Page 137 of Chasing Lyric
“So really, you guys are good now?” Aria asks.
“Yeah, little sis, we’re more than good,” Lyric answers. Her eyes shoot up to meet mine as she reaches for my hand. “In fact, we’re moving in together,” she announces as she pulls me to her.
Aria’s eyes widen as she gasps. “Shit,really?”
I dip my head, wrapping my arm around Lyric with one hand, holding my drink in the other. “Lyri’s moving into my place with me. Her, Polly, and Petey.”
Clef turns up his nose. “For someone who wanted to leave the rock-star life behind, you’re kind of doing the opposite of that.”
She tenses. “Chase is a music producer. I’m going to be around the music scene now, whether I like it or not. So, I may as well live in a nicer house.”
Aria throws a backhand across Clef’s chest, then lifts her chin. “Well, I’m all for it. At least you’ll be able to maintain his garden for him. Right, big man?”
“Lyri can do whatever she wants to our garden. I want her to be happy in our home.”
She sinks into my side as I say it, and she exhales. “I like it when you say it like that.”
“Me, too, Starlight. Me, too.”
“Dinner’s ready,” Annie calls out.
“About time. I’m wasting away here, Mom,” Clef calls back while bounding past me as if he’s an adolescent teenager. He’s anything but, being a man of my height and build, just with an air of lightheartedness about him.
Aria chases after her older brother, grabbing a sarong from a sun lounge on the way. I throw my arm around Lyric casually as we stroll back inside the house.
“Dinner with my entire family. Who would have thought?” she murmurs cheerfully.
I lean in, kissing her temple. “Are you happy?”
Her eyes shift to mine. “Blissfully.”
***
The Griffins’ chef cooked a delicious meal, and we’re sitting around the dining table listening to another round of‘what happened on tour.’This time it’s Clef’s turn as he gossips abouthow much ass he’s getting on the road. I watch Lyric take in every word. She’s lapping this up, all the time with her family, because we all know when we leave, everyone will go back to their busy schedules, and who knows how long it will be before we’re all in the same room again.
Everyone’s joking around, having a great time. I feel a little awkward with the looks Annie’s sending my way, but I ignore her and keep my hand on Lyric’s thigh the entire evening.
Dinner ends, drinks are served, and the conversation flows easily.
This family really has a lot to talk about, but I guess being famous does give you some damn fine stories. With all the drinks flowing, I find I need to use the restroom. I turn to Stylo, who’s at my left, and ask, “Hey man, where’s your bathroom?” while the others continue to chatter.
He gestures to his right with his drink in his hand. “Down the hall, last door on your right.”
I nod, down the rest of my soda water, and stand. Lyric notices but keeps talking, so I wink at her.
Tonight’s going great.
More than great.
I couldn’t have asked for a better time with her family. In her element, Lyric’s glowing more than she ever has. She loves her family so much it makes me want to find a way to have them around more.
I make my way to the facilities, and the second I step inside, I’m hit with just how absurdly overdone this place is. The gold fixtures catch the light, gleaming so brightly that I squint. I half expect to find out they’re solid gold, and knowing Stylo, they probably are. Even the toilet has gold trimming, which feels less high-end and more deliberately excessive.
The mirror stretches almost the entire wall, framed in intricate detail, the kind of craftsmanship that screams importedand expensive. The double vanity is carved from a single slab of marble, flawless and cold beneath the warm lighting. And sitting off to the side? A chaise lounge chair, red velvet with gold legs, just waiting for someone to collapse dramatically after too much perfume.
I’ve got money. I’ve got style. But this?This borders on palace-level indulgence. Every inch of the room seems to be trying to one-up itself in extravagance. My eyes drift upward to the chandelier hanging above me, glass-cut crystal, spinning soft rays across the ceiling.
I let out a breath and shake my head—a chandelier in the restroom.Of course.
