Chapter 2

Xander

Calling Cami on waffle days had become a tradition. My bandmates seemed to like this new tradition because it meant I spent less time critiquing waffles with them. They referred to it as bitching about waffles.

“I take it the waffles weren’t to your liking,” she remarked.

“They never are. When are you going to give in and teach me how to make waffles?” I asked her that all the time. Either that or I begged her to make them for me.

“When are you going to stop flirting with me?” she asked.

“When you really want me to stop,” I replied softly. I’d stepped away from the table so Austin and Piper wouldn’t overhear me. Mostly, I didn’t want them to give me the evil eye when I started flirting with Cami.

“Xan.” That one word was a warning.

I grinned because sparring with Cami was fun and the thing I looked most forward to on waffle days. “I’ll behave.”

As expected, she laughed. “I seriously doubt that. If you could behave, I’d have already taught you how to make waffles.”

“How’s Glitch?” I asked.

“Who?” Cami asked, pretending she didn’t know who I was talking about. I hadn’t liked her boyfriend the first time they’d dated. I liked him even less the second time around. What she saw in him, I had no clue. He was a self-absorbed prick who didn’t appreciate how lucky he was to have someone like Cami in his life.

“Your boyfriend,” I replied.

“I broke up with Mitch.”

“I never thought he was good enough for you,” I told her. “That dickhead was just playing you because he wanted something.”

“Is this where you say I’m too gullible?” she asked.

“I’d never call you gullible. You’re just too nice,” was my honest response. “It’s why you give guys like Glitch a second chance. In some ways, it’s a good thing. If you weren’t this nice, you’d have changed your number to avoid me months ago.”

“Nah, you’re harmless,” she insisted.

“I wouldn’t go that far,” I said with a laugh. “In fact, I’m going to have to insist that you refrain from using such language in the future. I’ve got a reputation to protect.”

“It’s not okay to call you a nice guy?” she asked.

“No! I’m the lead singer of a rock band. I’m a total badass and a party animal. These are not the traits of a nice guy. I’m a rebel.”

“Of course, you are.” Her patronizing tone made me laugh.

“Damn straight!” I replied.

“I’m with friends,” she began. “It’s my girls’ night with Harley, Bentley, and Mercy.”

I’d already known that. I was a jerk for interrupting. With a sigh, I said, “I should let you go before Harley starts messaging me to tell me to leave you alone.”

“Goodnight, Xan,” she told me.

“Night, babe,” I replied before ending the call.

I tucked my phone into my pocket and turned to find Austin right behind me.

He was biting back a grin. “Who were you talking to?”

“Don’t be a dick,” I told him.

“How am I a dick?” he asked as he followed me back to the table.

“Where’s your girl?” I asked when we returned to the empty table.

“Bathroom,” he replied.

“That woman pees a lot,” I muttered.

Austin smirked. “That’s because she’s pregnant.” He was proud of having knocked up and married Piper. “When are you going to ask Cami out?”

“Why would I ask Cami out?” I could play dumb when I needed to.

“Because you’re into her.” He said it like I was a dumbass for even asking. “Everyone knows that. I heard she broke up with Mitch.”

“I know,” I replied.

“And you aren’t going to discuss her with me tonight,” he deduced.

“Nope,” was all I said.

Piper returned to the table looking ready to drop, which gave me a great excuse to change the subject.

“You need to get your wife home,” I told Austin. “She looks exhausted.”

“I am officially off waffle duty until after the baby comes,” Piper announced as she pushed her red hair back from her face.

“You’re going to send me on waffle days alone?” Austin asked. “Xan bitches less when he’s distracted with Riley kicking your belly.”

“It’s the craziest thing,” Piper added. “No one else can see it. The kicks don’t even feel that hard, but Xan always notices them.”

“I think he’s got some crazy baby senses,” Austin added. “If he ever gives up on music, maybe he’ll become a midwife.”

“Hey!” I interrupted. “I’m standing right here.” My indignation faded when Piper’s belly moved. I immediately stood and did my best to avoid touching her belly since it made her uncomfortable. I was trying to respect her personal space. She wasn’t showing much yet, but at only a couple inches over five feet tall, her small baby bump definitely stood out. “Look at that! That is so fucking cool.”

Piper stood and hugged me. “You are going be a good uncle to Riley.”

“Damn right I am!” I kissed Piper’s cheek. “Go home and get some rest. I’m fine with you being off waffle duty for now, but I expect Riley to join me on my quest for waffles after she makes her appearance.”

Piper groaned. “With any luck, you’ll have found your perfect waffles by then.”

Austin caught Piper’s hand and brought it to his lips. “Let’s go home. We’ll see you later, Xan.”

“Later,” I replied.

As I watched one of my best friends walk away with his pregnant wife, I realized one thing; I wanted that.