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Link shakes his bald head. “I don’t know why you’re talking shit. You were at the same fucking show.”
“Yeah, but I was there with my daughter. You were there with your girlfriend. That’s some sick shit.”
I take a seat on the last stool. “What show are you talking about?”
“Defy This show at Walnut Creek last Sunday.”
I shake my head. “I’m glad Jimi is past that stage.” Link slides a draft beer to me and I down a few big gulps. “So what happened with Xander? Did you talk to Estelle?”
Estelle Greenway is Xander’s sister. Xander was my manager for twelve years until we parted ways over a contract dispute. We’ve stayed in touch for the past eight years, though we hadn’t spoken to each other in about five months when Estelle contacted me last week. Xander has been in the hospital for three weeks with persistent pneumonia and, despite the doctor’s best efforts, his condition continues to decline. I visited him in the hospital on Friday afternoon, but he was in a medically induced coma and on a ventilator. Tristan was supposed to visit him yesterday to see how he was doing.
Tristan shakes his head. “It’s not good, man. Estelle said they’re taking him off the ventilator on Wednesday if he doesn’t improve.”
I grit my teeth against the anger. “It’s a fucking lung infection. You’d think they could just give him some fucking antibiotics. This is no way for him to go.”
Tristan shrugs. “I don’t know. Estelle looked pretty relieved about it. She’s been watching him suffer for weeks. That’s no way for him to live.”
I don’t want to get into an argument about life and death with Tristan, so I change the subject. “I’m going to the beach house tonight.”
Tristan downs the rest of his beer and grabs the new one Link just set down for him thirty seconds ago. “I know. You told me that on the phone.”
“Yeah, but I didn’t tell you who’s coming with me.”
Tristan squints his eyes as he stares at the pint glass in front of him. “Wait a minute. Are you saying…?”
I nod and let out a sigh. “She came to our house yesterday.”
Link sets another beer down in front of a customer a few seats away then rushes back to join the conversation. “Who came to your house?”
“Look at this nosy hen,” Tristan remarks.
“Abigail, my first daughter. The one… we gave up for adoption eighteen years ago.”
I’ve told Link about Abby before, but it was at least a decade ago. I wouldn’t expect him to remember. And as much as it pains me to say that we gave her up for adoption, I’ve always stood behind Claire’s decision. Because I know her decision to give Abby up was made completely out of love for me. I can’t show my gratitude to her by blaming her every chance I get.
“So what does that mean?” Tristan asks. “She’s going to the beach house with you all this summer? Do you think that’s a good idea?”
“I don’t know, but there’s no way I can convince Claire that it’s not. So I’m going along with it for now. And, I gotta admit, it feels really fucking good to have her with us.”
“Is she there right now?”
“Nah, she went home to pack some things. She took Junior with her. They’re driving to the beach house with her boyfriend tonight.”
“Sounds like a perfect family reunion. Now I know why you called this emergency meeting.”
I slide the beer away and turn to Tristan. “Listen, I know Senia’s busy with Izzy’s dance stuff, but can you make sure she checks up on Claire? I know she’s going to need to talk to Senia over the next week or so. However long Abby decides to stay.”
Tristan’s eyebrows shoot up and he laughs. “Are you fucking kidding me? When I tell Senia about Abby being at the beach house, she’ll probably pack up the whole fucking family and drive down there herself.”
I let out a soft chuckle. “I guess so. Then, maybe don’t tell her right away.”
He turns to me with one eyebrow cocked. “Now you’ve really gotta be kidding me. You know I can’t keep shit from her.”
“All right, fine. Just don’t tell her I want her to check up on Claire.”
We sit for a few minutes in silence, just sipping our beers, then Tristan clears his throat, like he’s getting ready to say something very serious. “So what do you want to do about Xander?”
“What do you mean?”
“Are you gonna come back for the funeral?”
I press my lips together as I contemplate this question. “Don’t talk about him like that. He’s not dead yet.” I slide off the barstool and nod at Link. “Later, man.”
THE HOUSE IS QUIET as I climb the steps to the second floor. My home is rarely quiet, so it always raises the hairs on my neck when I walk through the door and I’m greeted with silence. I enter the bedroom and see the door to the master bathroom is closed. I approach slowly, listening for the sound of running water, but I hear nothing. I raise my fist to knock on the door, but it opens on its own.
Claire screams when she sees me. “Shit! You scared me. I didn’t know you’d be back so soon.”
“Why are you naked? Are you taking a shower?”
She looks over my shoulder at the bedroom door. “Close the door!”
I smile as I turn around and head over to pull it closed. Then I lock the door, for good measure. When I turn around, she’s at the dresser, sifting through her panty drawer. I come up behind her and nuzzle my face in her neck so I can taste her skin.
“Where are the kids?” I murmur into her ear.
“Jimi took Ryder to get a new bodyboard. They just left.”
“Good.”
“Chris?” she whispers, her back arched as I slide my hand between her legs. “Remember that surprise I told you about?”
My finger slides between her flesh and she lets out a soft squeak when I find her clit. I pull her backward, away from the dresser, then I gently lay her belly-down on the bed. Sliding my left hand down the back of her left thigh, I pull it sideways to spread her legs.
“You said the surprise might involve you being naked, so I’ll just come right out and say that I really like this surprise.” My hand glides between us to undo my pants and she laughs. “What’s so funny?”
She tries to turn around, but she can’t with me lying on top of her. “Get up. I need to turn around.”
“Okay, fine. No doggy style today.”
I stand up so she can flip onto her back, but the minute I see her ample breasts trembling with movement, the sinful curve of her hips, and the light patch of hair on her mound, I can’t resist. I get right back on top of her and she laughs as she pushes me back.
“I’m serious, Chris. I have to talk to you.”
I roll my eyes as I stand up again and offer her my hand to help her up. “What could be more important than having sex right now? All the kids are gone. All of them.”
Her face suddenly gets very serious and I could kick myself as I remember Abby is now included in that statement.
“Sorry. I didn’t mean it the way it sounded.”
She waves off my apology and reaches for my face. “I know you didn’t mean it that way. You’re the most amazing father and person I’ve ever known. Which is why I’m kind of glad that I get to tell you this without anyone else around. You deserve that.”
“You’re kind of worrying me right now, Claire. What’s going on?”
She gazes into my eyes, not blinking as she draws in a large breath and lets it out slowly. “I’m pregnant.”
My body suddenly feels very heavy. I blink a few times then stare at her, expecting her to tell me this is a joke, but the punchline never comes.
“You’re serious?”
She nods, her eyebrows screwed up with worry. “Are you angry?”
“What? No. Of course not. I’m just… stunned. I mean, I haven’t heard those words come out of your mouth in twelve years. I think I’m a little rusty on how to react.”
“Well, jumping up and clicking your
heels together is always an option.”
