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Chapter 9
Emmy
Theelevatortothepenthouse pinged, and I stepped into the corridor. I’d only managed a few steps before I heard a loud squeal and a 5 foot 8 dark-haired goddess threw herself at me.
“Emmy! Tell me you’ve come back for good. We’ve been a miserable bunch since you left us. You’re the breath of fresh air we need. I’m so sorry Tanner was a prize dick.”
I couldn’t help the smile that spread across my face from seeing her again. “It’s fine. He’s apologized. He even cooked me supper.”
“What? When? Where?” Frankie asked, looking shocked.
“Last night. After the gig. After he… well, he came over and cooked. It was nice. He’s a pretty decent cook. Lori should be proud.”
“She is. He’s her golden boy. Well, we’re all her golden kids, but we like to rib Tan, as he seems to get away with loads more than the rest of us.”
“Did it change the dynamic of your family when he came to live with you?”
She stared at me, wide-eyed. “Shit, he told you about his mum, didn’t he? I can tell. Fuck, Em, that’shuge. He never talks about it. Not even with us. What have you done to him? But no. He was always there, and he already felt like family. We just wanted him to realize how loved he was, but I’m not sure he ever did. Even now, he keeps us at arm’s length. Forgets he can lean on us. Forgets that he’s safe to be honest with us. Maybe you can change all that. If he can open up to you, hopefully, he can learn to do that with us.”
“Where’s everyone else?”
Grabbing me by the hand, she pulled me to follow her. “Come on, let’s go surprise them.”
We walked to the main lounge of the penthouse suite, and Frankie coughed loudly. “Guys, we have a visitor. I wondered if there’s any room on one of the tour buses for her.”
“What the hell, Frankie? You can’t bring your random friends on… Emmy!” Addison screamed my name, running over. “You’re coming? You’re really coming? If you get on that bus, you can’t leave us until your six months are done. Promise? I can’t take you leaving us again.”
“If you still want me, then I’m all in.”
I was suddenly lifted off the floor by someone standing behind me, bouncing me around. I looked back and saw Gray, wide-eyed, grinning at me. Maverick strode over, kissing my cheek. He leaned in and whispered, “If he’s a dick again, tell me and I will slice his cock off in his sleep.”
I couldn’t help but laugh, loudly.
Gray put me down, and Rylee nodded at me with a smile. “Thank God you’re back.”
“Guys, I was only here a couple of days and all I did was attract trouble. I think you’re giving me more credit than I’m due.”
They all shook their heads as if they knew something I didn’t.
“Where’s Tanner?”
“Speaking to his new therapist. He’ll be done soon.”
“Therapist?” I questioned.
“Yeah, not sure what happened, but Rylee got a message at stupid o’clock this morning asking her to find him one to work with him while we’re on tour. He’s chatting with someone who might be able to help right now. Would you know anything about it, Em?” Addison asked, raising her eyebrow at me with a smile.
“Bad-mouthing me to our guest, Addi? I should fire your ass.” I heard him behind me; his deep, rough voice, sending an unexpected pulse of excitement through my body. I turned slowly, regretting my long skirt because I was fighting the urge to wrap myself around him to take away some of that hurt I now knew his mum had caused him.
“Emmy. Are you here to pick up your severance check, or did you leave one of those God-awful rollneck sweaters in your room?”
“Tanner.” I nodded at him, trying to prevent myself from cracking a giant smile as I looked him up and down. “I’m back because I missed your sarcastic, narcissistic, egotistical personality. Plus, I need to experience life on a tour bus. Rumor is that you’ll be cooking the entire time. So, if you’ll all have me, then I would love to join you all and write your story.”
“Hell yeah,” Maverick and Gray called out in perfect twin synchronicity.
“Frankie?” I checked she was on board with me joining them.
“Yes!”
