Текст книги "Untamed"

Автор книги: S. C. Stephens

сообщить о нарушении

Текущая страница: 28 (всего у книги 29 страниц)

Epilogue

Awesome Returns

The first thing the guys and I did was decide the best way to incorporate the new sound. Matt and Evan wanted to focus on new material, but Kellan and I wanted to remix a couple of the most popular D-Bags songs. Liam’s vote ended up being the deciding factor, which instantly made me appreciate having an odd number of members; no more stalemates.

Once we decided on the music, we started practicing it. We met every day, and for once, I didn’t mind. In fact, I would have met twice a day if the guys had asked me to. I was ecstatic for the new album to be out—people were going to flip when they heard it! Plus, the sooner we released it, the sooner I could pay off my debt. Then maybe Anna and I could eat something other than macaroni and cheese or Top Ramen for dinner. I was rapidly getting sick of pasta.

Maybe seeing that I was starting to lose weight, since I generally only ate once a day, Kellan approached me one afternoon when we were done rehearsing for the day. “Can I talk to you for a minute?”

“Sure,” I said, carefully setting my new guitar on its stand. “Is this about Bella’s gift? ’Cause I know I said I’d get her something when she was born, and I will, it’s just things are a little tight right now. We spent the last of Anna’s paycheck on Gibson’s birthday…but we are so thrilled for you and Kiera.” I elbowed him in the ribs. “Little girls are awesome. You’re gonna love it.”

Kellan gave me one of those smiles that only new dads could create. It was a mixture of pride and exhaustion. Kiera had given birth to their daughter last week, and the entire house was still adjusting to the new addition, but it was a happy adjustment.

Kellan shook his head and clapped my arm. “No, no, don’t even worry about that. Kiera and I don’t care if you get her anything, and honestly, Bella has more stuff than five newborns need.” He pursed his lips as I laughed.

“Get used to it. From my experience, girls accumulate a lot of shit.”

He smiled, then looked around to see if we were alone. “I know things are tight, and I want to help.”

I immediately rejected his offer. “No. Things are the way they are because I was an idiot. I don’t need a bailout for my own stupidity.” Not anymore, not since hope was on the horizon. I just had to suck it up a little longer.

Kellan didn’t back down. “You made amends, you deserve a fresh start.” I could tell by the look in his eye and the way that he was studying my ragged appearance that there was going to be money in my account tomorrow, whether I asked for it or not.

As guilty as I felt about Kellan spending his money on me, I was touched by his offer, and I felt a bond being strengthened. A brotherly bond as tight as family. Putting my hand on his shoulder, I sucked up my pride and told him, “Thank you, it’s been…hard. I’ll pay you back, of course. Double, triple, you name it.”

Kellan’s smile was soft when I pulled my hand away. “You only need to pay me back what you borrowed, Griffin. Family doesn’t charge interest.”

I felt like I could breathe freely after that. Sure, even with that monkey off my back, things were still tight living on just one income, but it felt good to know we were making it. And it felt even better to know there was a light at the end of the tunnel. The fact that our lives would change when the album released helped tremendously. Although I didn’t mind our modest life. Quite the opposite. I loved every minute of it.

The album released in April. There was a lot of hype behind it, thanks to the show, and to the announcement that the band had made early on—that the four original members were reuniting, but Liam was still in. We were expanding, in every way possible. That had everyone talking about us, and about the new album. It was quite easily the most anticipated album of the year. And because it was so different from the rest of our stuff, I was a nervous wreck. Oddly, I was the only one who was nervous.

Matt, Evan, and Kellan were as calm as could be. Liam was just giddy. He wanted to start playing live. He wanted to go on tour. He wanted his rock star life to start. And about four weeks before the album dropped, he got his wish. The five of us headed out on a massive promotional tour.

The first stop of the tour was back in L.A. Mom and Dad came down to the radio station with Matt’s parents to listen to their kids perform. Because I thought it would be fun for them to see behind the scenes of the radio station, I got them passes to join us inside the conference room where we were playing.

I texted Anna for support a few minutes before we played the first single off the new album. Anna had stayed home with the girls. Promotional tours were even more chaotic than regular tours, and with her about to pop in a couple months, I felt it was best for her to stay home. Anna was fine with it, she had a job that she loved to keep her busy. Gibson was pissed though. I’d never seen a true tantrum from her until the day I’d told her she couldn’t go on tour with me. Needless to say, I’d given my word that she could come on the regular tour with us when it started this summer.

Anna texted me back the encouragement I’d needed to hear, and just seeing her words made me feel calmer. You have nothing to worry about. The song kicks ass! It’s the best song the band has ever done…and it’s all because of you. I wasn’t sure about that last part, but it felt good to hear it.

Before we played the new single, the DJs asked us some questions. Surprisingly, most of them were directed at me. “So, why did you leave the band and what made you return?”

It seemed like that should be an easy question, but it really wasn’t. There were so many factors. I decided to simplify it though. “I left because I was an effing idiot. I came back because I…well, I think I grew up.”

The DJs laughed while Matt nodded like he agreed with me. Then one of the DJs said, “You technically didn’t win the right to join the band. How did it feel to lose to your brother?”

Again, a complicated question. Again, I answered as simply as possible. “I’d never expected to win, and my brother kicked ass during the competition, so I had no regrets over him winning. He earned it.”

Liam grinned at me and I fist-bumped him. The DJs shifted their questions to the guys after that. “What made you guys decide to take him back and expand the band?”

Matt, Evan, and Kellan all looked at each other, then Kellan pointed at Matt. “Go ahead. You take this one.”

Matt looked down, then up at me. “We saw Griffin’s growth and his potential.” He smiled at me, then shifted his eyes to the DJs. “We could have gone on without him, but it would have felt incomplete.” Smirking, he added, “The D-Bags just aren’t the same without their biggest D.”

The DJs laughed again, then we set up to play our new song. I was so nervous, I was shaking. But as soon as the intro started, the familiarity of playing hit me and all my nerves evaporated. It was just like we were back at rehearsal—no pressure, no one but us listening, nothing but good times and good music.

Our new song was extra special to me; I’d helped Kellan write it. We’d been talking one night about everything I’d gone through, all the ups and downs, and he’d said my story, my struggles, would make an awesome song. It was about having it all, then losing it, and trying to work your way back. It was probably the first D-Bags song that actually meant something to me…plus, I got to rap in it, which was freaking awesome.

Evan and Liam started us off with a mellow intro, then Kellan came in real quiet. But just one line. After that, I started my rhythmic rap. The DJs clearly weren’t expecting that, and seeing that I’d caught them off guard almost made me smile. I would have, if I wasn’t concentrating so hard. This beginning part was all me; in essence, Kellan was just singing backup. As the song started building to the first chorus, I swear I could feel the entire world listening. It was intense. Kellan killed it on the chorus, and all of us played full bore. Then it quieted down to another mellower rapping section, where I poured out my heart, my fear, and my sins. It was odd to be singing about something so personal, but it made me feel cleansed too, and I suddenly began to wonder if all the songs the D-Bags sang were personal for someone in the band. Probably.

After the second chorus, the instruments mellowed again, but instead of me rapping, Kellan came in with a smooth solo. Listening to him made me appreciate his talent. He really was incredibly fucking good at this. The instruments kicked in again and Kellan took his voice up a notch—it gave me goose bumps. We rode out the song on a high note, and when it was over, all I wanted to do was play it again.

Everyone in the room clapped when we were done, and Mom even wiped some tears from her eyes. The texts and messages the station received were all positive, but I really wasn’t sure what the fans thought of the song until we stepped outside. The crowd had been listening to the radio station’s outdoor speakers, and the screams and cheers they let out when they saw us was damn near deafening. I immediately texted Anna. They loved it!

Her response was instant. Of course they did! I’m so proud of you, baby. She included a kissy face after that, and I suddenly wished I was home with her and the girls. All of this meant nothing without them.

We went back home after the promotional tour ended. The tour was a mammoth success, and the album debuted at number one. I was excited that the fans were eager for our new bigger and better sound, but I was even happier to be home in Anna’s arms again.

Denny and Abby threw a private party for the band at Pete’s the following week. It was a huge event, and anyone who had ever supported the band was there—Holeshot, Avoiding Redemption, Poetic Bliss, my family, Matt’s family, Evan’s family, and even Kellan’s family. Plus all of our friends and all the current and former staff of Pete’s were there.

It was a party for the record books, and even though it felt good to have my banishment lifted from my favorite bar, I spent most of the night attached to Anna’s side, rubbing her lower back. Just as she murmured that she was ready for me to start rubbing other parts of her body, Denny approached us. Smiling wide, he extended his hand to me. “Congratulations, Griffin. The album is well on its way to being the best D-Bags album yet. The reviews everywhere have been outstanding. Fans and critics agree, which is rare. And they’re all saying the same thing: You’re amazing.”

I shook his hand, but his compliment made me uncomfortable. “It’s a group effort. I’m only one part, a small part really.”

Denny blinked at me, then laughed. “It still blows me away that you’re capable of being modest.”

Crooking a smile, I shrugged. If there was one thing I’d learned through all of this, it was that I couldn’t do it on my own. My success depended on others, and vice versa. We were a team, and I was learning how to be a helpful, supportive member of that team. I wasn’t perfect, and I still had the occasional slipup, but I was getting better.

Anna wrapped an arm around me, squeezing me tight. “He’s capable of many things.” From the suggestive way she wriggled her eyebrows, it was obvious just what she meant by that. I laughed as I squeezed her tight. Gotta love my horny girl.

My family approached me after Denny went off to dance with Abby. Liam was beside himself. “Number one…the album is number one!”

With a nod, I told him, “I know. I got the call too.”

Awe on his face, he shook his head. “It’s the top-selling album…in the world.”

“Yeah…that’s what number one means.”

Turning from me, he faced Mom and Dad. “The album is number one…”

I shook my head as he got into a conversation with them about it. Liam just couldn’t wrap his mind around the sudden success. Well, sudden to him. His reaction reminded me of when the D-Bags first hit it big with Sienna Sexton. I’d probably reacted the same way. No…I’d probably acted like I’d expected nothing less, but inside I’d been freaking out.

Chelsey and Dustin were dancing the night away in the center of the bar, and it was surprisingly good to see my sister dancing again. I hoped Dustin took her out as often as he could, and knowing him and his character, I was sure he did. When their song was over, Chelsey twirled my way. “Hey, little brother, care to dance with your big sister?”

With a huge grin, I told her, “Sure.”

Even though it was a slow song, I spun her around and dipped her like a madman. She adjusted to everything I did though. Chelsey was a natural on her feet. Around halfway through the song, I stopped goofing off and danced with her normally. Arms around my neck, she gave me a grin full of sisterly pride. “I’m so happy for you, Griffin. And I knew you could do it.”

My eyes shifted to the ground before returning to her face. “You knew I could impress the guys enough that they’d take me back?”

Chelsey shook her head. “The band was never the steak, Griffin.” She pointedly looked over my shoulder and I followed her gaze. Anna was talking with Dustin; she shot me a wave when she noticed us staring at her.

I was nodding when I shifted back to Chelsey. “Yeah, you’re right. You’re always right. It’s fucking annoying.” Chelsey laughed and I joined in. It felt so good to be on the other side of our grief.

When Anna and I took the girls back to our tiny apartment at the end of the night, I felt complete. Nothing in my life could get any better.

But I was wrong.

Three weeks later, my wife gave birth to our newest child, and my life became even more perfect. We’d wanted the sex to be a surprise, and I was definitely surprised. I’d fully expected to be adding another girl to the family, but instead, my wife gave me a boy. A beautiful boy, with the palest blond hair and eyes that already had a hint of green to them.

As I held him in my arms, I asked Anna, “You still want that name we decided on?”

With a tired smile, she nodded, “It seems only fitting, since he was conceived on a stage. I like it spelled with an E though…so it’s a little different than the band he’s named after.”

I thought that was a great idea, so when the guys and my family came in to meet him, I proudly introduced them to the newest Hancock. “Everybody, I want you to meet my son…Linken. Linken, I want you to meet…everybody.”

It was hard to give him up to pass him around, and I almost felt more protective of him than my girls. Maybe that was because he was so tiny, and they were getting so big. I think I even told Kellan to watch his head, which was ridiculous, considering he’d just gone through the newborn stage with Bella. What could I say, I was an anxious dad. Besides my wife, nothing meant more to me than my kids.

Matt looked nervous when it was his turn to hold Linken. The look in his eye made me not want to hand my son over. Matt had butterfingers written all over him. “Dude, you don’t have to take a turn if you don’t want to…if you’re scared.”

Matt twisted his lips at me. “I’m not scared of a baby. I’m more scared of the fact that you’ve replicated yourself. There are two Griffins in the world now. I’m not sure the world is ready.” He slowly shook his head, like he was already seeing the upcoming apocalypse. Or should I say, Griffinocalypse.

Tossing on a smile, I told him, “Are you kidding me? The world has been waiting for my mini me for a long ass time. And Link is only the first of many. I plan on putting several mini cocks on this planet.” As many as my wife would let me.

Matt shook his head again. “And so it begins…”

Frowning, I turned to Evan and Jenny. “He just lost his turn. Which one of you wants him?”

I extended Linken in their general direction, and Jenny immediately scooped him up. “Oh my God! He’s so cute! Evan, look how sweet he is.”

She cooed in Linken’s face while Evan smiled at her. “Yeah, for being part Hancock, he is pretty adorable.”

Liam, Matt, and I reacted at the exact same time with “Hey!” Shaking my head, I added, “Not cool, dude. Hancocks are awesome.” Liam, Matt, and I bumped fists together in a show of family unity. While the band’s Hancock to non-Hancock ratio had been fifty-fifty before, it wasn’t anymore; the band was cock-heavy now, as it should be.

“Damn straight,” Liam said.

I indicated Jenny cuddling with my son. “Evan just forfeited his turn. Give him to Liam when you’re done, Jenny.” I patted Liam on the back. “You’re next, bro.”

Liam’s eyes widened, like I’d just told him his nonexistent girlfriend was expecting. Matt laughed while I shook my head. I was surrounded by a bunch of newborn-fearing pansies. Wusses.

When Linken was ready to come home, we took him to our new place. We’d recently moved from Anna’s tiny apartment. Now that the cash was flowing again, and we’d paid off the money we’d borrowed from Kellan, we could have bought just about any house we wanted, but we’d decided on a modest four-bedroom rambler in a quiet neighborhood that was close to some good schools. Anna and I wanted to live a simpler life, less opulence, less extravagance. We just wanted to concentrate on us, and on the kids, and we wanted to be smarter with our money. Plan better, just in case it ever did dry up again. And we wanted to give back.

One thing I’d learned throughout this whole mess was that I’d been given a gift that first go-round, and most people weren’t so lucky. Listening to the other contestants on that show, watching them struggle to make something of themselves…it had moved me, and I wanted to help them. I wanted to keep the dream alive, give people a reason to keep going, even when the obstacles seemed too high, the odds too big. I wanted to give people hope for their future.

At first, I’d had no idea how to do that. The task seemed too big, the different ways to go about it too vast, the overall idea too vague. But then Anna suggested I focus in on one aspect of my vision, and then, when I had it, that I start out small. Made sense to me, so I decided to start with the youngest dreamers and my favorite occupation. Anna and I were in the beginning stages of creating our charity—Strength Through Sound. Our goal was to enrich, encourage, and empower children through music. Our hope was to expand band and choir in schools, and offer activity centers where kids could go to express themselves in healthy ways. Even I could admit our plan was an ambitious one, but it meant something to me, so I felt like it was worth it. No, I felt like I was meant to do it.

Once Kellan heard our plan, he was 100 percent on board. Music had shaped his childhood, same as it had mine. The other guys quickly asked to be a part of it once they heard us talking, and pretty soon, Strength Through Sound was officially being sponsored by the D-Bags. Our first center was opening next year.

I could have happily stayed at home, planning my new charity while holding my new baby and playing with my girls, but the D-Bags had a job to do, and before I knew it, our summer tour was starting. When I asked Anna what she wanted to do, I fully expected her to say she wanted to stay home with Linken. I was shocked when she said she wanted to come with. “Are you sure? I mean, I know we’ve done it with a newborn before, but we only had one kid at the time.”

Anna gave me an unworried smile. “It will be fine. Linken’s a dream baby. He’s already sleeping through the night. And I’m already on maternity leave with work, so now is really the perfect time for me to go.”

Grinning, I gave her a quick kiss. “I’m glad you said that, because I really wasn’t looking forward to not seeing you guys for three months.” With a sigh, I placed a kiss on Linken’s forehead. “I don’t want to miss that much time with them. I don’t want to miss any time with them.”

Anna cupped my cheek. “You don’t have to. We’ll find a way to make this work, just like we do with everything else. And we’ll do it together.”

I nodded. “’Cause we’re a team.”

“Exactly.” She gave me a deep, lingering kiss then, and we put Linken down for a nap in his room, so we could benefit from one of the many perks of being partners.

Kiera and her kids ended up coming on the tour too, and so did Jenny and Rachel, so there were no shortages of people to help with the kids. And maybe it was my changed attitude, or my new position with the band, or quite possibly my brother’s overabundance of excitement, but that tour was by far the best one we’d ever done. We adjusted some of the classic D-Bags songs for me, adding a second line for my guitar, or just having Matt and I play together. There were ramps on the stage set up in an X pattern that let us run up and down, back and forth, burning off adrenaline and engaging the crowd. We even had pyrotechnics for one of our songs. It was fucking amazing, and when the tour finally wrapped up at the end of the summer, I was sad that it was over with.

And then, once the tour was done and the album was a monstrous smash and all the expected babies had been born, the D-Bags had wedding after wedding after wedding after fucking wedding. Okay, it wasn’t that many, but it felt like it.

Matt and Rachel started it off by renewing their vows. It seemed unnecessary to me, since they hadn’t been married all that long, but after talking to each of them, I got the feeling they were doing it just so Anna and I could see the ceremony. That moved me, and I didn’t even give him crap about the fact that his tuxedo had tails. Who the hell wears tails anymore? Jackass. I made a mental note to get him a cane and a monocle for Christmas. I might not tease him on his “special day,” but the other 364 were fair game.

Matt and Rachel had the ceremony at the restaurant inside the Space Needle, which was pretty awesome. They bought out the entire place for the night, and after their brief vows—both whispered to each other with bright red, embarrassed cheeks—we spent the night eating, drinking, and watching the city below us slowly revolve into view.

It was a great night, and as I slow danced with Anna, I asked her if she’d like to do something similar. “Do you think we should renew our vows and shit? We never really had a party.” No, we’d pretty much taken the leap, then continued on with life: had a baby and finished up the D-Bags tour.

Anna bit her lip while she thought. “I don’t really need the ceremony part, but we could have a barbeque to celebrate? Cook some burgers, drink some beer. That would be great!”

I wrapped both arms around her, giving her a tight squeeze. “I fucking love you.”

She laughed as she squeezed me back. “I fucking love you too.”

While we made plans for our shindig, Evan and Jenny finally took the plunge. They got married at their house—the old auto body shop with the loft on top. They did it a week before Christmas…and they let Abby decorate. Her outlandish design put every Santa’s Village to shame; it gave new meaning to the words “Winter Wonderland.” Shimmering snowflakes were hanging from the ceiling, fake snow lined every flat space in sight, and bright red roses were mixed with holly and mistletoe to create one-of-a-kind flower arrangements that had everybody kissing. Once the dorkiness of it wore off…I kind of dug it.

Kellan was Evan’s best man, while Matt, Liam, and I were his groomsmen. Jenny had Kiera as her maid of honor, with Anna, Rachel, and Kate as her bridesmaids. Matt was spacey the morning of the event, like he was hungover or something. I had to snap my fingers in front of his face three times to get his attention. “Dude, what’s up with you? You look like you’re gonna hurl.”

Matt ran a hand down his face. “I think I might.” Face grim, he looked between Evan, Kellan, Liam, and me. “Rachel’s pregnant…she just told me before we came out here. I’m gonna have a kid. I’m completely freaking out.” His skin paled so much, I was sure he was about to pass out.

Reaching inside my jacket, I handed him a flask of whiskey. He took a long draw off it, not even questioning the fact that I was carrying it. Kellan slapped him on his back once he swallowed. “That’s awesome, man! Congratulations!”

“Awesome…?” Matt whispered, taking another swig.

“Yeah,” Liam said. “Kids are…cool.” His expression was as awkward as his words. Aside from visiting numerous nieces and nephews, he had zero experience with kids. I smacked him across the chest.

“Kids are awesome, and you’ll do great, cuz, just don’t overthink it.” Matt raised his eyebrows and I understood. He overthought everything. I smiled and shrugged. Kids were a just-go-with-it kind of deal, and I excelled at that. Matt…not so much.

Evan laughed when Matt took another drink. “Don’t worry about it, Matt. We’ll figure parenting out together.”

All of us swung our heads Evan’s way. “Jenny’s…pregnant?” Kellan asked.

Evan shrugged, like Kellan had asked him if she’d gotten a pedicure. “Yeah, we just found out last night.” He didn’t look worried at all, but that didn’t surprise me. It took a lot to ruffle Evan.

Matt offered him the flask. “Want a swig?”

Grinning, Evan shook his head. “Keep it. I think you need it more than I do.”

Matt raised the flask in a toast, then took another drink.

He seemed calmer during the ceremony, but that was probably because he was half-lit. By the reception, he was full-on blitzed and feeling no pain. And he finally seemed to be excited about his upcoming child. From the middle of the dance floor, he shouted above the music, “I’m gonna be a dad!”

Naturally, everyone started cheering. I booed, just to be an ass to Matt. He didn’t hear me though, he was too busy sucking Rachel’s face. Anna thwacked my chest, then asked me if I knew about Evan and Jenny’s good news. “Yeah, he spilled the beans right before the ceremony.”

Anna nodded, not surprised. She had her hair pinned up, away from her neck, and all I wanted to do was suck on her exposed skin. And because I could, I did. Anna purred when my tongue brushed against the vein in her neck. Her voice a little throaty, she murmured, “Did Evan happen to mention that twins run in Jenny’s family?”

I pulled back to stare at her; her green eyes were lusty and amused. Grinning, I turned to look at Evan and Jenny slow dancing near the center of the room. “Well, that might finally ruffle him.” I started laughing, and just because I was having such a damn good day, I couldn’t stop.

By the time Anna and I threw our reproclamation celebration the next May, the results were in—Jenny was preggers with twins. Matt had been damn near constipated while he’d waited to see if he was sharing Evan’s fate, but, unfortunately, no, he wasn’t. Rachel was only having one. Damn shame if you asked me. I would have given anything to see Matt fumbling with two screaming babies. God…that would have been awesome.

Evan was a little pale at the party, but he always looked that way now. The closer it got to Jenny’s birth, the more of a jittery, nervous wreck he became. One of my favorite things to do now was silently sneak up behind him and scare the shit out of him. He always jumped and screamed like a little girl. It never got old.

I gave him a beer to unwind, then I gave him another one. I had a feeling it was best if he two-fisted it all night. Having someone more nervous than him put Matt in a really good mood all night. When we weren’t picking on Liam, who’d had his first successful groupie mating on St. Patrick’s Day, we were planning our next tour. “We’re gonna wrap this one up a little early, you know, because of the babies and stuff.” Matt looked over at Evan. “End of August, man. You ready? Got your duplicate car seats, cribs, bassinets, swings, bouncers? All that shit?” Evan cringed, then took a drink from both beer bottles at the same time. Matt chuckled. “At least there’s one thing he can handle two of.”

With a snort, I mimicked a pair of breasts. “I’m sure there’s one more thing he can handle in duplicate.” While the guys laughed at my comment, I reached down to grab my junk. “All this talk of boobs and babies is turning me on. I need to go find my wife and spread my seed again.”

Kellan grimaced. “I will give you my entire cut from the band next year if you never say ‘spread my seed’ again.”

I flashed him a smile. “Aw, Kell, I don’t need your money. And not only am I going to say it again, but I’m including it as a lyric in the next album. No, actually, I’m making it the title of the next album.” I raised my eyebrows and Kellan tossed a beer cap at me.

Laughing, I dodged his halfhearted throw and left the guys to go find Anna. She was having an in-depth conversation with Jenny when I approached her. Unlike Evan, Jenny was excited to be having twins. I think she underestimated how much work came with newborns. Or so I’d heard. My kids were nothing but awesome.

Walking up to Anna, I grabbed her elbow. When she looked over at me and smiled, I told her, “Kumquat.”

She looked at me blankly for a second, then turned to Jenny. “We need to…we’ll be back in a minute.”

Jenny rolled her eyes. “If you guys are going to pick a code word for sex, you should really pick something a little less obvious.”

Giving Jenny a mischievous smile, I said, “Where’s the fun in that?”

Anna and I were laughing as we darted away into the night. “Where do you want to go?” she asked me.

I looked up. There was a section of our roof that was secluded from view by a big tree in the front yard. We’d have an awesome view of the stars from up there, and if we were close enough to the peak, we’d also have a view of our guests. That was kind of hot to me. “This way,” I told her, pulling her toward the garage.

It took some preparation time as we wrestled the ladder into place, but we eventually had a blanket spread down on the roof shingles. Lying down on it, we began the process of stripping off our clothes. “Thank God all the kids are asleep,” she whispered as she stripped her shirt off.

Her breasts were calling me, so I only answered with a grunt. Unsnapping her bra, I took a nipple into my mouth. Fuck. Heaven. She let out a shuddering moan that was loud to me, but no one below us seemed to notice.