Page 32 of Lost Lyrics

“Yes. You’re not helping.”

“Yes, I am. I’m eliminating your doubts.”

“You wish.”

“Stop overthinking this. I’ve never seen you this happy. That has to mean something.”

“It does.” I nodded, then pinched my eyebrows together. “I don’t want to be stuck in limbo. So...I’ve given myself until the end of summer to sort my shit out.” I didn’t want to think about the consequences if I didn’t.

“You okay with that?”

Am I? Yes.“Yeah. I like deadlines.” I loved Cole. No question. I just needed to make sure my heart was strong enough for whatever the future held. “He’s a good man, isn’t he?”

“Total asshole, remember?” Beckett chuckled and wiped his fingertips over the sides of his mouth.

“No...he’s not.” I stared at the photo still displayed on my cell phone. My heart wanted to wrap around him and our kids. Love them forever.

Was that on our cards?

I loved dating Cole, being his girlfriend, and hanging out with the band. I hadn’t laughed or traveled the world or made new friends in years. Cole had given me a new lease on life. Sex with him was fucking phenomenal. My pussy quivered just thinking about it.

Was it wrong to want it all? Him. A family. Our kids to be together.Shit no.

So when would the calm come?

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath to clear my head.

Visions of Cole flickered through my mind. His infectious smile. His will to never give up. His confidence, thinking he could take me down in a fight.No chance.His love and passion for his music, family, and friends. His devotion to our kids...and me.

Yeah . . . we were good. I loved him.

Could I take that leap and move in with him?

Hmmm.Guessed I’d know by the end of summer.

Chapter 9

MADDY

“No! It’s too early,” I moaned, ignoring my cell phone vibrating on the nightstand.

Slip curled his body in behind me, his chest to my back, and nuzzled into my neck. “Don’t people know not to call before midday?” His sleepy voice whispered into my ear.

We rarely got up before noon. I loved sleeping in. Relaxing. Being with him. We’d been in our new house on Bowen Island for six months. Neither of us had tired of the views, the walks through the forest, hiking around the island, or kayaking along the coastline.

But Slip had been playing more often. He was jotting down lyrics. Recording melodies and progressions. I had this niggling feeling that the pull to be with his band had grown stronger. I loved that. It also twanged my heartstrings. I didn’t want our time here to end. Having to return to reality, work, music, travel, and life in the public eye daunted me. But one thing didn’t. I no longer doubted being with Slip. Time together had given me the confidence in our relationship I’d needed. We had each other and would survive anything.

Just as I drew Slip’s arm across my chest and cuddled it against my breasts, my cell phone buzzed again. It was 7:08a.m. It really was too early for calls. I picked up my cell, blinking to focus on the screen. Bridget’s name blazed across it. It wasn’t like her to call unless it was urgent.

Oh, shit . . . Mom!

I shot upright, knocking Slip’s arm off me, and answered the call. “Hey, Bridget. What’s up?” I tried to keep the worry out of my voice, but it had taken hold of every cell in my body. Mom wasn’t well the last time we’d spoken. Her lupus had flared severely, giving her a terrible fever and wheeze.

“Maddy?” Bridget sniffled. “It’s your mom. She’s in hospital again and not good. I mean, really not good. The doctor wants to talk to you.”

“Okay.” My hand shook as I flicked the cell phone onto speaker so Slip could listen in.

“Hi, Maddy. This is Dr. Raithna. How are you?”

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