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“Me three!” Atlas says, his eyes shining with emotion.
The best Lennon sandwich happens as soon as Mav puts her down, and the four of them are crying.
“I can’t believe you surprised us!” Layla says, her arm wrapped around Lennon’s waist.
“We were too close to miss this show,” Lennon says with a shrug.
She’s being purposefully cagey about where we now live, and I don’t blame her when there’s so many ears.
Jordan strides over to us with an iPad and a grin. “Why don’t we move this to your bus, Layla, so you have some privacy?” He raises a brow in urgency and she nods quickly.
“We should all walk together,” I suggest, jerking my head towards an exit. As one, we move together, and Layla and Lennon talk about the show.
As soon as we’re on the bus with the door locked, Layla whirls to face us all.
“I want the full rundown of everything I’m missing. You haven’t called me at all,” Layla yells, throwing up her hands.
I frown, because it’s not like Lennon didn’t try. I just interrupted their call due to security reasons. I decide to let it ride, because while I can’t keep Lennon in a bubble, I won’t let her sister continue to yell at her for long.
“I know, and I’m sorry. I’ve been a little busy with training, therapy, and tracking people down,” Lennon says with a wince. “Also, in case you’re trying to contact your dad, he’s in jail…”
“Lennon!” Layla sputters, grabbing her hand and pulling her further into the bus towards the couches. “He’sourdad, and how the hell did that happen?”
Lennon sighs, looking longingly at the vodka bottle on a table. “Lennon, do you want a drink?” I ask with a small smile. She’s not on antibiotics anymore, and I don’t think it’ll be a problem.
“Yes please,” she says, her breath whooshing out of her body.
Roark comes up beside me discreetly. “She likes vodka and soda,” he murmurs. “I’ll grab a beer for Turner and I.”
Realizing he’s giving me the green light to mix her a drink, I nod and move to make it. I don’t know why, but this feels like a big deal. I know so much about Lennon, but the little things are an enigma. They’re things that Roark, Turner, and even Derek know from touring with her.
I feel like I’m playing catch up instead, and appreciate Roark’s willingness to help me, even stepping back so I can make it.
Handing Lennon the drink, I stand to the side and let them catch up. Derek leans against the wall as he listens to them, his eyes still flicking to the windows and paying attention to everything around him. I received a text from the roadie as we walked over that he would be outside the bus to keep watch.
As long as everything stays quiet, we should be fine on this quick trip out in public.
“I don’t think I’ll be claiming our father anytime soon, Lay,” Lennon says, shaking her head. “He didn’t believe me when I told him he was my father, called me crazy, a whore, and thought I wanted something from him.” Layla’s jaw drops as she listens. “The only way to get the information I wanted from James was to have Uncle Jordan get him arrested.”
“Don’t tell all of my secrets there, Lennon,” he chuckles. “Your father will be fine, Layla. He’s humiliated, annoyed, and confused as to why his ass hurts after he was strip searched, but he’ll be released by the end of the week.”
Mav snorts, shaking his head. “Good, the bloody bastard deserves it for messing with our little Valkyrie. Which one of you hit James for calling our girl a whore?”
Turner shrugs and raises his hand as Mav and Atlas howl in laughter.
“Dad’s a little short-sighted at times,” Layla sighs. “I tried to tell him when I was at the police station when you were taken, but he wouldn’t listen. I was too worried about you to deal with him, so I just walked away. I’m sorry he said those things to you.”
Lennon has a dark look through her gray eyes before taking a sip of her drink. “It’s not your fault, but at least I’m one step closer to finding my mom now. There’s a lot of balls up in the air. So, how are your balls? Mav and Atlas being good to you?” she asks coyly.
I can tell she’s changing the subject, and smirk as Layla turns beat red and Atlas and Mav choke on their drinks.
“Lennon,” Atlas says, coughing. “Are you threatening our manhood right now?”
Lennon shrugs without a smile. “Treat my baby sister right, in all ways, and you’ll never have to know.”
“Lennon,” Layla giggles. “It’s all a little early for that. We’re still getting to know each other. They’ve also been perfect gentlemen, I promise.”
There’s respect as well as hunger in Mav and Atlas’ eyes, and I can see that they want more. I’m glad they’re giving her some time to figure things out though.
