Page 48 of Flawless Lyric

I stand up and join them at the picnic table. The damn pizza just smells too damn good to pass up and it’s from my favorite joint. Grabbing a slice, I sink my teeth into it. Kinsley chuckles when I moan.

“Uncle Micah, you’re funny.” She takes a bite and mimics me. And my parents, being who they are, do the same.

It’s the little things like this that make me happy. Don’t get me wrong. I love the stage, the lights, and the screaming fans, but being with the ones you love is everything. God, I miss Lyric and wish she were here to witness these kinds of moments.

“Have you heard from Lyric?” Mom asks. “I’ve been wondering how Novalee’s doing.”

“Nothing yet. I’m going to text her tonight to find out.” I was hoping to hear from her last night but I’m sure Novalee monopolized all of her time. My only hope is that Lyric will eventually see her daughter for who she really is. A manipulative, conniving little bitch.

* * *

LYRIC

I hadsuch a wonderful three-day weekend with Micah, and I was hoping to spend some time with him after work. That didn’t happen since I have to sit in a hotel room waiting for my daughter to get out of class. She’s homesick and I totally understand, but she knew there would be a transition period. It’s only been a few weeks and I feel like she didn’t give it enough time. But I couldn’t say no. I never could and that’s on me. I own it but if she blows me off while I’m here, it will be the last time I drop everything to come to her rescue.

Ruth was so understanding when I asked for the time off. I feel horrible that it was at the last minute, but she knows family comes first. She was supposed to hire a temp for the week. I just hope everything runs smoothly, because if it doesn’t, I’ll feel so damn guilty. Especially if Novalee cried wolf and didn’t really need me here. Then it will be the very last time.

It's only ten and I’m bored already. No idea what I’m going to do to keep busy while she’s at school. If I don’t find something to do soon, I’ll go stir crazy. Grabbing my phone, I book an appointment for two o’clock in the hotel spa. Why not? I’m going to treat this like a mini vacation since I’m going to be alone all damn day long. God knows I’m paying an exorbitant price for staying here. I might as well enjoy all the amenities I can find.

Since I’m desperate for coffee, I head downstairs to grab a cup before they start serving lunch. I have six minutes to spare when I’m seated at a corner table in the courtyard. The weather’s gorgeous and the sun is shining. It’s a beautiful day to eat outside.

“Welcome to the Merlin Café. Can I get you something to drink?”

“A coffee with cream and sugar on the side would be wonderful.” I’m ecstatic when she sets down the menu, eager to order breakfast before it’s too late.

After she sets down the cup, she asks, “Are you ready to order or would you like more time?”

“I’d love the vegetable omelet with a side of fruit please.” My mouth waters in anticipation.

“Wonderful. I’ll bring the fruit right out to you.” Grabbing my menu, she walks away.

I’m sipping on my coffee when a familiar face nearly makes me spit it out. No, it can’t be. Novalee, what have you done?

The hostess sits Jeff at a table in the far corner and I don’t know what I should do. Do I approach him? Or ignore him altogether and hope he doesn’t notice me sitting here? Being that I noticed him first, I grab my coffee and head to his table. Pointing to the hostess to let her know I’ll be sitting with him.

He's looking at his menu, but the moment I sit down he peers over it. Staring at me like he’s seen a ghost. Speechless is the first word that comes to mind, so I dive right in.

“Let me guess. Novalee called you because she was homesick, and you came running.”

He sets his menu down on the table, then runs his fingers through his thinning hair. He’s angry and I don’t blame him. So am I.

“She called me last night crying, begging me to come for a few days. I thought it odd that she didn’t reach out to you first. Apparently she did and we’ve both been duped. What’s her deal, Lyric?”

We’re interrupted when the server brings my fruit and tops off my coffee. After Jeff places his order, I wait until she leaves to answer him.

“I was hoping you could answer that question because I have no idea. She hasn’t talked to me about anything of importance since she was fifteen. God knows I’ve tried, but she’d rather talk to Gracie. Maybe she knows?”

“Maybe, but even if we asked her, she’d never throw Novalee under the bus. They’re as thick as thieves. You know that.” I do, and that’s what scares me. Is she hiding something?

“Any suggestions? Because I’m at a loss.” I truly am. I don’t know what to do to fix it.

“Before she left for school, I started seeing someone,” he says. “Maybe this is her last attempt to get us back together.” He’s seeing someone? That’s a good thing, right? Now I don’t feel so damn guilty about moving on with Micah so soon after our divorce. I’ve been adamant about keeping our relationship a secret. That ends today.

“All three of us need to go to dinner together and figure this out. Novalee needs to understand that we’re never getting back together. Are you in?”

“I am. I’ll make reservations, and you and Novalee can meet me there at eight.” With that settled, he tells me about Sharon, the woman he’s been casually dating. And I tell him about Micah. At first he’s furious, but he schools his features when he realizes he can’t control me anymore. Novalee is our only connection, and my life is my own.

We eat breakfast and banter back and forth. It’s quite strange considering our history, but it’s nice to have everything out in the open. We agreed to calmly listen to whatever’s bothering Novalee and to be sympathetic with how she’s feeling. And if she opens up, we’ll figure out how to make it all work. If she doesn’t, then we all need to go to counseling to get to the bottom of it. No ifs, ands, or buts about it.

---