I just hoped that the LTZ fans would feel the same way.
Chapter 23
ZOEY
Watching Ty’s strong hands shift the gears on his Porsche, I looked up at his full lips peeking out from under his ever-present stubble as he scanned the road. The skull cap could barely contain his waves, and I loved how his hair framed his sexy jawline. Sensing my gaze, he gave me a side look with a hint of a smile as he navigated us to some mystery location. Reaching over, I traced his lips with my finger, he drew it into his mouth suckled on the red, glossy tip, waggling his eyebrows at me. Before I knew it, we had arrived at our destination.
Slinging his arm around me, Ty and I walked up the old stone steps to the ginormous old-growth wood door and he rang the doorbell. Carter opened the door a few minutes later, wearing an old green Limelight T-shirt and black cut-off sweats, his grayish hair loose to his shoulders under a black bandana.
“Ty, Zoey! What the hell is going on? I didn’t expect to see you two.” Carter held the door open so we could walk inside.
“Hey, Carter, hope we aren’t interrupting anything,” Ty said as we crossed through the entryway down into the sunken living room. It had been years since I’d seen the view from the big picture windows looking out over Lake Washington. Sinking down into a cushy, oversized, navy-blue corduroy chair, Ty tugged me onto his lap, wrapping his long arms around my waist. I clasped my arms over his.
Carter took a seat on the adjacent matching chair and gestured between us. “It’s great to see you together. Ty, how did the recording go?”
“Great, I’m home early, it’s all but wrapped.” Ty hooked his index finger with mine. “Movie premiere is a couple of weeks before Thanksgiving.”
“Awesome. Good news. Zoey, did you enjoy your visit?” Carter winked at me.
“I did, have you seen that car?” I wasn’t about to air our dirty laundry about how the trip ended to Carter. Not when we’d righted the ship.
“Not yet, probably soon.” He laughed. “So, what’s up, you so rarely just stop by anymore.”
“So, we came to share some news, Carter.” Ty squeezed me tight. “Zoey and I are moving in together, and we’d like your blessing.”
“Uh-huh. Well that’s great, but you certainly don’t need any blessings from me.” Carter stared at us quizzically.
“Carter, that’s not true.” Ty was direct. “You’ve been like a dad to me, and well—I just want to make sure there will be no more misunderstandings or interference with us. You’re too important to me, and she’s too important to me.”
Carter palmed his forehead and rubbed his eyebrows, a slight dampness shone in his eyes. “Tyson, you are my second son.”
“You’ve been the only father I’ve ever known, Carter.” Ty’s voice broke slightly, and I squeezed his finger in mine. “I haven’t had any role models of how to be in a relationship and I’ve already made some big mistakes.”
“Well, uh. All of us here know that I’m no good at relationships,” Carter said solemnly. “Don’t ask me for advice, you’ll both figure it out.”
“I’m not asking for advice, Carter. I’m pretty sure the whole foundation setup was your way of making amends, but now that Zoey and I are back together—for good this time—if there is any remaining shaky ground, we need to put it to rest.” Ty circled his finger in the air in front of us.
“You’re a very wealthy and successful man now, Ty. You’re not that insecure, poor young musician that saw Zoey as your lifeline back when you first started dating.” Carter leaned back, regarding both of us.
“No, the band was always my lifeline, Carter. It was all I had for a very long time.” Ty was defensive. “Zoey was my girlfriend not—”
“Don’t rewrite history, Ty,” Carter interrupted. “You would have given up the band for her in an instant—you almost did, and you didn’t have anything to fall back on.”
“I’m not sure what you mean.”
“I went to meet your mom when you first met Zane. I kept track of her for a long time after LTZ first made it. I knew more about your situation than you think I did.” Carter dropped a bomb on both of us, and my heart clenched for Ty, considering he had made such an effort to keep his relationship with his mom under wraps.
Ty’s arms tightened around me before he blurted, “You what?”
“I was perpetually worried about your welfare. You were so secretive about your situation, which wasn’t normal for a kid of fifteen. Your drive to make it on your own terms was so fierce. I respected that, I admired you for it, but I had to look out for you, kid.”
“I’m—wow. I had no idea. I’m so embarrassed.” Ty sounded as if he could barely speak.
Carter shook his head. “Ty, I would never say a bad word about your mom. But, when I saw with my own eyes what was going on, I knew without a shadow of doubt that I would do everything within my power to make sure you were set up for success. You deserved your shot. You needed it.”
“Shit. I mean, I knew you helped us, but I thought it was because of Zane.” Ty leaned his chin on my shoulder.
“Of course, it was also because of Zane, but I’m his dad. And the other guys, but Jace and Connor have their own families. You?” Carter shrugged.
“My mom lost her way,” Ty’s voice grew soft, reflective. “I used to feel like I was responsible for her, that I was never worthy enough for her to get her shit together.”
“Oh baby.” I turned and kissed his
