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“If you think it hasn’t at least crossed his mind, you’re delusional.”
“Great.” She shook her head. “Nope. La la la la. Not going there.” She took Jeremy from me and marched over to them. I followed since I was kind of entertained by the whole idea of Carter and Meg together. He loved older women, but somehow, knowing she’d only recently gotten over a major health scare and surgery, I had a feeling he was more interested in being her friend. I hoped so anyway.
“There’s my boy.” Meg got up and held out her arms, taking Jeremy from Presley and hugging him tightly. Jeremy wrapped his little arms around her as much as he could, cuddling against her neck. “Did you miss Auntie Meg?”
Jeremy babbled at her, and they both laughed.
“Hey, when do I get to hold the little guy?” Carter asked, scowling at her.
Meg just smiled and gently set Jeremy in his lap.
“Hey, buddy.” Carter wrapped one hand around his middle and used the other to gently poke his tummy. “What’s goin’ on, little dude? You have a good nap?”
Jeremy kicked his feet and gurgled.
“Close enough.” Carter ran a tender hand over his head. “He’s beautiful, Z. Really fucking beautiful. You’re a lucky man.”
“Thanks.” For some reason, seeing Carter getting emotional about my kid made me a little emotional too. Kids, family time, all the things I was currently experiencing had never been on our radar as a band. Even married, Tommy had been a party animal. Hell, he and his wife had partied harder than a lot of single people I knew. It was no surprise to me they’d gotten divorced, though I knew he’d been devastated when she left. The life we led wasn’t easy, no matter what people thought. Money was nice but it truly didn’t fix everything.
“Never thought I’d see the day,” Carter said quietly. “You all settled down, with a kid, having family cookouts and shit.”
“Is it weird?” I asked curiously.
“No way. It’s fucking cool. It’s different, but that’s what makes it cool, you know?”
“For sure.” Meg had been listening in and she put a gentle hand on Carter’s arm. “Different is what makes the world go round. We all need changes in our lives sometimes.
Her words had a lot more meaning than what they sounded like on the surface. I could only hope Carter understood that on some level. You never knew with him.
“I hope everyone is hungry!” Mom called out. “There’s a lot of food.”
“I can take him,” I told Carter.
“Nah.” He shook his head. “I’m good hanging with the little guy. He’s cute.”
“He’s probably going to need a new diaper soon,” Meg told him.
“You think I never changed a diaper?” Carter asked, quirking his brow at her.
“How would I know?” she asked, laughing.
“You want me to get you a plate, Aunt Meg?” Presley asked her.
“Yes. Thank you. I’ll sit here with Carter and Jeremy.”
Presley went toward the buffet my mother had set up in the sunroom and I sat across from Carter and Meg.
“Meg wants to come hear some of the new music,” Carter told me. “Once she’s gotten more of her energy back.”
“Anytime,” I told her.
“Carter said I should ask Kingston to do one of my makeup tutorials with me,” Meg said, grinning.
I laughed, shaking my head. “Hey, King! Come ’ere!”
Kingston ambled in our direction, a plate piled high with food in his hand.
“Yo. What up?” He cocked his head.
