Chapter 83 A Little Practice Doesn't Hurt

Chapter 83 A Little Practice Doesn't Hurt
DOMINIC POV:
Leigh’s girls squealed and giggled, convinced about the demons that lurked in the shadows… right out of Dan’s stories. Leigh glared at him, smacking his shoulder and telling him off. 
“If they don’t sleep tonight, I’m going to send them to you,” she warned.
Dan rolled his eyes. “I would love to hang out with them!” he exclaimed. “Girls, don’t worry, even monsters are scared of me.”
The girls were of course convinced. In spite of cheating at board games and cards, Dan’s reputation was impeccable. 
Lucy perked up. “Leigh, didn’t you bring your guitar?” she wondered. 
Leigh nodded. “Why, you play?” she wondered.
Lucy shook her head. “I don’t, but I am sure someone else can.”
Leigh looked over her shoulder and my eyes caught hers. She offered me a pleading look and I shrugged. 
“You can play the guitar?” Eileen gasped, noticing the exchange. 
I hummed, keeping my eyes on the grill. “I’ve not played it in a long time, but when I was in high school, the girls loved guys who could play an instrument. So, I learned how to play the piano and the guitar. Thankfully, guitar was easier to learn and the chicks loved it.”
Eileen bit her lip to hide her laugh. “I can imagine how popular you were.”
Well, I wasn’t that popular. “Not jealous?”
Eileen shook her head. “A little bit of practice doesn’t hurt.” Of course she wasn’t jealous. There was no comparing her to people I barely remembered the faces or names of.
“Do you want to hear me play?”
She turned her head to the side, her eyes alight with surprise. “You’ll play?”
I nodded. “For you? Yes.”
Her smile broadened and she elbowed me. “Go on, then. Entertain me,” she whispered. 
I pressed a kiss to her shoulder, reluctant to pull away. But her wish was my command. I pulled away and wandered back into the house to retrieve the guitar. I ran my hand over it, wondering how long it had been since I last had the leisure to play it. 
It seemed, it had been before my relationship with Camille. I was always on my toes with her, and work had consumed the rest of my time. Now, despite the turbulence in my life, I still had a moment to breathe and play to my heart’s content. 
The universe was truly magnificent. With the right person, I could fit everything into a single day. 
I walked back into the backyard and found the kids huddled together, whispering about a particularly horrifying story Dan had said. Upon seeing me, they ushered me over sweetly. Leigh had Harry in her lap, resting peacefully while Bethany was acting like a grownup and sitting with Leigh’s girls. 
“Is all the meat gone?” I questioned Eileen. She looked over her shoulder and shook her head. Just in time, Dan swooped in to relieve us. 
“Sit down already. You’ve been toiling away for so long,” he commented. He snatched the equipment from Eileen and practically pushed her aside, albeit carefully. 
She bumped into me and a blush spread up her throat and to her ears. 
“He’s right,” I reassured. 
She pouted and followed me to the bonfire. She took a seat beside Lucy and they exchanged glances as I sat opposite them. Her eyes were rooted to me as I tuned the guitar and sighed. 
“How long have you not tuned this?” I grumbled. 
Leigh snickered. “I might look free, but I also don’t have time, alright?”
I tuned it anyway, and the girls flocked to me, finding it intriguing. They had seen me play before, so it was no surprise to them.
“Uncle, can I sing with you?” the oldest asked sweetly. 
I chuckled and nodded. “What do you want to hear?” I asked the audience. 
They threw in their requests and thankfully, I knew how to play all of them. I strummed slowly, allowing the girls to harmonize. They were on tune at least. I could tell they practiced and their father was putting in effort into cultivating their talents…
I joined in sometimes, singing the male counterparts. I felt Eileen’s piercing eyes on me and glanced up. I couldn’t read them from a distance, but the fire illuminated her face. I felt something stir in my stomach and knew what her look meant. 
It was a curious mixture of wonder and lust. I smirked, knowing my original intention for learning the guitar was proved correct. The guitar was a magnet for chicks. But now, there was only one chick I wanted to attract. 
Soon, the food was fully served and we busied ourselves with stuffing our faces while chattering happily. The kids got sleepy quickly. Harry was fast asleep in Leigh’s lap, his little face filled with peace.
Bethany had crowded with the girls, and was already fast asleep inside one of the tents with Lucy looking over them. With the kids promptly tucked away, Leigh perked up. 
“Who wants to put a dent on those beers?” she whispered, as if afraid to startle Harry. 
Dan raised his hand enthusiastically. He had hidden the crates of beer, away from the delicate eyes of the kids, but now that they were asleep, it was time to bring the goods out.
He handed one to everyone and then opened his. 
I chuckled. “You’ve been craving that, haven’t you?” he questioned.
Dan groaned as the beer hit his taste buds. “You don’t know the half of it. Samantha moved to a new place with better security but she keeps calling me back.”
I exchanged looks with Eileen. Of course, we knew why she called him back all the time. It was unknown if Dan had caught on or not. 
“And?” Leigh probed. It was evident she suspected the same as us.
“She’s on a diet and eats lesser than a bird. And if she so much as finds out about me drinking…” Dan groaned. 
Eileen snickered. “Then what will happen when she finds out you drank today?”
The can of beer froze in the air. “Well, as long as I don’t tell her,” he said softly. 
I cleared my throat. “Then tonight is your only opportunity to drink up.”
There was no forcing of drinks, only us chuckling and exchanging stories from our school and college life. We settled into a restful state. Dan had handed Eileen a non-alcoholic drink graciously, so apart from her, Lucy refused to drink, citing the need for someone who could take care of the kids. 
We didn’t stop her from taking Harry and Bethany away. Dan helped her back and then ran back with a grin on his face. We raised our brow, waiting for him to tell us the reason. 
“After setting the kids down, she called Greg and is now acting all coy,” he announced conspiratorially. 
Eileen hid her smile behind the can of soda while Leigh shook her head. “Everyone is dating here. All except for me,” she said with a hint of reluctance. 
I arched my brow. “Should I introduce you to someone?”
Leigh rolled her eyes. “You think I need your help?” she retorted. “I’ll let you know, I am in great demand.”
I nodded in understanding. “Of course, you are.”
She smacked my arm. “You don’t believe me?”
I shrugged. Our banter continued, with no sign of worry left in our head.