Chapter 23 #2
“Who’s the blonde standing with Phoebe?” I whispered to Saylor as we bent over the buffet table to load our plates. A safe place to gossip about her since Phoebe had never eaten as long as I’d known her.
Saylor darted a quick look then grabbed a wagyu slider. “I don’t know. She was at Phoebe’s party last month, but she came in with Hunter. She hung all over him, and then slithered up to Phoebe’s side. I haven’t seen her since that night.”
“She was with Hunter.” That was why she looked familiar.
She was my literal opposite. Why the hell had Hunter gone from her to me?
Was it the danger? The forbidden naughty secret aspect?
Doubts crowded in, and it felt like I couldn’t breathe.
“Iz? You okay?” Saylor asked, jerking me back into the present.
I smiled wanly at her. “Yeah, sorry. It’s been a day, you know? Way too much drama.”
“I hear that. I try to avoid any and all drama at all costs. But apparently that’s a pipe dream tonight. Buckle up.”
“What?” I whispered back before noticing her attention zeroed in over my shoulder.
“I don’t know why I’m surprised to find you here of all places,” Phoebe drawled behind me.
“Really?” I spun around to face her. “Why? I mean, we came in the same car. You remember that part, right?” I spoke slowly like she might have a hard time following me.
Phoebe huffed and rolled her eyes.
“No, she’s talking about the buffet.” Hunter’s blonde piped up from Phoebe’s side. “Figures we’d find you stuffing your face.”
“What the hell is that supposed to mean?” Saylor snarled behind me.
“I’m saying she’s a fat bitch who could afford to lose a few pounds,” Blondie all but shouted.
“Oh. Fuck all the way off with that bullshit.” Saylor shoved past me to wave a hand in Blondie’s face. “We don’t do that mean girl shit here. So get the hell away from me and my gorgeous friend. You wish you had tits like hers.”
A warm glow enveloped my heart. Saylor was awesome.
And so were my tits.
“You mean udders,” Blondie snarked back.
“Whoa.” Bolstered by Saylor’s support, I confronted my bullies. “What the hell did I ever do to you? I don’t even know your name, and you’re coming at me like that? And you, Phoebe, you’re just going to stand there and let your friend attack me? Really?”
Step-monster just shrugged. “So far, she hasn’t said anything untrue.”
“Right.” I laughed incredulously. “I guess we’re all clear on where we all stand. You two are mean bitches, and I don’t want anything to do with either of you.”
“Then move out of my house!” Phoebe snarled, stepping toward me. “I’m so sick of seeing you all the damn time. Seeing the kid Beau already has. Seeing the reason why I’m never going to have one with him myself. Go back to wherever you came from and get the hell out of my life!”
“You are seriously unhinged and need to get the hell away from me.”
“All right everyone!” Leif called from the other side of the room. “Now that Ryker is finally here, we have a little announcement to make.”
All conversation in the room trailed off. Everyone turned to where Leif stood halfway up the sprawling staircase on the far side of the room from us.
“As you all know, it’s been a tough few months for the Licks.
Gio’s passing left us with a hole in our hearts, and in the band as well.
” Leif bowed his head for a moment. “We struggled with whether or not to continue on. But we know Gio would’ve wanted us to.
He was an eternal rock soldier. Lick it all up in heaven, brother! ” Leif thrust his fist in the air.
“Every fucking drop!” the rest of the band shouted from below Leif.
I couldn’t see them, but I recognized Beau’s deep rumble among them.
Leif grinned to the side where they stood. “Come on up here, assholes.”
There were some grumbles but eventually Mal, Beau, and Ryker joined Leif on the staircase.
“You too, kid. Get up here,” Leif called out.
After a beat, Hunter climbed the stairs and stood at Beau’s side, his cheeks red and looking too damn delicious.
“Like I was saying, we have a little announcement to make.” Leif raised a hand.
“In news that won’t be a surprise to some of you, since the fucking Babbler always knows everything, the Licks are continuing on.
We found a drummer who gets our sound, kicks ass, and makes us all strive to be better.
I’d like to introduce you all to Hunter Adkins, the newest member of the Long Licks! ”
The room broke out in thunderous applause. I cheered with Saylor, and we clapped our hearts out.
Hunter’s grin stretched across his face, and he looked so freaking thrilled. My heart clenched at the sight. He deserved all the good things.
“What?” Blondie hissed. “You didn’t tell me about this, Fee. What the hell? How long have you known?”
“About what?” Phoebe frowned at her friend.
“About Hunter.” She gestured wildly to the guys standing on the stairs. “He’s the newest member of the band? Seriously? Apparently it’s already posted on the Babbler too? A little heads up would’ve been nice.”
“I don’t keep track of any of that stuff. Why would I?” Phoebe scowled at her friend. “How can I, when my marriage is crumbling because of this bitch?” She tossed another wrathful glare in my direction before flouncing off with Blondie hot on her heels.
“So come on up and meet Hunter if you haven’t already. And then a little later we’re going to give you all a sneak peek at what we’ve been working on this last month.” Leif waved. “Enjoy the party!”
“Lick it up!” most of the crowd yelled back.
“Every fucking drop!” Leif and the band shouted with the crowd.
I exchanged a wide-eyed look with Saylor.
“I don’t even know where to start.” Saylor laughed.
“Well, I don’t know about you, but I’m going to start with the slider and then maybe move onto those delicious looking mini lobster rolls. And then dessert.”
“Sounds like a plan. Let’s do it.” Saylor linked her free arm in mine and we headed down the buffet to load our plates.
Despite all the drama, I wasn’t going to let it get into my head or affect my mood. I was here with family, friends, and later maybe I’d be leaving with my new—and hopefully not secret for long—boyfriend.
Life was damn near perfect.