AllFreeNovel
Share Us
The audience claps and cheers, then the band behind Charlie’s mom starts playing a beat, the instruments coming in at different times, blending seamlessly. Once they’ve warmed into the rhythm, Regina finally adds her voice to the mix.
And holy mother of musical goddesses, the woman is amazing. Even I, a novice in the world of music, can recognize she has some golden pipes on her.
At one point during the set, when her voice drops low and the words ring of hard times and struggles, my own darkness stirs in recognition. Without thinking. I reach under the table until I find Charlie’s hand. With the silent request, he entwines our fingers together, and we stay connected through the rest of her show.
For a full hour, she sings. There are pauses when Regina talks to the audience, connecting with us all by sharing anecdotes from her travels and her thoughts on certain songs. She takes the time to introduce every member of her band, giving them opportunities to solo their instruments. The bass is my favorite, the deep notes reverberating in my chest as if the thick strings caress my heart.
When the show finally draws to a close, the whole audience stands, roaring and stomping, applauding the magic of Regina Keller. The band plays her off the stage, then they continue with unobtrusive background music as conversations at the tables pick up.
A moment later, the star of the show arrives at our table, and I’m so awed by her, I momentarily forget she’s Charlie’s mom.
“You were amazing, love.” Mr. Keller stands, embracing his wife and brushing a kiss over her cheek that apples with a smile. Regina presses her lips to her husband’s cheek in return, immediately wiping off the red lipstick smear.
Then her powerful attention turns to Charlie and me.
Few people in the world intimidate me anymore. Mainly because there aren’t many whose opinions I care about.
But I care about Regina’s.
And she intimidates the hell out of me.
“Hi, Mom.” Charlie stands, pulling me with him because our hands are still linked. He gives his mother a one-armed hug. “This is Luna.”
When her honeyed eyes meet mine, I stand as straight as I can and wipe my sweaty palm on my pants—thank the universe they’re black—before offering a hand to shake.
“Hello, Luna.”
My name in her smoky voice becomes something beautiful, and I find myself wishing I knew her well enough to get a hug of my own.
But that’s ridiculous. I don’t need hugs. I’m tough.
“Nice to meet you, Mrs. Keller,” I respond in a polite tone, not at all revealing I’m obsessed with her. Or her son.
“Please, call me Regina.” She returns my shake but clasps my hand between both of hers and takes an extra second before releasing me. As if the gesture means more than just a polite greeting.
The four of us settle back in at the table, and Regina sips from a dirty martini her husband ordered for her.
“Now, my dear, sweet, faux daughter-in-law. We got some of the story from our son, but why don’t you tell us your version of these hijinks?”
Just as I start to tense up, Regina leans forward, reaching over the table to give my shoulder a reassuring rub. “We’re not here to judge. Just to listen.”
“We trust Charlie,” Mr. Keller adds. “If he agreed to help you, then that must mean you’re good people.”
“Of course, we knew you were anyway, just from spending time with your brother.” Regina raises her glass, toasting Dash as if he’s standing beside her.
“Don’t give my family a pass for Dash’s sake. He’s the kind-hearted oddball out.” I already feel dishonest enough, no need to add more half-truths to the pile.
“You both are.” Charlie drapes his arm along the back of my chair, and with his warmth surrounding me, I find myself easing into the conversation. Still, I shrug off his compliment. Maybe I’m not a bad person, but Dash is the sweet one. I’m a prickly bitch most of the time.
“Okay. My side of the story, huh? Well, Dash and I have a brother…” And I go on to relate most everything. The Lamont family criminal enterprise. Leo’s entanglement in it. My uncle’s exorbitant price. My Wai Po and her inheritance full of caveats.
And then I start talking about Charlie.
I never meant to. The words simply spill out of me as if I overfilled my brain with Charlie observations and now I finally have a place to empty them. All over his parents.
And the things that come from my mouth are honest and revealing.
How he’s done great as my fake husband, never letting me doubt we can last the full year. How we have a good time living together, taking care of Pig. How I enjoy his guitar playing whenever I’m cooking and wish I could be as equally entertaining when it’s his turn.
