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Not even twenty minutes later, Ricky and I went through the revised version of my song, Lost. We worked on which parts each of us would sing while the band adjusted the song in his key. When we went through our first full run through, and I watched him get lost in the music I understood why the industry put up with him. The man was a musical genius and when he had to concentrate all his assholiness fell away.
With the cameras around filming the footage for the music video every part of the day was recorded. We rehearsed twice more, making sure each of us knew where to harmonize. By the time we went into the sound booth, we were confident that we had another single. I just hoped I would be able to see it through the second time around.
23
NOAH
Between the investigation into Everly’s stalker and preparing for an upcoming mission, combined with Everly starting rehearsal for both vocal and choreography for going on tour, we were both exhausted by the time we got home.
It wasn't an excuse. We both had demanding jobs, I would always be planning missions for the foreseeable future and Everly would be on tour. We needed to make time for one another or we could crumble before we had the chance to properly begin again.
One thing we didn’t make time for was speaking to Skylar. Instead, we slept in separate beds and had to be satisfied with stolen kisses. And while I didn’t want to force things, I didn’t want to lie to my kid either. With that in mind I sent Everly a text.
Noah:Tonight. You, me and Skylar. Dinner at Waite’s
I didn’t have to wait long for her to respond.
Everly:Okay. Sure. I’ve never been there for dinner. Is this because you want to talk to Sky about us?
Noah:Yes. And because I believe it’s the best steak in a 100 mile radius and I want to try it.
Everly:Okay. But be warned, kiddo expressed an inclination to be vegetarian last week. I don't know if it will stick, but rather be prepared.
I frowned down at the phone. A vegetarian? Really? The kid scarfed down bacon like nobody’s business regularly.
Noah:Well as long as she hasn’t made that decision between breakfast this morning and when we get to the restaurant, we should be fine.
I put my phone on my desk as Bex and Trey walked into my office. They were the only two sureties on the team I was taking to Oregon. I needed two more. Jared and Oliver looked to be the most likely with Nick as backup.
Nick had a policy that no one, whether they had kids or not, would do more than four out of every five missions. It was the whole point of hiring Trey and I, as well as Damon Cross as soon as his contract with the Navy was up.
Lilly also insisted that as soon as the Oregon mission was over that I take some paternity leave. Even if it was just for a few weeks, she wanted me to take the time to get to know my daughter. Sort of like an intense daddy-daughter workshop. Her words, not mine.
I had to admit that I liked the idea of doing that. But maybe over the summer I could take the time off. That way, Sky wouldn’t be going to school every day. Though, I could think of ways for Everly and I to spend our time while she was out of the house.
But that was something for a different day. I had two teammates in front of me who were hoping I had news for when we would be leaving on our mission.
Bex sat in the office chair on the other side of my desk, while Trey leaned against the wall. “Please tell me we can get this one off the books?”
“Looks like we will be going in the next few weeks.” I pushed the report Jared had compiled toward her. “Something is coming up from Argentina. DEA wants our help, and the FBI is aware that we’re involved. Lilly had to smooth over a few feathers there.”
Trey crossed over his arms and gave me a bored look. “Do we know who else is going with us? I mean we need to finalize the team before we go.”
I frowned. “I agree that it would be good to know exactly who was going but that’s why all of us are training. So we know who does what, no matter the combination.”
I didn’t understand why he was questioning it. Even Jake, Mason, and Anna had been training with us. All of us were replaceable and all of us could slot in anywhere. Yeah, having Mason as the designated sniper was always preferred, but all of us were pretty good shots. If anything happened to me, pretty much anyone else could lead the team. We were that good. Nick made sure that everyone went through extensive training once they were employed that complimented most of our military training. We were the best at what we did, there was no need to question which teammate would be doing what on any given mission.
Not moving from his spot against the wall, he just shrugged. “I was just curious, that is all.”
I continued to go through all the information that Jared had given us and we all agreed that we needed to be in place when the shipment arrived in Portland.
Fortunately, I knew a team of men who were close to the docking point. Fable Falls was a little town just outside of Portland and where most of the last team I served were staying.
I would contact them to get us the necessary access we needed. It really did help to have contacts all over the country. If only I could use those resources to keep my family safe.
My family? I let the idea roll around in my head. Sky and Everly were my family. Sky was my blood, and Everly was her mother. But besides that, Everly was the woman I wanted. The one I wanted in my bed and in my home. She was already in my heart, and I wanted her to stay there with everything I had.
Obviously, she wouldn’t take my name, but I was okay with that. One of the things I planned on discussing with both of them was changing Sky’s last name. But Everly would have my ring and, if and when she was ready, she would have more of my babies. The idea of her being pregnant brought a smile to my face.
