“It’s great finally meeting you too. Jake talks about you all the time.”

Allison beamed with pleasure. “He’s amazing, isn’t he?”

Abby grinned. “Oh yes, he is. But we better not say too much. He already has a big enough ego about him.”

“Hey now,” I argued to which Abby nudged me playfully.

Brayden came up behind me. “Okay, man, it’s time.”

“Excuse me ladies, but my adoring public beckons, so I’ll see you later.”

Abby and Allison waved to me as I headed to the stage with Brayden. The plan was for us to play the first thirty minutes of the party, and then the DJ would take over. AJ disappeared behind the drum set while the rest of us suited up with our guitars.

Taking the microphone from the stand, I gazed out into the crowded ballroom. “Good evening, everyone, and welcome to Allison’s Sweet Sixteen Party.” A symphony of high-pitched, hormonally fueled teenage girl shrieks filled the room along with some hearty screams from the males. “As her big brother, I couldn’t be prouder of her at this moment.” Meeting Allison’s gaze, I smiled. “I hope all your dreams come true, and that you stay forever young.”

The guys and I then launched into a harder rock version of Chrissy Hydne’s Forever Young. We finished to thunderous applause and cheers. I searched through the crowd of faces for Abby who grinned and gave me two thumbs up. I laughed and shook my head before starting “Unravel Me”, which got everyone dancing. After playing through two more fast songs and two of our ballads, I handed the mic off to the DJ and headed through the throng of people to Abby.

I was almost to her when my dad stopped me. He gave me a stiff hug before saying, “That was fantastic, son. We can’t thank you enough for making this night so special for Allie.”

“You’re welcome. You know I’d do anything for her.”

He nodded. His lips twitched as if he wanted to say something else but was afraid to. Finally, he drew in a ragged breath. “Jake, I’m so very sorry about your mother.”

I instantly tensed. “Yeah, it fucking blows when bad things happen to good people.”

Dad’s expression paled a little. “She’s one of the strongest and bravest women I know. I talk to her often, you know. She has the most forgiving of hearts.”

I knew Dad was talking about how I couldn’t forgive him for the fact he walked out on Mama and me for a piece of ass. Sure, he paid his child support and saw me every other weekend and during the summers. On the surface he was the most attentive and supportive father. But everything changed with us the moment he chose to leave.

“Yes, it’s probably one of her only faults.”

Seeing he wasn’t getting anywhere with me, Dad sighed. “Well, just know I’m here for you, son. Always.” His gaze left mine to hone in on Abby who had sought me out. “And who is this lovely young lady?”

“This is my girlfriend, Abby Renard.” I slipped my arm around Abby’s waist. “And Abby, this is my dad, Mark Slater.”

“It’s very nice to meet you, Mr. Slater,” Abby said politely.

“Likewise, Miss Renard.” Dad’s gaze roved over Abby, and I could tell he was surprised. Because even in her sexy little dress, Abby still looked like a good girl, and I’m sure Dad couldn’t believe I was actually with someone like her.

As the music turned over to a slow song, I wanted to escape from my dad. Glancing down at Abby, I asked, “Wanna dance?”

“Sure.” She smiled at my dad. “Nice meeting you.”

“Yes, very nice meeting you as well.” He patted my back. “Thanks again.”

“You’re welcome.”

I took Abby’s hand and led her out onto the dance floor. As I wrapped my arms around her waist, she pressed against me. Damn, she felt good. I tried tuning out the myriad of disgusting sexual thoughts swimming through my dirty mind.

“Your dad seems nice,” Abby said.

“Oh yeah, he’s a real stand-up guy.”

She pulled away to gaze up at me. “So I was right to come and try to save you?”

When I stared at her quizzically, she smiled, “You’re so easy to read sometimes, Jake. I could tell from across the room that you were uncomfortable talking to him.”

“The bastard had the nerve to bring up my mom,” I muttered through gritted teeth.

“I’m sorry.”

“I don’t want to talk about him or her, okay?”

“Okay, Grumpy.”

Only she could get away with teasing me. I glanced down to find her smiling up at me. “You can be such a little shit, did you know that?”

She laughed. “But you love it.”

“For reasons I can’t possibly understand, I do.” I pulled her tighter against me. “You smell so damn good.”

“I have you to thank for that. The spa really helped to clean me up.”

“Oh whatever. You always look beautiful and sexy.”

“I always want to for you—you and only you,” she murmured.

Taking her chin, I tilted her head before bringing my lips to hers. Although I wanted to consume her mouth, I held back. I’d missed her taste, the warmth of her tongue, the way she let her desire drive her body, rather than her insecurities or doubts. When I finally pulled away, we were both breathless. “Damn, I’ve missed you.”

She laughed. “You act like I’ve been on the other side of the world. We talk a million times a day.”

“Yeah, but I don’t get to kiss you a million times.”

“Then I guess we have a lot of lost time to make up for.”

I grinned. “I think so too.”

The announcement for dinner was made, so we headed off the dance floor and to the table we had been assigned. Just as I suspected, Lily and Abby had become fast friends, and Abby loved helping out with Jude and Melody.

After stuffing ourselves on the three courses, Abby and I sat around talking with the guys. As I watched her holding Melody and cooing softly, I couldn’t help the way my heart swelled with love. I’d never thought about marriage or kids before, but something about the way Melody played with the strands of Abby’s hair and gazed up at her made me rethink everything about my life. But I wasn’t Bray, so I wasn’t sure I was marriage and father material.

When Abby glanced up and caught me watching her, she smiled. “Wanna go see Uncle Jake?”

I held out my arms, and Melody happily came to me. I kissed her chubby cheek. “Hey baby girl. You gotta smile for me?”

Melody tilted her head and grinned, showing me her two, tiny bottom baby teeth. “That’s my girl.”

As I bounced her on my knee, AJ undid the first three buttons on his shirt and ripped off his tie. “I’m ready to dance.”

“You’ve been dancing the entire time we haven’t been on stage,” I replied.

“No, I mean, I really want to dance.”

“Ugh,” I groaned. “You mean that Mexican shit.”

“Jake!” Abby admonished, motioning to Melody.

“Angel, do you really think she hasn’t heard worse? We cussed like sailors around Jude, and I promise you his first word wasn’t fuck.”

She crossed her arms over her chest in a huff. “You’re terrible.”

AJ leaned his elbows on the table. “Anyway, as I was saying, I’m ready to do some dancing.” He waggled his eyebrows at Abby. “And I know the perfect partner. Come on, Angel. Let’s show these stiffs how it’s really done.”

Abby giggled and turned to me. “Is that okay?”

“Sure, go ahead.”

Squealing with delight, she let AJ pull her up from the chair. He tugged her across the room to the dance floor. I watched AJ lean in and talk to the DJ. After a few head shakes, AJ bobbed his head. Once the other song ended, the DJ grabbed his microphone. “Okay, we’ve had a request for Paula Rubio’s Dame Otro Tequila, and according to AJ, he and Abby are going to show you losers how to break it down.”

A roar came through the crowd along with a symphony of high pitched female squeals at just the mention of AJ. In his element, he bowed gallantly before the music came on. The upbeat tempo and references to tequila got the crowd going even if they didn’t know the words. Then he and Abby began moving effortlessly around the dance floor.