Best Kept Promise (Best Kept #2)

Chapter 44: I Am Family

"I gotta go," I whisper. "My dad's waiting."

Tyler bites the side of my neck before snuggling closer to my side. "He can wait a few more minutes. I had to go a whole day without seeing you yesterday and now you're leaving me again today."

I sink a hand into his hair and the other skims his back. "I promised I'd be there for lunch," I go on. "And I won't be gone long. I have a band to take pictures of in the morning. You know my dad invited you, right?"

"Yes," he murmurs. "But I'd rather you have some time with your dad by yourself."

Bowing slightly, I kiss his forehead. "He'd still like to see you sometime. Don't you have band practice today?"

Tyler groans and tightens his arm around my waist. "Later," he answers. "We have to wait for the basement to be free."

"You can use my dad's," I tell him. "Any time you want. It's sound proof, so it's yours if you guys want it."

"Maybe..." He trails. "It was cool last time when your dad was there. Maybe we'll have to take him on tour with us."

I laugh. "He'd probably like that, actually. Not only would he be getting away from my mom, but he'd be playing music again. I really wish he'd play again."

Tyler's lips are close to my ear when he speaks again. "Your mom has your dad's balls in a death grip," he deadpans.

I don't laugh again like I want to. "I just think he loves her a lot," I say. "When you have kids, you have to be willing to sacrifice things." I tilt my head down and curl my finger under Tyler's chin to lift it. Our eyes lock. "Never ever give up music for me, got it?"

Tyler chuckles. "I don't think I'd have to worry about that. Besides," he lifts a hand to my cheek, "the way you make me feel is equivalent to the way I feel on stage. Two things in the world I'll never give up, Maggie."

"I love you so much," I whisper and settle a hand on his cheek. "Do I tell you enough?"

Tyler gives me a smile and kisses me softly. "I wonder the same thing sometimes," he says. "But even if I repeated it every five seconds, it wouldn't be enough. I love you more than you probably know, Maggers." He pokes the tip of my nose.

It's my turn to laugh and kiss him. "I really need to leave."

Tyler holds my face so my lips don't stray away from his. "You haven't filled your quota."

"For what exactly?"

"My kisses." He keeps pecking my lips. "I need at least one-hundred more before you leave."

I grip his shoulders and welcome Tyler's kisses. Not exactly one-hundred, but I did lose count. It wouldn't surprise me if Tyler didn't.

* * *

I'm late for lunch.

I clutch the photo album in one arm while opening the door with the other. I'm not even sure if I should knock since I don't live here, but I'm pretty sure my dad would laugh at me for it. "Dad!" I call out and shut the door behind me. "Sorry I'm late. Tyler wouldn't let me leave."

"In the kitchen, honey!"

I move through the house like I still live here and enter the kitchen. When I see my mom sitting at the table too, my mouth nearly drops. "Oh, hey," I say casually.