Chapter 4
Touchdown
Lynn
“Oh my God,oh my god. I can’t believe you’re here. I thought I would have to sell body parts to get you back here in Texas,” Maggie squeals as she pulls me into a hug.
“What are you doing here?” I say as I hug her back.
I reach to pull my scarf around my face as I glance around hoping no one notices me. We booked a commercial flight to fly in. This trip was such short notice we couldn’t fly private. I’m not at that level yet.
I don’t own my own private jet. For the jet-sharing service I use, I have to make arrangements ahead of time for travel. I couldn’t wait around for all the red tape. I needed to get here to my family.
I wasn’t expecting Maggie to meet me here at the airport. She took some time, needing to tend to her own family and affairs here in Texas. My other stylist, Giorgio, was able to step in for her.
I learned a long time ago it’s best to have two of everything. Assistants, stylists, drivers, the list goes on and on. Matthew is probably the only one I haven’t duplicated.
“Elise told me you guys were coming in. I dropped everything to greet you. Now come on with your “Not Gone Cry” looking self. Let me get you to your hotel so I can get you right. This look is giving me desperate widow vibes.”
I roll my eyes and shake my head. I’m wearing dark shades and a black scarf over my head, so I totally get the reference. It’s late in the evening, but I still don’t want to draw attention or have anyone recognize me. If I can help it, I will enter Texas and leave back out without anyone being the wiser.
I have to admit, the tour has been quiet without Maggie. She tends to keep things lively when she’s around. Maggie and Elise have kept their promises over the years.
They’re not only two of my best friends and like big sisters. They both work for me and help me to keep my life going. Everything worked out perfectly once they both graduated and decided to join me in New York.
At times, it’s like having a good angel and a bad angel perched on my shoulders whispering in my ears. They like to switch roles on who’s who depending on the topic. My friends like to keep me on my toes.
“Hey, Maggie, good to see you,” Matthew says as he walks up beside me and places a hand on my back.
“Matthew,” she breathes and bats her lashes.
If I wasn’t so upset about my daddy, I would burst into laughter. Maggie has been crushing on Matthew for years. I would love to see them together, but Matthew’s wounds seem to keep him from seeing that she’s interested.
Or she just might not be his type. They both work for me, so I’ve never tried to stick my nose in their business. I couldn’t afford to lose either of them.
Maggie may have a backup, but she’s still the best at what she does, and Giorgio takes all his cues from her. I’d be devastated to lose Matthew and don’t think I could bring myself to try to replace him. I shudder at the thought.
“Okay, okay. I love you all, but I’m exhausted. Can we all get in the cars and head to the hotel?” Elise says tiredly as she drags her luggage to the trunk of the waiting SUV.
“By the way, what’s with the hotel? Why aren’t you staying at the ranch?” Maggie asks innocently.
“I’m here for my daddy. He’s in the hospital. There’s no need for me to go to the ranch. Besides, if anyone gets wind of my presence in town, I don’t want all that drama on the ranch. You know those guys will camp out to get any pics they can,” I say.
“I guess that makes sense.”
“I still think it would have made more sense for me to coordinate security at the ranch. I don’t like this hotel business either,” Elise grumbles for the millionth time.
“I heard you the first time, but this is what I want. I’m not going anywhere near the ranch if I don’t have to.”
“Whatever. Right now, I don’t care if you sleep in baby Jesus’s manger. I want to get to my bed and get some sleep,” she replies.
Maggie snickers as she climbs into the SUV behind me and Elise. Matthew brings up the rear and closes the door before we take off.
“Okay, now that you’ve spoken up,” Maggie starts, looking at Elise. “Why aren’t you going home? What’s your excuse?”
“My boss needs me close. I’ll be wherever she is for the remainder of this trip. Don’t go there, Maggie. I’m not in the mood.”
Maggie throws her hands up. “Just curious. Don’t bite my head off. You can’t fault me for asking.”
“Hush it up. You’re way too perky for this time of night,” Elise mutters.
“It’s called a red eye for a reason, grumpy.”
To be honest, their bickering is comforting in this moment. I can always count on their banter bringing a smile to my face even when I don’t want to. Removing my shades and black scarf, I place them in my bag and settle into my seat.
I close my eyes and relax in for the ride to the hotel. My exhausted body is ready for a few hours of sleep. I’ll have to wait until the morning for visiting hours as it is. I’m so nervous about what I will find.
I actually nod off for a bit. It’s as Matthew covers my hand with his and gives a gentle squeeze that I wake and slowly open my eyes. I blink a few times and glance around me.
“We’re here. Let’s get you checked in,” he says softly.
I turn to him and give him a warm smile. As Wilson, the head of my security, opens the door for me to climb out, I get out sleepily. Matthew lingers back as he tries to wake Elise. Maggie hops out and follows me into the hotel.
I’m more than relieved to see the empty lobby. There’s a guard to the far right and a young girl behind the reception desk. She’s a pretty little thing.
Her dimples are one of the first things to stand out as she greets us with a smile. Her gaze lands on me, and that smile brightens as her greenish blue eyes light up.
I freeze and knit my brows. It feels like my heart is crumbling within my chest. Her smile, her eyes, I shake away my thoughts. I’m projecting. I’m sure I am.
“Oh my God. It’s you. My daddy loves your music. He used to play it all the time when I was a little girl.
“I look at your pictures all the time at Nanna’s house. I mean, she’s not my nanna, she’s yours, but she’s practically raised me like one of her own. I’ve called her Nanna all my life.
“You’re so pretty in person. Oh my God, I can’t believe I’m talking to Lynn Galveston. I’ve always wanted to meet you.
“I don’t think Daddy has heard your last album, but I have. Some of my greatest memories are of my daddy dancing with me in his arms while singing your music.
“I miss that. I’ve always wanted to be a singer like you, but I don’t think I have what it takes. I’m a bit shy, so I’m going to school to be a teacher.
“Oh my God, why can’t I stop talking? Ma’am I’m so sorry. Please don’t report me. This is my first day, and I really do love you,” the girl rambles as her face turns bright red.
I’m assuming the frown on my face is why she’s finally clamped her mouth shut. I’m not frowning at her, but at the fact that I’ve walked right into a nightmare. I know just who her daddy is. She has those damn Monroe dimples. If not for the green in them, she almost has the Monroe eyes.
The midnight blue around the outsides that bleed into turquoise and then into a light blue around the irises. However, hers become greenish blue where the light blue should be. Dear Lord, who did I piss off.
I’m trying to process everything she has said, but my head is spinning. Pain consumes me like flames of a fire. I want to back away and head for a plane back home.
“Hey, sugar. Can you not tell anyone that Miss Galveston is here? The suite is booked under Mr. Matthew Ericson. It’s been a long trip for Miss Galveston, and she’s here for a family emergency. Can we get her to her room?” Maggie says sweetly.
“Yes, ma’am. Again, I’m very sorry. Wait, family emergency?” she gasps.
I clear my throat. “Yes, my father had a stroke,” I say not knowing why I say this. The look of worry in her eyes tugs at something in me.
Tears fill her eyes. She purses her trembling lips. I watch her more closely. You would think I told her that her own grandfather had fallen ill.
“Here’s your keys. I’m so sorry to hear about Pop-pop. Excuse me,” she says and clears her throat. “I’m sorry to hear about your father. I’ve been working a double. I didn’t know.”
“Thank you.” I look at her name tag. “Jessica, don’t worry about it. You’re doing fine. I’m sure your daddy would be proud.”
“You can call me Jess, ma’am. If you need anything, let me know. I’m new but I’m resourceful. I hope everything is okay with Pop-po— I mean, your father.”
“Thank you, Jess. You’ll have to sing for me before I go home,” I say and wink at her.
“That would be so awesome,” she whispers with wide eyes.
The way her sweet face lights up, I can’t help but smile back at her. I stumble away to the elevator, feeling like I’ve walked into the Twilight Zone. I’ve just met Trevor’s baby.
* * *
Trevor
“Hey,baby girl. How was your first day?” I ask as Jess climbs into my truck.
“It was fine,” Jess murmurs. “I’m ready for bed.”
I need a drink after the day I’ve had, but I have to hold it together until after I pick Jess up and get her back to her Mama’s house. I pray to God I don’t have to deal with that woman tonight.
My blood pressure can’t take it. I could give a hundred reasons for me not to stay married but can’t come up with one for why I should stay. The woman has been annoying me all day.
“Daddy, did you hear that Pop-pop Moses had a stroke or something?”
“I did. Agatha had to drop Snacks off with Cliff so she could head over to the hospital,” I reply.
“Can you give me a ride to the hospital tomorrow before my shift?”
I’ve been debating all day about heading there myself. Knowing there’s a chance I could run into Cakes, I don’t know how I feel about chancing a visit. Again, for the millionth time today, my thoughts go to Uri’s offer.
I don’t know how long Lynn will be here. This meeting needs to happen before she disappears. Still, I don’t know what I will say.
I owe that woman one hell of an apology. My heart squeezes as I think of all we’ve lost. I shake the thoughts off and turn my attention back to my daughter.
“Sure, I’ll pick you up in the morning. Did you eat? You want me to stop somewhere, and we can get a bite together?”
“Yeah, I’d like that. Like old times, right?”
“Like old times, little buddy. Our old spot?”
“Yup,” she says cheerfully, causing me to notice she didn’t sound like herself when she climbed into the truck.
I tune in more closely, remembering her change in mood earlier. Suddenly, I wonder if I should be taking her back to her mama’s after all.
“Anything exciting happen at work?” I ask, trying not to pry directly.
“Nope, not a thing,” she answers a bit too quickly.
She reaches to turn on the radio and my heart pangs as Lynn’s voice comes through the speakers. I purse my lips and change the station. I haven’t been able to listen to Lynn’s music since Donna told me she was carrying Scoot and Snacks.
I had been crushed. My exit had been planned. I had packed my and Jess’s shit, and I was going to leave. The craziest thing is, I can’t remember the conception of not one of my kids.
The cycle has always been the same. I get feed up, I make plans so me and the kids have somewhere to go. Then Donna claims she’s pregnant again.
That’s the main reason why this time we left that house with the clothes on our backs. I didn’t tell a soul my plans this time. I just loaded my crew in my truck, and we left.
I filed for the divorce the next day. Since, I don’t find myself alone in a room with Donna and I won’t eat or drink a damn thing she tries to give me.
By the time we had Bam, I started to wonder why I didn’t remember sleeping with Donna to create any of our kids. Once, okay, I was drunk off my ass with Jess. Scoot and Snacks, I had been sick with the flu.
I couldn’t remember my name that week and Donna had been clingier than usual. I didn’t have the energy to fight her off or to use a condom. Something I had gotten in the habit of doing when I had been trying to make our marriage work.
With Bam, I had been drunk after a night out with Cliff and Tom. I blame myself for that one. I should have gotten a room when Tom decided to hook up with that woman.
Not take an Uber home. I woke the next morning, knowing she got me again. I was tempted to get a vasectomy that very day. My mama was the one to talk me out of that.
I was twenty-six at the time and she didn’t think it was right. She had hopes that I’d end things and find the one someday and we’d want children of our own.
Lynn has and will always be the one. With her, I’ve always thought it would be instinctive. The moment I planted my seed in her I would know. I would have been present.
“Daddy, can I ask you something?” Jess says, pulling me from my thoughts.
“Darlin’, you know you can ask me anything,” I reply.
“Do you remember when you would dance around with me to LG’s music? Why’d you stop? You don’t listen to her anymore either,” she says.
Well, I guess she could ask me anything but that. I can’t believe she remembers that. She was just a baby. My heart would ache something fierce, and I just needed to hear her voice.
I’d take Jess with me to my secret place where I used to go to think. While there, I’d dance to Cakes’ music and sing to Jess in my arms. I swallow hard as I think of how to answer this question.
“Yeah, I remember. I’m not sure how you do. You were probably around five the last we did that.” I chuckle. “LG’s music is something I have to be in the mood for. We were friends. Hearing her songs brings back so many painful memories.”
“Because of her sister? You were friends with her too, right?”
I nod, not able to speak the words and not wanting to go any deeper into the subject. Jess sighs.
“I just miss that. Her music always makes me think of those times. We were happy. When you danced with me and sang, that was a happy time for me.”
I get choked up, not sure what to say. Those were happy times for me too. We were away from Donna and her drama, and I was in the one place that still gave me hope—with the little girl I loved more than anything.