Page 12 of A Little Christmas! 4: Song

“Naa, he’s not worth getting covered in barf.”

His words not only caused Song to double over with laughter but also the rest of his bandmates. It was way better than seeing him scowling and looking miserable. Like Zachy, he was downright adorable with a grin on his face, and Gage was struck with a sudden and very powerful desire to make sure he never had a reason to scowl again.

Chapter 5

(Zachy)

“There he is,” Zachy declared when he spotted Song strolling down the block towards the diner.

Bells jangled, and Zachy bounced and waved Song over the table.

“Hey,” Song said as he slid onto the bench seat beside Zachy. “Thanks for the invite. I’ve been going stir crazy all afternoon, waiting for tonight’s auditions.”

“How’s the hunt going?” Daddy asked from the bench across the table.

When it was just them, Daddy sat beside him during their lunch break, but Daddy knew how worried Zachy had been about Song after Daddy had come home from the bar and shared what had happened with Song’s band.

“Ech, ask me again after we hear them sing,” Song said, his voice lacking all the joy and laughter that had been in it when Zachy had said goodbye to him after their playdate.

“Fair enough,” Daddy said.

“That looks ouchy,” Zachy declared once he’d gotten an up-close and personal look at the swollen corner of Song’s eye and the puffy bruise on his cheek.

“Feels as bad as it looks, too.”

“I’m sorry,” Zachy said.

“You and me both,” Song admitted. “And my sister was pissed, to put it mildly. My brother hasn’t seen it yet, and I’m trying to keep it that way because I don’t want him mad at the wrong person. It was my fault for thinking I could pull Decon off Carson when he was that pissed. I just didn’t want him to hurt Carson too bad and wind up with assault charges.”

“At least you don’t have to put up with his bullshit any longer,” Daddy said, cutting Zachy a look that said swears were fine since they were on big time and not at home.

Zachy knew that only meant they were fine for Daddy to use, as neither Cooper nor Gage liked to hear curse words coming out of Zachy’s mouth.

Sweet boys shouldn’t swear, and Zachy was their sweet boy, even when he was being grumbly and pouting about something.

“So how many do you have confirmed to audition tonight?” Daddy asked.

“Six. We were hoping for a few more, but with such short notice, I guess we should consider ourselves lucky we got that many.”

“I know someone who might be interested,” Zachy blurted. “Ajay doesn’t just play guitar; he sings too, and he’s super good. He plays at the dungeon restaurant three nights a week, and he’s been on the radio. I can text him to see if he’s interested.”

“Seriously?” Song said. “Please.”

“Of course.”

Zachy fished his phone out of his backpack and quickly sent Ajay a text as the waitress took their orders. Daddy knew what his favorites were and never failed to pick out a combinationZachy would love without it making him feel too full when it was time to get back into costume. His phone pinged moments after he sent the text, Ajay’s response being a short and sweetwhen and where.

“He wants to know what time you’re holding auditions and where he should show up,” Zachy said as he passed his phone to Song.

“Whoa, Zachy, dude, thank you,” Song said as he quickly typed in the information and sent the message before returning Zachy’s phone.

“I’m glad I could help a little.”

“You may have helped a lot if he’s as good as you say he is,” Song explained. “After talking to…ummm….”

Song’s smile had dulled a little, the corners of his lips turning down as a frown threatened to darken his features again. Before Zachy could ask what was wrong, Song glanced between Daddy and Zachy, licked his lips, and leaned forward, keeping his voice low when he spoke.

“I just realized that I don’t know how to address you when I’m not little,” Song whispered.