Page 69 of Seven Lost Summers
“So what’s lover boy going to do when you start touring next month?” I ask, shifting the conversation.
Her face lights up instantly, that effortless, excited smile taking over. She glances toward where Ace is still hanging with Alex.
“Ace is flying to London to meet up before you guys start touring,” she says, her voice softer now, a quiet joy settling in her chest. “He and Xander have been at the house all week, working on new songs. They’re good.” She looks back at me. “Are you keen to get back in the studio tomorrow?”
“Yeah,” I say, smirking. “Gives me a chance to annoy the big guy.”
Scarlet laughs. “Try not to get kicked out before lunch this time.”
The smile lingers on her face, and I catch myself watching longer than I mean to.
She’s different now. I’ve never seen her this happy—not until Nate and I finally pulled our heads out of our asses and stopped giving Ace hell. He makes her happy. And that’s what matters.
We both glance over when Poppy steps to the edge of the pool, one hand on her growing belly, the other shoving her wild hair from her face. She’s glowing. Pregnancy suits her, even if she still gives Xander shit for treating her like she’s made of glass.
He told me the other day how much he fucking loves seeing her pregnant. How it wrecks him in the best way, watching her body change, knowing she’s carrying their child.
He missed it all the first time. Now he’s here for everything: every scan, every craving, every midnight freak-out. And you can see how much it means to him, finally being able to show up.
“Lunch is ready,” Poppy calls, her voice carrying across the pool.
I push off the edge, grinning up at her. “You coming for a swim, Spitfire?”
She snorts, arching a brow. “Yeah, let me squeeze in a quick cannonball.”
I smirk, arms spreading wide. “Hey, weight distribution could work in your favor. Might even give you some serious height.”
Scarlet chokes on a laugh while Poppy shoots me a look that says she’s debating if I’m worth the effort of smacking.
Ace is already lifting Alex out of the pool, the kid grinning like he’s just conquered the deep end.
Poppy’s gaze shifts to them, her expression softening the way it always does when she looks at him.
Scarlet and I push out of the water, shaking off droplets clinging to our skin.
Ace sets Alex down, ruffles his soaked hair, then drops a towel over the kid’s head, earning a muffled protest.
Together, we head for the house, wet footprints trailing across the patio behind us.
Xander and Nate are already at the table. Nate’s got a beer in hand, while Xander sits close to Poppy, watching her the way he always does, protective, calm, ready to step in if she so much as reaches for a plate.
I walk to the fridge, swing the door open, and grab three beers. Nothing for Poppy. I already know Xander’s handled it. He’s probably made sure she’s got water, juice, or whatever the hell she’s craving today. He doesn’t miss a thing.
That’s who he is now, the guy who looks after his family without being asked. The one who always seems to know what someone needs before they say a word.
There was always something missing in him.
He had the music, the fame, the wild nights and noise. Groupies lined up to fuck him, offering anything he wanted—but none of it ever settled him.
His eyes gave it away.
Restless.
Haunted.
Like he was chasing something he couldn’t name.
One night, after too many drinks and way too much weed, he spilled it all. How he fucked it up. How he left his heart back in that fucked-up town. How he should’ve stayed. Should’ve stood up to her mother.
