Page 77 of Lyrical (Academy of Stardom 2)

Grim looks over at me and nods, giving me the go ahead to speak. “My name’s Pen. You once did some artwork as a gift for me. I used to hang out with the Breakers,” I say, hoping she’ll remember that Christmas when the boys asked her to do some graffiti on the basement wall in number 15 Jackson Street.

“Pen? Shit, yeah, I remember that. Those boys were into you, girl. Pretty sweet gift.”

I laugh, but it comes out strained. “I never got a chance to thank you. It was a beautiful piece.”

“Well, cheers…”

“So, now that you’ve been introduced, I want to put Pen’s mind at rest. She isn’t sure she can trust me, and I don’t blame her hesitation—”

“Look, we don’t know each other, Pen, but I can tell you this. Youcantrust Grim,” Asia interrupts without hesitation. “This woman is one badass bitch you don’t want to get on the wrong side of, but if you remain on her good side then you’re set up. Let’s just say she had my back when I needed it the most. She helped me and my family. I owe her my life. Whatever it is that’s going on with you, if she can help, she will.”

Grim looks up at me, her eyes meeting mine. “Is that good enough?” she asks.

I nod. “Yeah, it is. Thanks, Asia…”

“No problems. Grim is one of the best, and I love her like a sister, but don’t tell her I told you that, okay?”

“Okay,” I nod, even though she can’t see me and flick my eyes to Grim whose cheeks are now a soft pink. She coughs and rubs at her face.

“Well, Asia, give those boys a kiss from me,” Grim says, eliciting a growl from Beast. She looks at him. “NotAsia’sboys, the other two cuties,” Grim reassures him, shaking her head.

Asia laughs. “Still the alpha arsehole, Beast?”

“You got it in one, sweetheart,” Beast replies, chuckling.

“Well, it’s been good to speak to you all, but I gotta go. My twolittleboys need their lunch and the big boys need my attention.”

“How the fuck do you keep them all in line, Asia?” Grim asks chuckling, shaking her head.

“Oh, it’s easy when you know how. Looking after my brothers is a breeze. Having four boyfriends ain’t so hard either.”

“Sounds like it’d be just the opposite,” Beast says, laughing at his own joke. Grim rolls her eyes.

“Ha ha,” Asia retorts, but we can all hear the smile in her voice.

So the rumours were true then? Asia did get away from Oceanside with more than one boy in tow. Listening to her laughing and talking about having a relationship with four men like it’s the most natural thing in the world makes me feel better. That might not be something I can ever see happening for me now, given how Xeno and Dax feel about me, but I don’t feel so bad about ever wanting it, now that I know other people live the same way and make it work.

“You two should come visit sometime. I know Ford would love to see you, though he’d never admit to that,” Asia says, and we can all hear a male voice in the background cursing. “See, he loves you. Don’t you, Ford?”

I can hear him groan, and Asia giggles. Their easy way with each other makes me long for my Breakers. We were like that once, knowing what buttons to press to get a rise out of each other, but doing it out of love and affection not unkindness. I miss it.

Beast chuckles and Grim smiles. “Talk soon,” she says, before clicking on a button to end the call. She levels me with her gaze. “So, wanna tell me what the fuck is up?”

---