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ALEXIS, AKA THE LOUNGE SINGER’S DAUGHTER
West has expensivetaste for a country boy. Or he’s just showing off for me. I can never be sure.
It’s also possible this fancy breakfast is a result of West remaining on edge after having four members of the Toomey family at his house. He refused to hide his loathing for Gary, who gives zero fucks about anyone’s opinion. They shared a weird vibe all evening, with one seething and the other oblivious. Fortunately, Tuesday claimed Zelda as her newest future ex-best friend. So, the night wasn’t a complete train wreck.
Whatever the reason for this swanky breakfast at an upscale restaurant, I’m all smiles about the decadent choices. My omelet is filled with meat and veggies to the point where the eggs seem like an afterthought. And my morning lemonade mimosa makes the world happy and bright.
“Why are you nervous?” I ask when West keeps stopping and starting a conversation. “Are you about to dump me? I hope you don’t foolishly believe being in public will prevent me from flipping my shit.”
“I love you,” he says, sounding in pain.
His words steal my interest in my booze and heavenly omelet. My ass leaves my seat and plants itself on his lap. Stroking his face, I stare into his beautiful blue eyes and wonder what problem has the power to bother such a powerful man.
“I love you, too,” I say, and his worried gaze brightens. “What’s wrong?”
“Your father told me something fucked-up last night. You deserve to know. But I’m scared shitless to tell you. I can’t be the reason you suffer.”
“We’ll blame Gary for my suffering. I don’t think he’ll even mind. Gary is very chill.”
When West nearly snarls in reaction to my words, I smile and stroke his grumpy lips.
Staring into my eyes, he says, “Your mom isn’t dead. Gary just said that to make her abandonment seem better.”
His shocking words settle into my mind. I recall my parents’ trip and what Gary said when he returned. Shania was dead in a freak accident. We were on our own. I might be able to get freebie good grades for the year if I played the “dead mom” card at school.
I don’t remember asking about her body. In my head, she fell into the ocean and drowned. When a neighbor asked about a funeral, Gary said Shania was a frugal woman who wouldn’t appreciate us spending money when she wasn’t around to enjoy it. That was the last time we talked about her death.
“I did get more As and Bs that year,” I mumble to West, who frowns.
“What?”
“I don’t understand why Gary told you but not me.”
“My peepaw’s moonshine wields mighty truth serum power.”
“Where is Shania?”
“In New Jersey.”
“So, she’s suffered, too.”
West smirks. “Are you okay?”
“I don’t know. Probably, yeah. I mean, whatever, right? It’s not like she came back into my life and wanted a relationship. She’s essentially still dead to me. I know now she didn’t die like a moron. She just bailed like one.”
“It’s okay if you need to cry. Even in public. I don’t care.”
Twisting my face up, I try to conjure the emotion for tears. When that doesn’t work, I shrug.
“I loved my mom. She was fun and stuff. But that was a long time ago. My life is really good right now. I have you,” I say and cup his handsome face. “And your family is warming up to me. Plus, a kid recognized me on the street and became so excited like I was a celebrity. Oh, and I got my first birthday party gig. That was the surprise I planned to share until I got distracted by free food and booze.”
“So, you’re really okay?”
I wait for this new information to stir up bad feelings inside me. Nothing happens. Well, I do recognize how lucky I am to have West care so much.
“If I found out back in Fork Falls, I’d have been royally PO’d,” I admit as my lips nuzzle his cheek. “Why should Shania be free of the trailer park while I got stuck there? But now, I have no reason to be jealous. My life is really great.”
West kisses me in a wonderfully inappropriate way. I sense a waiter preparing to ask us to knock it off. West finishes up before anyone can ask us to leave the premises. Sighing, I lick my lips appreciatively.
