Page 46

“Nothing.”

He raises a brow. “Bullshit. I’ve known you too long for that. Spill.”

I huff out a chuckle, rubbing the back of my neck. He sees right through me. Always has. Lucas glances toward the living room where Sam is curled up with Joey, reading to him, and then motions toward the backyard. “Let’s take this outside.”

I follow him, stepping onto the porch and into the yard where the air is cooler, fresher. We settle into a couple of chairs, and I stare at the bottle in my hand, picking at the label. My pulse thrums in my ears as I search for the right words.

Then, before I can stop myself, I blurt, “I’m falling for Laney.”

Silence. Lucas stares at me, blinking once, twice, before his brows draw together. “You’re what?”

I let out a breath and meet his gaze. “I know it’s fast. Hell, it’s reckless as fuck, but it’s happening.”

His expression shifts from shock to something darker. “Eddie…” His tone is careful, edged with warning. “You know she’s been through some shit. Are you sure this isn’t just you feeling protective? Because that girl needs stability, not some whirlwind romance.”

“It’s fake or she thinks it is.”

I hold up a hand before he can keep going. “I know, man. And I get why you’d be pissed, but it’s not like that.”

Lucas exhales sharply. “Then tell me what the hell is going on.”

I nod and take a swig of my beer before diving in. “She came to my show a few weeks back. That night, she was attacked backstage.” Lucas’s hands clench into fists, his jaw tightening. Ikeep going. “Some asshole stuck her with a needle, likely GHB. When I got to her, she was barely conscious. I took her home, made sure she was safe.”

Lucas leans forward, his voice low and dangerous. “Tell me you handled it.”

My grip tightens on the bottle. “Yeah. I did.”

His eyes flick to mine. “And?”

“I handed him over to Nico.”

Lucas nods slowly, understanding flickering across his face. “So, he’s handled.”

“Permanently.”

Lucas lets out a breath, some of the tension leaving his shoulders, but not all of it. “That still doesn’t explain the fake relationship.”

I take another sip of my beer and lean back in my chair. “The label’s been on my ass about settling down, about my image since I went to that gay bar and did that set for Hadley’s wedding. Reggie said they needed me to have a ‘steady influence’ by my side before the tour. It’s all bullshit, but it was either play along or deal with their interference.”

Lucas’s eyes darken. “And you chose Laney for that? Jesus, Eddie, she’s been through enough.”

I shake my head. “You don’t get it. It had to be her.”

Lucas goes still, studying me. “Why?”

I swallow hard, the words scraping against my throat. “Because she’s the one.”

Lucas’s eyes widen slightly before narrowing again. “You sure about that?”

I let out a humorless chuckle, running a hand through my hair. “Hell no. I don’t know how or why, but she makes me want to give her the world. To be a better man.”

Lucas exhales, leaning back. “Sounds like you’re not falling, Ed. You’ve already fallen.”

His words hit me like a punch to the gut. I open my mouth to argue, to deny it, but he tilts his head toward the house. I follow his gaze and see Sam standing by the window, Joey in her arms, his tiny hand pressed against the glass.

Lucas smiles softly. “That’s how I feel about Sam.”

I stare at him, the weight of his words settling deep in my chest. My throat tightens, my heart hammering against my ribs.