Page 168 of Lyric & the Heartbeats

“I’d love for her to come! I want to too see her again,” Lyric chirped, her tone bright. Genuine.

He chuckled just imagining his sister’s reaction. “She would be over the moon to unite with you.”

“Added,” Henry inserted, tapping away at his tablet. “Anyone else?”

“Won’t she bring one of her alphas with her?” Lyric asked.

Javier shrugged. “Probably. Is that alright?”

“Of course. I’ll add a plus one to her name. Or two? Eh, just call me when she gets here, I’ll go get her and her party from the box office,” Henry instructed.

“Thank you,” Javier murmured, a hitch in his chest.

“Anytime. Your family is our family,” Lyric sang.

A thorn pierced his chest, the vines wrapping around his ribcage and poised over his heart.

Family was the most important thing in his life, and slowly but surely, Lyric and this group were worming their way in.

Despite how tired Lyric had to be, she played the best damned show of the tour, at least in Javier’s opinion.

She’d danced around the stage with a new vigor. Working out her emotions from the taxing day. Her bite mark, in order to heal, was displayed proudly to the cool air, and by the time the show was over, Henry was already tapping away at his tablet.

Javier had already prepared dinner, so he’d spoiled himself by watching the end of the show alongside the manager. Who could blame him for looking over the alpha’s shoulder as he sighed?

A bright red button ticked at the corner of his email app. The number was growing.

“She’s kicked up quite a stir,” he said aloud. Javier blinked, glancing up guiltily. He hadn’t meant to stick his nose in their business, but Henry didn’t seem to mind sharing. “That bite mark has already caught the attention of some news outlets.”

“Will it bother her?” Javier asked.

Henry smirked and shook his head. “I don’t think so. If it was, I think she would’ve covered up the mark.”

Javier turned his attention to the omega in question, watching her as she bounced off stage, full of energy. She hopped off the last step and wrapped her arms around Henry.

“How was I?”

“Amazing, as always,” Henry answered instantly, wrapping an arm around her and brushing her hair off her shoulders.

“You always say that,” she pouted.

“You’re always amazing,” he answered quickly.

“Javier!” Lyric shouted, spying him behind Henry. “You’re here! What did you think, hmm?” she asked. She danced away from Henry and wrapped her arms around him, staring up at him like a cheerleader did the star football player.

“Your performance was beautiful, pajarita,” he told her, somehow finding his breath in her presence.

“Now that’s the kind of compliment a girl likes,” she said, dragging him away from the stage. “What did you make us tonight?”

“Let’s go find out,” he purred, following her lead toward the bus and walking alongside her.

“I stirred up the media?” Lyric questioned, holding a forkful of salad up to her lips.

Javier held his breath as she paused for the second time with that bite held to her lips. Javier didn’t make salads very often, but this recipe was one he’d found online, and all the colors had called to him.

Her feet were thrown across Adra’s lap while she ate… or almost ate.

They’d been attached at the hip ever since, and Javier thought it was very cute, yes, but would she try his food already?