“What’s up?”
“Can you play this?” Meg asks, holding the paper out to her.
“Uh, this is a bunch of squiggles.” Nic laughs.
“Welcome to my world,” Sam calls out and grins.
“Here, I’ll show you how it’s supposed to sound. We need to hear it with the guitar.” Leo sits at the piano and gestures for Nic to join him and begins to play.
“Why don’t you just play it?” Nic asks nervously.
“Because I need to write.” He grins and shows her how the melody should sound, then sits and listens as Nic picks it up, playing beautifully.
She never stops surprising me.
“She’s good,” Will murmurs.
“I had no idea,” I reply softly.
“So talk while she’s preoccupied.”
I glance at my brother, who’s watching me closely, and then turn my gaze back to the powerhouse of a woman on that piano bench.
“What?” I ask.
“I’ve never, never, seen you with a woman,” Will replies softly.
“That’s an exaggeration, drama queen.”
“High school doesn’t count.”
I shrug. I knew this was coming, and it’ll come again Saturday when I take her with me to Nat’s party.
“I like her.”
“Jesus, you’re stubborn,” Will growls and shoves his hand through his hair.
Nic continues to play the piano, surprising Leo when she changes some notes, telling him that it sounds better like this.
Leo scowls, listens, and then grins.
“You’re right.” Meg nods. “It’s smoother.”
“She’s amazing,” I whisper to Will. “She’s smart and kind. Sexy as fuck.”
“She is pretty hot,” Will agrees with a nod and then laughs when I glare at him. “Dude, I’m perfectly happy with my own hot woman.” His face sobers. “But does she know…”
“She knows,” I confirm. “And we’re good.”
Will nods. He and Isaac have never really understood my bedroom preferences, but they’re as supportive of me as I am of them, which means they’d have my back no matter what.
Caleb gets it. I can’t wait for him to get home so I can talk to him about all of this.
“I like her, man.” Will clamps his hand on my shoulder. “She’s sweet. I think she’ll get along well with the family, if that’s where you’re heading with this.”
“It’s where I’m heading.”
Will nods, watching the three of them play the music and smile and laugh together. “Meg’s already marrying you off in her head. You know that, right?”
I laugh and shake my head. “Of course she is. Meg wants everyone to be happy.”
“She’s a lot like Nat in that way,” Will agrees. “Jules might be a hard sell.”
“Jules loves everyone, too,” I disagree, thinking of my sweet baby sister. “She’s just a little protective of her brothers. She never had an issue with Meg.”
“No, but that’s because she’s known Meg since college,” Will replies. “And Bryn’s been around forever, too. It’ll be interesting to see how she reacts to someone she doesn’t know.”
“I’m not worried about Jules,” I reply drily.
“You will worry when she and Nat take Nic shopping.” Will shakes his head ruefully. “Those two are responsible for keeping Seattle’s commerce thriving.”
“At least they’re doing their part,” I reply with a grin.
“Looks like your girl has a bit of a crush on Leo.” Will gestures toward them with his chin.
Leo has hugged her, excited about the progress they made on the song, and Nic is blushing furiously.
“That doesn’t worry me either.” I smirk. “Leo’s a rock star, and Nic’s a fan. She’ll get over it.”
“I wonder if she knows who Luke is.” Will says thoughtfully. “She doesn’t seem to mind being around me.”
“That’s because you’re a douche bag,” I reply.
“Whatever, moron.” Will laughs.
“I know what you’re getting at. It’s hard to be with our family. But I trust her.” I scratch my cheek then cross my arms over my chest.
“Okay.” He grins at me smugly. “I knew you’d fall in love eventually.”
“I’m not…” I begin, but he cuts me off with a loud laugh.
“Right. That’s what I said, too. Now look at me, so in love with her I can hardly see straight, and getting married.” Will’s face softens when he watches Meg play her guitar. “I wouldn’t change it for anything. She’s all that matters, Matt.”
I take a deep breath and watch Nic at the piano, tickling the keys, singing under her breath, off in her own world.
She’s all that matters.
Chapter Eight
Nic
“Thanks for taking me with you,” I murmur to Matt as we walk up to my apartment.
I rub my temple, hoping to alleviate the dull ache that’s been throbbing behind my eyes all day and has only gotten worse since dinner.
Matt lays his hands on my shoulders and rubs, making me moan in pleasure. “There’s nowhere else I’d have you be.”
I unlock the door and lead him inside my apartment, but turn and stop him from following me inside. “I’m not going to be the best company tonight, Matt.”
He frowns as he takes my face in his hands. “What’s wrong?”
“I’ve had a headache all day, but it seems to be getting worse, so I think I’ll just take a shower and go to bed.” I shrug and offer him a small smile. “I’m sorry.”
“What are you sorry for?” He takes my hand, kisses my knuckles tenderly, sending electricity up my arm, before pulling me behind him to the bedroom.
“For ending the night early.”
“Do you mind if I stay?” His voice is soft, gentle. He brushes his knuckles gently down my cheek before leaning in and kissing my forehead carefully.
“I don’t mind,” I reply.
“Have a seat.” He gestures to the bed, but I shake my head.
“I really just want to take a hot shower and go to sleep, Matt. If you change your mind and don’t want to stay, it’s okay.”