Christmas with a Rockstar (Rock Revenge Trilogy 3.50)

“I need to talk to you.”

Rhys’s brows instantly creased in worry. “What’s wrong? It’s not Ellie, is it?”

I shook my head. I wasn’t surprised Rhys had instantly worried about his severely Autistic sister who lived in a group home back in Savannah.

“Then what is it?”

“Let’s wait until we get on the bus.”

“Fuck that. You’re killing me with the suspense.”

“Trust me. This really needs to wait for the bus.”

Rhys growled with frustration before reaching over to grab me by the waist and then hoist me over his shoulder. Craning my neck, I cried, “What are you doing?”

“Getting us to the bus. No way you’re going to be able to run in those heels.”

I didn’t protest. Instead, I let Rhys jog us to the bus. When he sat me on my feet at the door, I grinned at him. Trying to lighten the tense mood, I teased, “I never realized how strong you were.”

He didn’t respond. Instead, he knocked on the door for the driver to let us in. After snatching my arm, he practically dragged me up the stairs. “Rhys, slow down!” I cried.

“Not when I’m about to have a stroke waiting to hear what’s wrong.”

“Do you really think it’s something bad?”

With a nod, he replied, “I’ve never seen you so physically gobsmacked like you are.”

“First of all, it’s nothing bad. No one is sick or dying or hurt.” I stared pointedly at him. “Okay?”

Rhys exhaled a long, ragged breath. Visibly the tension in his body melted away. “Okay.”

Now it was time for me to suck in a few calming breaths. Although there was nothing I couldn’t say or tell Rhys, I suddenly found myself at a loss. After raking a hand through my hair, I motioned to the couch. “Maybe you should sit down.”

Rhys’s brows popped up. “Considering you look like you’re going to puke, maybe it’s you who needs to sit down.”

A nervous giggle bubbled from my lips. “Uh, no. I think I’m better standing up.”

After placing his hands on my shoulders, Rhys said, “Whatever it is, it’s okay, babe. Just tell me.”

I licked my parched lips. “Keira’shavingababyandshewantsustoadoptit,” I rattled.

“Wait, what?”

Get it together, Allison. “Keira wants us to adopt her baby.”

Rhys’s dark eyes widened. “Holy shit, Keira’s pregnant.”

“Yes. Eight weeks.”

He ran a hand over his face. “Holy shit. Poor Roland. Fuck. I bet he’s losing his mind. His baby girl is having a baby.”

“She didn’t say how he had reacted…or if she had told him,” I answered.

Rhys stared at me like he was seeing me for the first time since I’d told him the news. “Wait a minute. Did you say she wants us to adopt the baby?”

“Yes.”

I could only describe Rhys’s expression in the way he had described mine: gobsmacked. “What did you tell her?” he croaked.