“In the great room.”
Lucas swiped his finger through the buttercream on Tessa’s cake and sucked it into his mouth, which got a towel thrown at his back by his lively sister. It was totally worth it. He found his dad sitting in the great room, Les Paul across his lap.
His dad stopped playing as soon as Lucas entered the room. “Hey.” Lucas’ dad stood and hugged him. It was a big bear hug with both arms, warm and heartfelt. “You were gone for a long time. I was worried about you.”
“I went for a walk on the beach,” Lucas replied.
“I hope you’re not mad at me. I feel terrible, son. I’d never do anything to hurt you.”
“Dad, it’s OK.”
“No. It’s not. That was a shitty fucking thing she did. I mean, really shitty. And if that were me, I don’t know who I would lash out at first.”
Lucas let out a heavy sigh and sat down. “I thought a lot about what happened today. And, yeah. It was really shitty. I’m hurt, but I feel like an idiot more than anything else.”
His dad sat next to him, cupped his shoulder, and waited for him to continue.
“I decided I’m not gonna dwell on it. If I didn’t mean that much to her, she’s not worth my time and energy.”Was that Tessa’s advice?
“Good. That’s a healthy way to look at it. I want you to know that she never did anything like that before, and I was going to tell you. You know I wouldn’t keep something like that from you, right?”
He never doubted his father. They’d always been close and open with one another, and there were no barriers about subject matters. Heavy conversations had come at an early age in regard to his parents’ polyamorous relationship. Questions had been plentiful and they’d been answered honestly, solidifying that no topics were off the table. He nodded his reply and glanced at the Les Paul on the couch, remembering the first time he’d played the legendary instrument that his father held near to his heart. “What were you playing when I came in?”
“A riff that was in my head. I think it’s gonna turn into a new Immortal Angel song.”
Immortal Angel, his dad and Papi’s old-school punk rock band, had been topping the charts for over 20 years, and they were still making new music and touring the world. As kids, Lucas and Tessa had traveled with the rest of the band and their families, including Jimmy Wilder’s son, Mason, who was like a brother to Lucas. They had crossed the country in a massive double-decker tour bus, along with nannies and half a toy store. Tours had been short and revolved around the kids and their needs, but time on the road also gave Lucas and Tessa valuable lessons about the music industry and the opportunity to bond with everyone. They were all one big family.
Lucas’ father picked up the Les Paul and held it lovingly in his hands. “I’ve lost count of how many songs I’ve written on this baby. She’s been with me for the better part of my life. Almost as long as I’ve known your mother. Do you remember the first time I let you play this beauty? The first song I taught you?”
“Enter Sandman.” Lucas loved the instrument almost as much as his father did. He remembered how, when he was a kid, he used to watch his dad play it like a madman. He had sat, mesmerized, while his father punched out power chords that blew his little mind. He had thought the instrument was magical back then. Later, he learned that the magic belonged to his dad.
“I thought I heard you come in.” Lucas’ mom stood in the archway to the great room. Jessi Blade was still the most sought-after designer in the rock and roll industry. Each of his three parents were successful in their own right for their individual talents. Lucas was equally proud of all of them, but his mother held a special place in his heart. She juggled a family, supported her husbands’ band, and carved out a name for herself in the fashion industry. Her hair had gone through a number of colors since Lucas had been a little boy, but she had recently dyed it back to her, and his, favorite shade of hot pink.
She held a large sketch book in her arms which covered most of her torso, but the fringed edges of a furry vest bordered her shoulders and a studded belt peeked out from below. She was still the trendiest mom on the planet. Empathy shown in her eyes, indicating that everyone in the house knew about his break up with Holly, but she didn’t say anything about it, and Lucas was grateful for that. She approached the couch and turned the sketch book around to show them one of her drawings. “What do you think?” It was one of her famous leather jackets. This one had coattails. It also had her signature studded embellishments, including spikes along the sleeves that started at the wrist and gradually grew larger until they covered the shoulders like menacing daggers. Next to it was a top hat with matching spikes around the rim.
Lucas’ dad smiled at the sketch. “I guess that’s for Angel, so he can skewer me on stage.”
She smiled back. “You know the fans love the way the two of you interact during a show.”
By “interact”, his mom meant the erotic way his dad and Papi played off each other on stage. It drove the fans crazy, but often left Lucas’ cheeks tinged pink. Not to mention his sister’s. His parents’ affection never waned over the years. There was so much allure between them that it was embarrassing sometimes. There could be worse things than your parents showing their love for one another, he reasoned, and forced his eyes back to the sketch. “It looks great, Mom.”
“Thank you. When are you going to let me design something for you?”
Lucas held up his index finger as if placing an order. “I’ll take a new pair of jeans and a rock tee. I’ll wear it every day. Promise”
“Thatiswhat you wear every day.” She dropped her shoulders and brought her sketch pad to her side. “Your mother is a fashion designer and you wear jeans and T-shirts every day. You’re just as bad as your father. This one.” She pointed to Lucas’ dad. “Papi’s a dream to design for. And, of course, my girl Tessa.”
Lucas’ dad slung an arm over his shoulder. “That’s us. Jeans and T-shirts.”
“Fine.” Lucas’ mom rolled her eyes, playfully. “I’ll go find my other husband. The one who appreciates my work.”
She turned to leave but Lucas’ dad jumped up, caught her by the arm and pulled her onto the couch. “Get over here, hon. We’re just messing with you. You know we love your designs.”
She obviously wanted to say something about what happened with Holly, but not in front of his dad. She often preferred to talk to Lucas one on one, rather than bombard him with parental advice. Growing up with three parents had plenty of advantages. It usually meant he always had at least one of them on his side, an easy ally. But when they had banded together, there was little he could do to persuade a wall of parents.
She placed her sketch pad on the marble coffee table and folded her hands between her knees. His dad knew right away that she wanted privacy. They had some kind of weird mental telepathy going on that Lucas never saw between anyone else, not even between his dad and Papi or between his mom and Papi.
Lucas’ dad kissed his mom on the cheek, stood and picked up his Les Paul. “I’m gonna see if Angel needs any taste testers in the kitchen and maybe grab a swim before dinner.”
