This time, I was the one shocked into stillness, because a ready acceptance was not what I’d been expecting. Hell, I didn’t know what I’d been expecting, exactly. Maybe more of a protest that I couldn’t possibly love a man or be with one? Maybe a few curse words thrown in for good measure?
“I think you’ve shocked him,” Mom said, giving my hand a squeeze. “You okay, sweetie? Want me to get you some tea—”
I lunged forward, wrapping her in a fierce hug, and she let out a surprised chuckle. My eyes burned, and I lowered my head down to her shoulder, keeping my arms locked tight.
She ran a soothing hand up and down my back, letting me hold on for as long as I wanted.
“I love you, Halo,” she said into my hair. “You know we’ll support whatever you do. Whoever you choose.”
I squeezed my eyes shut, willing tears to go away. How was it fair that I was sitting here with both my parents open and willing to accept the person I’d chosen, and Viper’s father hadn’t? How could he have turned away from someone so incredible, to shun them completely because of who they were? I felt lucky, grateful, and relieved all at the same time.
From behind me, a strong pair of arms wrapped around me and my mom, holding us all together.
“We’re here for you, kiddo.” Dad pressed a kiss to my head. “But your mom may have to be the one to help you with the boyfriend advice. Can’t say I know much about it.”
A chuckle escaped as we all sat back up, and I wiped my wet eyes. “Noted.”
“Do we get to meet him?” Mom asked. She brushed at the corner of her eyes and then reached over the couch for a tissue on the end table.
“Viper? Of course. And actually, he’s a big fan of yours.”
Mom’s eyebrows shot up. “Of mine?”
“His mom used to take him to all your concerts. He practically fell over himself when he found out we’re related.”
“Oh, well,” she said, sitting up and smoothing a hand over her hair. “I think I’m beginning to like this Viper boy already.”
I laughed as Dad groaned beside me.
“Flattery will get him everywhere,” he said.
“I’m sure he loves your work too, Dad.”
Dad pretended to straighten his tie. “Well then, I suppose we’ll have to have him over for dinner, won’t we?”
Oh God. Viper was totally in for it whenever he decided he was ready to meet my parents. They may end up adopting him instead.
“I do have one question, though,” Mom said. “Is Viper his real name? Or is it something he calls himself like you did?”
“You’ll have to ask him,” I said.
“You don’t know?”
“I know, but I had to give up my real name, and now that he’s got that info, I don’t want to give him any ammo.”
Mom’s jaw dropped. “What’s wrong with Howard Allen? It’s a lovely name. A mature, handsome name.”
“Mom…”
“What?”
“Just call him Viper.”
She gave me a cheeky smile and winked. “Noted.”
Eight
Viper
THE NEXT AFTERNOON, as I sat on one of the leather couches in Killian’s spacious living room, I tried to bank the impulse to check my phone for the millionth time as we waited for the last two members of the band to arrive—Jagger and Halo.
It was no surprise to any of us that Jagger was running late, but the angel? He was another story. He’d left my place early to try to miss the crush of reporters we’d known would descend the minute this story leaked, but he was out of luck. By nine o’clock there’d been a crowd surrounding the front entrance of my condo’s building, and once I’d gotten him safely in the car, Halo had shot me a text—Thanks for the escort. I’ll see you this afternoon at Kill’s—and that was the last I’d heard from him, which was starting to make me antsy.
Halo was never late. In fact, one thing I’d come to learn about the angel was that he either arrived early or on time, and his absence in the room had me getting to my feet and crossing to the windows for something to do with myself.
Last night had been as surprising as it had been incredible, and despite Halo’s brave words about him telling his parents about the two of us, I knew how difficult that conversation could be. Especially when you’d never planned on having it in the first place.
I brought my phone out again to see the couple of texts I’d shot Halo’s way throughout the day. Did you make it there okay? How’d it go with your parents? And then my final one, which I still couldn’t believe I’d actually written. I miss you. I shook my head. They’d all gone unanswered, and I hated the sliver of doubt that crept in at the sudden shutdown in communication. I’d just gotten Halo back after four days of radio silence, and not having him close enough to touch, or talk to, or even text, was apparently turning me into a fucking head case.