Chapter 23
Izzy
The next morning, I snuck back home—Beau’s home—in an Uber, despite Hunter’s grumpy protests.
Given Beau’s volatility, even having Hunter drop me off at the corner was a chance I didn’t want to take at the moment.
Which was probably good, given that he was waiting for me when I stepped inside.
“Where were you?” His expression was almost blank. I couldn’t tell if it was because he was just pissy in general or if he was trying not to scare me.
“Are you serious? I’m an adult. I don’t answer to you.”
“You’re a guest in my house. The least you could do was return my texts asking if you were okay.”
“’The least I could do?’” I mocked. “That’s funny because I’m well acquainted with the least you’re capable of on a regular basis.”
He looked away.
“For your information I was with my special new friend—the one we talked about before.”
“Is this friend Ryker?”
“What? No.” I laughed. I couldn’t help it. But seriously?
Beau stared at me like he was doubting my sincerity.
I laughed harder. “God, that’s priceless.” I sobered and cocked my head as I stared him down. “Because that’s the only explanation for him standing up for me, right? I must be fucking him. It definitely doesn’t have anything to do with the way you’ve treated me. The way she’s treated me.”
He sighed. “I know things haven’t gone the way either one of us thought it would—”
“You got that right,” I muttered, thinking of Hunter and my feelings for him.
“But I know I owe you an apology. I haven’t balanced my relationships with the two of you well.”
“Two, wha—”
Phoebe swanned into the room and took her place at Beau’s side.
She put a hand on his chest and blinked up at him in a way that turned my stomach.
She looked all innocent and sweet and nothing like the demon who’d turned on me in the pantry yesterday.
“I forgive you, babe. We’ll work on our relationship together. Because we love each other so much.”
I wanted to pantomime puking like a little kid, but it wouldn’t help my case any. “Yeah well, I don’t forgive you.”
They both turned to me with matching frowns.
I had to laugh. “Are you fucking kidding me? Saying you owe me an apology isn’t the same as giving me an apology. They usually involve an account of what you did wrong, followed by the words ‘I’m sorry,’ and a promise not to do the thing you’re apologizing for again.”
Beau winced. “I am sorry, kiddo. I know I made a lot of big promises.”
Phoebe scowled.
“And I’ve done a shit job of showing up for you. I’m a selfish prick. I’ve been a rock star for so long I’m used to having anything I want at a snap of the fingers.”
“Well, I’ve said I don’t give a shit about Rock Star Beau Benoit. I wanted to get to know regular guy Beau. The one my mom met and fell in love with before he broke her heart.”
Beau winced.
“But then maybe that’s all you’re good at—breaking hearts. Because you’ve done a hell of a job on mine.”
He pulled away from Phoebe’s talon grip.
“But I don’t want to. That’s what I’m trying to say here.
It’s what I’ve tried to show you this last week.
I am just a guy. A guy who likes stupid comedies, mafia movies, Disneyland, and boxing.
And a guy who wants to be in his daughter’s life.
A daughter who also likes stupid comedies but prefers rom coms and yoga.
Which is only the tip of the iceberg of the amazing woman you’ve become.
” He took a step closer to me. “An amazing woman who hopefully I haven’t screwed everything up with. ”
My breath hitched, but I’d be damned if I cried another tear over him. “I don’t know if I can trust you again. You’ve shown me time and again that you’ll take her side. She said some high-key foul stuff to me yesterday—stuff she hasn’t apologized for by the way—and you just left with her.”
“Phoebe and I talked about that last night, and she has something to say to you…” He turned and cocked his head when she didn’t speak up.
Phoebe slow blinked for a moment then sighed deeply. “I’m sorry for what I said yesterday, Isabella. What’s going on between your father and me has nothing to do with you. I shouldn’t have taken my anger out on you.”
It was all delivered in a flat tone, lacking any and all believability.
Beau smiled at his wife before turning to me with a wide grin. “We’re all sorry and promise to do better. So what do you say, kiddo? Forgive us?” He held his arms out to me.
Phoebe was glaring at me from over his shoulder.
I barely resisted the urge to stick my tongue out at her as I stepped into Beau’s arms.
Because despite my doubts about her, he’d made up some ground in my estimation of him this last week. And it was only a matter of time before he finally woke up to her true colors. Fakeness could only last so long before it became grating.
Her time was coming.
Stepping back, I looked up at Beau. “Have you made up with the guys yet? I, um, heard about the vote and what happened after.”
Beau’s eyes narrowed on mine like he was still doubting my sincerity about Ryker. After a beat, he sighed. “Not yet. I know I owe Ryker an apology.”
“Hey, you’re getting better at them. And it’d probably go better the second time around if you sweeten the pot—maybe bring him his favorite drink?”
“Which would be…what?”
I shrugged. “I dunno. Doesn’t he usually have ranch water after practice?”
Beau’s eyes narrowed.
I had to laugh. “I swear, I don’t really know him. I’ve spent more time with Mal and Saylor to be honest.”
“Babe,” Phoebe called. “I’ve got to get going. I have that thing down in Malibu soon.”
“Sounds good. We’ll see you later.” Beau crossed over to give her a peck on the cheek before holding a hand out to me. “How about we head over to the Getty after practice today, kiddo? Have you been yet?”
“Wait! You’re not going to Malibu with me?” Phoebe whined, her arms flopping against her sides.
“No.” Beau paused, but when she kept pouting at him, he sighed and shook his head.
“We talked about this last night, remember? The band is practicing every day this week. And after practice, I’m spending time with my daughter.
You’ve got me for dinner and all evening.
Izzy has a secret boy-toy she’d rather spend her nights with anyways. ”
I pursed my lips but purposefully didn’t say anything. I wanted to see how this played out. If Beau would really stand his ground.
“So I only get your scraps? After you’re all stressed out over practice and Leif’s bullshit and LA traffic with her, you’re never going to want to go out with me. That’s not fair!”
But Beau just shrugged. “You’re right. I’m not going to want to go out every night for dinner.
But Izzy and I won’t be doing a big adventure thing every day, either.
Some days we’ll probably just hang out here and watch tv or a movie or whatever.
But you are going to have to share time with me while she’s here.
Hopefully we’ll be able to convince her to move to LA to do her master’s, and everything will feel less urgent.
But until then, we’ll just have to figure it out as we go. ”
Phoebe’s jaw flexed, but she finally gave Beau a tight nod of agreement.
What the hell just happened? Did Beau seriously prioritize me over the step-monster?
“Have you had breakfast yet?”
I had to blink a few times to process everything that’d just happened. Then I shook my head silently.
“How about I cook us all some omelets and toast? What do you like in yours, Izzy?”
“Any kind of breakfast meat you have. And bell peppers maybe?”
“Three Denver omelets coming up!”
“None for me, babe,” Phoebe called as Beau pulled me toward the kitchen. “I’m going to head to Malibu early. Meet the photographer and go over—”
“Sounds good, Fee!” Beau hollered, not even pausing his stride. “See ya!”
But I felt the heat of her glare the whole way to the kitchen. I didn’t even need to look.
* * *
Never did I ever think I’d be standing in Leif Eccles’ mansion. How was this real life?
And unlike the sleek, modern mansions dotting the landscape, Leif’s home was a dark and moody Spanish style with vaulted wood-beamed ceilings and plaster walls.
Electric candles were everywhere, casting shadows on the walls and giving it all a haunting romantic vibe.
Totally in line for a vampire dude like Leif.
“This is insane, right?” Saylor giggled at my side.
The second we’d entered, she’d glommed onto me, and I was so freaking thankful.
The car ride over had been filled with strained silence broken only by the radio.
I knew without asking that Beau and the step-monster had been arguing again.
Their bickering had culminated in Phoebe screaming, ‘You don’t love me anymore! ’
It was hella awkward. I’d waited a few beats, and when I hadn’t heard anything else, I slowly entered the room—where they were both standing, facing each other and not saying a word.
I was so happy when Saylor took me to her side. The guys were busy working the room, talking to industry peeps, and Phoebe kept giving me hostile glares from the other side of the room.
“Do you think he has a coffin in his room?” I whispered.
“I could easily picture a whole nest of vampires living here.”
I shuddered. I’d watched too many episodes of Supernatural to find that thought appealing. “He does have that whole Lestat vibe going for him. I never would’ve guessed he’d lean so hard into it though.”
“If I’ve learned anything since I moved to LA with Mal, it’s that rich people have eccentric and basic tastes all at the same time.”
We giggled together, and I felt so light and just happy. Which was a welcome switch from the grumpy car ride. I loved Saylor. I could easily see her becoming a best friend if I ever did the thing literally everyone thought I should—move to LA.
Well, everyone except Alexis and Phoebe.
Given the way Phoebe was glaring at me, I was happy Leif had gone with the electric candles and not the real one. She would’ve lit me up without a care and called it ‘an accident.’