Page 49 of Damaged Boys Don't Fall For Bubbly Girls

“Finished the first half of Dad’s. Did you read it?”

He nods. “Sure did. He has yet to get my feedback, though, but I know it’s driving him insane.”

All three of us turn to Dad. He stops talking to my other aunt and uncle and raises a brow. “You know I can hear every word, right?”

We don’t have a chance to respond because the doorbell rings. Dad goes to let the rest of our guests inside. Noah and Evie walk in, Noah holding their daughter.

“Hi, everyone,” Evie says with a smile. “Feels like it’s been forever since we got together.”

Aunt Ally, Uncle Zack, Aunt Kara, and Uncle Brayden hug and kiss them and their baby granddaughter, and Mom and Dad do the same.

Getting to my feet I head over to them, accepting hugs as well. We’re one big Hastings/Barrington sandwich.

After we release each other, Evie turns toward her daughter. “Melly, this is your cousin Brock. Remember we used to video chat with him?”

Melly just smiles at me.

I smile back as I pat the back of her head. “She’s even more adorable in person.” She has dark hair from Evie, but her blue eyes are from Noah.

“Thanks,” Noah says. “Do you want to hold her?”

“Sure.”

“But don’t take it personally if she cries,” Evie warns me. “She doesn’t like when strangers hold her.”

Noah hands Melly to me and I expect her to start shrieking like babies do. But she gets this expression of comfort on her face and seems to settle in my arms.

“Look at that,” Evie says. “She likes you.”

I smile at her. “Hey, Melly.” I tickle her and she giggles.

Since dinner isn’t ready yet, we sit in the living room and chat. I’m still holding the baby and she doesn’t cry. I keep her entertained with toys and funny faces, which she seems to love.

“Are you guys going back on tour?” I ask Noah, who sits next to me. “There are rumors all over Spill It! that you are.”

Evie shakes her head as she plays with Melly’s tiny hands. “Not until this precious little girl is a little older.”

“I’ll have to tell Lexi. She was wondering about it.”

Noah and Evie, like Zoey, ask me about my relationship with Lexi. I tell them the same thing I told my sister. I’m focusing on rebuilding our friendship.

A short while later, we go to the dining room to eat. We talk about random things. Aunt Kara tells us about the articles she’s working on for The Edenbury Press, and Uncle Brayden discusses how well the Edenbury High Lions are doing. Uncle Zack tells us about the two sisters he’s trying to find a home for, and Aunt Ally gushes about the new Regency book she’s reading. Mom tells us about her charity work, and Dad finally gets Uncle Zack and me to tell him what we thought about the book. One word: amazing. That seems to relax him, but he gets a little nervous when his brother says he has some notes Dad needs to look over.

Mom laughs as she kisses Dad’s cheek. “You’re so cute when you’re stressed.”

He just chuckles. “I know it’ll be okay in the end. Getting there is the problem. But I don’t want to take up all the attention. Tell us what’s up in your lives, guys.” He directs his words to Evie and Noah.

They inform us about the album they’re working on. It’ll come out later this year and they’re excited for everyone to hear it. Even though they won’t be going on tour for a while, I know many, many people will buy their music on release day. They’re pretty well known and well liked. I listen to them a lot.

The focus of the conversation shifts to Melly, who’s making a mess as she eats her food. As if she feels us all watching her, she starts crying.

“This one is quite a handful,” Evie says as she tries to quiet her down. “Was I like this, Mom and Dad?”

“Much, much worse.” Uncle Zack laughs.

“Maybe Grandma Ally will make it all better?” Aunt Ally says as she reaches for the baby. As soon as she’s in her arms, Melly does feel better.

“Can you believe it?” Uncle Zack says as he rubs Melly’s arm, then kisses the top of her head. “We’re grandparents, Ally, Kara, and Brayden. It still hasn’t fully hit me yet.”