Page 95 of #Moonstruck

People started drifting back to their own buses, and Ryan’s bandmates turned in for the night. It was just me, my family, and Ryan.

It turned into a “Let’s embarrass Maisy” party. My brothers told Ryan story after story about me, and no amount of threatening to reveal their secrets stopped them.

“She was a total band geek,” Parker said, laughing.

“Please tell me you wore a polyester uniform. And that you marched in a parade.”

I stayed quiet for a moment. “I’ll have you know we were in a parade at Disneyland.”

For some reason they all found this totally hysterical.

“And band camp? Did you go to band camp?” he asked when he could breathe again.

“I’m not dignifying that with a response.”

More laughter.

“Did you know what a huge crush she used to have on you?” Fitz asked, making me gasp. I threw one of my new pillows at him, and he easily caught it.

Parker didn’t look away from the TV screen as he replied, “I forgot about that. When she was a teenager. Didn’t she have his poster on her wall?”

“Really?” Ryan sounded far too pleased. “I thought you hated my music.”

“I do. Some of it. Not all of it. I’m particularly partial to ‘Maisy.’”

“That’s because you’re an egomaniac,” Cole informed me.

“That’s enough of that,” I told them. “You have sufficiently humiliated me, and it’s late.”

Catching my drift, Fitz and Cole wished me happy birthday again and said good night.

“What’s it like getting to make out with your teenage crush?” Ryan teased as he pulled me close.

“Shut up.”

“Not a chance. I’ll be bringing this up a lot. Also, do you still have your band uniform? I think I’d like to see you in it.”

“It’s not attractive,” I told him.

“I’ll be the judge of that.” He kissed me with feathery, teasing kisses and pulled away before I could press for real ones. “Is there anything else you want for your birthday?”

“At the moment I can think of one or two things.”

His eyes darkened at my tone and expression. “Just so you know, you can unwrap me anytime you’d like.”

At that, Parker called out, “Gag. I am sitting right here!”

“I know where you are,” I told him. “Take the hint and go.”

He finally did, leaving me somewhat alone with Ryan.

“Where’s Fox?” I realized I hadn’t seen him at the party.

“He gave me his two-week notice this afternoon. He wants to move back home to LA. My guess is to spend some more time with your best friend. I told him to go now and gave him the money for the two weeks and a generous severance package.”

Even though Ryan didn’t say it, I knew he’d done for it me. Because of how much I wanted Fox and Angie to be together. Even if it inconvenienced him or the other guards on the tour.

“You are seriously the best. Do you know that?” He was. Ryan De Luna was more than I could have ever hoped for.

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