Page 14 of Flawless Lyric

“After what happened with Novalee last night, Mom would understand if you worked from home.” I know she would, but I’m done making excuses for my daughter.

“Just so you know, it’s really weird sitting in the passenger seat.”

“You’re avoiding the question and haven’t mentioned a thing about what happened last night. You want to talk about it?”

“You punched my ex, Novalee crawled in at five this morning, and I haven’t slept a wink since I met you. What else is there to talk about?” I’m acting like a bitch, but it’s always been my coping mechanism. Mom claimed it had everything to do with me being a true ginger.

God, I miss her so very much.

Micah drives down an unfamiliar street with gorgeous homes lining both sides. At the end of the Cul-de-sac, he pulls into the driveway. A beautiful Tudor-style home with exposed wood sits on a pristine lot. Either Micah has a green thumb or a groundskeeper. It’s breathtaking.

“I’d ask you to come inside but I don’t want you to be late for work. Have a good day, Lyric.” With that he opens his door and strides towards the entrance. I will my feet to move.

“Micah, wait!” I leave some space between us before I continue. “I apologize if I don’t seem grateful. I am. It’s just that my life is complicated, and being alone is a big adjustment. Please don’t be angry. I just need some time.” Oh god. What have I done?

In a few short strides he frames my face and then crushes his lips to mine. With a swipe of his tongue, my lips part and invite him in. His mouth’s a lethal weapon, and in a matter of minutes my panties are soaked.

“Have a wonderful day, Beauty. I know I will.” I wait until he walks inside before I return to my car. My hands are shaking as I insert the key and turn the ignition. This man is dangerous. If I allow him to kiss me like that again, I won’t be responsible for what happens next.

After pulling into the parking lot, I check my lipstick and realize I’m smiling. Smiling! It feels amazing, and I tamp down that niggling feeling. The one that warns me that I’m doing it again. Depending on a man to make me happy. When in truth I was the one in control of the situation. I could have stopped him, but I chose not to.

Being with Micah makes me feel alive.

When I open the door and smell the subtle scent of flowers, my smile grows wider. The beautiful bouquet that adorns my desk just solidifies the fact that I’m smitten with my rockstar. For the first time in a very long time, I decide to give in to temptation.

6

MICAH

I know firsthandthere’s a passionate woman who lives inside of Lyric ready and willing to break free. She just needs the right man to bring out her true potential. And the right man is me. As arrogant as that might sound, I’ve had other partners who weren’t the right fit. That spark just wasn’t there, but I went through the motions. With Lyric, our chemistry is out of this world. She’s so responsive to my touch and willing to let me take the lead. I want her to come to me, but in truth I don’t think I’ll need to wait much longer. Call me confident but our connection is too intense to ignore.

If I ever get my hands on her ex again, I won’t be responsible for what happens. That asshole must have done a number on her. Otherwise, she wouldn’t have cowered while he confronted her at the bar the other night. He deserved so much more than a punch to the jaw. As far as her daughter goes, she’s a spoiled brat. That was apparent from day one. Strength comes in numbers, and she left Lyric at my family’s barbecue all alone to fend for herself. My mom was the only person she knew that day. Everyone else was a stranger. Regardless, once she loosened up, she fit in perfectly. As I knew she would.

Unfortunately, after the fiasco at the bar, Asher is curious as to why I stuck my nose in where it didn’t belong. I made him understand that I don’t tolerate that kind of behavior from any man, and he agreed. I’m not sure if he’ll leave it at that, but it’s the best I can do for now. At least we had a chance to talk before it happened. I’d like to think I helped him in some small way. I’ll make it a point to spend more time with him since I have the summer off. Next time, I’ll ask him to go sailing and we’ll make a day of it.

I thought having some free time would be great, but my bandmates and I all agreed that being so busy for the last few years translates to not knowing what to do with ourselves off-tour. So we decided to meet up at the studio and have a jam session. I might be the first to arrive because if I don’t leave now, I might fall asleep.

The parking lot is empty when I get there thirty minutes later. We all have a key but I decide to sit and wait until one of the guys gets here. The sunshine sure beats the darkness of a soundproof studio where a tsunami could hit and you’d never know.

Pulling out my phone, I notice I have a ton of messages in my group chat that weren’t there before I left. The first text is from Asher, and I can’t believe my fucking eyes when I read it.

Asher:Micah went all caveman on Lyric’s ex when he was harassing her at the bar the other night.

Maya:Wow, do you think something’s going on with the two of them?

Asher:Micah and Lyric, or her ex?

Maya:Duh. Lyric and our brother you idiot.

Julie:What the hell are you two ranting and raving about?

Lanie:You guys are a bunch of gossipmongers. It’s his life, let him be.

Obviously my brother has no life, so he needs to live vicariously through me. And the reason he feels the need to stir up shit. The fact that they’re all talking about me when we share a group chat is pathetic. I could let this go on and on, but I choose to end it now.

Micah:Lyric’s a friend of the family’s and that’s the reason I stepped in at the bar. You all need to get a life and stop talking about me when I can clearly see all of your texts.

The only response I get is a bunch of smiley faces, hearts, and eggplants. The latter is from Maya. I just can’t believe their response to my warning were childish emojis. They will rue being related to me the next time there’s a family gathering.

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