CHAPTER THIRTEEN
TOMMY
It’s weird. I was expecting to see Angie as soon as we arrived, but it didn’t happen. Calla said she’s been working long hours, and when she isn’t at the kitchen showroom, she’s spending time with Josh. I get that, but we’ve been here for two days now. It’s just strange she hasn’t been around yet.
Calla and Ash really made us welcome. Ozzie loves spending time with their kids, even if he was a little nervous at first, and although Connie has been quiet, especially when other people are around, she’s enjoying the sea air.
She spends a lot of time on the beach with Oz and takes long walks once she’s got him to bed.
Today, the British weather is living up to its rainy reputation, but it gives me and the boys time to re-group.
We sit around in Ash’s music room at the side of the house, drinking beer and talking music while we experiment with different riffs.
Ash has a nice place here with an old leather sofa, a mixing desk, and every musical instrument you can imagine, including a grand piano.
It’s the perfect environment to write music.
The noise of crashing waves from the open window creates an atmosphere of calm, which is the opposite of what’s happening outside the gates at the front of the house.
The press has camped out there for days.
It’s weird that Brett isn’t around, and I keep expecting him to walk through the door and surprise us.
I miss him. I’ve been in a state of anger since he left, but now I’m sad he’s gone.
In fact, I miss him more than Chelsea, and out of the two, Brett has more chance of coming back into my life than she does.
I went back on my decision to keep Chelsea in the dark about our trip, but she’s never answered my calls or voice messages. Not once.
I have mixed feelings today. “It’s time we made some firm decisions, guys.”
On one hand, it’s sad making plans without Brett and moving on, but on the other hand, I feel free. Towards the end of Brett’s time with us, we were walking on eggshells around him. Now we have time to re-group, relax, and plan our future, hassle free.
After a minute of getting ourselves together, I pose the question my other two brothers are avoiding. “So, how do we do this without Brett?”
Ash scratches his head. “Do we fill his spot?”
“We could, but who?” I ask.
“How about someone we’ve jammed with in the past?” Max offers.
“Got any ideas because I know I haven’t.” I stand there rubbing my hand down my face, but Ash comes up with a short-term solution.
“This still feels too raw. I suggest we stick with the three of us for now and maybe add a session guitarist whenever we need to.”
“You took the words out of my mouth,” Max agrees like he’s relieved.
“What are you lot grinning about?” Calla asks from the doorway with a tray of beers and cake in her hand. It’s an odd combination, but not unusual for us. Calla, her three kids, and Ozzie like to bake. It’s their favourite way to keep occupied.
“Just deciding what to do with the band, baby. I think we’ve agreed to carry on as we are and see what happens.”
“I’m sure you’ll work it all out,” she says, setting down the tray.
I take one of the tiny sponge cakes from the plate and buttercream oozes out of the paper case. “And whose little masterpiece are we eating?” I ask Calla.
“It’s difficult to tell when there’s five of them causing chaos.”
I stop mid-mouthful. “Five? Did one of the kids have a friend over?”
“Yes. Josh is here,” she says all bright and breezy.
“Angie’s Josh?” I ask her, picking up another cake.
“Do you know another Josh?” She smiles. “Yes, Angie’s Josh. She dropped him over earlier.”
“Angie was here?”
“Yes. Don’t you two talk anymore? I thought you were in contact.”
“We haven’t touched base yet.” Am I a little hurt? Yeah. “It would have been good if she’d dropped in to say hi.”
“Trunchbull had an appointment this morning and Angie was in a hurry to get to work. You should call her and arrange to catch up.” Calla smiles as if it’s not a big deal, but to me, it is. If Angie is trying to avoid me, I want to know why.
While the other guys are talking, I take the chance to have a word with Calla. “I don’t want to disturb her if she’s busy, like with that guy you told me about. Did she go out with him again?”
“You mean Fraser? Yes, she did. Wait, you mean you haven’t spoken about dating?”
I scratch the back of my head. “Not yet.”
“Oh. Still, it’s good she’s decided to go ahead and give it a go, isn’t it?”
My blood freezes in my veins. I should be happy for her. Angie has had a crap few years and deserves to be happy. I just don’t like the idea of anyone I don’t know taking her out.
“Tommy?” Calla brings my attention back into the room.
“Sorry, Cal. Yeah, that’s great. I’m pleased.”
I’m not, but I don’t want to sound like an arsehole.
“Hmm, what’s going on? I can tell something is on your mind.” Her eyes narrow towards me. “Wait a minute. You’re not harbouring old feelings for her, are you? Because you two were together a hundred years ago and you were the one that screwed up the first time around. She won’t—”
I hold up my hand. “Let me stop you there, Cal.” I chuckle. “I can tell you right now, it’s nothing like that. I’m just worried about her. She’s vulnerable. I don’t want anyone taking advantage.” It’s the truth.
Calla squeezes my hand. “You have nothing to worry about, I promise. Fraser is lovely; a total gentleman, and I think she likes him.”
“Then… that’s great.”
Calla stares at me for a moment. “Why don’t you pop to the showroom and see her?”
I force a smile. “Maybe I will.”
“Uh, Tommy?” Connie appears behind Calla, and Max jumps up from his seat at the sound of her voice.
“Hey, Connie. I’m glad you’re here. I’ve got to go out for a little while after I’ve finished with the guys.”
She seems a little flustered and her cheeks flush again. It could be because she’s in the same room as the band. Even though she’s been around them so many times before, she’s still a little starstruck. It’s cute.
“No problem. Actually, I wanted to check if you’re okay with me taking Ozzie to the beach today. He’s desperate to build a sandcastle with the new bucket and spade you bought him and he hasn’t stopped talking about the giant castles you made with him yesterday.”
I look out the window. “Really? It’s pretty wet out there.”
“I’ll wrap him up and take an umbrella. He told me this morning that wet sand is better for building. Honestly, he’s so desperate, and I don’t want to let him down. I promised.”
I huff out a laugh. “You must be mad, but okay. If you’re sure.”
“Great. Thank you.” She nods. “I’ll see you later then,” she says, keeping her chin dipped as she leaves the room.
Well, that was not Connie’s usual smiley approach, but what’s even weirder is the way Max keeps his eyes on her until she’s fully out of the room. Okay, I’m nipping that one in the bud.
“Forget it, man,” I warn.
His focus turns to me. “What?”
“Any ideas about tapping my nanny are a fantasy. She has a boyfriend.”
“She does, huh?”
His cocky smile tells me he sees her as a challenge. He can get used to disappointment where she’s concerned. “That’s right, so you have no chance, my friend, and even if you did, you’d have to get through me first.”
“Whatever you say, Dad.” Max smirks. I don’t care if he takes the piss. He can do whatever he wants as long as it’s not going after Connie. She’s too young for him anyway.
“So, who’s the guy she’s with?” Max asks.
“No idea, but from what I know, he’s an arsehole.”
“Did she say that?”
“Not in so many words. I just put a lot of stuff together and made my mind up, but I will tell you this, she doesn’t need more hassle. That girl is as precious as gold dust to me and Oz. We can’t do without her, so knock any ideas you have out of your head. It ain’t happening, man.”
He laughs, slipping his hands into the pockets of his jeans. “As if I would, Tom.”
Max is the best friend a guy could have, but when it comes to women, he’s a fucking nightmare.
I can’t have him drooling over my nanny.
He’d finish with her after a week and break her heart.
It’s a chance I couldn't let her take. Anyway, I have enough on my mind right now. Even though I know I have to let it go, I just can’t stop thinking about Angie and her dates with that guy.
ANGIE
“I think you need some rest.” Chris, my business partner, leans over my desk while he tries to reason with me. “It’s not that I think you’re doing a bad job. You’re amazing, but you’re burning yourself out. Your family is worried about you.”
“My family?” I question him with suspicious eyes. “You’re talking about Calla, aren’t you?”
“She’s one person, yes.”
“She’s the only person apart from my five-year-old son. My parents couldn’t care less, so it’s not them. You know, I can’t remember the last time they came to see Josh.”
“I’m sorry to hear that, Angie. You’re obviously under a lot of pressure at work and home,” Chris says gently.
“Pressure? I’m not under pressure. I’m just trying to get through each day in the best way I can.”
“And you think over-doing it is the best way?” he snaps, which isn’t like him at all.
“Are you all right, Chris?”
“Not really. To be blunt, you’re making mistakes and you’ve been a bit cranky with the staff.”
I take a breath and let his words absorb in my brain for a few moments.
I suppose I am tired and I have over-ordered on material once or twice, but I hope to God I haven’t upset anyone.
“I’m doing my best here, Chris, and I’m sorry if you feel I’ve let you down, but Scott built this business from scratch.
A business that you bought into, so now more than ever, it’s important we make it as successful as possible.
Do you want to lose your livelihood completely? ”
He braces himself against the desk. “No, I don’t, which is why I think it might be better if you took some time out for yourself.”