Angel (Fallen Angel, #3)(10)

Dad rolled his eyes playfully and sat back in his chair. “Women.”

“You saying there’s something wrong with being a romantic?” I teased, falling onto the couch beside Mom. Viper always called me one, and if it was in any way true, I blamed that on my parents as well.

“Some of the greatest composers were romantics,” Dad said, lifting his chin, and I laughed.

“So how did the release party go?” Mom asked, angling herself toward me. “You’re up earlier than I would’ve thought after a late night.”

“It was a prerelease party. The album’s not out yet. But it was…” Unexpected? What ended up being the best night of my life? “Not bad for my first time.”

Not bad. Now I was using Viper’s lingo.

“Not bad? That’s all you’ve got?” Mom gave Dad an exasperated look. “‘Not bad,’ he says. Our boy’s a big shot now, and won’t even admit it.”

“Staying humble is a good thing, Cheryl.”

She waved her hand. “Of course it is, but that doesn’t mean he can’t give us the details of his big night.”

They both looked at me expectantly.

“I, uh, met a bunch of record company executives, and there were some other artists they manage there too. It was kind of loud and chaotic, people everywhere. I think Imogen enjoyed it.”

“I don’t think there’s a party your sister wouldn’t enjoy,” Dad said.

“Do we get pictures?” Mom asked. “I want to see you two all dressed up.”

Imogen had made me pose for about a million before we left, so there had to be at least one she approved of. And I’d rather them see those pictures than the ones that would be plastered who knew where. Because there was no doubt that even though Killian threatened security checking for photos on the way out of the party, there was at least one rogue shot that showed up somewhere.

“I’ll, uh, tell Im to send you some.” I wiped my suddenly sweaty palms on my pants.

“Everything all right?” Mom asked.

“If you need money for rent, you know you can ask us,” Dad said, and before I could protest, he put his hand up. “I know you always say no, but you’re not working in those bars anymore, and I know how the music industry works. They’ll pay you when they want to, so if you need something, don’t be shy.”

God love my parents, they always wanted to protect Im and me, and it had been a serious struggle to get them on board with us living in such a shithole building. But we’d been determined not to live off them, only renting what we could afford, much to their horror.

“Actually, I got my first check when I was in Miami.”

“Really? Well, you may not get another one for a while, so the offer’s there,” Dad said.

I remembered my shock when I first saw the number of zeroes on that check, and even now, I couldn’t believe the amount sitting in my bank account. I hadn’t touched it, other than to pay rent and buy my sweeeeet guitar, but it was comforting to know there was money there if I needed it.

“Thanks, Dad, I appreciate the offer,” I said, and then wiped a bead of sweat from my brow. I hadn’t even realized I was sweating, but my nerves were starting to show.

“Can I get you something to drink?” Mom started to get up, but I put my hand on her arm.

“Actually, there’s something I need to talk to you and Dad about.”

“Oh?” She sank back down into the cushions, the skin between her brows creasing.

Dad must’ve heard the way my voice shook, because he shut off the computer screen and turned his chair to face me.

God. With both of them looking at me, waiting for me to speak, I had the urge to say never mind and bolt out of the room, back into the safety of the car. But then Viper’s face filled my mind. I wasn’t just doing this for me. I was doing this for us.

I sucked in a deep breath, and as I let it out slowly, I said, “Something else happened last night at the party, something personal, and it’s going to get out. I want to tell you both so you hear it from me and not from anyone else.”

Mom fingered the collar of her shirt, her face going slightly pale. “What’s wrong? What happened?”

“Nothing’s wrong,” I quickly assured her. “There’s just been a change that’s going to surprise you, and I’m not really sure how to say it.” I looked down at where I’d unconsciously twisted my fingers together. I forced them apart and wiped my hands on my pants again.

“You can tell us anything,” Dad said, his face already full of understanding, even though he had no idea what I was about to say.

“A few months ago, I met someone. I never expected to have feelings for them, but the more time we spent together, the more I found myself…”

“Falling for them?” my mom supplied, her color coming back now.

“Yeah.” I nodded. “I thought it was only a fling, but last night…they told me they loved me. At the party, in front of everyone.”

Mom’s hand came up to her mouth as she gasped and Dad grinned.

“Soo, I guess we’re, uh, official now. Like officially dating,” I said.

Mom reached over to put her hand over mine. “Oh, honey, that’s wonderful. Why were you so scared to tell us?”