Page 15 of After Care

“Butt plugs,” Caleb coughed, and Petty sat forward on his lounger a few seats down.

“What?” Ivy giggled.

“We manufacture—”

“Butt plugs,” Caleb coughed again, and Jared started laughing as well.

“Caleb!” I admonished. “They do not make…” I lowered my voice. “Butt plugs.” This set Jared laughing and Petty cracking a mischievous smile. “They manufacture plastic parts and pieces for a variety of companies.”

“One of which makes butt plugs,” Caleb said, wiggling his brows, and then squirming in his seat.

“Stop it,” I laughed. “I don’t know that.”

“Mom, please.” Caleb laughed. He’d researched my company for a business project in college, finding all the subsidiaries and retailers who purchased products we supplied. One happened to include a sex toy manufacturer who specialized in…butt plugs.

“Do you get samples, Edie?” Petty asked, and Tommy reached over and swatted the curly blond in the back of the head.

“Be respectful,” Tommy demanded.

“Just asking,” Petty grumbled like a petulant child.

“You didn’t answer,” Jared stated, and fell into another fit of laughter.

“No, I don’t get samples.” For some reason, my eyes flipped to Tommy’s, but I couldn’t see his eyes behind his dark lenses. Besides, he had returned to his reclined position, and another girl had joined the first at his side. I decided I needed another drink. We weren’t family, but we were too close for comfort to this group of band members.

Standing at the bar, Gage came up beside me. The dark-haired, dark-eyed singer looked every bit a rock star, or a tortured poet, with his layers of leather necklaces and a wrist full of bracelets. I noticed that all the guys, including Tommy, had the same set of two: a solid silver band and separately, a row of brown beads.

“Hey,” he said, looking over his shoulder at his wife before turning back to me. “I wanted to ask you to back off a little.” The comment startled me.

“From Tommy?” I blurted, looking over Gage’s shoulder at a man clearly busy with other women.

“Tommy?” he questioned, brow crinkling. “No, Ivy.”

“What?” I asked, looking back at the young musician.

“Yeah. It’s just…she’s become sort of instantly attached to you, and it isn’t good for her.”

I blinked in surprise. I’d noticed the same thing, but I certainly hadn’t pursued a friendship with someone nearly fifteen years younger than me.

“I don’t—”

He cut me off. “Ever since her mom died, it’s like she’s always searching for her. Missing her. I don’t know what it is about you, but she’s latched on, and stuck hard. You’re all I’ve heard about for the past twenty-four hours.”

I stared at him in disbelief. “I don’t think I understand. I didn’t mean to do anything to Ivy. In fact, she spoke to me first. She asked me to join you last night, and included me this morning for yoga. She invited Masie to the pool. I’m just here with my daughter.”

“Look,” he said, brushing long fingers through his chin-length hair. “I just mean I think you should step back. Even if she asks, maybe tell her no.”

I blinked again before speaking. “Why?”

“Her mom died of breast cancer.” His eyes shot to my head scarf and away. “I’m not implying—”

It was my turn to interrupt, and I raised a hand to stop him. “I’m not sure what you’re implying, but I do have breast cancer.” I sighed. “Did. And anything that has happened with Ivy was never meant to hurt her, or mislead her, or anything else you might think. She’s a sweet girl, and my family has enjoyed her company, but if you don’t want us around her, we don’t need to be.” With that, I stepped away from Gage despite the protest of my name that echoed behind me. I neared the row of chairs, guarded by security but not protected well enough if those girls kept talking to Tommy and the woman Petty pulled into the VIP section last night currently sat on his lounger.

“Where’s your drink, darlin’?” Tommy asked me, as I returned empty-handed, and I almost snapped that it was none of his damn business. Instead, I wondered how he even noticed I walked to the bar and returned without one, as his concentration had been on the suddenly three women next to him. I didn’t directly answer him as I continued walking.

“I passed,” I said, reaching my chair and picking up my bag as I slipped on my flip-flops.

“Mom?” Masie questioned as Tommy said, “Your bathing suit should be green, honey. It’s a color that suits you.” He referenced my jealousy last night, and called it beautiful. I exhaled as I fought to get my cover-up over my head. My scarf slipped within my dress.