Page 56 of Lost Lyrics

Neither could I.

Sutton curled her hand around Flint’s leg and kissed him on the lips. “I told you to be patient. And I’m with Slip. Longer breaks would be nice.”

“We’ll do that. I promise.” He sat three inches taller, unable to contain his electric energy, and took everyone in. “So, when can we start? Planning. Brainstorming. Writing. Playing. Slip, are you going to join us via Zoom or be here? We could come to Bowen Island for some sessions. What do you think about that?”

“Whoa!” Cole butted in. “Slip, your house is really nice, but at this time of year, it’s fucking cold. If I can’t snowboard, I don’t want to be near the snow. I need sunshine, man.”

“It’s coming out of your ass.” Chuckling, Lewis flicked his finger toward Cole’s backside. “I can see it from here.”

“You want a closer look?” Cole went to stand, but Ava caught his hand and pulled him back onto the sofa. Cole just grinned and kissed Ava on the cheek. “Spoilsport.”

“No one wants to see your lily-white ass.” Ava covered Cole’s face with her hand and pushed him away.

Maddy cleared her throat loudly, capturing everyone’s attention. “Um . . . actually . . . as of Christmas . . . Slip and I will be in LA. We’re moving back home.”

“ARGH! What?” Sutton shrieked, turned to Maddy beside her and clasped Maddy’s hands. Tears welled in her eyes. And mine too.Damn hormones.“You are? Oh my God. That is amazing...but why? What’s happened?”

“My show’s changed too much.” Maddy’s lower lip sank, but she kept her tone light. “I don’t like the new direction. So, I quit. I finish this season in mid-December. I’ve talked to my agent, and he’ll hunt down a new role for me. I’m in no rush. I’m going to enjoy more time off. Be with Slip. Fall back into LA life.”

Sutton wiped tears from her eyes. “This is the best news ever. I’ve missed you so much.”

“Same.” Maddy entwined her fingers with Slip’s and held their hands against her thigh. “Since Mom died, I’ve realized how important family is, and time together is precious. You guys are my family. I’ve been away for far too long.”

“It will be so good having you home.” I splayed my hands across my chest. I loved that everyone would be together again. I loved Maddy and Slip. This was where they belonged. “We are family. Always will be.”

Tears glistened in Maddy’s eyes. “It’s time to come home.”

I understood that more than anyone. After being away filming in Chicago for years, the pull to be with Cole and the guys had become overpowering. I’d come back to LA to be with them.

“So, guys?” Flint rubbed his thighs. “Can we start now?”He’d start right that minute if the band wanted to.

“Honestly and realistically, after the new year would be best.” Slip didn’t hesitate. “That’s only two months away. We can have some initial discussions over the coming weeks and make plans, but I don’t see us hitting the studio before then. Maddy has to finish her show. We need to sort out what to do with her condo in Vancouver and move back to LA. Does that sound okay?”

“It sure does. It absolutely does.” Flint rubbed his hands together, then slapped them against his thighs. “I can’t fucking wait.”

Lewis hooked his arm around my shoulders and cheered with the guys. The tension that had been present in his brow for months had disappeared. Deep down, he’d been concerned the band wouldn’t reform. That he’d have to find a new venture to work on or a new group to play with. But he’d always been optimistic. And he had every reason to be. These guys were solid. They weren’t going anywhere. Lewis belonged with them. He was a Flintlock.

So was I.

And so was our growing little one.

After dinner, drinks, and too many laughs, Lewis and I headed home.

We ambled into the kitchen, and I eased onto a stool to get off my swollen feet. Lewis switched on some soft music, then made me a cup of peppermint tea. He hadn’t stopped smiling since Slip and Maddy had given everyone the good news.

Neither had I.

My boys were ready to rock up a storm, write, record, and tour.Yeah!

Every step would take months to deliver, but I couldn’t wait to see what direction their new music took and hear the songs they created. The material Lewis had written was incredible.But I was even more excited to be with them every step of the way, working in the studio, running their front-of-house, and traveling with them when they performed live.

Damn. . . I’d have a baby when we hit the road.

That would be life-changing.

As Lewis placed my cup of hot tea in front of me, my belly twitched. I shot my hand over the weird sensation. My breath hitched. What was that? It was like butterflies, coming in soft waves of little pops and flutters.

“Tee, you okay?” Concern swayed in Lewis’s voice.

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