Salvation in the Secular Age {MH/GD}

{We're All Human, We're Just Like You, Man}

Hello my lovelies! Thank you, thank you for all of the reads, votes and comments. They really keep me going and get me motivated! FYI, I'll be super-busy this next week, so my updates are going to slow down quite a bit. Also, please keep in mind that this is a sequel, so if you haven't read Eyes Bright Uptight, STOP READING THIS and go read that one first. As always, enjoy this adorable picture of the boys. I mean, Ross and Matty are so peaceful and George is like "gotcha suckas." Love them more than words. Rant over! Enjoy!

{George}

The day of the girls' party had turned into night. The rental booths and guests were all gone, sans the usual crowd, who were all seated in Tinsley and Ross' outdoor kitchen, some around the island, some around their table. The paper lanterns and pool lights reflected against the atmosphere in the warm night, and the adults were readying for their turn to have a party.

Harper was pursing a bottle of beer onto her lips, her blue eyes rolling at Matty and Ellie, who were next to her. Ellie was sitting on Matty's lap, playing with his hair. Hann was glued to his phone. Chelsea and Tinsley were grimacing after taking a Jello-O shot, and Claire was still upstairs in her room.

Tinsley Hann was many things: Adam's baby sister, super-mom, business woman extraordinaire, and talented shots-maker. Ross cracked open a beer and handed it to me silently.

"The twins sleeping?" I asked him after taking a long, much-needed sip.

Ross nodded his head slowly. "Mmm-hmm."

He held up the little video monitor in his hand, showing me the high-tech screen the size of a standard tablet. The girls were in each of their cribs, silently sleeping away. I smiled to my friend.

"Mate, they're a year old," I shook my head in disbelief.

"Don't get me started," Ross said, setting the monitor on the counter.

Ross had the perfect life; he had an amazing fiance, two beautiful babies, a sick house, and could grow a beard in two days. But I didn't envy him, because I knew that fame took a toll on him. He missed his family, and being apart from Millie and Maisie was hard for him, especially. He often felt guilty, because although he had the time of his life being in a band, part of him felt like he needed a more steady job.

"C'mon, mate," I said to him. "Don't beat yourself up."

I reached into my pocket and pulled out a perfectly rolled blunt. "This blunt's not going to smoke itself."

Ross shook his head and laughed. "Can't tonight, Danes. I'm on baby-duty."

I laughed to myself and draped my arm over my pal.

"I'm going to go find my favorite smoking buddy, then," I told Ross, referring to Claire.

Fun things happened when Claire and I were inebriated together.

Regretabble thing, but great, great things nonetheless.

Ross raised a dark brow, and set his beer on the counter next to his baby monitor.

"I like Claire," he said.

"I like her too," I shrugged.

Ross shook his head and patted my back. "Yeah, mate. That's the problem."

=

My long legs climbed the stairs, three at a time, as Ross' words sunk into me. He'd royally pissed me off with that one. Matty got to do whatever he wanted, all of the time, yet the minute I did something that stayed even remotely away from nice-guy material, everyone was down my throat.