Page 18 of Flawless Lyric

“Thanks, Grace. We’re almost finished.” When Caleb stands, we all do the same.

“I’ll give you a call as soon as we have an answer,” Zander affirms.

Once we hit the parking lot, Jax whistles. “I don’t know about all of you, but I think that’s fucking cool. Music Weekly wants to feature us. Guys, we need to do this. It could be epic.”

“Let’s go grab a few beers and discuss it,” I suggest. Waiting for the whole weekend doesn’t sit well with me. We should be jumping at the chance to do this.

“Fine. Let’s meet up at the Red Eagle Tavern and we can weigh the pros and cons. See ya in a few.” Zander finally agrees. We all go our separate ways and head out.

In all actuality, a weekend of our time is nothing compared to all the time we have off now. It’s all about exposure. Being inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame was the last time we were featured in any kind of magazine. As far as I’m concerned, it’s a win for both parties involved.

I pull into the Red Eagle Tavern and the other guys aren’t too far behind. Either I have a lead foot, or they got caught up in traffic. We all walk in together and head for the table in the back. It’s not too busy at this time of day so hopefully we won’t be recognized.

“Look, I’m going to throw this out first before we start discussing this deal,” Zander says. “Melody’s due around that time and I hate to make that kind of commitment if I need to bounce.” I understand Zander’s concern, but the group consists of four not one.

I’m surprised when Jax objects to his concern. “I get it, bro, but we all know there’s a two-week window before and after. This is a great opportunity and it’s only for a weekend.”

“I know, and Melody would kill me if she knew we didn’t jump at the chance. Lately, she hates the fact that I use her pregnancy to find an excuse not to do something.”

We stop midstream when the server comes over to take our order.

“Afternoon, boys. Would you like menus or just a few drinks?” Her eyes are bouncing back and forth between us. I’m not sure if she recognizes us or even cares.

We all order a beer on tap and a few appetizers since we don’t like drinking and driving. As soon as she leaves, Jax pipes in. “We should just do it. After our grueling world tour this is going to be a piece of cake. It’s only three fucking days, and even Ace is willing to cut his vacation short.”

“Fuck. We could have just told Caleb yes right then and there. We didn’t need to come to a bar to talk it out.” As soon as I voice my opinion, Zander pulls out his phone and calls Caleb.

* * *

LYRIC

Today wasthe easiest day I’ve had at work in a long time. Not only was it a short day but everything went smoothly. No cancelations or last-minute appointments. Just a normal day, which, in the real estate business, are far and few between.

Now I’m on my way home and it’s sad to say I don’t know what to expect. I haven’t seen or spoken to Novalee since she went to Gracie’s to talk with her parents. She just sent me a text to let me know she was staying the night. No more, no less. And after the relaxing bath I had, I didn’t ask how the talk went. Does that make me a bad mother? I don’t think so, but it definitely has me questioning my parenting skills.

I thought about calling Jeff just to talk things over with him but changed my mind because of what happened at the bar the other night. Not only was he angry, but he put his hands on me. Making me leery about being alone with him. And I can’t call or text because there’s too much we need to discuss. A mediator would be useful, but he’d never agree to it.

Those are all the thoughts running through my mind as I drive home. I know there’s no easy fix that will resolve all of my problems magically overnight. That’s life. Sometimes things are uncomfortable until we learn to deal with them the best way we know how. Which brings me to my next dilemma.

Micah.

What do I do? Give in to temptation and just add fuel to the fire? Or deny myself a little bit of happiness that he brings me? No matter how fleeting that happiness could be. I can’t answer that right now because I’m conflicted. A part of me wants to dive in and the other part wants to walk away. To cut my losses now before I’m too invested.

Whether it’s fate or a coincidence, the songWhat Ifsby Kane Brown begins playing on my Pandora app. The words to this song just resonate with me. It’s everything I fear, and all that I crave. What if I let him slip through my fingers and he could be the one? Age be damned.

Without giving it a second thought I turn the car around, hoping I remember how to get to Micah’s house. The fact that he hasn’t texted me today after his care package should have me running in the opposite direction. No guts no glory, right? I don’t want to live the rest of my life with regrets.

I’m gripping the wheel so tightly as I drive down his street. And when his house comes into view at the end of the road, I start shaking. Not just my hands but a whole-body kind of thing. This is stupid. I’m a grown-ass woman but I’m acting as if I’m losing my virginity.

His car’s not in the driveway. I suppose it could be in the garage. Maybe I should take that as a sign and turn around and go home. Stop, Lyric. Just stop. Put the car in park and go knock on the door. Do not talk yourself out of it. If he’s not home, then it wasn’t meant to be.

I swear I’m hyperventilating as I close and lock the door behind me. Clutching my purse like a lifeline, I walk up the few steps to his door and hesitate. Should I text him first? What if he doesn’t like surprises? I’m second guessing myself. Something I’ve done my entire life. It ends now.

Taking a deep breath, I ring the bell. Then just for good measure, I knock too. Stupid, so stupid. I knew it. He’s not home. As soon as I get ready to run, the door opens.

“Lyric, what a nice surprise.” It’s obvious when he swings open the door that he just got out of the shower. All he’s wearing is a white fluffy towel wrapped around his waist, which shows off his broad, glistening chest. The V is pronounced by the dark hair lining the edge of his towel. Am I drooling? “Are you coming inside or are you going to stand out there and ogle me?”

I realized after swiping my tongue across my lips that it might have been a bit suggestive. Damn. I’m way out of my league. I should just go home. He must sense my hesitation because he grabs my hand and pulls me inside. Closing the door, he presses me up against it. I moan when I feel his erection pressing against me. This is what I want. Right?

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