We really were primed for success. Carter had taught us the importance of playing as many live shows as possible, building our fanbase, and selling merchandise to supplement our band income. Jace was freakishly great at marketing and, as annoying as he could be with his relentless posts, our Instagram and YouTube accounts were at nearly fifty thousand followers and we were starting to get offers for endorsements and sponsorships. LTZ was in massive demand all over Seattle and the northwest, now we were ready to expand.
The week before, Carter proclaimed that we had enough leverage to negotiate favorable agreements with his management team and booking agent. He was also exploring the possibility of a distribution-only deal with his record label. It was time to go big or go home and, for me, going home was not an option.
“Oh crap! Do we need to leave?” Zoey pulled away from my embrace suddenly, looking for her phone to check the time.
“Shit, yes! We’re going to be late.” I got up quickly, stopping to look down at her and caress the side of her face. “Thank you for listening to me.”
“I adore you. Sometimes I have to pinch myself that you’re my boyfriend.” Zoey kissed my forehead before she got up and walked over to her closet.
“Okay, missy. Let’s go so you can finally meet Carter.” I couldn’t control my excitement. I started for the door.
“Ah—no. I need fifteen minutes to change and put some makeup on. Out, you. Go hang out with Mike and Olivia.” Zoey put her hands on her hips saucily.
Gazing at her stunning face, which needed no embellishment whatsoever, I happily did as I was told and waited for her downstairs with her parents.
Chapter 5
ZOEY
An hour later, we arrived at Carter’s sprawling house on Lake Washington, one of the wealthiest neighborhoods in Seattle. I looked up at the beautiful, immaculate craftsman mansion and became really tense. Ty held up his hand when he parked my car, making sure I stayed seated until he opened the passenger door. I stepped out, taking his arm and snuck a kiss because I wanted him to know that I noticed all the little things that he did to make me feel cherished every day.
“I’m nervous.” I couldn’t help but clutch vise-like to Ty’s hand as we walked up to the house. Truthfully, I was also a pretty shy introvert who wasn’t great at meeting new people. I purposely dressed to blend in with a simple pair of cut-offs, gray flowy top, and flip-flops. My stomach was churning with excitement at the thought of meeting Carter Pope, but part of me wished we were back in my room so I could still be making out with Ty.
“Don’t be nervous, butterfly.” Ty cupped my head to hold me against him. “I’ve got you.”
Ty used his own key to let us into the ornate, old-growth wood door into the house. Carter’s house was surprisingly traditional. Tan walls with thick crown molding stained a deep cherry red adorned each room. Throughout the house, beautifully gleaming light hardwood floors were covered with sumptuous rugs, the walls filled with gold and platinum records and photos of Limelight throughout their career. I could hear laughter coming from the backyard, and Ty led me there through a sunken living room with a grand piano, stone fireplace, and a wall of windows that overlooked Lake Washington.
We stepped outside holding hands, his bandmates, Carter, and a guy I didn’t recognize were sitting around a fire pit in the middle of a beautifully manicured lawn. The yard was surrounded by a stunning garden filled with shrubs, trees, and flowers of every color.
“Dude, you’re here!” Zane appeared behind us from a back stairwell leading a darling, petite pixie-like girl with long, straight, glossy black hair by the hand.
“Hey, Zane. Fee.” Ty stopped, draping his arm around my shoulder. “This is Zoey.”
“Hey.” I smiled nervously.
“Zoey's the girl that’s stolen our guy’s heart.” Zane chuckled gleefully, pulling me into a bear hug.
“Zoey, Fiona Reynolds is the daughter of Gus Reynolds, who owns The Mission,” Ty said, rolling his eyes at Zane.
“Oh, that’s cool!” I practically gushed to the pretty girl who was only a couple years older than me. “Nice to meet you.”
“You too,” Fiona said.
“Well you guys are late, the food is probably ready. Let’s go eat!” Zane bounded over to the sliding glass door and motioned for all of us to head out.
After Ty introduced me around, we filled our plates with barbequed corn on the cob, salmon, and potato salad and then joined the others around the fire pit. Carter and the guys were all so nice and welcoming that my nervousness subsided immediately. The guys all talked relentlessly about band business. I sat quietly, soaking it in. Once everyone was finished, Fiona got up and started collecting plates to clean up, and I got up to help her.
“So, you’re Ty’s girlfriend?” Fiona asked as we brought the garbage into the house to throw away.
“Yes, we’ve been together for a couple of months.” I smiled. “Are you Zane’s girlfriend?”
“Uh, no.” She rolled her eyes. “He’s not capable of keeping his dick in his pants, so I’m not about to get my heart broken.”
“Oh.” I looked at her wide-eyed.
“Don’t worry, I’m pretty sure Ty’s a saint. So is Connor.” She smiled at me kindly, by this time we had made our way back outside. “Zane and Jace? Meh.”
“Musicians aren’t meant to keep it in their pants,” Jace snorted. “We’re too young to be tied down.”
“I got into a lot of trouble not keeping it in my pants,” Carter retorted while warming his hands over the fire.
“It is very hard to stop visualizing what you’re not keeping in your pants,” I deadpanned, surprising myself that I said what I was thinking out loud.
Everyone erupted in laughter, making me feel like I fit right in.
Still laughing, Ty pulled me onto his lap when I passed by him and possessively wrapped his arms
