Page 150 of Chasing Lyric
I freeze.
So does Chase.
A flush creeps up my neck as the reality of the situation hits—our declarations hadn’t exactly been whispered. In fact, judging by the look on their faces, we may as well have projected our emotional baggage across the backyard on a neon sign.
Welp.
Nothing sayswelcome to the familylike promising to break generational trauma in front of the very people who caused it.
My dad clears his throat first. His voice is low, gravel-edged, the kind that carries the weight of years. “Kids… Senior and I, we know we weren’t the best role models growing up. Not even close.” His eyes shift between Chase and me, his jaw flexing. “Neither of us showed up for you the way we should’ve. You’re right. We were shitty parents.” His admission hangs in the air, naked and raw, a heavy truth none of us can deny.
Beside him, Senior shifts, then steps forward. “But we’re going to be here for our first grandbaby,” he says, his voice steadier. “And we’re hoping this won’t be the last. You two, you’ve got something real. Don’t let our mistakes taint what you’re building.”
It’s simple, honest, and it cracks something open inside me that I didn’t even know was still guarded. I blink, my chest tightening. Chase’s hand finds mine again and squeezes, grounding me.
Their words, they’re not perfect, but they are real. And that’s enough right now.
Chase’s smile flickers through the tension on his face, brief but sincere. I step away from him and pull my dad into a hug, pressing my face into the leather of his jacket. He’s stiff at first, unsure, but then his arms come around me, tentative but strong.
A heartbeat later, Chase grips his father’s shoulder and pulls him in too. It’s rougher, more of a man-to-man thing with back slapping, but there’s respect there now, an understanding. Maybe even something that could become peace, if we’re lucky.
Something about this moment softens the sharp edges of our past. Not all the way, but just enough to start mending the cracks.
“Thank you,” Chase says beside me, his voice deeper, rough with feeling. “Knowing you’ll be there for our Moonbeam… that matters.”
My heart swells.
He couldn’t have said it better.
“It really does…” I add, my voice barely above a whisper. “We can’t change the past. But maybe… maybe we can build one hell of a future.”
Both of our dads nod in sync, then step back as the music thumps louder around us. One ofSavage Riot’stracks kicks in over the speakers, gritty and bold, and I swear I hear the tiniest bit of embarrassment in my dad’s chuckle.
“Jesus,” he mutters, shaking his head. “Do we really sound like that?”
Senior barks out a laugh and slaps him hard on the back. “Maybe if you had a halfway decent production team, you wouldn’t sound like you gargled sandpaper before recording. Come on. Let’s go talk.” And just like that, he’s dragging Dad away into a half joking, half serious discussion that will no doubt turn into them trying to outdo each other.
Again.
I roll my eyes and smirk, already knowing where this is headed. “That’s probably going to end in a deal being drawn up.”
Chase’s arm curls around my waist, his hand spreading across my belly protectively. He leans in, brushing his lips just behind my ear. “Not our problem,” he murmurs, voice thick with heat. “What is my problem… is that I need to take you somewhere right now and kiss the fuck out of my fiancée.”
Goose bumps ripple across my skin, and I turn slightly, whispering, “We can’t leave the party, Hallmark.”
His eyes narrow, lips curving in that sinful smirk that always spells trouble. He doesn’t ask again. Instead, he grabs my hand, strong fingers wrapping around mine as he yanks me toward him. His mouth crashes against mine in a searing kiss that melts every rational thought from my brain. Then he pulls back just enough to speak, voice gravel-rough and commanding. “Like hell we can’t.”
Before I can protest, he’s already moving, dragging me across the lawn with one hand in mine and fire in his stride. His other hand slides down my back, possessive and firm, and I can barely catch my breath.
The crowd blurs, the music fades into the background, and all I can feel is his grip pulling me away like I’m the only thing that matters in the world.
And right now, I believe it.
Because I’ve never seen Chase look more determined.
Or moremine.
We make a run for it across the lawn, Chase tugging me behind him with that wild grin I’ve come to crave, laughter bubbling from both of us as the music from the party fades behind us. The soft glow of string lights casts a warm haze over everything, as if the night itself knows something beautiful has just happened. Every step feels lighter than the last, adrenaline surging in my blood, heart full, the weight of what tonight means only just starting to settle in.
