Beneath the Stars (Falling Stars #4) - A.L. Jackson Page 0,20
of that. You’re never gonna get so big that your daddy can’t pick you up and squeeze ya.”
“Even when I’m twenty-five?”
His daddy chuckled. “Okay, fine. You’ll probably be carrying me around by then…takin’ care of me and your mama.”
Pride puffed out Rhys’ chest at the thought. “I’ll always take care of you.”
“That’s because my son is the best son around.”
Rhys nodded like crazy, and his daddy ducked back into his truck and grabbed the silver lunch box he took to work every mornin’.
His daddy didn’t even set him down, and instead he carried him up the two steps to the front of their house. He opened the door, shouting when he did, “Where’s my woman?”
A giggle floated from off toward the kitchen where Rhys’ mama was at the stove cooking something in a big pot that made Rhys’ mouth water.
Their house was kinda smaller than Richard’s, no steps or stairs, and there was a big room in the middle with the TV and couch and the kitchen on the other side.
His mama arched a brow at his daddy. “Your woman, huh?”
His daddy waltzed into the kitchen, setting Rhys on his feet before he whisked up behind her and wrapped an arm around her waist. He hugged her back to his chest.
“Mmmhmm.” He hummed into her hair. “My woman.”
Rhys’ cheeks always got all red and hot when his mom and dad got like this, which was pretty much all the time.
“Missed you,” his daddy rumbled.
His mama got all gooey and soft. “I missed you, too. But you stink. Go get yourself cleaned up before we eat.”
“Bossy. I know who holds the reins around here.”
“Well, someone around here’s gotta make sure my wild boys behave.”
“I thought you liked it when I misbehaved?” He kissed the back of her neck.
“I got news, Dad, Ma hates it when we misbehave. Don’t know what you’re talkin’ about. Think I already spent half of my whole life in time-out.”
He stretched his arms out to the sides.
His daddy chuckled, his blue eyes twinkling, and Rhys felt like his heart was gonna bust right out of his chest.
Love, love, love.
His mama said this house was built on it.
That it was the foundation of a family.
And without it, everything would collapse.
His daddy moved toward Rhys and brushed his fingers through his hair. “You’re a good boy, Rhys. A good, good boy.”
Five
Maggie
I hovered at the edge of the kitchen, trying to keep myself together and not do something foolish like chase him out the door. Rhys had slipped out a second before without another soul noticing, and it felt almost impossible to remain standing beneath the stunning shockwave of turmoil that had pierced the air.
So violent I felt as if my chest had been impaled.
Around me, the party grew rowdy. The shots that had gone up to toast Carolina George were clearly hitting bloodstreams, the alcohol now flowing freely. The music had been turned back up, and a clamor of voices and laughter lifted above it to be heard.
I could physically feel the mood sliding into revelry.
And there I stood in the middle of it, caught in his wake. Feeling like I was being taken under. Lured into waters I couldn’t tread.
Deep, dark, and dangerous.
I swore, the man was a glittering, shiny stone at the bottom of the sea that I would drown trying to recover.
I wondered if I’d have sensed it so intensely if I hadn’t already been watching. If there’d been a single chance in the world that I could tear my eyes from the gorgeous man as he’d toasted with his band.
For a moment, I’d witnessed it—the true joy that had set so deeply in those blue eyes as he’d looked at his bandmates, at the people I knew were closest to him. That was until he’d looked at something on his phone, and he’d been stricken by panic.
My stomach twisted in a knot of worry, and I shivered with the prickles of unease that crept across my flesh.
I should look away.
Mind my own business.
But I wasn’t quite sure how to turn a blind eye on his suffering.
That’s what that man did to me, though, wasn’t it?
Confused me.
Conflicted me.
Made me want things I knew I certainly shouldn’t want.
Things I knew full well were going to hurt in the end.
Off to my left, a riot of laughter broke out in the kitchen. I was close enough to hear but far enough away not to be caught in the middle of it.