meet the guys and their girlfriends. By the time I spotted Mom sitting at one of the long tables underneath the trees, the whispers about me and my friends being there had taken on a life of their own. The guys and I weren’t popular in Europe the last time I was here five years ago. Then, I was just a guitarist in a small LA band. No one gave a shit about us. But now we caused a commotion, even amongst family, and especially with my cousins of a similar age.

Mom rose from her chair. I hadn’t seen her in months, but she hadn’t changed in years. She barely scraped five-foot-three. Her short, dark gray hair was maybe a touch whiter than it had been the last time I’d seen her, but her eyes were sharp and clear. Her long navy skirt billowed in the warm breeze as she stepped toward me with arms held wide. “Oh, Sebastian, sei venuto!”

“Buon compleanno, Mamma. Yes, we made it.” I gave her a big hug. “Perfectly timed during the tour.”

“Perfect planning by Julian. He’s such a good boy. So thoughtful.”

Yeah. And thanks to my credit card that paid for the food and alcohol. But everyone was there, and I loved being able to help.

But then Mom clutched my face hard between her hands and speared me with her worry-filled gaze. She turned my face left, then right. “Are you not well? You’re withering away. Don’t they feed you on tour?”

I lowered her hands and clasped them tight, giving them a reassuring shake. “They do. Very well. I’m just fit from performing. That’s all.” I’d thinned down in the face, and my jeans were looser, thanks to pumping out show after show.

“When was the last time you had a decent sleep?” Concern embedded in her tone. “You look terrible.”

“Geez. Thanks.” I didn’t look bad. Did I? I didn’t need her on my case. But I couldn’t remember the last time I’d had a decent rest. “Tour’s just full on.” To change the subject, I grabbed Maddy’s hand and drew her forward. “Mamma, I’d like you to officially meet my beautiful wife, Maddy. She flew in to join us.”

“Hi. Happy birthday.” Maddy kissed Mom hello on both cheeks. “Nice to see you again.”

But Mom barely moved. She drew her shoulders back and eyed Maddy up and down. “Hello, dear. You’re as thin as a broom too.”

“Can you tell my mother that?” Maddy giggled and slid back to my side.

Mom ignored her and took a small step toward me. Her low voice cut through the air like a knife. “Sono ancora arrabbiata con te, Sebastian.”

I winced. Shit show, here we come. “Why are you still upset with me, Mom? And Mads doesn’t speak Italian, so talk in English, per favore?”

“My apologies, dear.” Mom nodded once at Maddy, then returned her attention to me. Heavy disappointment remained lodged in her tone. “You’ve done some crazy things, my boy, but marrying this girl I didn’t even know you were dating tops the list.”

I shouldn’t have expected anything less. But I didn’t want to upset her or cause a scene in front of my relatives. And Maddy certainly didn’t need this crap. So I slid on a cool smile. “I don’t know about that, Mom. I’ve done a lot of stupid things in my time, but marrying Maddy isn’t one of them.” I curled my hand around Maddy’s, drew her close and found my grounding. “I’ve told you that countless times on the phone. We love each other. So let it go. We’re here to celebrate—not fight.” I injected cheer into my voice. “Today is about you, not us. So let’s drink, have fun, and party the night away.”

Mom drew her shoulders back. She pasted on a subtle smile and dipped her chin. “Of course. But I’m not done with you. We’ll talk later.”

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