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She smacks my butt as I pass by. “Clothes or no clothes, Andie. Makes no difference to me.”
“I have to be back by 1:30. Jonesy is coming over so I can try to convince him to help me at the benefit, and don’t even think about staying and monopolizing his time, Gram.”
“Oh, pfft.” I hear her puff like I’m ridiculous, but I know her. “You call me Gram again, and I’ll call Ed McNeil and see when we can do a duet.”
That stops me in my tracks. I know this woman knows people, but freaking Ed McNiel, owner of the Tennessee Tigers.Really?
I spin. “You know him?”
I see her meticulously drawn eyebrows rise. “Sweet cheeks, I know everyone. He thought you were fabulous but was shocked to find out we were related. He was quite sorry to hear aboutJosh and felt terrible that you spent two hours in the elevator with what I now understand is a whole lot of man.”
I groan. “You really should save Nora from her horrific apartment and have her move in with you. This whole town wouldn’t know what to do with themselves if you two were ever in cahoots.”
She studies her bright red fingernails, and then her rings. “We’d paint the whole town every color but gray…and that dreadful beige color that looks like shit.”
I turn back around to go find my guy. This woman, it’s no wonder she’s my favorite.
______
“So what exactly are you looking to do at this benefit?” Jonesy's hesitancy has me smiling.
I sit Axel on my lap. At six months, he’s so close to sitting up on his own, but I prop him up against me so he can grab at the teethers on the table in front of us.
“I need you to work your magic. I have a classical piece my mother insists I play. I’ll start with that and fade it into something more…me. Then, I want you, Natasha, and Cici to back me up.”
Jonesy taps his pen on the table. “You want me to mix something up for a bunch of old people?”
I laugh at the young, remarkable man sitting across from me who, in my opinion, is the next Quincy Jones. I have no idea why he’s still sitting here with me instead of in a high-rise in New York, but I’m grateful. Not only do I love working with him, he’s my friend.
We’ve worked together for the past couple of years after being introduced by a label. When he learned I write songs, we paired up to produce demos, and he’s been killing it ever since. I’m justwaiting for the day when someone hears one of his tracks and he leaves me in the dust.
“Yes, that’s exactly what I want. I say we start with my classical piece fast and stark but then bring it down into something…smooth and soulful. Then maybe we kick it back up with something fun to get the old people tapping their toes.”
He sits back and crosses his arms, a smile tugging at his lips. “Sounds like a challenge.”
Jonesy is not a large man. He can’t be more than 5’ 10.” His uniform consists of skinny jeans and tight t-shirts, accented by the gold chains around his neck. But when it comes to music, he’s a genius. And when it comes to a challenge, just watch him work.
I raise my eyebrows. “And it’s the perfect job for you. Plus, it’s for an amazing cause. All proceeds will go to the children’s wing at the hospital.”
If I haven’t hooked him, I know that’ll do it. I spend a lot of time in the children’s wing at the hospital playing piano or guitar and singing with the kids. Since Jonesy learned about my standing dates, he’s often joined me, and the kids can’t get enough of him. His dancing and rapping are a complete hit.
He glares at me. “You just had to throw the kids in there.”
I grin. “Gets’em every time. I’d definitely like to forego the benefit, but it will be so much better with you and the girls there. If I have to sing in front of these people, I want to bring down the house.”
He chuckles. “Fine, Miss Andie. I’ll do it.” His bright smile shines against his dark skin.
“You’re the best.” I grin, so happy to have his help and know I don’t have to do this alone. “Oh, and also, I’ve been working on something. I’m stuck, and I wondered if you’d listen to what I have so far. I don’t know if I should keep going or toss it.”
“Sounds good. If we’re going to do this, let’s get to it.” He stands and heads to the piano. “Don’t think you don’t owe me for this.” I roll my eyes, and he laughs, holding out his hands. “Give me that boy, and let me hear what you’ve got.”
I hand over Ax, and we spend part of the next hour at the piano and the other part brainstorming for the benefit before his time is up. If I have to go to this benefit and face these people, including my mother, at least I can do it on my own terms. Her head might explode when she finds out, but my father can pick up the plastic pieces and cauterize them back together.
I settle on the floor and lean against the couch, putting Ax between my legs and pulling his toys closer. He grabs one and tries to shove it in his gummy mouth while drool trickles down his arm. I kiss the top of his soft head and breathe in his clean baby scent.
I watch as he pushes around a bumpy ball, trying to get it with both hands, then looks up at me with those big blue eyes like he wants to make sure I’m still here. I smile as he returns to the ball, running my hand over his light brown hair that’s finally getting long enough I’m starting to see some curls. It’s hard for me to believe this is my life.
I’d do anything for this kid, absolutely anything. I think back to my conversation with Gem earlier about what I gained from stepping out of my comfort zone and singing for thousands. What I know is I don’t want Ax to see me like this, not living, standing still because I can’t get myself to move forward. I want to live and experience life with him. I don’t want him to see me afraid or holding back because I won’t move on from what was and won’t ever be again.
