Page 12 of Endless Harmonies

“Nah, they have been asleep for the last two hours along with us. Dev is just starting to twist and turn,” he murmurs as he turns toward the crib.

Little noises come from it, making my nipples hurt. Ouch.

“I need a baby or two, stat, please,” I whimper in pain, trying to wiggle up and out from underneath him.

“I just so happen to have two,” he teases me as he stands.

Soon, I have both babies in my arms, and I sigh happily. I needed the sleep, but now I need this.

“Will you call Lay back for me and put her on speaker, please?” I ask.

O is already grabbing my phone to do just that, and I lean back on the pillows.

“You’re out of water, so I’m going to grab you more, and put together a snack,” he says, slipping out the door.

“Lenny?” Layla answers, making me frown at the tremble in her voice.

“It’s me, tell me what’s going on,” I urge her. “It’s just me and the kids, that’s why you’re on the speaker. No hands.”

“No, that’s fine,” she says, blowing her nose. “It’s so dumb, they’re so fucking dumb.”

“Boys tend to be,” I agree, waiting to find out more.

“So I’m at the airport in Rochester, because I didn’t want to drive back with the assholes. They ignore me one moment, and then the next…” Layla cuts herself off as if remembering they’re my friends too.

“Don’t censor yourself because I’m friends with Atlas and Mav,” I admonish. “I already asked O if it was wrong to kill them.”

Layla has a feeling I may be serious, but still sputters out a laugh. “They’re fucking each other but won’t touch me,” she hiccups.

That’s an interesting development. I had no idea they were involved with each other, though it kind of makes sense. They haven’t dated or hooked up with anyone in awhile.

“They’re worried about your age.” I sigh. “You’re the same age I was when I started dating Roark and Turner and they know it. That’s why they won’t touch you. I didn’t know they were also involved with each other though.”

“Lenny,” she hisses. “It’s like they fuck to get away from me. After our concert last night, emotions were high, I was um, horny, and they kissed me. I really thought I’d lose my virginity last night.”

I may still kill them. Closing my eyes, I force myself to take a breath. I may need a therapy session because my emotions keep sliding all over the place. The scent of my babies help me ground myself, with their little wiggles as they nurse.

“What happened after they kissed you?” I ask calmly. “I promise, this conversation doesn’t bother me. I want to see how badly they fucked up before I give advice.”

I can hear Layla attempting to settle herself as she takes a breath.“I really want wine,” she whispers.

“Done. We have wine, scotch, whatever,” I promise. “If you have wine, Ror may insist you eat something, though.”

Giggles escape even as she cries. I can hear the anger from here. I’m glad she’s coming home.

“Okay, will there be cookies?”

“Aye,” Roark says, surprising me as he leans against the door frame. “I have time to make whatever you want, Lay. I can even make the cookies into bats if you fancy that. Or little peens you can violently bite into.”

“I miss you guys so much,” she confesses. I called it. My sister is homesick.

“I want to talk about adjusting our tour schedule, Layla. Are you open to that? You’re on the road so much without us…” I sigh.

“Okay, let’s see how a weekend with you goes first, and then go with that,”she grumbles. “Don’t get me wrong, I love touring, it’s been a dream for so long, but they’re ruining it. I’m so confused. They got me all worked up, and then Mav dropped me on the couch and shook his head and took off for the bedroom with Atlas. Soon after that… Lenny, why does this hurt so much? I don’t want to want them if they want nothing to do with me.”

Roark’s face is horrified, the skin flushing red as he hears how hurt Layla is.

“Lass,” he says softly. “It’s so much worse than I thought. I’ll have cookies, lasagna, and set up the backyard with a ton of shit for you to fook up using the metal bat I have. Pretend it’s their faces.”

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