AllFreeNovel
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“Apparently, getting me through a near-death experience was the final test.” I boop his nose.
In a strange way, what’s happened to me has set me free.
Free to fully open my heart to this amazing man who’s loved me for years.
Free to let my walls down.
Free to love him without limits.
I’ll give it to Connor, he either goes big or…well, goes bigger.
I thought Zane’s house was spectacular, but it’s nothing compared to this house. Ronni and Connor bought a mansion on Lake Washington in an exclusive neighborhood called Hunt’s Point. Their house is on a secluded little road that meanders to a dead-end. Their place is at the very end of the street on about an acre of full waterfront property. Three-hundred-and-sixty-degree lake view.
“Holy shit.” Zane walks backward across the intricate stone driveway. It’s a pattern of chevrons in a variety of gray stones. The smooth, modern exterior is magnanimous. Their front door is nearly fifteen feet tall, made out of steel. You’d think it would look industrial, but it’s warm and inviting.
I knock on the door, and a woman answers. “Mr. Deveraux, Mr. Rocks please follow me.”
They have abutler? Zane and I give each other the google-eye look behind her back and follow her through what looks to be a living room. Flanked by two floor-to-ceiling rolled-steel fireplaces, there are two long, cream couches. Four gray-and-cream-striped chairs, two on each side. The entire backside of the house is a wall of windows. It feels like you could reach out through the glass and touch the deep-blue water.
“Aye. There you are.” Connor emerges from the kitchen. And I use the term loosely. It’s the size of the entire first story of my house. It’s pristine gray and stainless steel with a twelve-burner gas stove and both a ginormous refrigerator and freezer. A mammoth waterfall kitchen island is surrounded by black-leather barstools. The wall of windows with a view of the lake continues into this room as well.
Zane runs his finger along the stove. “I can’t show this kitchen to Fee, Connor. I hope you realize we will never visit you or she’s going to want to gut our kitchen and start over.”
Connor chuckles and motions for us to follow him into an adjacent room, which turns out to be a fully stocked bar on one side and an enclosed glass wine cabinet on the opposite wall. “Obviously, since Ty’s not here, the three of us can enjoy a nice, smooth vintage Midleton.” He pours out three glasses of Ireland’s finest whiskey.
We clink them together and sit in some oversized chairs that are arranged in a half moon toward the window wall. We all take a seat and look out at the water, which laps at the shore just beyond the glass.
“Fuck, Connor. What is this place?” Zane looks around somewhat wildly. He’s not one to be outdone in any department, and it would be hard to top this house anywhere in the world.
His big smile overtakes his face. “Ronni loves being by the water. We fell in love with this place. With her Netflix deal? Let’s just say it made the decision easier. Plus, the schools are great. It’s private and guarded. Lots of kids in the neighborhood for the boys to grow up with. And, it has all the bells and whistles, so it does.”
The three of us look back out at the water. As cool as this house is, I’m happy on the island. I love that Lena will grow up working on the ranch and living a normal life. As excited as I am to hang with my bandmates, we have an actual reason for being here. “I suppose we need to get our game plan for tomorrow.” I sip the smooth whiskey. It’s the most incredible drink I’ve ever had. “Are we willing to listen to what Ty’s going to say? Do you think he wants to get the band back together?”
“Will you stop, Jace.” Zane glares at me.
I cock an eyebrow. “Stop what?”
Connor chimes in. “Sayin’ the feckin’ band’s broken up.”
“Uh, Ty quit the band. LTZ can’t go on without Ty.” I sit forward in my seat. “I thought we were discussing the audience Sir Ty requested.”
“I’m pretty sure there’s more to it than that, my brothers. So, uh. Ehm. Heads up. Ty hasn’t been in rehab. He’s been in intense counseling.” Zane sets his glass down. He looks like he wants to say something else but holds his tongue.
“What?” Connor and I say in unison.
“Carter’s been down in Arizona with him. He’s in a program for some trauma he’s been dealing with since he was a kid.” Zane swirls his whiskey in his glass and stares off into the distance. “I’ve had some sessions with them about the paternity thing.”
With all that Alex and I have been through, I’ve not given much thought about the root of all of this shit. “Fuck, man. I know you’ve been going through your own shit. How are you coming to terms with it?”
Zane’s head tilts to the side. “It’s confusing. Carter’s all-in and that brings up some old baggage for me. I’m planning on spending time with Ty when he gets back, although Fee is still raw about the entire situation.”
We all sit back and look out the window for a bit. Contemplate. Content in our silence. Funny how spending 24/7 with your dudes gives you that sense of comfort, even in silence.
“How’s Alex doing?” Connor turns to me. “We’ve tried to give you some space so she can recover.”
I think about it for a second. “She’s surprisingly well-adjusted. I’m the one who’s a big mess. When the woman you love is hurt, it’s literally the worst thing in the world. I hope none of you ever experience it.”
“Yeah.” Connor nods and looks me in the eye. “Although all our ladies have had a fair share of shit in their lives, the only one of us who has also been through something like that is Ty. When Zoey was nearly killed by that taxi.”
