Page 274 of Second Sets Omnibus

Since our return, it’s been a whirlwind of emotions. For me, I realized what I lost when I left her behind. Her. Lyric. All the love we had together.

Now, it’s reignited into something bigger and more beautiful.

This is our new normal. Together. All five of us. Plus, our daughter who hasn’t stopped smiling since we sat her down and told her we’re together now. And she’ll be seeing a lot more of us.

My new normal tonight includes taking my daughter to a book reading of some book she’s been desperate for me to read.Later, I’ll tuck her into bed and kiss her goodnight. Like I do every night.

This is a dream come true. It’s my everything. From the time I was a kid, this is everything I always wanted. Family. A wife. And children.

“What book is this again?” I whisper, frantically darting my eyes around the massive crowd gathering outside the downtown library, chatting before they step inside.

River snorts as we walk through the front entrance. I cringe at the mere size of the people huddling together in small groups. Someone is bound to recognize me. Everywhere I look, unfamiliar faces greet me with big smiles and heated cheeks. Their eyes drift over my face, recognizing me from a mile away—the one downside to being famous. I can’t walk into a room, especially in this town, without someone pointing at me. Or wanting an autograph.

“My favorite, Daddy,” Lyric replies, tugging at my hand with renewed vigor, grunting at me when I don’t move quickly enough.

River chuckles, clutching my other hand as we walk further into the large East Point library built to impress. Marble floors. Large ceilings. Hell, it even has tall columns holding up the balconies above our heads.

“Oh, my God! It’s Callum Rose!” a woman’s voice squeals as I pass by a group of girls huddled together near the entrance. “Callum! Can I get your autograph?” Her voice echoes, following me until I stop and turn with a tight smile, greeting the red-faced woman, clutching a pen and notepad to her chest. “Please?” she whispers, flicking her long brown hair over her shoulder.

“Sure,” is my clipped response.

I get it. I really do. They see a celebrity they love and automatically want an autograph. Or a picture together. Or to beg one of us to crawl under the sheets for a good time.

Never happened. Not for me, at least.

But today.

I’m here with my family. Ready to enjoy a reading of Lyric’s new favorite series. The last thing I want to do is stop hanging out with my family to sign her notebook.

“But, Daddy! We gots to get good seats,” Lyric whines beside me, tugging at my hand with impatience.

My eyes dart to Lyric as her bottom lip puffs out. Little tears glisten in her eyes as she watches me grasp the notebook.

“I know, Ladybug. Give me just a second, okay?”

“It’ll be ok, Ly,” River whispers, taking Lyric’s hand from mine and forcing her to face River. “Daddy just has to do this, and then we’ll find our seats.” Lyric huffs, crossing her arms over her chest.

“So, it’s true,” the fan sneers in River’s direction with disbelief.

I blink several times, watching the woman’s face morph from a smile to a deep frown, forming wrinkles on her forehead.

I don’t dignify a response to the fan’s question. It’s none of her business. In fact, it’s no one’s business. They can be as upset as they want to be. Just like our PR manager was.

They can all shove it up their asses and keep their opinions to themselves. We’re happy, and that’s all that matters.

“Here,” I grunt, handing her back the notebook with my tiny signature decorating the page.

“Thank you so much!” she giggles, running her finger over my writing. Leaning in as if she’s about to whisper something, she says, “If you don’t feel like sharing anymore, I’m available. Only whores share.” The bold fan sniffs, sticking her nose in the air with a tiny smirk like she’s won something over on River, who snorts beside me.

“I’ll take that,” I grunt, ripping the page from her notebook and shoving it in my pocket.

“What?” she gasps with big eyes, reaching out to take the paper from me. “But you…”

“That was before you insulted my girlfriend. In front of my daughter, might I add. It was nice of me to even stop and sign this for you. I’m trying to have a nice night with my family, but I stopped because…”

I don’t know why I stopped. I suppose it’s instinct now. I hear my name, and I stop for signatures. Not anymore. Not when I’m with my girls. I’m here to protect them from everything. And that includes the disapproving look she’s giving us.

“I stopped because I thought it would be nice. This is the love of my life. So, have a good night.” I don’t bother giving her another look as she stands there, staring at me with wide, unblinking eyes.