Chapter 35
VAN
TWO WEEKS LATER
Despite the addition of more security, there were now three to four cars parked outside Brodie’s property at any given hour, every day.
We hadn’t left the compound, and thankfully, the beach was difficult for anyone but property owners to access.
Still, both of us were getting a bit stir-crazy, so we’d agreed to head over to his parents’ place for dinner tonight, paparazzi or not.
Thank fuck for shorter days and SUVs with tinted windows.
Between writing and fucking, Brodie and I had been lost in our own world. Not that I was complaining. He had me wrapped around his talented fingers, and every day that passed had me falling a little deeper.
When he was out of sight, I grew restless.
When he was in my arms, I never wanted to let go.
The man in question sauntered into our bedroom, wearing tight pink briefs and a smile that was only for me.
“Do we have to go tonight?” he asked, sliding his hands around my waist and roaming lower, cupping my ass.
“Your mom is going to come storming in here if you don’t show your face. And it’s a good opportunity to tell them about us. Get your sexy ass dressed,” I demanded. “We’re already late.”
Then I swatted said ass for good measure.
“Now I really don’t want to leave,” he teased and gave me a kiss. “Do that again.”
“No. I’m withholding all sexual activities until later.”
“You’re so mean.”
“You’ll survive. And I’m waiting in the living room,” I replied as I stepped away from him.
It wasn’t easy. We’d been magnetized to each other for weeks.
“Five minutes, sweetheart, don’t fuss with your outfit. You’re gorgeous no matter what you wear.”
“I really want to be mad at you right now, but then you go and say something like that.” Brodie huffed and stomped off to his closet.
I watched his ass cheeks flex with every step.
Chuckling at his put-out attitude, I did the smart thing and left the bedroom.
Far away from temptation.
Dawson and Regan were waiting by the front door.
“He’ll be ready in a few.”
I slipped on my Chelsea boots and my leather jacket, and checked my phone one last time.
Ten minutes later, my sexy man walked out to join us. In tight, black leather jeans and a cream wool turtleneck, he looked entirely too delicious.
“You ready to go?” he asked as I continued to stare.
I wasn’t as sure as I was ten minutes ago.
He smirked, took my hand, and we followed Dawson and Regan out to the car.
The air was thick with fog, darkness already settled in. I opened the door for Brodie, and we slid into the backseat.
I’d met his parents a few times, but I was nervous as hell now. Because I wasn’t going to be there as his manager but as his boyfriend.
Yes, we’d finally put a label on us, and I liked it. I loved it.
I loved him.
But I was still waiting for the right time to tell him exactly how I felt. For now, I’d show him. And meeting the parents was the first step.
I mentally braced myself for the onslaught of questions and concerns given our working relationship.
Then, my nerves compounded when I thought about who was waiting on the other side of the gate.
As we headed down the driveway, the headlights illuminated several cars parked on the country road.
Once we exited the property, I saw people get out of their vehicles, cameras aimed.
Flashes popped.
It was dark, and our windows were up, so there was no way they got a shot of us. Still, I guess they were hoping. One valuable snap could be worth thousands of dollars.
“Should I lower the window and give them a choice finger? Or moon them? If they were tipped off by someone at the label, a shot of my naked ass would be a memorable fuck you.”
I tried to bite back a laugh, but it came out regardless. “Would you listen to me if I said it’s not a good idea?”
Brodie smiled knowingly at me. “A few months ago, I might’ve done the opposite just to get your attention. But now that I have it, I’ll be a good little rockstar and behave.”
I shook my head. “Don’t behave on my account. We don’t always agree, but I always respect your decisions. Even when they involved rude gestures.”
Brodie smiled and leaned over to kiss me. “You just get me. And that right there is why I fucking love you.”
My breath hitched, and my heart took off running.
The mood went from playful to possessive in the blink of an eye, and the words just tumbled out.
“I love you too,” I confessed. “I’ve been wanting to tell you.”
I hadn’t planned on saying it for the first time in a moving vehicle with bodyguards listening.
But once Brodie had said the words, there was no way I wouldn’t let him know I felt the same.
“Even though I sometimes drive you insane?”
“Especially when you drive me insane.”
Then I took his lips in a passionate kiss that everyone in the car was a witness to.
Brodie loved me, and I loved him, and fuck everything else.
“I guess my timing is off,” he admitted as he looked around.
“Not at all. You felt it, and you didn’t hold back. I love it. And I love you.”
Brodie’s eyes welled up and spilled over. “Fuck, Van, don’t make me cry.”
“Sorry, mon coeur,” I whispered as I wiped the tears from his face. My vision blurred, but there was no time for us to savor the moment.
We pulled to a stop, and Regan and Dawson silently got out of the car.
But this time, they didn’t open the door right away, giving us a moment of privacy.
“You’ve called me that before.”
“Mon coeur,” I repeated and took his hand, placing it over my chest. “My heart.”
“I love it.” Brodie smiled and gave me another kiss. “Holy shit, you said you love me. I’m still in shock.”
“I did, and I do,” I said as I held onto him, both our bodies trembling. “And you’re not the only one. I hope your parents have a well-stocked liquor cabinet because this deserves a celebration.”
Brodie smiled and gave me another heated kiss. “Okay, honey, I’m ready now.”
A shudder ran through me when he called me “honey” in that husky tone of his.
“I’m not. I need another moment.” I pointed to my crotch.
Yeah, my cock was excited about what had just happened, and Brodie’s sexy laughter wasn’t helping matters either.
Reluctantly separating from him, I took a few deep breaths and got myself under control.
Then I slid over and opened the door, stepping out into the damp air. I wanted to hold my hand out to Brodie, but I was very aware we’d been followed.
Regan and Dawson stood with their backs to the road, blocking us from view. Brodie’s parents had a fenced-in property, and the paps that had followed us were now lined up outside their gate.
Our security team quickly ushered us inside the sprawling ranch house. It was filled with amazing aromas and the chatter of conversation and laughter.
“You’re finally here!” Brodie’s mom, Nia, came rushing down the hallway.
Brodie was the mirror image of her—the hair, the eyes, the smile. She pulled him in tightly, like she was never letting him go.
Then she stood back and playfully whacked his arm. “Why did it take you so long? You’ve been here two weeks, and you don’t come to see your mother!”
“I’m sorry, Mom. We didn’t want the press hounding you. And then Van and I got caught up with... you know… songwriting and… stuff.”
Brodie was uncharacteristically tongue-tied, and I bit back a grin.
I stepped forward and offered my hand. “It’s all my fault, Nia. Forgive me.”
“Well, of course, Van, and it’s so nice to see you.” Nia shook my hand and then turned back to Brodie. “I’m just thrilled you’re finally home!”
She reached for him again and they hugged tightly.
Watching the two of them was bittersweet. Moments like these, I missed my mom and dad something fierce.
It kinda made me wish I could fade into the background.
Until Nia let go of Brodie and turned to me. “And a handshake won’t do in this family.”
She leaned over and gave me a warm hug.
Lachlan walked down the hallway and did the same. “Come on in, boys. What would you like to drink? Vi brought a couple of bottles of bubbly from a local vineyard if you’re interested.”
“Oh, yeah,” Brodie smiled at me. “We’ve got a lot to celebrate.”
“Such as?” His mom glanced between the two of us.
Her hazel eyes were as expressive as Brodie’s. Inquiring but also concerned.
“Let’s let them say hello to everyone first, then you can start your inquisition,” Lachlan teased.
We stepped into the massive living room where Brodie’s sister, Vi, and her husband Petyr, were seated. She, too, had Nia’s model profile and dark hair. Brodie was standing close beside me, and I was about to reach out to him, but I could feel everyone’s eyes on us.
And then Vi broke the tension like only a relative of Brodie’s could.
“You’re late, asshat.”
Vi got up, pulled Brodie in for a hug, and messed up his hair.
“Like you could have a decent party without me, dork.”
“Don’t mind them,” Lachlan assured me as he steered me toward the bar. “They revert back to being twelve years old when they get together.”
“I remember that from the housewarming. I seem to recall a rather raucous fight in the pool.”
Lachlan nodded and rolled his eyes. “Let’s just say we had hefty house insurance premiums for years. Not a week would go by without one of my four children breaking something.”
“I bet,” I chuckled. “I’m sure Brodie was the chief instigator.”
“You know him well.”
I leaned against the mahogany bar and glanced over at my love.
He was sitting on the couch in between his mom and his sister, telling a story in that animated way of his.
Always the center of attention, and no wonder.
He had that way of looking at you that made you feel like you were the only one in the room.
Suddenly, a glass of bubbly was set in front of me.
“Oh, thanks. Sorry, I zoned out there,” I replied, my face flushing.
Lachlan looked at me intently, then nodded. “It’s understandable. I’m like that with Nia. The woman distracts me to no end. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.”
He poured four other glasses and added them to a tray.
“Let me help you,” I offered.
“No way, Van. You’re our guest.”
We made our way back to join the others and Lachlan passed around the glasses of champagne.
Brodie stood up and walked around to stand beside me, raising his glass.
“I just want to say I’m so happy to be back home.
I know it’s taken me a long time, but that’s life on the road.
It’s been an amazing year for the band and for me personally.
And speaking of personal, I—we—” Brodie looked at me and I nodded.
“We want to share some news. Van and I are together. We’re a couple. ”
There were a few shocked faces but mostly smiles.
“I knew it! I knew it!” his sister yelled out and turned to me. “He talks about you constantly.”
“Oh really?” I commented.
“Vi—” Brodie warned, his face flushing.
“I could tell he had a major crush on you for ages,” she continued.
Brodie rolled his eyes. “Oh yeah? Well, Van has pictures of me all over his condo.”
Now, it was my turn to blush. I slid my arm around Brodie’s waist and pulled him in tight. “Jesus, Brodie, you’re such a troublemaker.”
“You love my kind of trouble.”
Without hesitation, I smiled and kissed him.
Despite all the offers of congratulations and happy smiles, I finally noticed that Brodie’s mom was curiously silent.
She put her glass down and stepped forward.
“I don’t mean to spoil your news, but are you sure this is a good idea?”