“Leo’s smart.” Luke offers me a half-smile.
“But not good enough for me.” I remind him and sigh.
“Sam, I said that in anger. You’re my sister. No one is good enough for you because
I love you.” He pushes his hands through his blonde hair and scratches his scalp.
“Just like Natalie wasn’t good enough for you either.” I smirk. “At least you didn’t
accuse Leo of being a gold-digging whore.”
“There is that.” He agrees with a laugh.
“And now I love her. She’s perfect for you.” I tilt my head to the side and watch
as his face softens as he thinks of her; his eyes smile. “You’re good for each other.”
“You know.” He begins and hops up on the counter, his bare feet dangling. “Livie’s
picture has never appeared in a magazine. And we were offered millions for photos
of her after she was born.”
“I remember.” I nod, wondering what his point is.
“There are ways to make sure that you lead a relatively private life while being with
a celebrity.” He shrugs.
“I know. I’ve already spoken with the wives of the other band members. Honestly, I’m
not too worried about it.”
“You’re not?” His eyebrows climb and he’s completely surprised.
“No, I’m not. I’m tired of letting my fear of fame dictate whom I love and how I act
and who I am. We’ll figure it out.”
“Wow, you got really smart.”
“Don’t be a sarcastic ass.”
“I paid off your apartment.” He casually mentions as he jumps off the counter.
“What the hell? Why would you do that?”
“Because now you don’t have to worry about the mortgage and because I can.”
“I’m not a charity case.”
“If you ever fucking say that again I will kick your ass” His face is red and his
eyes are on fire. “You are not a goddamn charity case. You’re my sister. I have more
money than my children’s children can ever spend, Sam. I can afford to buy your apartment.”
“Bragger,” I mutter and pout.
He laughs and hugs me and then refills my tea.
“Thank you.”
“You’re welcome.” He scowls and sighs. “I’m sorry that I said that, about Leo not
being good enough. I like him. He’s a good guy, and if he makes you happy, then I’m
glad. After all he’s done for you, I he’s probably the closest you’re gonna get to
finding someone good enough for you.”
“Wow. Did little brother just give me permission to keep dating my boyfriend?”
“God, you’re a bitch.” He laughs.
“So I’ve been told,” I agree and chuckle with him.
***
~Leo~
My shoulder is on fire, but damn if it doesn’t look fucking awesome. Kat is the best
there is.
I stroll into the hospital waiting room to find the other guys and Cher lounging about,
playing on their phones or iPads, reading smut magazines.
Irritating the hell out of each other.
“Hey, guys.” I grab a cup of horrible hospital coffee and sit next to Cher. “Any news?”
“Not yet.” She shakes her head. “We do know that they started labor back up this morning,
but it could be awhile.”
“What the hell is the hold up?” Jake asks irritably. “Just make the kid come out.”
“Right,” Cher rolls her eyes. “All babies come on their own time. This is the baby
of a rock star. It’ll definitely make an entrance when it’s good and ready.”
“Why didn’t they find out if it’s a girl or a boy?” DJ asks.
“Lori wanted it to be a surprise,” I remind him and text Sam.
At the hospital. Still waiting for baby.
I wonder if she got the cupcakes I had delivered to her this morning? I sent both
chocolate and lemon, since I’m not there for her to steal a bite from.
“Well, if we knew ahead of time, we could have bought fun gifts,” Cher mutters and
frowns. “I hope it’s a girl.”
“Why?” Eric asks, his eyes not moving from his iPad.
Be patient
, Sam responds.
And thanks for the cupcakes.
You’re not one to talk about patience, sunshine. YW.
“Because I want to help her decorate the nursery in pink.” She claps her hands with
excitement, and then her pretty green eyes look sad. DJ leans in and whispers in her
ear, making her sweet smile return to her lips. “I know.”
I hope they can adopt a baby soon. Cher would be a fantastic mom. Why is it that those
who should have kids have such a hard time, and so many people who have no fucking
business having kids have twenty?
Time passes slowly. By mid-afternoon, we’ve ordered pizza and Gary has been in to
give us three updates. Lori’s fine, but the labor is difficult.
“What tat did you get?” Eric asks, pointing to my plastic-covered shoulder blade.
“I got a sun.”
“It’s time for that bandage to come off,” Cher comments and motions for me to stand
in front of her so she can remove it. “Oh, this is so great,” she breathes.
“I know.”
“Kat?” Jake asks with a grin. He and Kat had a thing for a while.
“Yeah.” I nod and grin.
“She’s the best.” He shrugs. Cher goes to the restroom to wet some paper towels and
carefully cleans my shoulder.
“Wear tanks for a few days,” she murmurs.
“Thanks, mom.” I smirk. “This is not my first tat.”
“It’s a good thing you’re hot, or I’d have to hurt you. Want me to take a picture
of it with your phone and you can send it to Sam? I’m assuming it’s for her.”
“No, she’ll see it later.”
Honestly, I’m nervous, not sure how she’ll react to it.
Early evening sets in, and I’m sick of sitting in this waiting room.
“I can’t stand this anymore,” I mutter and stand to pace about the room just as Gary
comes rushing in.
“It’s a girl! It’s a girl! Holy fucking hell, I have a girl.”
Cher squeals and we all take turns hugging our friend and each other.
A new member of the band has been born.
“How is Lori?” I ask him.
“Gorgeous, tired, perfect.” He grins at me. “We have a girl.”
“You know what this means, don’t you?” Eric asks him with a grin.
“What?”
“We get to fuck with teenage boys in about fifteen years. Lori’s a fucking knockout.
Just think what the baby will look like by then.”
“Fuck me, I’m going to jail.” Gary pulls his hand down his face and then grins.
“What did you name her?” Jake pulls Gary into a headlock, rubbing his knuckles on
his head.
“Do not say Apple,” Cher warns him and he laughs.
“No, Alexis Mae,” he announces proudly. “Come on, you can come see her.”
“All of us?” I ask, doubtful.
“Lori wouldn’t have it any other way. The nurse can kiss my ass.” Gary leads us down
the antiseptic-scented corridor to Lori’s room and peaks his head in to make sure
everyone is decent before waving us into the room.
“Hey guys.” Lori grins at us; her face void of makeup and her hair is back in a simple
ponytail. She’s holding a little tiny bundle in a pink and blue blanket in her arms.
“Hey, pretty face.” I lean down and kiss her cheek and peek at the pink face in the
blanket. “She’s gorgeous, like her mama.”
“Thank you,” she whispers. I kiss her hair and back away so everyone else can see
the brand new baby. When I turn around, I’m met with dozens of roses in pink and white,
balloons, baby clothes and the softest big, brown teddy bear I’ve ever seen. Next
to it is a small toy guitar.
“Read the card,” Gary calls over to me.
I’m sorry I can’t be there. Congratulations! The guitar is for Maddox. He should have
presents too. Best wishes, Samantha Williams
I’m just struck dumb. My eyes roam over all the gifts again. She sent these things
because these are people I love. Because she’s so fucking amazing.
Not a good person, my ass. She has the biggest heart of anyone I’ve ever met. She
just does a damn good job of keeping it hidden.
I turn back to the guys to find everyone watching me.
“When did these arrive?”
“This morning.” Gary grins.
I stride to the bedside and lean over Lori, looking into her happy eyes.
“I’m sorry, I have…”
“Go get her, tiger.” She grins. “We’re fine.”
I smile back at her and kiss her forehead, then hug all my guys, kiss Cher’s cheek,
and start making calls to get back to Seattle.
Chapter Twenty-Four
~Samantha~
It’s only been twenty-four hours since Leo went to L.A. and I’m already going stir
crazy.
This is not good.
I’m sick of my own company. I don’t want to go to Luke’s or my parent’s. I want Leo.
So, to clear my head, I decide to go for a run. Leo would most likely spank my ass
for running alone this late. The thought makes me smile.
The man gives good spank.
I zip my hoodie, grab my keys and palm the pink vial of bear spray I carry with me
when I run alone, and set out. The neighborhood is relatively quiet, and the streetlights
are on. Because of the late hour, I’ll just run a mile or so. It feels good to be
out in the cool air.
I make a big circle and as I approach the entrance to my building, a see a familiar
man leaning against the wall. My first thought is Leo, but Leo is taller and leaner
than this guy.
“Hey, Samantha.”
What the fuck is he doing here?
“Brandon.”
“You shouldn’t run at night by yourself.” He’s frowning down at me as I approach him,
panting.
“I’m fine. What are you doing in town?”
“I’m here seeing family for a week, thought I’d stop in and see how you are.” He shrugs
and grins. “For old times sake.”
“Old times, right.” I smirk and grin at him.
“So, how about it? Gonna invite me up?”
I prop my hands on my hips and tilt my head, eyeing the handsome man interested in
getting in my pants. He’s not as tall as Leo, has black hair and blue eyes, a square
chin. His body is cut and perfect, and he knows his way around a woman’s body.
But the thought of fucking him makes my stomach turn.
“Brandon, we had fun, but I’m seeing someone.”
“So, it’s true?” He laughs mockingly. “You always told me you were just interested
in a hard fuck.”
“That’s true. That’s all I was interested in.” My walls immediately go up. Brandon
is hot, but he’s also an asshole.
“I would have given you anything you wanted, you know.” He shakes his head and scowls.
“I’ve been in love with you for years.”
My mouth drops. “We were fuck buddies,” I counter.
“That was your call,” he responds softly.
“Well, I’m sorry that we weren’t on the same page, Brandon. Had I known…”
“You would have stopped calling.” He interrupts. “I know.”
“Well, good luck.” I turn toward my building, but he stops me.
“How about you invite me in, and I remind you how good I make you feel?” He steps
close to me, and pushes his hand up under my hoodie to cup my breast.
“How about you take your hand off me right now and I don’t kick your ass?” My voice
is cold and hard, and I shuffle the bear spray in my palm, ready to show him who’s
boss.
“Come on, baby, don’t be like this.”
“I believe she said no.” A hard voice comes out of the darkness. Brandon immediately
releases me and steps away as Leo –
Leo! –
strolls to me and wraps his arm around my shoulders, kisses my temple and glares at
Brandon. “Are you deaf?”
“Fuck off,” Brandon sneers.
“I believe she pretty much said that to you, too.” Leo chuckles. “Cut your losses,
dude.”
“You don’t know anything about us,” Brandon begins, but Leo holds up a hand, stopping
him.
“Do you want to press charges for sexual assault?” Leo asks.
“No, I want him to go.”
“Fine.” Brandon’s scowl roams my face. “Your loss.”
“Okay.” I shrug and turn my back on him, buzz Leo and me into the building and into
the elevator before I jump on him, wrapping my legs around his waist and arms around
his shoulders and kiss him silly, biting his lips, his piercing, soaking in his warmth
and his smell.
“I missed you,” I whisper against his lips, grinning.
“Me too, and I’m pissed at you.”
“Why?” I hop down and frown up at him.
“You went running at midnight.”
“How do you know?” I ask and bite my lip.