Page 29

Now I’m coming home

Hell yeah, I’m coming home

My eyes stung as I listened to the song Goldie sang with JD and River on background vocals. It was beautiful. I wasn’t able to catch a fucking breath as I listened to the words.

Lerner grinned as they reached for a button on the large board and stepped in front of a microphone. “Guys, that was incredible. Come in and listen before you decide whether you want to try again.”

I glanced at Lerner. “Try again? Really?”

They gave me a quick smile. “Did you know that song was inspired by his desire to find someone who makes him feel like someone’s waiting for him at home?”

Man, did I know how that felt…

Chapter Nine

JD

River smirked at me, the asshole. He was a good friend, but sometimes, I wanted to pound his ass into the ground. Of course I wouldn’t do it—unless he pushed me too far.

“Maybe we should take a break from recording so you can talk to your boyfriend? He looks a little stunned.” Riv pointed behind him when Thatcher entered. It was yet another reason for me to beat River into the ground. His incessant teasing was driving me nuts.

Skylar stepped from behind the drum kit and chuckled. “Well, now, JD, is that hot guy yours?”

I turned to look into the control booth, where Thatcher stood with a smirk. Oh god, did he hear that?

I chuckled. “Don’t you have a hot guy of your own, Skylar? By the way, Thatcher’s my landlord.”

Skylar leaned against the studio wall with a lopsided grin, staring into the control room through the glass. “Sure, JD, but I’ll remind you that man isn’t ugly.”

Sandy laughed as he walked over to Skylar from where he’d been sitting in the studio filming us recording to show Sky’s students. “That’s no lie. You done ogling the sexy fireman, husband?”

“Baby, you know I only ogle you.” Skylar smiled before his lips met Sandy’s and they devoured each other. I turned away out of respect for their privacy because that moment felt intimate.

Because of the accident, I didn’t have a bass guitar to hide behind anymore, so as Skylar and Sandy canoodled, I scrambled out of the studio. I didn’t believe my eyes could stand to witness what the hell was going to happen next with the lovebirds.

I stepped into the control booth where Thatcher sat in a chair behind the soundboard. He was next to Lerner with a huge smile on his face. “Well done!”

My face flamed as he stood and stepped closer, his arms enveloping me in a warm hug. I inhaled, trying to find his familiar scent of soap and spice, but that was nowhere to be detected. “You smell like smoke. Where were you?”

“House fire. I was off duty when I heard the tones over the scanner. I will always worry about my fellow firefighters, so I stopped by to help. We were able to douse the fire, and the investigation has been started.” He said it so matter-of-factly, I was stunned.

“House fire? Someone’s house caught fire, and you helped put it out?” My mouth was hanging open like an idiot.

“Yeah. That’s my job, remember?”

Now I felt stupid. “I know. I just didn’t think about how dangerous it could be.”

Heat traveled up my chest to my neck, then bloomed on my cheeks. How dumb was I? The man was a firefighter.

“It’s only dangerous if one doesn’t know what they’re doing or doesn’t pay attention. We learn to read a fire and anticipate where it’s going and how to get ahead of it so it causes the least amount of damage. You finished here or just taking a break?”

I turned to see Sky and Sandy had disappeared from the studio, so I assumed we were calling it a day. “I think the fact that our drummer disappeared with his husband means it’s safe to assume we’re done for the day. You didn’t have to come pick me up.”

Thatcher grinned. “I was hoping we could stop and get something to eat. Do I smell too smoky to go somewhere? If I do, then we can get something to take home.”

“No. It’s not too bad, just different from how you usually smell. How about pizza? There’s a great place on the way to the beach. Riv and Kit order from there a lot.” My stomach rumbled to punctuate my suggestion.

“Pizza sounds great.” He turned to grin at our agent. “Good to see you under better circumstances, Lerner. I’m sure I’ll see you again soon.” Thatcher extended his hand to Lerner, and they shook. I gave Lerner a hug and followed Thatcher out to his Pioneer in the parking garage.