Page 92 of A Vine Mess
“They’re…overbearing,” Aria continued, “but they’re the best and my favorite people on the planet.”
“Even Owen?”
“EspeciallyOwen,” she confirmed. “Even though he’s not here, he’s been taking care of all of us since Daddy died.”
My heart squeezed painfully at the reminder of this family’s loss, how their Dad had died when Owen was a junior in college. I did the mental calculations and realized Aria couldn’t havebeen more than six at the time.
“What do you mean, taking care of you?”
Aria smiled, almost sadly, and I saw so much of my sister’s boyfriend in that expression. The genes in the Lawless family were strong.
“You know he gave up his final year of college eligibility to go pro, right?” I nodded. “Most people think that was because it’s what Daddy would’ve wanted, but one thing I’ve learned about my dad—and my brothers, for that matter—is that not a single one of them can be told what to do. Owen left college a year early because Mama was barely holding it together without Dad, and he didn’t want us struggling. Trey was in college, Lane about to graduate high school. The twins and Crew were always getting into trouble, and I was this little girl, so young I didn’t know up from down in the world, especially not one with my father suddenly missing from it. I’m sure Mama would’ve figured it all out eventually, but Owen gave us money that kept us afloat those first few years. He paid for college for those of us that went, covered ranch expenses when times were tight, made sure we had clothes on our backs and food on the table.” Aria’s eyes went misty, and she sniffled loudly and blinked rapidly before any could fall. “My oldest brother is the best man I’ve ever known. Your sister got a really, really good one.”
Before I could respond—honestly, I was struck stupid and into silence anyway—the band ended their song, the bar going quiet until someone called into the mic, “Ariiiiiiiiiiii.”
The girl next to me jumped to her feet and grinned. “That’s my cue.”
West and Liam returned then, but I looked at Trey and said, “Where is she going?”
He only smiled, crossed his arms over his chest, and leaned back in his chair. “Watch.”
After accepting my bourbon from Liam, I swiveled on my chair to face the stage, where Aria now stood behind the mic.
“Good evening, beautiful people,” she grinned, and a raucous greeting rang out from the crowd. “What do y’all wanna hear tonight?”
Someone shouted, “Carrie Underwood!” into the silence that followed her question, and Aria turned to look at the band.
“What do you think, boys?”
In answer, the opening notes of “Before He Cheats” rang out, and the cheers grew in volume.
And when Aria started singing, I was transfixed, entirely mesmerized by how such a powerful voice came out of such a petite package. How the girl who’d been sitting beside me not long ago, getting emotional over her family, morphed into this badass singer in the span of a few minutes.
“Holy shit,” Liam breathed next to me.
I only nodded. “She’s amazing.”
Swiveling my head, I glanced around at Aria’s brothers, who were each singing along proudly as the youngest of them entertained the crowd.
When the song ended, West hopped up on a chair and shouted, “That’s my baby sister!”
The entire crowd cheered along with him, but the bright lights on Aria did nothing to hide the blush that crept up her neck and over her cheeks. Still, she remained nothing but professional as she launched into another country song, this one a MeganMoroney tune that had everyone in the bar screaming the words right back at her.
Aria strutted up and down the stage, twirling and dancing and singing her heart out.
To witness such a thing was nothing short of incredible. Each of her brothers may have been talented in their own rights, but the baby of the family had definitely taken her fair share of the pot.
After a few more numbers, she told everyone she was taking a break—to numerous groans—and made her way back to us. The entire band appeared to be breaking as well, grabbing a drink, a smoke, or disappearing down a long hall toward the back with a woman on their arms. In their place, top forty began piping into the room from the sound system.
When Aria reached us, I threw my arms around her and squeezed her tightly, then held her out in front of you.
“You are incredible!” I squealed.
Aria blushed again. “It’s just for fun.”
“No, Aria. You are insanely talented. Don’t sell yourself short.”
She reached out and clasped my hands. “You really mean it?”
