Chapter 14 #2
“In business, yes. In your personal life, no. Do the right thing. She’s got three kids. You need to make sure you’re both on the same page. If she wants a bit of a fling, fair enough. If she’s looking for something else, you need to make some big decisions. Life changing whoppers.”
“You don’t think I could do it? I set out with good intentions a few times to find out they were fully not right in lots of ways. Not my fault.”
“You sound like Kell. But you’re right, they weren’t right and it wasn’t your fault.
You do have a tendency to jump in with both feet.
But none of those women had three kids.” He lets that big fact sink in further still.
“And whilst you don’t look or act like a family man, we both know you are and you know the score.
You helped bring up James and Bucky. And you’re fully involved with Evie and the kids when they’re in the UK.
” He’s serious, and he definitely knows the score.
“Yeah, I guess all the signs are flashing ‘Jude Greystone Fuck Off’.” I sound depressed about it, and he looks like he’s panicking.
“Brother. I’m not saying don’t do it. I’m saying think about it.
If you get where you can’t not, then fair enough.
We’ve all been there. Sometimes it works, sometimes it doesn’t.
” His face softens. “And sometimes, even though it doesn’t work out, it sort of does.
” He’s thinking about his daughter. His marriage was a whirlwind disaster, but his daughter is his life.
“Thanks, Jake. I will think about it all. I can’t believe Lindy was on the radio.
It’ll not be much of an internet leap to me.
There were so many paps out and about last night.
Even a choreographed spat. I’m glad I never stayed at hers now.
Glad I went to Emma’s. But she’ll think I’m a scumbag if she hears that interview.
Good job we were late up and away, and I had another radio station on. ”
My phone pings and then I see Jake’s face change. My phone is pinging like a crazed egg timer.
“Fucking hell,” Jake spits out. “She’s had the babies. Jackson delivered them.” Jake has gone pale. “Time for us to go, brother. I’ll see you at London airport. Wait for me.” He clicks off straight away and I sit back. Oh my God.
I dial Jackson on FaceTime. He answers and is pale. His eyes wild, he looks as high as a kite. “Jude, get here. She’s had the twins. A boy first and then a girl. I had to—had to…”
He looks shocked. Evie had gone into labour early and they’d not had time to get to the hospital. There’s a cacophony of noise around him.
“Is she okay? Are the twins okay?” My voice shows my panic, and he nods, a little calmer.
“All okay. They’ve all been taken into the hospital just to get them all checked over. Kell and Xander have gone there. We’re all just going to set off.” He disappears a minute and then holds up one of Evie’s oldest twin boys.
He squints at me, it’s Sorley. “Bown, bown, bown.”
I wave at him, and he smiles at me. I blow kisses and he does the same. He squeals and I see Jackson look down. He has terror number two tugging at him.
“Carter, take the phone so I can hold them?” he asks his boyfriend. He then hands it over and picks up the other boy.
They’re so beautiful. My sister's eyes stare at me from their faces. Yet they look so much like their dad and James at that age. I have a lump in my throat. They're patting the screen. Chanting “Brown.” Their version, anyway.
“Jake’s on his way. Are you coming together?” Jackson implores me.
I nod. “Yes, I’m getting the plane sorted. Jonno’s had it on standby for ages. So we’ll see you all tomorrow, no doubt. Was it really bad?”
He shakes his head, more in disbelief than denial.
“We went for a walk on the beach and she went into labour. I had to pick her up and run through the door. There was no time for an ambulance, it was here or in my car. So we started without anyone. Then the ambulance arrived. It was chaos.” I can see the panic in his eyes, even as he’s retelling the tale.
But then his face changes to awe. “But Evie was so fucking calm. Kasey was here and did the breathing thing with her. Carter fainted, but we’re keeping that under wraps.
” He grins and his eyes go up to the phone holder and he blows him a kiss.
“We cut the cord.” Carter pops his head into the phone screen, sounding so excited.
“Hurry up, brother. We need more hands with all these kids. I hope Evie has no more plans for any more. Her husbands can’t say no to her.
She’s already got a five-a-side football team.
I hope she doesn’t decide she wants a full team.
” He’s grinning, though, as the boys are all copying each other and blowing kisses and kissing Jackson, and pulling his hair.
“Tarron’s here. He’s got Rio. We’re going to go now, so hurry up.
See you soon. Love you, little brother.” All the boys are waving and shouting bye as I end the call.
My heart is full of love. What a family we have. For ages it was just us, James, and Bucky. Now, we seem to be expanding more rapidly than rumours of a Christmas bonus being paid out in my office. And I love it.
But do I love it for myself, or just as an uncle?
I can run riot with the kids, but come back to peace and quiet through most of the week. Then back down on a weekend. It works well, but do I want more?
I shake my head, I can’t go there. I need to get my work sorted, wait for Jake, and then leave.
But what about my dinner with Emma?
I shout Brandon in, and we spend the next hour sorting my diary for the next three weeks. There’s nothing really urgent. A conference at the end of February, but nothing else that can’t be moved.
Once that’s sorted, I go home and pack. Don’t really need much. We all keep clothes at each other's houses so we can travel light. I hem and haw and finally decide as I’m sat in the airport lounge I’ll call Emma and explain my swift exit from the UK.
I pick up the phone and call, but no answer. I try again, just in case she missed it. I’m rolling my eyes at myself. But this time, I leave her a voice mail.
“Hi Emma, it’s Jude Greystone.” I cringe at using my full name.
How many other Jude’s does she know? Not many.
“Err, I’m sorry, but something’s come up.
I’ll not be able to go out for dinner.” My brain is short circuiting, how can this be so hard?
I leave messages for people all the time.
“For personal reasons. Well, my sister actually. I’ve got to go to LA, and see her. ”
I pause. I’m always so torn on talking about my family.
My usual MO is not to, especially to people I’ve only just met.
I decide not to elaborate. She’ll probably see the kerfuffle of her having the babies.
Especially if Carter and Kasey were involved.
It’s enough of a circus on a good day. Throw Hollywood's leading actors into the mix, and it’s guaranteed publicity.
“I’m not sure when I’ll be back,” I continue, “but it’ll be a few weeks.” I grip the back of my neck, fully exasperated at myself, and the fact that I have to bail. “So, yeah, I’ll ring you when I’m back. Sorry.”
I click the phone off. What a shitty message, delivered even shittier. I blow out a breath and order a beer. I feel terrible. And as I wait for Jake, I realise something. I really wanted to go. I was so looking forward to seeing her again. Bloody hell.