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“Not that simple.”
“I think maybe it is.” He tucked his thumbs in the front pocket of his black work apron. “Been watching a buddy of mine prowl around, ignoring that simple truth with a chick. It’s making him miserable.”
“Kyle, you mean?”
Tommy had become fast friends with Collin and Miranda’s son since his first day at Southside High. I didn’t know how I felt about that, but I trusted Tommy’s judgment. He liked Kyle. Liked him a lot. Spent every moment with him when he wasn’t at school or working.
“Yeah.” Tommy nodded. “You’re all twisted up about the aunt. Kyle’s all twisted up about the niece. Older generation, younger generation. It’s like one of those patterns repeating that you talk about.”
“Claire Walsh?” I asked, my eyes widening in surprise. “With Collin and Miranda’s son?”
“Yeah, Pop. Kyle’s into Claire in a major way, but he won’t let himself have her. Thinks he’s not good for her or some shit. Fought a real badass La Rasa dude with a blade just to get a bracelet back that Claire’s dad gave her.”
And Daniel was gone now. I’d bet that bracelet meant a lot to his daughter.
I crossed my arms over my chest and gave that some consideration. “Seems like Claire wouldn’t let Kyle go after he did something like that for her.”
“You would think.” Tommy started loading the dishwasher. “Only he made it out like he did it for a bullshit reason. Then he gave me the damn thing.”
“Why?” I asked.
“Because he wants me to give it to her, take the credit, and make a play for her.” Dishwasher loaded, he turned around.
“You into this girl?” I narrowed my gaze.
“Not that way.” He shrugged. “Though Claire’s cool and all. She loves Anthem. Gets them like I do. Sings wicked. Plays the guitar well.”
“You have a lot in common,” I said. Very interesting and not surprising that Rachel’s daughter could sing.
“Yeah, but I only like her as a friend.”
“Got your eye on someone else?”
“Nope. Not tunnel-visioned on one like you and Kyle.” He crossed his arms over his chest. My son and I had a lot of the same mannerisms. “Just playing around. Having fun. Safe fun,” he said quickly to let me know before I could rehash a tired speech about safe sex.
“These girls you’re playing around with know the score up front?”
“Absolutely, Pop. I’m not an asshole.”
“I know you’re not.”
“Then why you gotta ask that shit?” He cocked a brow.
“Been a long day.” I untied my work apron, throwing it into the hamper for our service to pick up. Then released my hair.
“A long day you can make better if you set your mind to it.”
“A good point.” I gave him a chin lift, recognizing a piece of advice I’d given him once about not giving up. “Going upstairs to the music room.”
Pounding the shit out of the drums until I was exhausted would be my starting point. Then I’d start considering my options.
One already came to mind.
The younger generation was forming interesting alliances. It was time I formed one too. One I’d neglected.
Barry
Istood when the bell over the coffeehouse door jingled and noted two things as Rachel entered.
