Page 3 of Flawless Lyric

Then Ruth looks over at me with a knowing smile.

“And happy birthday to you, too, Lyric!”

Ruth looks so excited that she remembered my birthday that I don’t have the heart to burst her bubble. At the sight of cake, everyone jumps out of the pool as kids go flying past me. Once the coast is clear, I head on over to the brightly lit cake and force myself not to count the candles.

“Poppa, you need to make a wish then blow out the candles,” one of the younger girls says to Frank. My heart melts when her blue eyes meet mine right before her little finger swipes across the blue icing.

“Kinsley. Don’t do that please,” Ruth says. “Let Poppa and Lyric blow them out before you get a taste.” Love and laughter surround me just like a gentle breeze. Warming my heart and lightening my mood. Just when I think it’s safe to let down my guard and I begin to relax, Micah strides over.

“Thank god I gave you your birthday present last night,” he whispers. I nearly choke as Frank leans in to blow out the candles. So I follow his lead, hoping and praying he didn’t hear Micah. Clapping ensues as the candles blink out, only to magically reignite within seconds. Now the kids are laughing and doing their damndest to blow them out again.

“What the…Mom!!” Lanie screams.

“Okay, you little monsters,” Ruth says. “That’s enough. Holy hell there’s going to be more spit on the cake than frosting.”

“Nanna, that’s a bad word,” the same young girl from before says. “Now you need to pay the swear jar.” The cutie with the blue eyes wags her finger back and forth.

“I know, but it will be worth it, sweetie, if I can salvage the cake. Now you guys get out of the way so I can put out the candles.” One of the older girls hands her a bucket of water and one by one Ruth grabs the candles and throws them inside.

I’m a bit envious at the casual banter between the siblings and their parents. Reminding me that I’ll never have that kind of relationship with Novalee. Since I initiated the divorce, she blames me for everything. Maybe someday she’ll come to realize that I did it for all of us.

Ruth fights her way through the crowd and graciously hands me a piece of cake. “I know we’ve only known each other for a short period of time, but I consider you a part of the family. So I hope you don’t mind that I had the baker add your name.”

“Not at all. It was very thoughtful of you to invite us here today. And now that I’ve met everyone, I’ll know exactly who you’re talking about when you fill me in on all their shenanigans.” Micah’s included.

“Frank thought I should have told you first, but I love surprises. The fireworks will start at nine and there’ll be tons of games and food to keep everyone entertained. Now come sit down and enjoy your cake.”

I follow Ruth to a set of empty lawn chairs, and as soon as she sits down, I do the same. I’m shocked when Maya sits down next to me and not her mother.

“We’ve already been warned not to ask you a million questions. My guess is we’re doing a bang-up job since you’re still here. I know we can be a little obnoxious at times since we normally run in packs. Our motto has always been ‘Go big or go home’ at the Monroe household.”

“I think it’s endearing,” I reply with a curt smile. “I was an only child, as is Novalee, and it can be quite lonely. With that said, I’m sure all of you would have loved your privacy. We all want what we can’t have.”

I startle when a deep, raspy voice places a chair beside me, and Micah sits down. “There’s no such thing as ‘can’t have’. Anything’s achievable as long as you keep a positive mindset.”

Maya clears her throat loudly and ignores her brother. “I was just about to ask you where you got that gorgeous bracelet before my brother so rudely interrupted us. He always sticks his nose in where it doesn’t belong.”

“I made it myself. I have an online shop where I take custom orders.”

“Oh god, I’m a sucker for jewelry,” Maya says. “I’d love to see what styles you have in your store. Do you have a business card or a QR code where I can find you?” I hear Micah mumble something under his breath that surely sounds like, “Sucker is an understatement.”

I’m stuck smack dab in the middle of these two siblings. It’s not the most comfortable position to be in when they lean forward, glaring at each other.

“Ginger Gems is the name of the shop, but I’ll grab a few cards before I leave.”

“Lanie, Julie, and Maya!” Ruth shouts. “If you haven’t had a chance to finish your cake, bring it with you. I need your help in the kitchen, ASAP. No excuses. If we want to keep the food flowing, we need to hustle.”

“Are you serious right now?” Maya mumbles as she gets up. “We’re about to stuff our faces with cheeseburgers, hot dogs, and a ton of salad, and we haven’t even had a chance to eat our cake yet.”

Micah and I find ourselves alone once again.

“Hang on, I’m coming too,” I call after Maya. Immediately, a large, warm hand clamps down on my arm. Preventing me from escaping.

“My mom didn’t invite you here to work, Lyric. Sit back and relax. You’re safe with me. Unless you’d like me to show you my old bedroom with the four-poster king.”

2

MICAH

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