Free Seal All Exits (Tangled Web #3) by Jade C. Jamison

Kiefer walked back into the kitchen, Riley was asking Johnny why they were taking food in the other room.  “I’m hoping everyone else’ll get their asses out of bed when they smell the bacon.  Besides, the sound carries better from the dining room.  Everyone else is more likely to join us if we’re out there.”
    Kiefer nodded.  The only thing better about the kitchen was that it was bright.  The windows faced the east and sunlight was streaming inside, splashing the white surfaces with bright sunbeams.
    He helped Johnny carry plates of pancakes and bacon to the dining room while Katie carried potatoes O’Brien and cinnamon rolls.  Then she had them carry plates, silverware, and syrup, while she carried butter and ketchup.  Johnny fetched the pot of coffee and Riley’s girlfriend (Erin, Kiefer thought her name was) brought the orange juice.  Just as they were settling in to eat, Heather walked around the corner, all smiles.
    Kiefer knew he shouldn’t feel that weird tightness in his chest, that quick little adrenaline rush at seeing her, but he couldn’t help it.  He felt unbelievably happy at the sight of her.
    He thought he was going to totally lose his shit when she decided to sit next to him at a diagonal.  “Morning,” she said.
    “Morning.  How’d you sleep?”
    She smiled over at him while grabbing the pitcher of orange juice.  “Surprisingly well.  I usually have a hard time sleeping in a strange bed, strange room, but I think yesterday exhausted me more than I realized.”  Kiefer tried not to smirk.  “How’d you sleep?”
    While Heather poured juice, he said, “Mmm, okay.”  So he lied.  She didn’t need to know he’d had a crappy night.
    Meanwhile, Katie handed the plate of pancakes to Heather.  “Help yourself.”
    Riley said, “So what have you guys been working on?”
    Johnny laughed.  “You think I’m gonna tell the competition?”  Riley raised an eyebrow while bringing a piece of bacon to his lips.  He acted like he was going to say something, but Johnny continued.  “Just shitting you, man.  I dunno.  I kind of want to do some classic metal...you know, kinda old school.”
    “That could be really great.”
    “What about you?”
    “We’re taking a break right now.  Planning to get back together in about a month to start work on some new stuff.”
    “Nice.  Any idea of what direction you want to go?”
    Riley shook his head.  “We won’t settle on something till we start jamming, you know.”
    “Yeah.  How you like wielding an axe onstage?”
    “More than I would have thought.  But vocals still trumps it.”  Johnny nodded, drinking some coffee when Riley asked, “What about writing lyrics?  You enjoying that?”
    Johnny shrugged.  “It’s pretty cool.”
    Kiefer saw an opening that he’d be a fucking idiot if he didn’t take.  “Hey, Johnny.  How would you feel if I maybe wrote some lyrics for a song or two for the next album?”
    Johnny tilted his head.  “Serious?”
    “Yeah.  I’ve been kinda thinkin’ it might be nice to sing my own stuff too.”
    “My man, I’d be very happy to let you take the reins for a couple.”
    “Yeah?  Kick ass.”
    Johnny nodded.  “Maybe we can break in the studio here today.”
    Katie gave Johnny a look.  “Uh, no .  We have everybody coming over today.  Maybe tomorrow.”
    “Shit.  That’s right.”  He looked over to Kiefer.  “Wanna jam tomorrow?”
    Before Kiefer could even answer, Riley said, “I’d love to join you guys.”
    “Sure.”
    Kiefer was nodding, letting them know he was game too.  But he said, “The guys didn’t bring anything.  No drum kit, and I’m pretty damn sure Mickey didn’t bring his bass either.”
    “He didn’t.  But don’t you think I have all that shit here already?”
    “You do?”
    Johnny smirked.  “Hell, yeah.  Think about it.  If I’m here by myself and want to try out a bassline for a riff, the only way I can really do that is if