Page 7 of Lost Lyrics

“Tee?” Lewis sank onto the sofa beside me and draped his arm over my shoulders. I turned and curled against his side, tucking my feet up onto the cushions. I breathed his sweet, earthy scent into every cell in my body and cuddled closer to him for warmth.

He kissed my forehead. “Sweetheart? What’s going on?”

“I just got my period. I’m sorry. No baby.”

“Oh.” The disappointment in his tone reflected my own, crushing my chest. He wanted kids as much as, if not more, than me. “Not meant to be this month. It’s okay. We’ll keep trying. It will happen. Trust me.”

“Lew?” Slip chuckled, low and soft. “You are sticking it in the right hole, aren’t you?”

“I certainly am.” Lewis’s soft laugh rumbled through his chest. “I was gay, not stupid. While all available options are great, I know which one to use for getting pregnant.”

“Good.” Slip’s eyes glinted in the dim lights. “Just checking.”

“Love you, asshole.” Grinning, Lewis leaned behind me and play-punched Slip in the arm. “How’s life in Canada?”

“Cold. Snow-ridden. But awesome.” Slip rested his arm along the back of the sofa and swiveled toward us. “We’ve only been on the island for a month. We’re still finding our way around the place and settling in.”

“Can’t wait to come and see it.” I jabbed my foot against his leg. “Are you up for visitors yet?”

“Um...not yet. I need to work on this a bit more.” He tapped the side of his temple. I admired his strength and resilience when it came to getting better. Rehab and recovery took time. Being here was hard on him, but today wouldn’t have been the same without him.

“Slip, you do what you have to do to get better. We’re not going anywhere. But we miss you like crazy. Lewis and I are busy with awards until the end of March. In April we’re heading to Ibiza with Morgan, Lewis’s DJ friend, for some shows, then we’re going on the festival circuit with Duke in May. Maybe we could come after that?” I’d kept our calendar full to take my mind off babies. But I’d been kidding myself. Becoming pregnant was all I thought about every day.

“Maybe.” Slip rubbed and patted my ankle. “I’ll keep you posted.”

“We’ll need a vacation by then.” I ran my palm over Lewis’s stomach.Hmm.Love these abs.“Won’t we, babe?”

“Sure will. But Tee?” Lewis wriggled his eyebrows, then pressed his lips to mine. “Vacation or not, there won’t be any resting. There will be lots of baby-making practice. Every day if needed.”

I cradled his scruffy cheek and swiped my thumb over the soft stubble. Smiling, I lowered my voice. “Good thing I’m okay with that.”

“Actually...if I’m up for visitors by then, it would be nice if everyone came to see us around that time,” Slip suggested. “We have plenty of room.”

Time with our friends was always fun. Visiting Slip and Maddy’s new home-away-from-home after the busy few months ahead would be perfect. I needed to unwind. De-stress. Chill out. Get fucking pregnant.

“The more the merrier.” I clutched and squeezed Slip’s hand. “We’ll be there. With bells on.”

I couldn’t wait. It’d be fun.

But fuck, I hoped I was pregnant by then.

Chapter 3

COLE

I’d been in front of some rowdy, unruly crowds in my time, but I’d never been so terrified and nervous as I was standing in front of my daughter’s preschool class for meet-the-parent day. Twelve moms had turned up to voluntarily assist the teacher for the morning session. It was standing-room-only at the back of the class. I could handle the adults. I’d throw them a few flirtatious winks and smiles, and they’d be a captivated audience. But the twenty-five four-year-olds playing on the mat before me had me breaking out in a cold sweat.

I could never be a teacher...or a child entertainer.No. Fucking. Way.

The yelling and screaming, chaos and clatter filling the room was insane . . . and I played the fucking drums. The kids . . . this noise . . . created some serious decibels!

But I wanted to be there for Charlotte. My parents had never gone to any of my schooling events. They’d never attended careers days, teacher interviews, sports carnivals, or musicals. None. I was adamant I wouldn’t disappoint Charlotte...or Josh, Ava’s son, in the same way.

“I’ve never been in front of this many kids before.” I tugged on the lapel of Ava’s suit jacket to steady myself and ward offthe dread loitering inside my chest. Riley, my bodyguard, stood next to her. He’d wanted to come along for a laugh.Great.But I prayed I didn’t need him to save me from this hyperactive crowd.

“You’ll be fine.” Ava placed her hand over my heart and tapped it. “Just remember, they are four.”

“You sure about that?” My pulse spiked as the kids jostled around on the mat, play-fighting, shrieking, and laughing. The moms stood at the back of the room whispering to each other in hushed tones, and the teacher wrote on the whiteboard.

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