Chasing Lyrics (Music & Lyrics #1) by Debbie Dickerson Read Free Book Online

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    Chapter
9
    ‘On my
heart, you’re tattooed there so deeply’
    Tanner –
         “Hey, Mom!” I glance at
Lyrics and remind her to breathe. She is stoic right now and I think it is the
funniest thing I have ever seen.
         Mom gives me a big hug
then turns to Lyrics and says, “There’s my girl. Dylan, you look gorgeous,
honey.” I can’t smother my smile. We go inside and both of our dads are
watching a replay of last year’s Texans –vs– 49’ers game. They grunt up at us,
I shake their hands, and Lyrics gives them a hug. They both tell me to have a
seat with them while Dylan and Mom get dinner ready.
         I am watching the game and
listening to the women in the kitchen. I overhear Mom ask Lyrics about her new songs
and if there is a new man in her life. My ears perk up like a German shepherd’s
ears.
         Lyrics is stumbling over
her answer. “The music is going well and no NEW man in my life…but…um…” I let
her tread a little then I get up and walk into the kitchen.
         Mom says loudly, “Tanner!”
Lyrics looks up with eyes wide opened, she thought my mom guessed it.
         I laugh, and say, “Mom!” I
slowly make my way to Lyrics and I tilt her head up and softly kiss her lips. Mom’s
mouth falls open. I look at Mom and say, “No new man, Mom, just me!” Lyrics turns
ghostly white except for the red blotches that appear on her face.
         Mom yells, “Bo, Stephen! Come
in here please…right now!” Both of our dads come in the kitchen as if they are
about to be scorned. Mom says, “You both owe me $20! I told you they would get
together this year!” Both men roll their eyes and fish out $20 from their
wallets. Now it is Lyrics’ and my mouths that fall open!
         I say, “Y’all had a bet
going?”
         Dad says, “Every damn year
except this one I bet on y’all…but it had to be this year huh, thanks a lot,
kids.” Lyrics has the biggest grin stretching across her face and I see life
flow back into her.
         Mom hugs her and says,
“Honey, I knew one day you would officially be my daughter. I knew since Tanner
was fourteen years old that he was in love with you, and you with him.”
         When Mr. Brooks comes towards
me, he extends his arm and says, “Son, now I know that my baby girl will forever
be safe and loved. Very happy to see you finally reeled her in!” I feel like
the strongest, luckiest, happiest man alive. The most important people in our
lives are as happy as we are! Lyrics grabs my hand and I know that my life will
never be the same again.
         “I have one more
announcement. The Gap hired me to be their male model.”
         Mom looks at me and says,
“Holy cow, son! That is huge!”
         I nod, look at Lyrics, and
say, “I will be shooting for six months in various locations all over the
world.”
         Lyrics says, “He wasn’t
going to take it, but I told him that he should.”
         Mom smiles and says,
“That’s my girl. Wow, six months, huh? Well, it is The Gap. When do you leave?”
         I say, “Saturday morning I
leave for Spain.”
         Mom gets her motherly self
in gear, “Well do you have everything you need? Who is going with you? Make
sure you get an international phone immediately so you can call us.”
         I say, “Yes I do, I think.
I guess I am going with the photographer and another model.”
         Lyrics asks, “Who is the
other model?”
         I know who she is but I didn’t
really want to tell her…but it is Lyrics and I have to. “Um, I think Chauncey
said Jennifer something or another.”
         Lyrics says, “Jennifer
Temple?”
         Fuck! “Yeah, maybe that
was it.”
         Dad yells from the other
room, “Is she the model from Victoria Secret?”
         Fuck! “I don’t know,
Dad…thank you.” Lyrics rolls her eyes and glares at me the way she has always
glared at me when she knows I am