Page 180 of A Little Broken

“Speaking ofif only…I have news,” I announce.

“Hmm?”

“The band invited me to be an official member of IndieCent Vows.”

Her lips part. “Are you serious?”

I nod.

“What does that mean?”

“It means I get royalties for IndieCent Vows’ songs now and don’t need to rely on touring or recording new songs to make money.”

“What?” She shakes her head. “Pax, that’s insane.”

“Yeah.” I nod, as blown away as she is. “I was surprised, too.”

“Since when?”

“They called a week ago, asking if I was okay with it. Obviously, I said yes, and I signed the paperwork this morning.”

“Pax, that’s…” Beaming up at me, she lets out a laugh. “That’s incredible. Why didn’t you tell me?”

“I didn’t want to jinx it.”

“Okay, I get that,” she concedes. “But still. A little heads-up would’ve been nice.” She wraps her arms around me, and climbs into my lap, careful not to spill her drink in the bubbling water. “I am so happy for you, it’s not even funny.”

With a grin, I kiss her, taking advantage of our new position. “I had a feeling you might be.”

“So, what do you think made Judge and Dodger change their minds after all these years?” she asks.

I hesitate, considering her question. Ever since the phone call, I’ve been wondering the same thing. And even though, I don’t have an actual answer, I reply, “I think they felt bad that I was waiting around for shit with Judge’s nephews to clear up, so they figured this was a good way to say thank you for my patience.” I brush my nose against hers. “Wanna know the best part, though?”

She quirks her brow. “There’s a part better than you being a full-blown member of the band?”

“Yeah.” Dropping my free hand to her ass in the water, I tug her into me. “I bought something for us.”

“Us?” She frowns. “Pax, you know you don’t have to?—”

“Ask me what I bought, Birthday Girl,” I push, anxious to see the look of surprise on her face. Because if she thinks my status with the band changing is a big deal, she’s gonna lose her shit.

Her eyes thin, and she leans back, slightly. “Okay, now I’m suspicious.”

“Ask me.”

“What did you buy?”

Holding her stare, I tilt my head toward the house, watching as a tiny crease forms between her brows.

“What do you…” Her voice trails off as understanding sparks in her hazel eyes, and her jaw drops. “You’re joking.”

“Not joking.”

“Seriously?”

“Yeah.” I laugh while trying to commit her expression to memory because shit. It’s damn near priceless. “And when you’re ready to move inofficially,” I emphasize, “the place is as much yours as it is mine.”

Holding back her grin, she rests her forearms on my shoulders, careful not to spill any of her drink as she slowly shakes her head back and forth. “Pax.”

---