3. Easton #2
Parking, I get out of the car and grab my only luggage from the backseat, along with a bag full of wrapped gifts for my niece.
Before I step foot on the porch, the front door swings open, and Emerson smiles at me.
"Easton!" She rushes toward me, throwing her arms around my waist. "I haven't heard from you in more than a week.
I was worried you wouldn't be able to make it. "
"Nothing was keeping me from my niece's birthday," I tell her and look around. "I noticed Mom and Dad haven't arrived yet."
"They should be here soon." She guides me inside. "Come on. You can ride with me out to the clubhouse. Quinn is there now with the rest of the club getting everything set up."
"Uncle E!" My niece Lydia comes running toward me at her full speed, wearing a white shirt with the words Birthday Girl written in black glitter and a pink skirt paired with combat boots. I grin at her attire. She looks so much like her mom.
I drop what's in my hands and scoop her into my arms. "Happy birthday, bug!" I tickle her ribs, causing her to giggle. Lydia squishes my face in her hands and kisses my cheek.
"I get cake." She beams, and I laugh.
"You're so much like your daddy. All you think about is food." Emerson tickles her daughter just before I sit her back on her feet. My sister looks at the time. "Shit, we need to get going."
"What about the parental units?" Emerson rolls her eyes because she hates when I use that term.
"Mom and Dad are meeting us at the clubhouse. If we get in gear, we should make it about the time they do."
I clap my hand. "Alright. Put me to work, boss."
A short time later, we're led through the gated entrance of the Kings' clubhouse.
It looks like everyone has arrived, including our parents.
Knowing they are here doesn't make me moody like it would have a year ago, mainly because their view on my choice of occupation and lifestyle has dramatically improved. I’m not saying our relationship isn't without flaws.
We still have a long way to go before fixing years of hurt and disappointment on both sides, but at least we are working on it.
Traveling the world, playing music, living on the road isn't what my parents wanted.
For the longest time, I strived to become what they desired me to be and follow in their footsteps.
I was a straight-A student throughout all my years of schooling.
I graduated top of my class. Even earned academic scholarships to top-tier universities.
I did everything my parents expected of me—until I dropped out of medical school to pursue music full time.
Who does that anyway? Who drops out of medical school?
Me. I just couldn't fake it anymore. I couldn't chase a dream that wasn't mine.
Unfortunately, in the process, my choices created tension between my parents and me.
To them, I was throwing my life away. To me—I was just starting to live it. I park the truck and climb out.
"Look what the cat dragged in." Quinn is the first to greet me as Emerson and I walk into the backyard. I glance around, taking notice of the bounce house, waterslide, and a white horse not far off wearing a unicorn horn on its head.
"You've outdone yourself," I tell him.
"I can't wait until she gets a little older. That's when I can really spoil the shit out of her," Quinn states.
"You already spoil her too much." Emerson kisses her husband.
"It's good to see you, brother." Quinn claps my shoulder. I spot my parents walking towards us. "Come on, babe. Let's get the birthday girl something to eat." Quinn takes his daughter from Emerson and places her on his shoulders. "Got a cold beer waiting for ya when you're ready."
"Thanks. I may need it," I tell him, then my sister gives me an encouraging smile before they stroll away.
"I'm so glad you made it." My mom opens her arms to hug me, and I embrace her. She pulls back. "You look tired."
"A little."
"Good to see you, son," my dad says.
"You too."
A moment of silence hangs between us.
"You put on one hell of a show last night," my dad breaks the silence.
"Catch some highlights someone posted online or from the news? Is that the only way you can support me?" My voice sounds bitter because I am.
"We were there, sweetie," my mom adds, and her admission surprises me. All I can do is stare. "We've been to three of the concerts on this tour."
"And you're just now telling me this?" I look from her to my dad.
"We didn't want to say anything because we didn't want the knowledge of our presence to bother you in any way," Mom confesses, and I suddenly feel regret for the attitude before.
There was a time when I didn't speak to my parents at all and it took them almost losing their relationship with Emerson, as well, for them to open their eyes and finally accept their children for who they are.
"Easton." My dad grabs my attention, and I look at him. "I realize I haven't said this in a very long time, but I'm proud of you."
I never realized three simple words spoken by my father could hit as hard as they are right now. I swallow hard past the lump of emotions clogging my throat.
"Thanks, dad."
"We love you, sweetie."
"I love you guys too."
Night has fallen, and the younger kids are starting to pass out from exhaustion.
I sit back in my lawn chair and knock back the rest of my beer.
I'm the most relaxed I've been in weeks.
I look around at my family, thankful to have them in my life.
My parents are missing. They went back to Emerson's place more than an hour ago for Dad to do a conference call with his chief of staff back home.
He's on the budget committee this year and is hoping to get some much-needed equipment approved for the hospital's children's wing.
"What are you thinking so hard about over there?" Jake, the club president, asks.
"Damn," I scrub my palm down my face. "Everything."
"What are your plans now that the tour is over?" Reid reaches for another beer chilling in the cooler next to him.
"Going on hiatus for a while, or until things settle down." I want to kick myself in the ass for the last part of what I said. My eyes cut to Emerson, who cocks her head and glares—giving me that you're hiding something expression.
"Alright, what are you hiding?" she asks.
"Nothing."
"Liar." My sister folds her arms, and her foot gets to fidgeting.
She isn't going to let this go. I sigh. "I'm leaving Seattle for a couple of weeks while Miles and a friend investigate a minor issue with an overzealous fan." I try to word it in a way that makes it sound less than it is.
"What do you mean? Is someone messing with you or something?" Emerson moves to the edge of her seat.
"Calm down. I'm dealing with it," I reassure her. "Lev is on it too."
"How serious is the situation?" Logan, the Kings' VP asks.
Fuck, so much for my plan to keep the club out of it, so I might as well give them the rundown. Over the next few minutes, I explain all the letters, and more importantly, the most recent one, which has me running to some small town I've never been to before.
"So, this Callaghan Ranch is where you plan on staying for a while?" Emerson says while holding her sleeping daughter.
"That's the plan. Lev and his men are good people. He's right there to keep me informed on whatever he finds out, and I get to have peace and quiet. And believe me, I need this break. I'm running on empty," I tell her.
"You could have stayed here, with me—with your family," Emerson says.
"I know, but the last thing I want is to drag my family into the middle of a situation that could bring unwanted stress."
"East. We are more than capable of dealing with undesirable people and situations." My sister points to all the men.
"Let the man be, Sunshine.. If he says he can handle his own shit, let him," Quinn tells my sister.
Emerson sighs. "Fine. But if this bitch tries to hurt you, I'll fuck her up. I know how to hide a body." I chuckle, believing every word she says. "And you better call me every week to keep me from losing my mind with worry, or I'll kick your ass."
I love my family.