Page 112 of Rockstar Baby

“I don’t give two shits what you call me. What’s important is what you call my sister.” He turned and crossed his arms over his bullish chest. “What’s your story?”

“Story?”

“Yes. Do you have a job? A dozen other children in other states? A record?”

“My own? No, not yet, although I’ve considered doing one as Carlos did, bringing in a variety of guest singers while I play the guitar. Of course I’d bring in other musicians too. I know my way around an acoustic, but I also know some very talented—” I broke off at August’s hard stare. “I’m guessing you didn’t mean that kind of record.”

“What are you blathering about?”

“She didn’t tell you about me?” It hurt more than I would have expected, although how could I expect her to tell everyone about us when I’d done little more than breeze in and out of her life?

I hadn’t earned my spot. I was just an occasional visitor in her world.

“What she told me could fit on the head of a pin. You play guitar? You realize that’s not exactly a stable job when it comes to having a woman and a family.”

I cleared my throat. How best to say this without sounding like a douche? “I do okay, no worries there. Not that Ivy and I have made it to the family stage yet.”

August narrowed his eyes. “You got a problem with stepping up and being a man?”

I took a quick glance between my spread legs. “Best as I can tell, I am one, mate, so if you have a problem with me, maybe you should just spell it out.”

“I’m not your mate, son.” He stepped forward and flexed his hands. I wouldn’t have been surprised if he dragged me up by the shoulders and showed me his opinion of me with his fists. But I was scrappier than I looked and wouldn’t back down from a fight.

Even if I had no clue why he was so angry. Yes, I hadn’t been back to see Ivy in a couple of months, but as long as she was okay…

“Is she all right?” I rose. “Look, I don’t have time for pissing matches with you, especially if there is something wrong with Ivy.”

“Oh, no, there is nothing wrong with my sister. She’s bright and beautiful and funny and far too good for the likes of you.”

I couldn’t argue with that. “You’re right.”

He crossed his arms again. “If I’m right, why the hell haven’t you stuck around? Sure you don’t have that other family or record I asked you about?”

“I live in California. For work. I do not have a wife or children or a police record. Other records, yes, there are many with my name listed as producer. I will agree that I could have done better by your sister. That’s why I’m here. To rectify things.” I exhaled and turned to head toward the front door. “Since I’m sure you won’t point me in her direction, I’ll find her myself. I should’ve tried the diner first anyway.”

“So, why didn’t you?”

Good question. It hadn’t even occurred to me. I’d been pulled toward her flat and clearly, that had been a mistake. I’d been lectured since I stepped onto the stoop.

Worst of all, I didn’t even know why.

“I don’t know,” I said finally, shifting back to face August. “Something told me to come here. Stupid, really, since it’s daytime and Ivy is always working.”

“You’re right, she is working, but not at the diner.” Before I could question that, he moved into my space. I held my ground and that seemed to soften some of the glint in his intense green eyes.

That could’ve been wishful thinking.

“My sister has a soft heart. Swing into town and give her a story about how you play guitars for a living and work with famous people, and her romantic heart probably kicked into gear. Not because she wants fame or money. She’d just see the artistic side of that and not the seedy fucking underbelly.”

“I didn’t give her a story about my work. In fact, I didn’t tell her a whit about what I do until my second trip to see her. Then I brought her to meet my friends at Happy Acres. She met them. Spent the day with them and their significant others. I can guarantee I’m not making up some farfetched nonsense to get into her panties.”

August’s jaw firmed. “No, you’ve done that already, haven’t you?”

Awkward. “Did Ivy tell you that?”

I didn’t know what it said if she’d told her brother we’d been intimate yet hadn’t mentioned my music career. Did that mean my prowess in bed was legendary? I’d always suspected I was better than the average bear, but I’d never had verification of the fact.

“Whatever she said, it’s all true,” I added, preening a little.