Too Sweet (Hayes Brothers #3)(53)

Jesus, this is insane.

It seems all I’ve done the past two months is bottle my ever-growing feelings, and an hour ago, when Mia said she’s mine, the corks went flying.

No way I can bottle them again. Cap whatever’s left to stop it all spilling? Maybe. Hopefully, or she’ll run away screaming before the evening ends.

“We’ll keep an eye on Mia,” Colt assures. He motions for Cody to get going, then turns to Theo. “You’re babysitting Nico tonight. Make sure he doesn’t kill Jared, alright?”

I scoff. “You’ll end the night with a few hundred bucks in your pocket if you bet the right number of teeth I knock out of Jared’s mouth. My money’s on two with one blast.”

Theo barks a burst of nervous laughter. “Two? I was at the club when you knocked out three and dislocated that guy’s jaw when he spilled a drink on Kaya. Have you lost the steam, bro?” He squeezes my bicep. “I think you can do better. Three. And I bet a grand.”

It’s stupid, fucking childish, but it helps reduce the tension, so neither of us stops. Colt’s the brightest of the triplets, so it’s not surprising he catches onto the idiotic idea of betting against Jared’s teeth and bones to distract me.

“Fifteen hundred on a broken nose.”

“I’ll take that,” Conor says. “No way he can break Jared’s nose in one hit. He always aims for the jaw first.”

Challenge fucking accepted.

They keep placing bets, bickering about my punch-throwing skills. I’ve no idea who’s keeping track, but someone should, or they’ll be sorely disappointed when they can’t remember who bet what if shit hits the fan.

We get back inside, and I scan the Ballroom, searching for a pink dress and a head of blond hair.

There she is.

Right where she belongs, getting comfortable on the stool in front of the 1904 Steinway, little fists pumping while my mother bends down beside her, talking through a smile.

A moment later, Mia turns in her seat, looking around the room, determination lighting up her pretty face when her eyes find me. She bends her index finger in a come here motion.

Either she wants a drink, or she’s nervous and wants me to talk my mother out of making her play. Whatever she needs, she doesn’t need to ask twice.

I cross the room with Theo hot on my tail until he realizes where I’m going and backs off. Mom raises a curious eyebrow, stopping mid-sentence when I reach the stage and bend over Mia’s shoulder, my ear to her mouth, expecting a whisper.

Instead, she unclasps her necklace, dangling the feather between us. “You can say no.”

Like hell I will. There’s not one thing I wouldn’t do for her. I grab the necklace, fasten it behind my neck, and tuck the feather under my shirt. “What’s the wish?”

“Play with me.” She pats the stool, scooting to the edge to make more room. “Please.”

I did not expect that.

My mother’s gaze burns the back of my head when I cave. “I can’t promise I’ll keep up with you.” I take a seat beside her. “Ten years’ worth of rust on these fingers.”

“It’s like riding a bike. You don’t forget. I know you play by ear, so hopefully, the nine times you heard this song on our way here is enough.”

Now I know why she kept pressing replay.

“Clever girl.” I lean over, pressing my lips to her temple. She’s going to own my ass real soon. “You start. I’ll join.”

She places her hands on the keys, and the room falls silent with the first note of “Feeling Love” by Kim Ven and Lamalo. Her eyes are glued to my fingers when I join in. It’s an unusual combination—tattoos and something as sophisticated as a grand piano, but I’ve caught Mia staring at my ink enough times to know she’s in awe of it.

Ten seconds later, I’m the one not looking at the keys when she starts singing, her delicate voice sending my mind into that calm, trance-like state.

Maybe it’s wishful thinking, but I hope she chose this song because it fits us so fucking perfectly.

My fingers skim the keys in sync with Mia until the room erupts with applause over the last lingering note.

“Thank you,” she says as I wrap my arm around her, pulling her in. “Your mom will love me now.”

“You’re trying to get into her good graces now that you’re dating her favorite son?”

“You’re hardly her favorite, but with my help... who knows?”

The clapping dies down as we get up, and my mother is right there, blocking our way. “You’re amazing, sweetheart,” she chirps, pulling my girl into a hug. “And you...” She wipes her teary eyes, beaming at me. “I’m so glad I got to hear you play. Thank you. You must have magic powers, Mia. I’ve been begging him to play for ten years.”

“I can be quite convincing.”

“Oh, I’m sure.” Mom hooks their elbows together, leading Mia away.

Before I take one step after them, Theo appears on my left, using his body as a shield that blocks my view of Jared and Kaya sitting at a table nearby.

“We’ll end up slow dancing until the morning if you don’t give me room to breathe,” I say. “Relax. I won’t go throwing punches for no reason. We both know I should thank the fucker for taking Kaya off my hands.”