Kara nods. "Yeah, but I would have painted the nursery pink either way."
"We rent, we can't paint the extra room," Drew says.
"He's so uptight for a rock star, huh?" Kara rises to her tiptoes to plant a kiss on Drew's lips.
He murmurs into her cheeks. "You look fucking divine in that dress."
She sighs as she wraps her arms around him.
"I'll make this fast. I want to make you come right away." He kisses her again.
"You know they heard that, right?" she asks.
Drew nods then he leans in close enough that his whisper is only audible to Kara.
It's funny. Everything I've heard about Drew from Joel—back when Drew was the Dangerous Noise guitarist, he made everyone's lives miserable with his diva-like ways and his fights with his ex-girlfriend—paints the guitarist as a truly miserable guy.
But I'm not sure I've seen anyone as happy as he is.
As in love as he is.
I've worked with him enough to know two things—he's a perfectionist and he loves his fiancée as much as anyone has ever loved another person.
Drew nods to me. "Let's talk."
"Sure." I kiss Violet on the cheek and follow Drew to an empty spot in the corner of the room.
His dark eyes get serious. "Fuck, Ethan, I don't think it's possible for me to thank you enough for filling in for me." His smile widens as he watches Kara and Violet chat. "I couldn't have made this work without you."
"It was nothing."
"Fuck that. It was a lot. I know my shit is hard."
"It is. That on purpose?"
"More fun that way."
His gaze drifts to his fiancée. His eyes light up. He lets out a wistful sigh.
He's happy as a fucking clam.
This is none of my business. I should keep it to myself.
But I gotta ask. "Would you really have quit the band for Kara?"
"For Kara? No. Kara made me promise not to quit the band. If she asked? Yeah, in a heartbeat." He laughs. "You know what it's like when you love someone. That always comes first."
"Yeah, right." My words are hollow.
I'm not sure I can put anything ahead of music. Ever. I loved Violet when we were together. I want to be with her but I've been working on music since I was fifteen. I can't fuck up again. Not for anything.
Drew's voice is still dreamy. "I loved the guitar as much as anyone could, but music will never compare to family. Kara's always been my family. It's more obvious to other people now that she's pregnant, but she's always been my home. Wherever she is, that's where I want to be."
His dark eyes light up as he watches her.
He knows exactly where shit stands. Kara comes first. Their family comes first.
"Seriously, Ethan, anything you need, let me know. Can't offer much besides my skill on guitar but I'm more than happy to fill in for you."