Chapter 16
Hunter
I wasn’t the kind of guy to get married, but if I was I might’ve been tempted by Iz’s chicken. It was fucking amazing.
Or maybe that was her.
She had this way of saying shit that surprised the hell outta me. Snuck up on a guy. But she was so smart and so fucking gorgeous. And all luscious with her tits and ass tempting me as she moved around the kitchen. She was mesmerizing.
I was tempted to tackle her in front of the fridge more than once.
I might’ve been in the middle of a fantasy about it when the front door flung open and Phoebe came stomping in.
“I DON’T CARE!” she shrieked. “IT’S NOT MY FUCK UP. IT’S NOT ON ME TO FIX IT!”
I turned wide-eyed to Izzy, but she just sighed and rolled her eyes.
“Don’t you fucking talk to me that way,” Beau rumbled in response. “And keep your fucking voice down. Izzy is probably asleep.”
“Izzy. IZZY. IZZY!” Phoebe screeched. “I’m so sick of hearing about Izzy. I don’t give a fuck about Izzy!”
Iz groaned and hopped off her barstool. She grabbed my empty plate and hers mumbling, “Ditto, bitch.”
I grinned at her. She smiled back at me before heading to the sink with the dishes. I so enjoyed watching her go.
I didn’t even feel guilty when Beau suddenly appeared in the kitchen.
“Shit. Hunter. Uh, what are you doing here?” Beau asked behind me.
I shifted on my barstool at the massive island so I could see him. I lifted a shoulder. “I needed some sheet music I left here earlier. Izzy let me in and invited me to stay for dinner. She’s an amazing cook.”
“Really?” Beau swung his wide-eyed stare his daughter’s way.
But Iz just shrugged.
“She should be,” Phoebe muttered from behind Beau, “with that ass.”
“What did you just say?” My boggled stare jumped from her to Beau and back again. I knew Iz referred to her as the step-monster, but I couldn’t believe she was so openly hostile in front of Beau.
He glared at her. “Don’t take your shit out on my daughter. It’s not her fault you fucked up your booking.”
“The hotel knew I was coming for the convention. Why would I only book one night? It’s ridiculous.
” Phoebe’s voice took on a whining tone that hit a visceral part of my ear.
“And it’s ridiculous you couldn’t find another place to stay in all of San Diego.
I missed so many opportunities coming home two whole days early. ”
“None of that shit excuses you for talking about Izzy like that. Apologize,” Beau barked. “Now.”
Phoebe huffed and glared at her husband before turning the glare at Iz. “Sorry.”
It sounded more like a snarl than an apology but Iz just inclined her head. “I made chicken if you’re hungry, Beau. Phoebe.”
It was sweet as hell that she was including the bitch in her offer.
Phoebe just rolled her eyes and stomped off down the hall like a petulant child.
Beau sank down on the stool next to me that Izzy had been sitting on. “That sounds wonderful, kiddo. This has been the longest day of my life.”
I mean, it was his fault for marrying a shrew. She couldn’t have hidden a personality deficiency like that for long.
Izzy dished up a plate of her awesome chicken and pasta then slid it across the island to Beau, avoiding my eyes the entire time.
Oh princess. I had to fight to keep my laughter inside. She was going to have a hell of a time hiding us if this is how she acted on day one.
Meanwhile, Beau was humming with happiness at the amazing meal she’d cooked.
“This is fucking amazing, kiddo. You definitely didn’t get this skill from me,” Beau mumbled around a mostly full mouth.
Iz froze. Her face went blank. And I couldn’t be sure, but I thought I heard her breathing hitch like she was fighting tears.
It absolutely killed me to sit here and pretend like I couldn’t tell she was doing everything she could to hold herself together.
Not that Beau noticed. He hunched over his plate like a prison inmate wanting to keep it all for himself, his long curly hair falling over his shoulder and shielding his view of Iz.
You okay? I silently mouthed at her.
She shook her head vehemently.
If this was what they were like in front of virtual strangers, what was it like when no one was around?
And I especially didn’t like the parallels I saw between this and my own family.
One adult lashing out—either because of alcohol or vanity—and the other adult half-assedly smoothing things over.
It was so fucking toxic. I wanted to yank her out of here and take her home with me, but she clearly didn’t want that.
She didn’t even want to acknowledge me in any real way.
It was so tempting to say fuck it and tell Beau what I really thought of him, but I wouldn’t do that to Iz. She really wanted to make a connection with her father.
Not that Beau seemingly felt the same way.
His fork scraped across his plate before he gobbled up the last bite.
“That was amazing, kiddo. And so needed after the fucking day I’ve had.
” Then he turned to me. “You up for some noodling in my office? I really need to play and unwind after today. And fuck knows I’m not going to my bedroom anytime soon. ”
“I, uh, sure. It’s not like I have plans.”
Beau laughed and clapped me on the shoulder. “No girl waiting for you at home, huh?”
“You know what happened with the last one. I don’t have time for fake bullshit.” My words were biting but seemed to go over Beau’s head.
“I hear that, man.” He pushed away from the countertop. “Maybe we can start working on something new, surprise the guys on Monday.”
“I, uh, sure.” My stomach hollowed despite the huge meal I’d just eaten. Beau spoke like I had a chance at recording their next album with them.
Iz sent me an encouraging smile that was tinged with sadness. I didn’t even have to ask what it was about. I was the one bonding with her father while she was delegated to being the help.
I almost refused to go, but she gave me an encouraging nod.
And I’m ashamed to admit that I went with it.
It was after one in the morning when we finally wound down.
“That was awesome, kid.” Beau grinned tiredly at me as he unhooked his guitar strap. “I think we really have something with that last one. We’ll have to write it down for the guys.”
“I think it’ll be a good one for you guys.”
“’You guys?’” Beau tipped his head with a frown. “Why doesn’t that include you?”
“Come on, Beau. You’ve seen how this last week has gone. The writing is on the wall—Leif isn’t going to vote me in. He’s had it out for me since day one.”
“Nah, man. I think you’ve got it all wrong.
Leif is just passionate about music. He wants to get it right.
This isn’t any different than he is before we record an album.
I think you’re just getting the brunt of it because you’re new.
Your sound isn’t the same as Gio, and it’s just taking him a minute to get the flow. ”
“That’s not what Ryker and Mal think. They’re betting on Leif making me the fall guy so he can go solo without ruffling any feathers with you all.”
“Well that’s fucked up. And really shortsighted. That’s the kind of shit that ends friendships forever. I sure as hell wouldn’t look at him the same.”
I hitched a shoulder. “I guess we’ll see who’s right after the vote in a few weeks.”
“I honestly don’t think you have anything to worry about, kid. You’ve got an amazing sound, awesome dedication, and a great work ethic. You’re the missing piece we didn’t know we needed. I mean if he hadn’t ODed, I’d be voting to oust Gio in favor of you.”
“Whoa.” That was a huge—and really fucked up—compliment. “Uh, thanks I guess?”
Beau raked his fingers through his hair. “Sorry, man. It’s just been a wild month you know? And apparently, I lost my filter somewhere along the way.”
“It’s probably somewhere back in San Diego with Phoebe’s.”
He winced. “Nah, man, she lost hers long ago. I’m thinking more like back on our honeymoon. Shit hasn’t been right with her since the wedding.”
I thought about saying something about her showing her true colors once her hooks were officially in, but that would be beating a dead horse. Beau was clearly already seeing his wife’s faults. He just wasn’t doing anything about it.
And he was continually letting his daughter down by not showing up for her.
But I didn’t want to fuck things up with him now that he’d given me a kernel of hope.
I might actually make it with the Licks.
And I was fucking his daughter.
It was all so tangled and fucked up.
A smart man would break things off now that all wasn’t lost. But then I’d never been accused of being smart. Especially since I was pretty sure I’d left my condoms in that bedroom we’d used.
Fuuuuuck.
“You good to let yourself out?” Beau asked, rubbing his eyes. “I’m exhausted.”
“Yeah, yeah. I know how to work the gate on this side.” My eyes bounced around the room while I struggled to come up with an excuse. “Uh, I’m just gonna use the bathroom before I go. But I’ll see you Monday?”
“Yeah, man. Monday.” Beau slapped my shoulder as he walked past me. “And don’t stress too much about Leif, okay? He’s just a mouthy primadonna. You get used to it after a while. You’re good.”
I smiled weakly at him then moved like I was heading for the bathroom nearby.
Only once he’d cleared the end of the hallway, I turned around and crept in the direction of the bedroom we’d used a few hours ago.
When I pushed the door open, I got a little surprise.
Not-so Goldilocks was sleeping in the bed.
I grinned at the sight.
Iz was curled up on her side with my long-sleeved undershirt balled up under her chin.
And then I took in the rest of her. The flirty short-shorts that showed so much of her legs.
The thin silky top that did nothing to disguise her pert nipples.
I hadn’t spent near enough time worshipping her amazing tits.
I was so fucking tempted to curl up behind her. I wanted to feel those luscious tits in my palms if I couldn’t taste them.
But she wanted to keep this under wraps. For me.
And maybe for her too? I hadn’t thought about it, but I doubted that hooking up with a washed-up rocker was what Beau wanted for his girl. Despite all the compliments he’d just given me, no man wanted his daughter with a guy like me.
Like him.
Sighing, I bent down and brushed my lips against her cheek.
As I straightened, I spotted the condoms on the bed behind her. Along with her cell phone.
I picked up both and stashed the strip of condoms in my back pocket.
Opening her contacts, I added a new entry under the name ‘Bang Buddy’ with my phone number.
Then I deleted the name.
I had to come up with something better. Something that didn’t feel like a brush off. Cuddle Buddy? Rim Shot?
Fuck. This shouldn’t be so hard.
More than friends? Ride Cymbal?
I settled on ‘It’s Complicated’ and sent me a text from her phone so I had her number too. Then I put her phone down on the bed where she’d find it and stared at her for another minute.
A smart guy would walk away and forget this whole thing. It was bound to end messy.
But like I said, I’d never been accused of being smart.