24. Cecelia
TWENTY-FOUR
CECELIA
I’ve always been okay with the chaos that is my family. Honestly, I thrive in it. The noise, the laughter, the conversation, the knowledge that there will always be someone around. I’ve never really been able to imagine what it would be like to grow up any other way.
But standing here backstage before my brother’s show with my entire family crowding around, I can’t help but see it through Solomon’s eyes.
And I’m kicking myself for bringing him here. He doesn’t like crowds. Doesn’t like a lot of noise. Doesn’t like having to socialize with strangers and answer a bunch of questions.
But that’s exactly what’s happening tonight. My family, apparently, are fascinated by Solomon Barnes. More than likely, they’re fascinated by the fact that I’m actually hanging out with a guy for more than a few dates.
Regardless, I’m going to kill Vega. She’s definitely the one who told everyone that I’m in something serious with my athletic trainer. I certainly didn’t say anything, and I doubt the twins did either. Cade would be a likely culprit as well—he’s as much of a gossip as Aunt Paige’s girls.
Whoever spilled the beans, my family members are acting like no one has ever had a boyfriend before.
Aunt Paige comes over again and asks Sol about a million questions about his schooling, his interests, what it’s like to grow up on a horse ranch—how she found out about that I have no idea.
Her enthusiasm is nothing less than I would expect from her.
To say that Aunt Paige is known for being over the top would be a vast understatement.
I’m not so forgiving of Aunt Daisy and Aunt Haylee, who come over together arm-in-arm and ask nearly as many questions.
I can tell Sol is a little star struck by Haylee but after a few moments of her questioning, he just seems tense.
Then my uncles Daltrey and Lennon join their wives and I start looking for a side exit we can escape through.
“I’m fine,” Sol assures me after Violet miraculously manages to pull her parents and our aunt and uncle away. He laughs, the sound a little shaky. “I mean, besides for the fact that I just met Haylee Hunt and Daltrey Ransome.”
I groan, covering my face.
I’ve always loved being a Ransome. Yes, having famous family members can be weird sometimes.
We’ve all had paparazzi in our face on various occasions.
We often have to deal with security guards, especially when there’s a bunch of us together in the same place.
Sometimes fans approach me and want to talk about my dad or my sister-in-law or my movie star cousin, and there’s nothing more bizarre than a complete stranger knowing your name.
But I’ve always managed to deal with that stuff. I’m proud of our family and what my dad and uncles have accomplished. I know that their success means I get to live a very privileged life and I honestly wouldn’t trade it for anything.
But tonight, for the first time ever, there’s a part of me that wishes my family was a little more normal.
Solomon is stressed out. And it’s my fault. My fault for bringing him here, my fault for not double and triple checking how many people were going to be around. My fault for not being able to give him peace.
“Cecelia,” he says, tilting my chin up to look at him. “I’m fine. Honestly.” He holds up his beer bottle. “I have a drink. I have you.” He shrugs. “That makes it a pretty good night.”
Relief floods through me. I’m not sure if he’s just saying it to make me feel better or if he really is feeling less anxious than I’m assuming. But he seems okay. And when he tilts his head down to kiss me, I return it happily.
Of course, a good half dozen members of my family whistle or squeal or shout something from across the room. But Solomon just laughs and kisses me again, before turning back to talk to Ash.
“Hey,” a familiar voice says, and I turn to see who’s joined us now. Immediately all my anxiety and frustration goes out the window as I throw myself at my brother.
Silas catches me in a hug and I can feel his laughter rumble through him as he squeezes me tight. “It’s almost like you missed me or something,” he says, kissing the top of my head.
I pull away, smacking his chest. “Of course I missed you, idiot. You’ve left me alone with these crazy people for months on end.”
He laughs and God, it’s good to see him.
Silas and I have always been close. I mean, I’m close with all three of my brothers, but me and Si are nearest in age.
Wyatt and Will always seemed so much older than us, so much more mature.
When they both got married within just a few months of each other, Silas and I got even closer.
And then his band started to do well and he went off on tour and suddenly the majority of our conversations were taking place on the phone or FaceTime. He’s good about calling, no matter how busy he is on the road, but it’s still not the same.
I hug him again, feeling a strange urge to cry—which I never do. It’s just a high-intensity night, I tell myself, as I bury my face in his chest and fight the tears. My emotions are all over the place.
Si laughs, but he hugs me a little tighter before releasing me. “Okay, enough of the sap. I have to go out and pretend to be a rock star in a few minutes, I don’t need to be getting all weepy with my baby sister.” His gaze catches behind me and he grins, holding out a hand. “Hey, man. I’m Silas.”
I move out of the way so Sol can shake his hand. He’s looking nervous again, but Silas eases that pretty quickly. “You’re brave, showing up in the middle of this mad house,” he laughs. “Let me know if you need a place to hide.”
“Everyone has been really friendly,” Sol says, and Silas laughs some more.
“Let me guess, Aunt Paige tried to get your address so she could send you a care package.”
Sol smiles a little ruefully. “It was my phone number, actually.”
“Seriously?” I bark out. How had I missed that?
“It’s no big deal,” Sol assures me. I’m sure he’s more weirded out by it then he’s letting on. On the other hand, he does seem more relaxed than he has so far tonight.
“I hear you’re helping Ceece with her injury,” Silas says.
“Sol is the best student in the athletic training program,” I tell him, well aware that I sound like I’m bragging. But it’s hard not to, when the guy I’m crazy about is this smart and amazing. “They’re letting him do grad level work as a senior and get his master’s degree a year early.”
“Damn,” Silas says, looking suitably impressed, and Solomon shifts next to me, probably uncomfortable with the praise.
“He played soccer before college,” I go on, nudging my brother. “Midfielder, like you.”
Silas’s face lights up and we start talking about soccer.
I mostly keep quiet—totally not my usual MO when the conversation switches to the world’s best sport, but I want them to have a chance to get to know each other.
And Solomon seems easy with Si in a way he hasn’t been with anyone else we’ve talked to tonight.
Until my two oldest brothers have to come and ruin it.
“Well, if it isn’t our little sister,” Will says, slinging an arm over Silas’s shoulder. “Eva said she saw you over here but I told her she must be mistaken. No way would CeCe be in this room for half an hour and not come over to say hi.”
I roll my eyes as Wyatt laughs next to him. They both move in to hug me and I feel a little ashamed of myself when I realize that I wish they wouldn’t have come at all. Since when do I wish my own brothers away?
“This the guy?” Will asks, crossing his arms over his broad chest as he looks at Solomon, and just like that, any guilt I felt rushes away.
“Will,” I warn, voice tight. He doesn’t pay me any attention. He just stands there staring at Sol, Wyatt at his side in almost the exact same posture, both of them somehow looking even taller and broader than usual.
My brothers have never been the overprotective sort. They didn’t need to be. Their little sister certainly wasn’t one to take shit from anyone, and they taught me at a very young age how to take care of myself. So why the hell are they suddenly acting like I need a pair of idiot bodyguards?
“This is Solomon,” I say through gritted teeth. “He’s been helping me with my—”
“Your injury,” Will cuts me off, not taking his eyes off my date. “Yeah, that’s what Vega said.”
So it was Vega who told everyone my business. Well, I’m going to be hiding all her favorite shoes when I get home. Or maybe I’ll put her cosmetics in the freezer so she has to go without her skincare routine in the morning. That would really piss her off.
“Sounds a little off to me,” Will goes on. “I would have thought there were rules about not dating the athletes you’re supposed to be training.”
“Will,” I snap, looking to Wyatt for help. But he’s also looking at Sol with mistrust. I throw a desperate glance to Silas, and he, thankfully, grips our older brother by the shoulder.
“I go on stage soon and I want you to look at my guitar first. The bridge is rattling and I can’t figure out why.” Will doesn’t move, and Silas tugs on him. “Seriously, man, I could use your help.”
For a second, I think Will isn’t going to go with him. He just keeps staring at Solomon like he’s done something wrong. I think I see Silas dig his fingers in a little tighter and Will finally shakes his head, abandoning the stare down, and turning to Si. “What’s wrong with it?”
“Not sure. That’s why I need your help, dumbass. You too.” Silas grabs Wyatt. “Come on.”
“I don’t play guitar,” he argues. “And we barely even said hello to Ceece.”
Si snorts. “Pretty sure she’s about to kick you in the nuts,” he mutters, pushing on Wyatt’s back. He turns to wink at me over his shoulder. “Grandma is letting us use the bar for the after-party. No parents allowed.” He nods at Sol. “Hope to see you there, man.”
I’m pretty sure Solomon will never want to be anywhere near one of my family members again. I deflate as they walk away, embarrassment rushing through me. I can’t believe Will was that openly rude. And Wyatt, who’s supposed to be the grown up of our family, just stood there and didn’t say a word.
I’m surprised when Sol’s arms wrap around my middle from behind, but I melt back into him all the same. “I don’t think your older brother likes me much,” he says easily.
“I’m so sor—”
“It’s fine,” he kisses the side of my head. “It’s kind of cute, honestly. They’re looking out for you.”
I scoff. “Since when have I ever needed them to look out for me?”
He laughs against my ear. “I’m sure you scared away any boy who deserved it long before they could.”
I force myself to relax into his arms. Yes, Will had been a dick and Wyatt hadn’t been much better. Yes, my family is loud and annoying and totally stressful. But he’s still here, holding me, apparently not caring that a bunch of people continue to gape at us like we’re a side show.
“I tried to scare you away,” I say, remembering how I’d shut him down every time he tried to do his job and treat my injury.
“You were pretty scary,” he agrees, laughing when I reach back to pinch his side. “But I could handle it. You’ll have to get a whole lot meaner than that if you want to get rid of me.”
I turn in his arms so I can look up at him, my gaze darting between his eyes, studying him. He looks okay. A little tense, sure, but okay. I smile.
“I have no desire to get rid of you Barnes. You’re stuck with me.”
His smile makes my heart beat faster. “Just where I want to be.”