The first thing we’re doing this weekend is painting the inside walls. White doesn’t do it for her, so I’m stepping out of my comfort zone, and we’re changing up the color scheme. It won’t be bright and fancy like her home, but some lovely pastels will add color to these walls. I think this place is going to be a mesh of us both by the time we’re through with it.
Just as I move to flick on the television, the doorbell rings, and I glance at Lyric in question. “Did you order dinner? I thought you were making that disgusting cauliflower rice?”
She snorts, slapping my chest. “It’s not disgusting, but no, I didn’t order anything. You expecting someone?”
I rise from the couch with a heavy groan, already irritated. You’d think by now someone would have come up with a robot to answer the door so I could stay exactly where I was comfortable, on the sofa, where I wanted to stay. “Nope,” I mutter under my breath, dragging myself across the floor in nothing but a pairof sweatpants, because that’s what comfort looks like, before whoever’s knocking decides to ruin it.
I press my eye to the peephole, expecting maybe a neighbor or some courier, but instead my gut twists. My brows shoot up as my father’s face comes into view, followed closely by my mother’s unmistakable smile.
Fuck me sideways.
With a deep exhale to steady the mix of disbelief and fresh irritation surging through me, I gently tap my head against the door, questioning if I can pretend not to be home. But instead, I let out a small groan and then swing the heavy timber door open, wishing I didn’t have that polite filter in me.
I wish I were a real asshole sometimes.
I could be buried deep inside Lyric right now.
Hell, or even just chilling back on the sofa with her.
“Dad? Mom?” The words scrape from my throat, flat and sharp. They’re both grinning, as if this is some sweet surprise. My old man extends his hand, acting like we didn’t just blow past days of strained silence, and my mother leans in to kiss my cheek, already scanning the place with curious eyes.
“CJ,” Dad says, voice warm but a little too performative. He lifts a bottle of champagne, some welcome-to-the-neighborhood gesture no one asked for.
I take his handshake because I was raised right, even if I’d rather be anywhere but here dealing with this uninvited drop-in. My jaw tightens as Mom chirps, “We wanted to welcome Lyric properly. Figured it was time.”
Yeah. Figured.
Could have figured it out with a damn phone call.
I tense all over.Dammit!If Dad’s here to try and sign her again, I swear to God I’m going to lose it.
“Thank you,” Lyric’s kind voice echoes from behind me. “Sorry, I’m not dressed for this occasion. We didn’t know youwere coming,” she offers as she approaches, wearing one of my long LA Rams jerseys, which barely covers her panties.
Mom steps forward, pulling Lyric into a tight embrace. “Oh, my dear, it’s so good to meet you finally. It doesn’t matter what you’re wearing… you’re simply stunning. And honestly, honey, I’d kill for those legs.”
Lyric blushes, pulling the shirt down a little to try to cover herself. “Thank you, that’s so nice of you to say.”
Mom links her arm with Lyric’s. “I only speak the truth. Now c’mon, let’s go into the living room and talk all about how you met my son. I want to heareveryfine little detail.”
“I’ll meet you in the living room, I’m gonna put on some pants,” Lyric says through a giggle.
Mom chuckles, shooing Lyric off with her hand. She rushes down the hall while Mom heads for the living room.
I turn to Dad, exhaling. “You honestly came here to talk about how we met?”
Dad closes the door behind him. “Your mother and I realized that with Lyric moving in here today, you guys are getting serious. The one time I met her, I made a terrible impression. I want to fix that, and your mother wants to meet her so badly. You know how she adores you. She was desperate to meet the woman who’d captured your heart.”
I narrow my eyes on him. “So, you’re not here to convince Lyri to sign with Ego Star?”
Dad scoffs. “Hell, no. That ship sailed. I know she doesn’t want that. I knowyoudon’t want that. I respect your decision, son. I respect you.”
My stomach twists.
I’ve never heard Dad say anything like that before.
“I just want you to know I only did what I did because she’s worth it. Sheisa star.”
I dip my head in acknowledgment, because deep down, I know she could be something amazing. “I know she is, Dad. But sometimes just because you don’t see the brightest stars, it doesn’t mean they don’t shine.”
