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Griff laughs as he follows her to the kitchen. “I’ll take the booze.”
Britta and Keeley both laugh. After I pour Griff a stiff Scotch and the ladies opt for iced tea, Maxon strolls back in with a sigh. “Evan had to go back to Honolulu. He’ll be returning tomorrow afternoon. Who’s free then? I know Griff and I should be working…but this is more important.”
Keeley clings to her husband’s arm. “I’m proud of you, putting family before ambition.”
“It wasn’t easy.” He’s only half joking.
She smiles his way, and I see the love between them bright and glowing and like it’s been a bond between them forever. I envy them. I admit it. I want what they have and I want it with Harlow.
“I’m with Maxon,” Griff says. “We make the time. Family isn’t the shit show we grew up with. This is.”
Harlow looks pensive but nods. “You’re right. We’ll be here.”
I notice her pronoun—we, notI. It’s a small but important detail. It gives me some hope.
We all gather around in the family room again, Maxon with a Scotch of his own now. Silence falls, and I search for a way to bring the room back up, but I doubt anyone feels like a rousing game of Cards Against Humanity.
Finally, Keeley claps her hands. “How about a little karaoke? Griff, you’re exempt from singing.”
He takes the good-natured jibe with humor. “Thank you. Everyone else’s ears thank you, too.”
Maxon grimaces. “Even if Griff doesn’t sing, I’m not sure we’re in the mood.”
“Just one song,” she pleads.
He smiles like a guy who can’t say no to his wife. “What do you want to sing, sunshine?”
“Actually, I have the greatest song foryouto sing.”
Maxon shakes his head, his face full ofhell no. “Like Griff, I shouldn’t sing. But I love listening to you. Go ahead.”
“Pleeeeasse. Do it for me. This once.”
He gives her a long-suffering sigh as he gets to his feet. “I must really love you. How am I supposed to do this? We don’t have a karaoke setup here.”
“I have that Bluetooth mic in the car that will connect to my phone. Give me a minute.” She dashes out the door.
We all watch her head for the car. I can’t help but think she’s a little zany.
“I’m going to apologize in advance, everyone. I’ll sound terrible and probably break your eardrums,” Maxon says with a shake of his head. “Fair warning.”
No one assures him it can’t be that bad, which tells me that the people who know him already know they’re not in for a treat.
Keeley runs back in like she’s got the wind at her back, carrying a white-and-gold-plated microphone with a box of dials and buttons wrapped around the handle, just under the head. She flips it on and connects it to her phone. Instant static fills the air.
After winces all around, she adjusts the settings and hands it to her husband with a huge smile. “Thanks, sweetheart.”
“What have I gotten myself into?” He shakes his head good-naturedly.
“You’ll see.” Keeley’s voice is full of excitement.
After a few pokes and swipes at her phone with surprisingly shaking fingers, she hands him the device. A cheesy electronic melody starts to play from the little speaker. It sounds a little like a sappy but unfamiliar ballad.
“What song is this?” Maxon looks confused. “There’s just a yellow screen. No title. How will I do this?”
I peer over his shoulder, as does Griff. The men in the room all think they’re going to solve the technical problem. Before we can, the screen flips to a bright blue and the first words that pop up make my heart stop.
“You’re having my…” Maxon stops trying to butcher the melody as soon as he realizes what he’s singing. “Baby? You’re pregnant, sunshine?”
