Page 72 of Hidden Truths

“Yes. I understand.”

That’s all he needed. Cal fucks my mouth just like he fucks my pussy, with a beautiful mixture of passion and aggression. I gag more than once, but that just encourages him. He keeps his eyes locked with mine as he takes what he wants from me.

“Jesus, Firecracker. There is nothing more beautiful than you on your knees for me,” he says breathlessly. His hand tightens in my hair at the same time I feel him swell in my mouth. “I’m going to come, baby. Swallow everything. Take everything.”

He comes on a shout, and I swallow every salty drop.

“You are perfection,” Cal says, pulling me directly from the floor into his arms. “I should buy you things more often.”

I laugh and snuggle into him. “That wasn’t for the equipment. That was for believing in me the way you do.”

“You believe in me the same way, Firecracker.”

“Da-dammm!”

Cal sighs, and I barely contain my laugh. There is no getting Cora to stop calling him that weird version of dad and damn she’s created.

“Better go get our girl before she learns a more creative word to call you,” I say, giggling. Cal puts me down and smacks my butt.

“Wait until she starts trying to say your name,” he says like a threat, but we both know the moment she says anything like my name, I’ll be sobbing like a baby.

Cora may not be genetically mine, but she’s become mine in every way that matters.

twenty-seven

CAL

“Nothing has comefrom the shooting. Nothing has come from the texts on Ezra’s phone. It’s like we just keep banging our heads against the same wall over and over again.”

Kai has been pacing and ranting for at least ten minutes now. Which I guess isn’t a lot, but considering we were supposed to be having a fun guys’ night before heading out on the tour, it’s too much.

“Yeah, except that wall is a person, and that person is my father,” Mav grumbles, hugging a black velvety throw pillow to his chest. We decided to gather at his house since the girls are at mine so Cora can be involved in their night too.

“That still doesn’t make sense to me,” I admit. Kai opens his mouth, probably to make a joke about nothing making sense to me, but then he closes it. Old habits die hard, but they’re all trying.

Mav shrugs and hugs the pillow tighter. “He’s made it very clear he doesn’t approve of my career, my choice in partner, or really my entire existence in general.”

“He hurt Ezra because you like dick and to play bass and then went to borderline psychotic lengths to cover it up?” I chew the inside of my cheek. “It just doesn’t make sense.”

“Isn’t this supposed to be Ray’s thing? Why are we sitting around speculating instead of having fun?” Kai asks, although he doesn’t offer an alternative. He’s also the one who started this topic of conversation, but I don’t think pointing that out will help.

“My dad has emailed me once a week since I joined the band. Every time, it’s about forming an alliance and helping the family. Apparently, I’m a disappointment and need to get my head on straight, marry the girl he wants, take over the family business, and run for public office.”

“Cal can be your campaign manager. He could convince a penguin to buy ice from a polar bear,” Kai says.

I ignore him and grab my phone, calling Harlow on FaceTime. The guys roll their eyes at me, but keep their mouths shut.

“Miss me already?” Harlow’s beautiful smile and glittering green eyes light up the screen.

“You know I do, Firecracker.”

“Da-dammm!” Cora squeals. Harlow turns the phone so I can see my little girl. She’s in Willa’s arms and claps when she sees me.

“Hi baby girl! Do you miss Daddy?” I coo into my phone, ignoring the eye rolls from Mav and Kai.

“Why are you talking to the guys? We’re supposed to be having a girl’s night.” Belle says from somewhere in my house.

“Why are you calling me?” Harlow asks, turning the phone back to her perfect face.

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