Triple Beat-nook(31)

“I promise. No more running away.” She’d never meant anything more. Despite the threat of her father looming over her head, she refused to hide from the people she loved ever again.

“Remember us?”

Dani looked over, her eyes widening. “Zac? Noah? Oh my God. You were just annoying little kids the last time I saw you! You guys grew up. And got hot.”

They all laughed as the two boys stepped closer to add their hugs to the pile. They’d only been with Mama Lewis a few months before Dani ran. Their mother, a drug-addict, had come to the realization she couldn’t raise the boys. As such, she’d placed her two young sons in the Lewis house to give them a shot at a good life.

During all the welcomes, Dani had been very aware of the woman standing at the end of the table, patiently waiting her turn. Once the crowd around Dani cleared, she stood, feeling somewhat nervous, as she faced Mama Lewis.

Then Mama Lewis lifted her arms and Dani ran into them, feeling for the first time since she’d stepped foot in Louisiana that she had indeed come home.

Dani clung to the dear woman and was thrilled that Mama Lewis clung back. Dani was crying and she couldn’t stop.

Mama Lewis rocked her gently. “It’s okay, baby girl. You’re home. I’ve got you.”

When Dani finally composed herself enough to speak, she pulled away to look at Mama Lewis. “I missed you.”

Mama Lewis had tears in her eyes as well. “Oh, Dani. I prayed every single night that you were safe and that you’d find your way back to us.” Mama Lewis cupped her cheeks, wiping away the tears on Dani’s face. “You’re a sight for sore eyes.”

Dani laughed and sniffled. Then she remembered Aiden and Bryson. She turned around and found them both hovering just inside the doorway of the dining room, taking it all in. They’d given her the time she needed to reunite with her family. She smiled when she saw Aiden’s happy, crooked grin and laughed when Bryson winked at her.

“So,” Bryson said, “I assume this is the Lewis family, or are we in the wrong house?”

Dani rolled her eyes and giggled. “Mama, I’d like to introduce you to Aiden and Bryson. They’re my b—” Dani stumbled for a split second then recovered. “Bandmates.” She’d been perilously close to saying boyfriends.

Mama Lewis walked over and gave them both hugs. “I’m so glad to meet you. You boys keeping an eye on our girl? Keeping her out of trouble?”

Aiden graced Mama Lewis with a charming grin. “We do the best we can, but she’s a wild one.”

Mama Lewis laughed. “That she is. Come in here and meet the rest of the family.”

Dani stood next to Aiden and Bryson as Mama Lewis introduced them to the significant others who had joined the family over the past few years.

Caleb had married a very nice woman named Jennifer. Apparently, they’d met at his tattoo parlor, Midnight Ink, when she went in for a tattoo. Dani marveled at her tattoo, and the several new ones Caleb was sporting. He’d always been an amazing artist and it looked like he’d found the perfect medium for his talent. Bryson started asking him a lot of questions, describing a design he’d always wanted inked on his shoulder. Dani glanced at Aiden, who gave her an exasperated eye-roll. It looked like there was going to be a tattoo in Bryson’s near future.

Chloe interrupted the discussion when she pointed to the handsome man next to her. “This is my fiancé, Blake.”

Dani recognized the name immediately. Jett intended for the two of them to pull Blake aside at some point today to talk to him about her issues with her father.

“Nice to meet you,” Dani said, shaking Blake’s hand. She could see why Chloe had fallen for the guy. He had “sexy bad boy” written all over him.

Carissa, Jett’s girlfriend, stepped forward, her arm wrapped around Jett’s waist. “It’s good to see you again, Dani. I’ve heard a lot about you guys,” Carissa said to Aiden and Bryson. “Dani told me about your record deal yesterday at breakfast. Congratulations.”

“Thanks,” Aiden said.

“And last but not least,” Justin said, “these are my partners, Ned and Bella.”

Dani struggled for a moment to understand the meaning of “partners”. The issue was cleared up when Ned and Justin each took one of Bella’s hands, lifting them for a kiss.

Through her peripheral vision, she saw Aiden’s eyes widen and his grin grow.