Melody & Styx - Anne Mercier Page 0,12

sad smile. "Okay."

"What about you?" I ask her.

"I'm not sure. I think I'll write music, maybe, if it's okay with Cage, start help producing and finding talent," Lucy throws out there.

Cage nods. "We'll talk."

"Sera?" I ask.

"I'm a gun-wielding badass," she replies with a smirk. Cage clears his throat and she looks at him, then her smirk turns into a smile. "I'm also going to be a mother in about six months."

Everyone's throwing out their congratulations and I can't even contain my happiness. I run over and hug her tight.

"I am so damn happy for you," I whisper in her ear, holding her extra-long as I remember seeing her fall during our self-defense session, the blood. Her loss. I turn to Cage. "C'mon Bat-Daddy, give me a hug."

"Dude, yes! Bat-Daddy!" Xander exclaims. "That's awesome. I'm stealing that shit."

"You just had to, didn't you?" Cage says softly.

I snicker. "He'd have come up with it on his own eventually."

He steps back. "I know of a few bands looking for musicians. I'm not sure if they have room for both of you, but I'll look around if you want to stay part of Nichols Records."

I look to Trace. He shrugs. "So long as it's separate from all the shit."

Gio scowls and Trace gives him a look like, what?

"We'll talk," Cage tells us.

I turn and there's little Lucy, looking so unsure. I pull her into a hug. "I'm still mad, upset, disappointed, hurt."

She nods. "I know."

After that, it turns into everyone talking about everything. Jace and Summer coming over and telling us their plans. Looks like Xander and Tera will be staying at CFD. I didn't think they'd move out.

"You staying at CFD?" I ask Kennedy, who's come over to talk to Governor Stanton—in this moment, he's not Dad. He is definitely Governor.

"I haven't decided yet. I've already got my own place closer to the city and it makes more sense to stay there more often," Kennedy replies.

"Oh? A woman or big plans?" I probe.

"Big plans. Cage and Sera and I are investing in a club," he tells me.

"Oh really? Do tell."

Sera walks over and whispers, "It's a sex club. We're calling it Onyx."

"Sounds interesting," Trace says. I look over to Dad blushing, but he's not paying any attention. Trace laughs.

I jab him with my elbow. "Dick."

He leans in. "I'll be giving you plenty of that tonight."

"Um," I begin, "we're going to be at your parents' place."

He lifts a brow. "And? It won't be the first time."

"Well, well," Sera murmurs. "I was right. You two are into the kink."

I look at Dad who's looking at me with raised brows. I flush. I feel it.

Trace laughs and so does his dad.

"Dicks! Both of you!" I scold.

When we walk out of Nichols Records, I feel lighter. No more dodging bullets. Now, to find a band.

8

Trace

UTAH

The first time I thought about asking Megan Melody to marry me was only a few weeks after we started dating. At least I thought it was dating. I think Meg thought we were just hanging out. I don't just hang out with chicks. Ever. Until her. She's been the exception to every rule I've ever made.

The second time was at the double wedding, that is until she shuddered as they said, "I do." I've thought about it at least ten times, but I've never asked. I've got the ring. But, damn, if I'm not a chickenshit about the whole thing. What's the worst that can happen? She says no. I can live with that, but what if it fucks everything up. I mean, it was her who said it was just a piece of paper—which is true… so why do I keep thinking about it?

I know why. She's mine. I want her to know she's mine. I want the fucking world to know she's mine.

"You ever gonna ask her?" Dad asks me as we sit out on the front porch, the sun rising just above the horizon, as we drink our coffee.

"Yep."

"Anytime soon?"

I turn and give him a look.

"Well, you've been thinking about it pretty hard for the last forty-five minutes, twirling the diamond ring around your pinky. What's holding you up, son?" he asks.

"A number of things, actually."

"Such as?"

"Her reaction to any mention of marriage, to start with," I begin.

"Knee-jerk reaction. It's different when it's you," he informs me.

"Maybe. She said it's just a piece of paper."

"To get your mother off your backs."

I grunt in agreement. Valid point. "What if she says no?"

"There we have it. The cold hard truth," Dad