Page 94 of Play For Me

She gapes at me. “I’m not going to leave you over here alone.”

I should offer to go with her, but I know I’m not up for it. “Cecelia, I don’t want you avoiding your family because of me. I can just stay over here while you?—

“I’m not avoiding them,” she cuts in. “Honestly, I couldn’t even if I wanted to. They’ll come over here to talk to us.” She jerks her head at the woman now hugging the twins, probably someone else they’re related to, and manages a tight smile. “But if we stay by the wall, we don’t have to be in the center of things, you know? People can come say hi without crowding us so much.”

I’m about to tell her that isn’t necessary, when Ash joins us, leaving his twin to chat with their relative. “She’s right,” he tellsme. “I’ve made an art out of crowd control at stuff like this.” He jerks his beer bottle in the direction of the mass of people. “I can’t handle being in the middle of that. I’ll lose my mind. Being over here is better.” His eyes meet mine. “I appreciate you guys keeping me company.”

I let out a breath, trying to convince myself that he’s telling the truth. That I’m not holding Cecelia back with my mere presence.

I tell myself that, but I’m not really sure I believe it.

TWENTY-FOUR

CECELIA

I’ve always been okay with the chaos that is my family. Honestly, I thrive in it. The noise, the laughter, the conversation, the knowledge that there will always be someone around. I’ve never really been able to imagine what it would be like to grow up any other way.

But standing here backstage before my brother’s show with my entire family crowding around, I can’t help but see it through Solomon’s eyes.

And I’m kicking myself for bringing him here. He doesn’t like crowds. Doesn’t like a lot of noise. Doesn’t like having to socialize with strangers and answer a bunch of questions.

But that’s exactly what’s happening tonight. My family, apparently, are fascinated by Solomon Barnes. More than likely, they’re fascinated by the fact that I’m actually hanging out with a guy for more than a few dates.

Regardless, I’m going to kill Vega. She’s definitely the one who told everyone that I’m in something serious with my athletic trainer. I certainly didn’t say anything, and I doubt the twins did either. Cade would be a likely culprit as well—he’s as much of a gossip as Aunt Paige’s girls.

Whoever spilled the beans, my family members are acting like no one has ever had a boyfriend before. Aunt Paige comes over again and asks Sol about a million questions about his schooling, his interests, what it’s like to grow up on a horse ranch—how she found out about that I have no idea. Her enthusiasm is nothing less than I would expect from her. To say that Aunt Paige is known for being over the top would be a vast understatement.

I’m not so forgiving of Aunt Daisy and Aunt Haylee, who come over together arm-in-arm and ask nearly as many questions. I can tell Sol is a little star struck by Haylee but after a few moments of her questioning, he just seems tense. Then my uncles Daltrey and Lennon join their wives and I start looking for a side exit we can escape through.

“I’m fine,” Sol assures me after Violet miraculously manages to pull her parents and our aunt and uncle away. He laughs, the sound a little shaky. “I mean, besides for the fact that I just met Haylee Hunt and Daltrey Ransome.”

I groan, covering my face.

I’ve always loved being a Ransome. Yes, having famous family members can be weird sometimes. We’ve all had paparazzi in our face on various occasions. We often have to deal with security guards, especially when there’s a bunch of us together in the same place. Sometimes fans approach me and want to talk about my dad or my sister-in-law or my movie star cousin, and there’s nothing more bizarre than a complete stranger knowing your name.

But I’ve always managed to deal with that stuff. I’m proud of our family and what my dad and uncles have accomplished. I know that their success means I get to live a very privileged life and I honestly wouldn’t trade it for anything.

But tonight, for the first time ever, there’s a part of me that wishes my family was a little more normal.

Solomon is stressed out. And it’s my fault. My fault for bringing him here, my fault for not double and triple checking how many people were going to be around. My fault for not being able to give him peace.

“Cecelia,” he says, tilting my chin up to look at him. “I’m fine. Honestly.” He holds up his beer bottle. “I have a drink. I have you.” He shrugs. “That makes it a pretty good night.”

Relief floods through me. I’m not sure if he’s just saying it to make me feel better or if he really is feeling less anxious than I’m assuming. But he seems okay. And when he tilts his head down to kiss me, I return it happily.

Of course, a good half dozen members of my family whistle or squeal or shout something from across the room. But Solomon just laughs and kisses me again, before turning back to talk to Ash.

“Hey,” a familiar voice says, and I turn to see who’s joined us now. Immediately all my anxiety and frustration goes out the window as I throw myself at my brother.

Silas catches me in a hug and I can feel his laughter rumble through him as he squeezes me tight. “It’s almost like you missed me or something,” he says, kissing the top of my head.

I pull away, smacking his chest. “Of course I missed you, idiot. You’ve left me alone with these crazy people for months on end.”

He laughs and God, it’s good to see him. Silas and I have always been close. I mean, I’m close with all three of my brothers, but me and Si are nearest in age. Wyatt and Will always seemed so much older than us, so much more mature. When they both got married within just a few months of each other, Silas and I got even closer.

And then his band started to do well and he went off on tour and suddenly the majority of our conversations were takingplace on the phone or FaceTime. He’s good about calling, no matter how busy he is on the road, but it’s still not the same.

I hug him again, feeling a strange urge to cry—which I never do.It’s just a high-intensity night,I tell myself, as I bury my face in his chest and fight the tears. My emotions are all over the place.