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“Oh, my gosh, this is amazing!” Skye tapped a drum in delight.
“I bought it because, unlike her dad, she’s going to be the better musician and play the drums.”
Everybody laughed as I stood on the threshold of my back door, watching as they all talked and joked.
I noted how Logan and Nico were talking with their heads bowed low. Was there something there? How funny would it be if my bandmate and Skye’s best friend were to hook up because of us?
“Are you joining us or what?” Tate asked as he looked over at me. “I’m parched over here. What kind of host are you?”
I laughed and held up the beers in my hand before walking back out. “Yeah, all right.”
“Sorry.” Skye frowned at me. “Is this okay? If it’s too difficult for you to be the one getting drinks, I can go and do it, you know.”
I shook my head. “No. Alcohol doesn’t give me the same edge it used to. Now I have something else I like to get drunk on.” I walked over to her and leaned down, kissing her savagely. “You’re more intoxicating and addictive than anything I’ve ever tried.”
She cupped my face, fingernails scratching through my beard while nipping my bottom lip. “I haven’t tried a lot, so I don’t have a huge comparison, but you’re way better than my single coke experience.”
She laughed, and I was glad she could laugh about it now. I couldn’t imagine how difficult that had been for her to go through all by herself, being forced into doing something she would never have done willingly.
“Yeah—” a voice said behind me, “—about that.” Everybody turned around, and there was Roman, holding a small box in his hand, wrapped in sparkly pink paper. “I’m sorry. I’m jumping a few steps, but I want to make amends with you, Skye. And you—" he paused before saying my name, “—Cash. And to you two as well,” his eyes flicked around the small group gathered. “I’ve been a real fucking prick lately.”
“Lately?” Tate asked, making Nico and me chuckle.
Roman shrugged. “Okay, I’ve been a real fucking prick for a while now, and I was taking out something on you guys and myself because I felt like I had no other means of control. Or at least that’s what my therapist is telling me.”
“You’re in therapy, man?” Nico said in surprise.
Roman nodded. “Yeah, and I’m out of rehab for the day. I had to pay a lot of money to get them to let me out for the day, but I have to do some test when I get back to prove I didn’t do anything while I was gone. Otherwise, they keep all my money, and I get kicked out of the program, which normally, I would say, whatever, it’s just fucking money, but the last couple of months have opened my eyes to how reckless I’ve been acting. Those reckless actions have more consequences than just on me. It’s one thing to destroy my body at the risk of my career, but I was also risking your careers and your life, Skye. I should’ve never forced you to get high, and although you have a beautiful baby from that experience, I imagine that’s probably not how you wanted it to happen. Had you not found Cash, your life would’ve been very different from today. I’ve been haunted lately by what might have happened to you if things hadn’t worked out. If somebody had treated my sister like I treated you, I would’ve probably killed him and—" he paused.
I glanced at Tate and Nico to ensure I heard that right. Did Roman say he had a sister? We’ve known him now for two—almost three years—and I’ve never once heard him utter the words “my sister.”
One glance at my bandmates confirmed they were as confused as me. Where did the sister come from?
“It’s not about me, and I’m not trying to make it about me,” he offered us a smile. “I wanted to apologize and let you know I understand the gravity of my actions. If you don’t want to accept my apology, I also understand because I know I am undeserving of it. It’s there if you want it.”
I didn’t wait for Skye, moving to Roman first. I stopped in front of him, staring hard into his eyes to ensure he was being sincere. A long, tense moment passed before I finally held out my hand to him. “I meant what I said the other night. I’m glad you’re getting the help you need. We will be here for you, whatever we can do to help. Let’s get you back to performance-worthy condition and let bygones be bygones.”
Roman nodded appreciatively before taking my hand. Then I pulled him into a bro-hug, patting his back firmly to let him know we were good.
Behind me, Skye started to move like she was rising when Honey cooed from the Moses basket at her feet. She bent to pick up the baby and slowly walked over to Roman.
“Why don’t we switch?” she said, nodding at the present while holding the baby with one arm. “Cradle under her head and bum, then shift her tightly against your chest. You’ll be fine.”
He looked alarmed and ready to say no, but Skye didn’t give him a choice. She took the present from him and pinned it between her legs before helping him take the baby.
“I accept your apology, Roman, and I’m happy you’re getting the help you need. You have an incredible voice, it is truly a gift, and I’m sure all three of those guys behind me would agree. Seeing you wasted is probably killing them as much as it was killing you.” She ensured he was comfortable with the baby before stepping back and grabbing the present from her knees.
“I know you and Cash probably have more to work out, but you guys are amazing. The only reason I found myself in that situation is because I’ve always believed in all of you, in this band, and especially in Roman. Yeah, we have some things to work out but let’s get you better first. Then, once you are in a much better spot, Honey here has an Uncle Roman she can call on to come and teach her how to sing, take her on crazy adventures, and be the man I know is inside of you. Okay?”
She smiled as she touched his elbow, and my heart swelled for this beautiful, incredible woman. She was so generous and so forgiving. I’d said it once, and I’d say it a million times more. I was so fucking lucky she was mine. And even luckier now that Honey was mine too. This beautiful family would only grow and strengthen because of these two. Now it was time for my bandmates to find good women to settle them down too.
