Chapter 12
Jealousy
Lynn
I walkinto the hotel ready to scream at the top of my lungs. My father is still a stubborn old goat. I get the feeling there’s a reason he doesn’t want me in those books.
He’s going to have to get over it and allow me to help. Dr. Curry has already said my father isn’t to work the ranch when he’s released. Even after physical theory he doesn’t believe it’s a good idea.
I noticed the devastated look on Daddy’s face. I want to help, but don’t know where to start without knowing what the financials look like. Feeding and caring for horses can be expensive. There’s the oil, but I have no idea what that’s bringing in.
I get the feeling Daddy is hiding something. He insists the only way he’ll give me the key to the books is if I talk to Trevor. I can’t do that again.
“Auntie Cakes,” Jess calls, pulling me from my thoughts as I walk into the lobby of the hotel.
I smile and open my arms to her. She gives me a tight hug. In the last few days, she’s been spending more and more time with me. I don’t mind at all. Elise and Maggie seem to have taken to her too.
“What are you up to?” I ask.
“I was just about to order an Uber to head out.”
“Still no car?”
She pouts. “No, they’re waiting for my mama to pay. If I tell Daddy, he’s going to lose it, so I’ll wait.”
“Oh,” I say and jerk my head back. “Do you want Matthew or Wilson to drop you somewhere?”
“No, ma’am. I’m fine.” She gives me a sheepish look. “Do you think I could stick around today? That is, if you’re not busy.”
I reach to tuck her wild curls behind her ear. “I told you, you’re welcome to hang out anytime you want. As long as you’re not neglecting your studies.”
“My studies are fine. I got my papers done already,” she says as I stick out my arm for her to loop hers through.
We start for the elevator. I don’t miss the fact that I’m starting to get stares. I only have on a pair of shades today. Matthew was just saying this morning that he believes it’s time I change hotels or look for a temporary residence.
“How’d you do on your project?”
“I got an A.”
“That’s my girl. We should celebrate. I’m taking you to dinner tonight.”
“You don’t have to do that. You already spoil me enough.”
“Are your co-worker still giving you crap?”
She rolls her eyes. “A little, but who cares. I get to spend time with a legend. My supervisor wants to make a fuss, but it’s never during company time, so what can she do about it?”
“Not a darn thing. The stink I would make in this place if they even thought about reprimanding you.”
Jess’s face breaks into a huge smile as we step off the elevator. I’m glad to kick my heels off as we step into the suite. After asking Elise to make dinner reservations, I head to use the restroom and freshen up.
I stop to stare at myself in the mirror. I should probably start to reschedule tour dates. However, I haven’t been able to think about that.
From the exhaustion on my face, I should probably take some down time before I jump back on the road. For a moment, I allow myself to think of a life here in Texas. What if I didn’t go back on tour?
I could stay here and work the ranch for Daddy. It’s been years, but I’m sure I could get back into the swing of things. I shake the thought off.
This isn’t my life. I have people counting on me. I’d be changing more than my life. Besides, I haven’t been on a horse since my accident in Italy.
I’ve never forgotten Cuore Selvaggio or Fumo. I’ve often wondered what happened to them. That all seems like another time, another life.
Rolling my shoulders, I dry my hands. Maybe by the time my father is released, I’ll have solid answers as to what my next moves should be.
I push aside the past and my thoughts as I walk back out into the common area. Not for the first time, this young girl brings a smile to my face. Music is playing, and she’s dancing with Elise and Maggie.
There’s a sparkle I haven’t seen in her eyes since the first night I met her. It’s good to see. She’s been so sad. While she’s been opening up more and more, she still hasn’t told me what’s brought all that sadness on.
“Hey, now, y’all can’t have a party without me,” I sing.
The song changes to “How Does It Feel” by Chl?e and Chris Brown. I’ve heard this one a few times. It’s cute.
Apparently, Jess likes it too. She grabs Maggie’s mic and starts to sing and full-out perform. All the shyness is gone.
“Hey, that’s my mic,” Maggie pouts with her silly self.
She swears that thing gives her a singing voice. Which it does not. However, the mic is forgotten as we all watch Jess.
After a few moments of shock, we all fall in and sing and dance with her. This baby sings like someone broke her heart. I feel it in my bones.
The three of us dance like her broke back-up dancers. Swaying and popping our fingers and hips. Elise and I move to each side of Jess, and she follows our moves. I laugh when she picks up better than her father ever has.
The song changes to “Water” by Tyla. Jess squeals and her entire face lights up.
“Do y’all know how to do this dance? I’ve always wanted to learn it. I mean, I’ve tried, but I don’t know if I’m doing it right,” she gushes out.
Elise looks at me and smiles. She knows I know how. I did it for the knee challenge back in New York with some friends. Shocked the hell out of everyone.
The dance is called Bacardi. However, I’m not too sure Trevor would want me to show her how. As if reading my mind, Elise speaks my thoughts.
“Your daddy ain’t killing me,” she laughs.
Jess pouts. “Well, can y’all tell me if I’m doing it right at least?”
“You go on. I want to see this,” Maggie says.
Jess widens her stance and starts to rock her hips. I’m almost scared to watch until the beat drops and she shocks the mess out of us all. I want to know who this girl has been hanging with.
“Hey now. You got it, Jess. You go girl,” Elise and I cheer at her.
“Here, here. Pop your hips a little more like this,” Maggie says.
I laugh and join them. Soon the four of us are dancing again. This is so freeing after the morning I had.
When the song ends, we’re all laughing and out of breath. Matthew appears, shaking his head as he brings us all bottled water. We each take one. Maggie, Elise, and I move for the couch.
My backup singers and dancers deserve a raise. Wiggling and shaking my behind has me feeling like I don’t run or workout at all, but the smile on Jess’s face is worth it.
“Can I ask you something?” she says with a hopeful smile.
I nod and wave my hand. She beams and comes to flop down next to me. I look at her and smile, lifting my water to my lips.
“You’re so pretty and so kind. Do you have a boyfriend?”
“No.” I shake my head.
“How is that possible? You’re amazing. When my daddy’s divorce goes through, you’d be perfect for him.”
Elise, Maggie, and I all spit our water out. I slap at my chest as I choke. I widen my eyes at Maggie to stop the words about to come out of her mouth.
“Read the room, Mags. Read the darn room,” Elise says through her teeth and a tight smile.
“Oh, did I say something wrong?”
Jess looks at me with both hope and concern. Hope for her daddy, but concern that she’s overstepped. Her expression reveals the wheels are turning.
“No. Maybe we should get ready for dinner. Mags, are you up to doing makeovers?”
“You know it.”
“Oh, can you make my hair look like Auntie Cakes?” Jess asks as her eyes light up.
Elise stands and comes to wrap her arms around my shoulders from behind as she leans into my ear. “Does she remind you of someone?”
That’s crazy. I was just thinking that she reminds me of Pook. I swipe at a tear as Elise’s question sinks in. “Yeah, she does.”
“She’s in love with you. You should tell her who you are to him.”
I frown. “What good will that do?” I grumble back.
“Um, you still think he’s not coming for you.” She kisses my cheek and walks off, laughing from deep in her belly.
* * *
Trevor
“No,Andy. That’s all right. I’m in an impulsive mood. Was just thinking of getting a cut,” I say into the phone.
Donna hates when I cut my hair off. I’m doing this not just because it seems to be extra hot this summer, but I want to cut away the past and piss that trolling bitch off.
“Well, you can come on in day after tomorrow,” Andy says.
“I’ll think about it. Thanks,” I say and cut the call as I pull into the Billings ranch driveway.
I’m convinced Donna is delusional. She sent me a text telling me to meet her for dinner this evening. The hell if I will.
First thing this morning, I got a call from Roger telling me Jess’s car has been ready, but Donna hasn’t paid the bill like she promised, and Jess hasn’t come to me to tell me. Roger had planned to just hand it over as an early gift for Jess’s birthday, but Donna shouldn’t be let off the hook like that.
Roger has employees. Those part cost money. I still don’t know what that crazy woman wanted with Jess’s car in the first place.
I have half a mind to buy Jess a new one. That would piss Donna off. If I didn’t know my baby so well, I would.
Instead of stewing in my anger like I’ve been doing all week. I came over to the Billings ranch to see if I could get an update. I wasn’t expecting the amount of people and children I would find here. This place looks like a summer camp.
“Dad, who are all of these people?” Bam asks excitedly.
“Friends of your Uncle Brad’s.”
“Are they all from New York?”
I look out the windshield at all the different faces. I’m not sure if I can say where any of them are from. I catch sight of a few bruisers throwing a football around.
“Oh look, Dad. That guy is cutting hair on the porch. Maybe you can get a cut here,” Scoot says.
Sure enough, there is a guy cutting hair on the porch of the main cabin. Cody Billings stands from the chair right as LaSalle takes his place. Uri, Brad, and two others are sitting with them.
“Can I go play football with them?” Bam asks.
I turn my attention back to the game. I don’t see any kids playing, and all those guys look like they eat kids for breakfast, lunch, and dinner. Bam is a big kid for thirteen, but he’s not ready for those guys.
Just as I have the thought, the big guy with the man bun trucks one of the redheads. They all burst into laughter, a few wincing and shaking their heads.
“Maybe you should wait to see if the younger kids start a game,” I reply.
I step from the truck and head for the porch. I don’t see Paige or Bobby yet. I pull my Stetson off and run my fingers through my hair.
My mind goes to Lynn and what she would like. Lasalle and Uri have clean sharp cuts. If this is the guy who always cuts their hair, I wouldn’t mind if he took care of this for me.
“Trevor, good to see you,” LaSalle says. “Roark Tarantino, this is Trevor Monroe.”
The barber puts his clippers down and wipes his hands off on a towel before holding his hand out. “Call me Ro, man. It’s nice to meet you.”
I give his hand a shake. “Trev is fine. Nice to meet you too.”
“Daddy just called his barber for a haircut, but he’s not available,” Bam says.
I groan and roll my eyes. Clearly this man has traveled here to Texas to cut hair. This may be a cut I’m not willing to pay for.
“It’s on me. Ro will hook you up,” LaSalle says as if reading my thoughts.
“Sure, Bro. If you don’t mind the wait. I’m doing adults today kids tomorrow,” Ro says.
I glance around again. I think I spot Paige until Nate walks over to kiss the woman I’m looking at. Not Paige, Pam.
“They went down the to the courthouse,” Uri says.
I turn to find him watching me intently. Placing a hand on top of Bam’s head, I nod. My decision is made. I want a fresh start in all things. I’ll wait.
“This construction friend, da? Bradley’s brother,” the big blond with the Russian accent says.
He has a little brown-faced version of himself sitting in his lap. The little guy looks to be around five or six. He has the same icy blue eyes and blond hair that’s shaved on the sides and piled on top his head in a bun.
“Trevor, this is Misha. Another of our associates. And the other big guy is Logan.”
“Aye, nice to meet ya. Yer sure to have a lot of work in New York. I’ll be keeping ya busy for at least a year,” Logan says through his Irish brogue.
I shake Misha’s hand as he looks at me through his icy blue gaze. Then I shake with Logan. His expression is just as stern as Misha’s, but his green eyes hold a small hint of mischief.
“It’s nice to meet both of you. I’m looking forward to the work.”
“Sit, my friend. Seems you become family. Time I get to know you,” Misha says.
Brad stands and offers me his seat. I take the chair and settle in while Ro goes back to cutting LaSalle’s hair. Brad takes Scoot and Bam with him.
Billings has remained quiet so far. I don’t think much of it. This is his employer after all, and I don’t know how their dynamic works.
“Tell me something about you,” Misha says, grabbing my attention.
I rub at my jaw. “I was born and raised here in Texas,” I begin.
***
It’s been aboutthree hours. I haven’t laughed so much in a long time. There’s a brotherhood among these men. Like the sisterhood I see among their wives. They have all welcomed me in like family.
Val and Tasha pull up and park by my truck. They both do a double take as they see me. I give a smile. Ro does damn good work.
“Hot damn, Roark strikes again,” Tasha croons. “You were already a fine man, but damn.”
LaSalle chuckles good naturedly. Tam had pretty much the same reaction when I got out of the chair. Then there was Cass, my new favorite person.
She pulls no punches and bites her tongue for no one. Not even the cute little girl attached to her side who was clearly upset with her foul language.
Speaking of the two, they come out of the large cabin. Cass seems to be running from the little girl. I’m amused as I watch the two.
“I can’t even go to the Jacks without ye tied to me hip. I stubbed me toe because yer little bum was right on me. Leave me be, Jordan.
“I wouldn’t have cursed if I had some space. Yer a chiseler, seven, ye are, and not the boss of me. If ye don’t like the words that come out of me mouth, don’t yarn to me,” Cass snarls, her accent becoming thicker with each word.
“Your mouth is manky and you know it,” Jordan says.
“Sorry?” Cass growls incredulously.
Jordan rolls her eyes. “You know what I’m saying. Your mouth is filthy.”
“For fuck’s sake. Where’d ye learn that from? You know what, never mind.” Cass shakes her head. “Where’s yer father? Joe, Joe, come get the girl before I cobber her. Better yet, tell her father to come get her away from me.”
Jordan pouts and folds her arms over her chest. “Just stop saying bad words. It’s not that hard, Gran.”
“I will, yeah,” Cass huffs with so much sarcasm anyone can tell she doesn’t mean it. “I’ve had enough of ye today.”
“I love you, Gran. That’s why I always want to be with you,” Jordan says as she kicks at a rock.
Cass throws her arms up. “Don’t touch her,” she growls at the guy I assume is Jordan’s father.
I still haven’t placed all the names with faces or their children. I know Joe is the big guy with the smile on his face as he walks over and pulls Cass into his arms.
She holds her hand out for Jordan to take. I don’t miss the mischievous smile that comes to the little girl’s lips. Joe tugs the two along with him.
“Why call me just to yell at me? And this is why she’s spoiled and drives us all crazy,” the guy I believe is Jordan’s dad says as he shakes his head.
Looking around, I smile. I think Cakes would love this. I take a glance at my watch. It’s too late to go to Agatha’s to get some help baking.
However, I can head over there tomorrow. Mind made up, I say my goodbyes. I’m going to go shopping for Snacks’ new kitchenware.
Something in my gut tells me Paige is going to keep her word. I’ll bake the cupcakes and drop them off. Hopefully my girl remembers our truce.