Mockingbird: a Songbird Sequel

Two: Lennie

That five am alarm came WAY too quickly. We ran a bar. Anything before ten am was considered way too early, but there was fun to be had, so up and at em we got. Beau and Rose Marie were taking care of chores while we were gone, likely with a bit of help from Darren, but we did the morning stuff real quick and then got on the road.

Before heading to Atlanta, we had to pick up Carter. Leon, Melody, Cora and Travis were meeting us at the airport. We'd rented a beach house in Key West, complete with access to a private beach, a boat and even jet skis. I was practically buzzing with excitement for our little summer vacation. Part of me was sad that we weren't bringing Beau along, but he had a winning baseball season to wrap up, the playoff games hopefully in our future when we got back home.

Carter climbed into the Jeep with a barely mumbled hello before slumping over and going back to sleep, leaving Colt and I to keep each other entertained on the two hour drive. I instantly plugged in my phone so I could continue grooming our wedding playlist. The rest of the band was adamant about playing a set or two, without Colt. Though I had a sinking suspicion I wasn't going to be able to stop him from jumping in. Not that I even wanted to.

It was weird to think that in a few more weeks, I'd be Mrs. Colton Hayes. Can't say I never dreamed about it, but I never actually believed it would happen. I glanced to the man in the driver's seat beside me. He was so stoic behind his aviators, all tan skin, and dark hair, and brightly colored ink. This wasn't exactly the Colt I envisioned marrying when I was a kid. No, this one was far better than any version I'd dreamed up.

I turned away with a furious blush as he caught me staring. "We're good, right?" Colt asked, lifting my hand to his lips and pressing a kiss to my palm as Carter snored in the backseat.

"Of course we are," I stated. "Why wouldn't we be?"

"Just makin' sure. Last night got intense."

The hand he was holding lifted to brush his scruff-covered cheek. "And we squashed it last night. You know we don't do the "going to bed angry" shit in our house. We fight it out til the sun comes up if we have to, and then it's over."

He chuckled a bit and shook his head, reaching over and brushing his palm over the back of my neck. "How in the hell did I land you?"

"It's all the dark and broody. It's super sexy."

"Oh yeah?"

I nodded, licking my lips just to taunt him. "Super hot."

"Ya know, I got half a mind..."

"I CAN HEAR YOU!" Carter's voice came, muffled from being pressed into his duffle bag. He sat up, his face all creased with lines from the canvas marking his face. "Unless I'm invited, you better knock that shit off."

"It's my car..." Colt began.

"It's MY car," I corrected. "Put on your headphones and go back to sleep."

"That might work on Beau, but it ain't working on me. You include the whole group or we ain't doing it."

"If you think I'm letting you put your greasy paws anywhere near my wife..."

"Oh? Like this?" Carter reached around the seat, put a hand on each shoulder and squeezed. "What if she likes it?"

"She doesn't!" I squeaked as he squeezed again.

"Baby, you ain't gotta lie to the man," Carter smirked. "You can tell him..."

"I pull this car over and you're a dead man," Colt retorted, though there was a grin, hidden under the dark hair of his beard.

"You cannot pull over. We'll be late."

"I'll make it fast," Colt responded.

"Yeah, she said that's how you do it."