Page 2 of Flawless Lyric

That kind of makes me warm and fuzzy all over.

Out of the corner of my eye, I see my sisters walking by the patio doors. Their hands fly in all directions as they talk over one another. Sometimes it’s hard to get a word in edgewise. I should stop toying with Lyric, but God knows I’ve never backed down before. So why stop now?

“Well, happy birthday, beautiful, and congrats on the divorce. He’s an idiot for letting you slip through his fingers.” When her tongue darts out to lick those pretty pink lips, it takes all my willpower not to lean in for another taste. It’s my turn to catch my breath when her hand fists my shirt and she pulls me in.

I’m so close to those plump full lips when she says, “I think the sauce is burning.” The sexual tension is broken as soon as I turn around. I lift the cover, claw at the spoon, and stir the sauce so my mother won’t kill me where I stand. And if you think I’m joking, I’m not. My mom always told me she brought me into this world—and she can take me out.

When the patio doors open, I deflate. I was having way too much fun playing with Lyric.

“There you are. I’ve been looking all over for you…”

My eyes lock on a Lyric mini-me when she says, “Micah Monroe? Oh my god! What are you doing here?” Have I met this girl before?

Lyric’s glaring at me as she looks back and forth between the both of us. “Do you two know each other?”

“I wish! Micah plays the keys for Rebel Riot. The hottest metal band of the century. Gracie is going to freak when I tell her. Mom, did you know he was going to be here?” She looks at Lyric when she asks this.

Oh, shit.

“Micah is Ruth’s son,” Lyric tells her. “Micah, this is my daughter Novalee. Apparently, she’s a big fan of yours.”

“This is so surreal,” Novalee says. “It’s great to meet you. I’ve been to several of your concerts, and they were phenomenal. Any idea when you’ll be touring next?”

“Nice to meet you, Novalee. We’re taking a bit of a break, but we’ll be back sometime next year.”

“There you are!” a voice shouts from the patio door. “Lanie, he’s hiding in the kitchen. Tell Asher and Julie to join us. We have lots of catching up to do.”

I’m almost knocked off my feet as Maya comes charging at me, her arms wide open. “God, I missed you so much, big brother.” I can’t contain my laughter since I’m all of five minutes older than her. Maya and I are twins.

“Right back at you, Mymy.” It’s her nickname since I couldn’t pronounce ‘Maya’ when we were kids.

“Well, if it isn’t the big bad rock star gracing us with his presence.” Asher, our oldest sibling and my only brother, smacks me on the back before hugging me from behind. The next thing I know I’m being suffocated by my baby sisters Lanie and Julie as well.

“Guys, you’re squishing me. I give, I give.” That gets a chuckle from Lyric as she grabs her daughter’s hand and they try sneaking out the door.

“Lyric, have you met my brother and sisters yet?” I ask. Lyric looks scared to death, but little does she know her secret’s safe with me.

* * *

LYRIC

“Yes,I met them all when I first arrived, thank you.” There’s no way I’ll remember everyone’s name, but I’m smart enough not to mention it.

I’ll admit, Micah’s gorgeous and I’m still reeling from last night. I had no idea that sex could feel that amazing, and I’d been married for twenty years. It was like my body had a mind of its own and had just woken up after all those years. Traitorous bitch. It's all my fault, really. If I hadn’t received my divorce papers in the mail on my fortieth birthday, I wouldn’t have sat at that bar and we’d have never met.

I’m relieved when Ruth re-enters the kitchen. “I should have warned you earlier in the week that my kiddos have a tendency to run in packs. I hope they’re not scaring you away.”

“Not at all. I feel like I already know them since you talk about them all the time.” Of course I just opened Pandora’s box, because now everyone wants to know what sorts of things she shared with me. Good or bad, they’ll never hear it from my lips.

“Run, Lyric. Now’s your chance to escape before it’s too late.” Pretending to hold back the kids, she holds the door open and gives me a little shove out the patio door. I can’t stop laughing as I make a run for it. Spotting Novalee, I head in her direction.

“Hey, Mom. Gracie just called. She needs a ride home from work so I’m gonna bounce. I’ll see you later when you get home.” I highly doubt that. Most likely she’ll spend the night over at Gracie’s as usual.

“Okay, sweetie. Maybe we can do something tomorrow instead.” With a wave of her hand, she takes off in the opposite direction.

Outside, I greet a few other party guests I was introduced to earlier and grab a bottle of spiked lemonade out of the cooler. Then I make a beeline to the pool where all the kids are screaming and playing Marco Polo. I so need a diversion of a different kind, so I don’t hesitate to sit in the comfy-looking lounge chair. Sipping my lemonade and basking in the sun, I hear a familiar tune and want to disappear into the concrete.

“Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you…” The dreaded song continues as I stand up and turn around. Did they seriously stop their family party to wish me happy birthday? I paint an unwilling smile on my face just like I did when I was younger. Micah’s placing a huge cake on the picnic table that’s sporting some birthday decorations. Apparently, I didn’t notice them as I made my speedy getaway. “Happy Birthday, Frank!” Ruth laughs. I breathe a sigh of relief, knowing I’m not the center of attention.

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