Snare (Falling Stars #3) (36 page)

Xavier stands with his arms over his chest, grinning.

"Yeah, he even got a—"

"Hey, it's a surprise," he reminds.

"Oh, yeah." She blushes and takes a step back.

"I totally want boobs like this," Lyra sighs, resting her head against my left breast.

I palm the top of her head and push her off me.

"You have too much of your father in you," I say, pursing my lips.

She grins.

"Come here," Xavier orders, grabbing the back of my neck and pulling me to him.

His mouth captures mine. Darting his tongue between my lips, I moan.

It's been too long.

The girls giggle, dragging me from my lust-induced haze.

"Quit molesting me in front of your daughters," I scold, shoving at his chest.

"I'll show you molesting once we're alone," he promises.

It's like my thighs ignite in a bushfire if I had a bush.

"Well, then," I clear my throat and try to compose myself, "let's get my bags."

He chuckles.

Spinning around, I walk to the carousel, the girls following on my heels.

"Of course you live on the beach."

"It's California, why wouldn't I?"

"Um, beach erosion, maybe," I say with a good dose of
duh
.

"I think I'm okay for a few years at least," he reassures, climbing out of the driver's seat.

Slipping from the passenger's side, I take in the two-story cream-colored home with that Spanish looking tiled roof. There's a two car garage to the left of the main house, but Xavier's parked in the half-moon driveway.

"You coming?" he shouts, entering the rust-colored front door.

Taking a deep breath, I follow inside and take in the moderate living room. It's slightly bigger than average, but not extravagant like the Florida house his parents' own. Sure, there's a bay window with a picturesque view of the ocean and a built in fireplace nook with cushions.

"Not what you expected?" he asks, wrapping his arms around my waist.

I shrug.

"I guess I was thinking more Florida mansion and less beach cottage," I admit.

"Let me show you around." He takes my hand and leads me around his home.

Off to the left is a U-shape kitchen with light tile floors, black cabinets, and sterling silver appliances. Windows line the far end, letting the California sunshine light up the room.

Back through the living room is a seating area with large glass doors that pull back and open the entire room to the deck. He motions to an outdoor shower and a downstairs bathroom before leading me up a set of wooden stairs.

There are five bedrooms and three bathrooms. Two rooms adjoined by a bathroom belong to the twins. Each room reflects the personality of the owner. I can immediately place Cass in the room with paintings, drawings, and art supplies all over the space. And the room with the speakers, Game of Thrones posters, a chessboard, and a laptop on her bed is definitely Lyra's.

Xavier knocks on one door, stating it's a spare bedroom before opening the next room.

"This is yours," he says, pushing the door wide.

"Surprise!" the girls shout, making me jump.

Their arms wave around in front of a desk with three thirty-inch monitors.

"What's this?" I can't keep the emotion out of my voice.

The monitors are gorgeous.

"It used to be an extra room," Cass says.

"But Dad cleaned it out for you and I helped pick out the monitors," Lyra adds.

Turning, I face Xavier.

"Why did you—?"

"Because you'll need an office and your own space," he states.

Holy shit, he gets me.

"My own space?" I press.

"You've lived alone for how long?" He doesn't wait for my answer. "Besides, I get you, tiger." His hand cups my face.

"I think you need to show me the master bedroom now," I say.

"Girls, I'm going to get Sid settled. This way," he clips, taking my hand and dragging me to his room.

Then, he shows me exactly what being molested is like.

Xavier

Having Sid on my left and the girls on my right during Randy's memorial service was the only thing keeping me strong.

Red delivered the eulogy. Jeremy surprised us, leaving his wife and newborn son, the reason he chose not to join the charity tour, by attending. While Corbin stood in the back of the room brooding before disappearing as soon as it was over.

It was like fucking deja vu. The memory of putting Ethan in the ground rushed back, exposing old wounds and pulling us apart once again.

Jeremy hung around for a couple hours before catching his flight home, but not before confirming he would be there to play for the L.A. show next weekend.

My parents stayed until the very end, along with The Forgotten and Hush, and a few other bands we'd grown close to during our reign in the music world.

At the end of the day, I was emotionally drained and withdrawn.

The girls disappeared into their rooms while Sid brought me a bottle of tequila and sat next to me on the double lounge chair.

I twist the cap off the bottle, set it on the arm of the chair, and take a long drink.

Reaching over me, Sid picks up the cap and holds it in front of my face.

I take it from her hand and spin it in my fingers.

"If you make it into the fire pit, I'll show you my boobs," she says, referring to our time at the cabin.

Setting the tequila bottle on the deck next to the chair, I toss the cap and miss.

"Just my luck," I quip.

When I glance over, she has her shirt and bra pulled up to her neck.

All humor leaves me as my body instantly goes on high alert.

She shrugs. "Close enough."

"I fucking love you so much," I growl, reaching out and pulling her to me by the back of her neck.

In quick succession, I have her pants off, mine undone, and her riding my dick. Her tits bounce in my face, begging for my tongue, so I give it to them. For the next thirty minutes, I don't think about all the loss, I focus on what I have, especially what I have in front of me right now.

Sidra

The week before the concert flies by in whirlwind of the girls trying to show me how to surf, Xavier trying to convince me to wear a bikini, Sherry wanting to brainstorm about Toy BoXXX
TM
—which really meant sitting around, drinking, and talking about sex—and Red demanding and assigning tasks.

Preparing for this show was completely different. There were so many bands that wanted to be a part of this, we had to turn some away. In the end, we would have five guest performers, two extra bands, and then all the girls from Lux would do a PG-13 performance. The stage changes and lighting requirements are so crazy, I'm glad I don't have to deal with it. However, the amount of press wanting access to Corrosive Velocity, as well as the other bands, required more of my time than before.

While running through final details with Chantel, I hear the bands rehearsing on stage. When The Forgotten end, I make my way to the stage to watch Corrosive Velocity.

Corbin, Jeremy, and Xavier walk out, but the mood is a somber one. Corbin messes with his guitar, but keeps glancing over to Xavier.

"What is it?" Xavier finally calls him out.

"Are we good?" Corbin asks.

"Of course," Xavier responds instantly.

Corbin nods and hands over sheets of paper.

"What this?"

"It's for them," is Corbin's response.

Jeremy makes his way over to them and for the next twenty minutes, they discuss whatever is on the paper. Then, they start to play. No words, just gut wrenching, raw chords.

Red appears on the other side of the stage, staring out at them. Even at my distance, I can see the emotion on his face.

Jackson plugs in next to Jeremy, joining them in an unplanned collaboration. Christopher walks out on stage, listening.

When the song ends, Chris nods to Corbin. In return, Corbin waves him over, handing him the notebook pages. A few words are exchanged and they disappear in the wing. Knowing I witnessed something important, excitement swells my chest, causing my stomach to flutter. Leaving them to their rehearsal, I return to my task list.

An hour later, I'm in one of the dressing rooms listening to Kat and Laney argue about who gets to be godmother.

"Jesus, you two, stop," Mia snaps.

The annoyance in her voice makes me look up from my computer. I've never heard her get so bitchy.

"Uh-oh, someone's cranky," Kat taunts.

"Shut up," Mia growls.

"Hormonal Harriet is in a tizzy tonight," Laney adds.

Liza catches my scowl. Leaning into my ear, she says, "Chris and Mia just announced they're pregnant."

"I will punch you in the vag, Lane," Mia threatens.

"I'm not really into fisting, Mia," she counters.

"So, you've tried it?" Kat is quick to point out.

"No," Laney denies.

"Mmhmm." Serena joins the conversation.

"I've never been fisted," Laney shouts as The Forgotten and Corrosive Velocity enter the room.

"Good to know," Elliott boasts, plopping his ass down between Laney and Serena on the couch.

Serena bounces against his body and frowns.

"Baby," Chris coos, squatting beside Mia, "you feeling okay?"

"Yes, Chris, I'm fine," she grounds out.

"Hey," Xavier says, leaning down and kissing my forehead.

I wave my hand at him, but keep my attention on the drama unfolding before me.

"Gee, nice to see you, too," he mumbles, taking a seat on my right.

"Did you know Mia's pregnant?" I ask Xavier, but keep my eyes on the group.

"I heard they just started telling people," he confirms, throwing his arm along the back of my chair.

"Maybe you shouldn't go on tonight," Chris suggests.

Mia's eyes narrow in a way that even scares me.

"Rest in peace, Chris," Jack states, pulling Liza out of her seat, taking her chair, and situating her on his lap.

"Fuck you," he snaps at his brother.

"I'll be fine," Mia says in a low, scary voice.

"I think you should—"

"Christopher," she growls, "for the sake of our children, if you want them to have a father, I suggest you shut up."

His mouth clamps shut.

"Mia, beautiful," Xavier croons.

Beautiful? What the fuck?

Then, I see the mischievous glint in his eye.

"If you're tired of this little prick, we," he motions between the two of us, "would be more than happy to add a third."

Chris' head snaps around, glaring at Xavier.

"What is this
we
you speak of?" I ask, crossing my arms over my chest.

"Tiger, I didn't think you'd be the jealous type," Xavier teases, "I'm sort of flattered."