LIMITLESS: A Less Than Zero Rockstar Romance: Book 2: Jace & Alex

rolled my eyes. “My family dinner is at seven.”
“No, we’ll just play a few songs, and then we can go.” Zane smirked at me through the rearview mirror from the driver’s seat as he socked Ty in the arm.
“I really, really appreciate it, you guys.” Ty slugged Zane back. “Zoey makes me so happy, she’s incredible.”
The four of us had loaded up a few guitars, a snare drum, and a practice amp and were on our way to Ty’s new girlfriend’s house to play a fucking high school graduation party. Leave it to Ty to complicate his life with a serious relationship right before we were going into the studio and leaving on a six-month tour. With jailbait, nonetheless.
“Dude, I still don’t know why you’re hooking up with a high school chick. She’s too young for you.” Conner must have been reading my mind.
“She’s the one for me, I don’t care how old she is.” Ty crossed his arms and stared out the window.
We pulled up to a big craftsman house in Wallingford, parked and each grabbed our acoustic gear and instruments. I led the way as we walked down the paved walkway toward the bright-blue front door. Before I could ring the doorbell, the door swung open and a gorgeous blonde MILF wearing tan capris and a white T-shirt ran down the walkway toward us.
“Hi guys, I’m Olivia, Zoey’s mom.” She held out her hand to me before pulling Ty into a hug.
“Jace.” I smiled. “Drummer.”
Zane and Connor introduced themselves and we stood on the stoop awkwardly, grinning at Zoey’s mom for a minute, unsure of what to do.
“Right.” Olivia took charge, pointing to the side of the house. “Let’s go through here, Zoey and Alex don’t know about this and they’re upstairs getting ready.”
We didn’t have much to set up, so after about ten minutes Zoey’s mother ushered us into a room on the first floor where a large TV with an Xbox was set up next to a desk. On a side table, a platter of sandwiches and a cooler of beers were set up for us.
“Hopefully, you guys can hide out here for an hour or so. When the guests have all arrived, I’ll come get you.” Zoey’s mom gestured around the room. “Is this okay?”
“It’s fine, Olivia.” Ty gave her another side hug. “Thank you so much.”
After we devoured the food and drank a few beers, Connor and I played old-school Halo while Zane watched, and Ty was busy with his phone.
“Zoey is freaking out that I’m not here yet.” Ty chuckled. “She’s going to be so surprised.”
“Dude, I know you like this chick,” Connor said. “But, it’s such shitty timing.”
“Connor! Give it a rest.” Zane scowled. “You’re going on and on about it.”
“What?” Connor held up his hands. “We’re supposed to be focused on the band right now, not chicks.”
“Says the guy who is practically married.” Ty deadpanned.
“Well, I don’t understand it either, Ty.” I chimed in supporting Connor. It tended to go this way in our band, Ty and Zane usually backed each other while Connor and I had each other’s backs.
“I can’t explain it.” Ty shrugged. “I keep telling you guys, she makes me happy. I like being happy.”
“For fuck’s sake, Ty. You’re twenty-one years old. She just turned eighteen.” I couldn’t wrap my head around it.
“I’m not going to justify it to you, Jace,” Ty said definitively.
Although our band was tight, Ty had always been hard for me to get to know. Except for the songs he wrote, he didn’t speak up that often. When he did, it was usually because he had a really strong opinion. Then his stubbornness was legendary. I had to come to terms with the fact that Zoey was not going anywhere anytime soon.
Zane’s guitar skills were what had initially convinced Connor and me to join LTZ two years prior, but Ty’s front-man presence is what had sealed the deal for us to stay. Me, Connor, and Zane all still lived with our families and basically spent all our time together to work on the band and socialize. Ty spent as much time as he could, but he had to work a lot of hours as a line cook to support himself.
Dividing up what little time we had with a girl pissed both me and Connor off.
Carter, Zane’s famous rock star father, was pulling in so many connections that LTZ was primed to make it big. As long as we focused and took our careers seriously. We all did. Ty did too. I mean, he was such a good-looking dude who ordinarily was utterly and completely shy and awkward around women. Maybe having the beautiful Zoey by his side would build his confidence. On the other hand, I didn’t understand why he, of all people, would potentially muck up his bright future for a woman. Well, not really a woman. A girl.
“Are you guys ready?” Zoey’s mom knocked softly and then quietly opened the door.
“Yes, let me text Zoey so she thinks I’m running late.” Ty smiled.
“Great idea.” Olivia gushed. “Ty, you’re so wonderful. Guys, you all are. Thank you for doing this for our daughter and Alex.”
We moved through the house, out the sliding glass door to the back yard and across the lawn to where we had set up our gear. Connor removed the tarp that was covering it up and I glanced out into the yard to see it filled with a bunch of friends and family of the graduates.
A petite, curvy girl with a crazy mane of streaked blond hair wearing a simple black tank dress was clutching the hand of a tall, honey-blonde, willowy beauty wearing low-slung white pants with a fringy turquoise halter that exposed her tan, flat stomach. My eyes zeroed in on the sparkly white jewel pierced through her bellybutton. Both were wearing blindfolds and giggling.
The tall girl looked really familiar, and man she was smokin’. On second thought, maybe Ty was onto something with the high school