Chapter 18
CHAPTER EIGHTEEN
tristan
By the time we get back to the beach house, we are sweaty and sandy.
Even though it was flag football, a couple of us forgot.
Mostly Peter. I can’t count how many times he tackled Pierce and Parker.
I think it was brotherly fun, but I can never tell.
A completely different side comes out when this family plays anything.
It’s not just card games where they try to take each other out.
“Everyone needs to get cleaned up while I get dinner started.” Abigail announces before we walk inside.
“I’m not using this outside shower to get the sand off,” Piper says as she opens the door.
“Then you’re sweeping it all up afterward. You know sand tracks everywhere no matter what you do.”
“I’m okay with that. It’s too cold out here to be getting soaking wet.” She walks inside, leaving the door open.
I move toward the outside shower, and Paula places a hand on my arm. “We’ll help her clean up. She’s right about the cold.”
The chill of the evening hits the sweat on my skin and goosebumps form along my arm. “Okay, I can live with that.”
There are only two showers so it takes a while. Hopefully there’s enough hot water for all of us. Both Piper and Paula have long hair, and I know it will take a while for them to get it all out.
Everyone is in their respective areas. Some are waiting on a shower and some are cleaning up. I’m part of the latter. Paula tried to get me to join in the shower with her, but it felt inappropriate with her family here.
I pull the laundry bag I brought with me out of my duffel.
Gathering up my dirty clothes is kind of a pain.
Normally I would do this as I’m changing, but this weekend has been a whirlwind…
both emotionally and physically. But I know the plan is to leave early in the morning, and I want to make sure all of my stuff is ready to go.
The only thing I have going for me with this task is my stuff is in one central location.
Paula will have a more difficult time. She has stuff scattered around the room.
A part of me wonders if her house is this chaotic, or if it’s only specific areas that aren’t seen by everyone.
I’ve only seen her living room and kitchen.
I made sure everything else was off limits because I didn’t want to go down that road before I knew her better.
One-night stands are something I just don’t do.
I’ve never judged anyone who prefers them.
Hell, I didn’t say anything untoward to Paula that first night.
I told her what I was okay with and asked if she was in or not. Luckily for me, she was in.
The door opens and the woman in question strides inside wearing nothing but a towel. Too bad I’m disgusting right now because I’d suggest some things.
“Are you trying to leave early?” She asks while taking the towel out of her hair and dropping it to the floor.
“Nope. I’m getting things ready for in the morning.” I place the laundry bag next to my duffel. “I don’t want to forget anything, or be rushed.”
She looks around the room at her things strewn about. “That’s a good idea, I should probably do the same.”
“Possibly.” I move toward her and begin sliding my arms around her before she slaps my hands away.
“I just finished getting all the sand off me. I’m not letting you put it all back.
” She crosses her arms over her chest, defiant.
Her being this way with me gives me hope she’ll have the same confidence when confronting her family.
“Also, I didn’t tell anyone I was out of the shower, and they didn’t see me.
If you want to jump in while there’s still hot water, now’s your chance. ”
“Thanks.” I give her a quick kiss before grabbing my clothes off the bed. “I think this proves you like me more than you like your family.”
“Maybe a little.” She uncrosses her arms and pinches her fingers together to show just how much she likes me.
“Keep lying to yourself.” I slip out of the room before she has a chance to make a smartass comeback.
The water doesn’t take long to get warm when I turn it on.
I drop my clothes on the counter before undressing and getting in the shower.
My main focus is my hair. There’s no telling how much sand is trapped in it, and I want to get that clean first. It doesn’t take long since I have way less hair than the women in this family.
I also don’t want to be the jerk that uses all the hot water.
Within ten minutes I’m out of the shower and drying off.
Maybe the brothers will be happy I saved them some.
It’ll definitely increase their good will toward me.
Today was a milestone in my opinion. They acted as if I was a part of the family, and not an outsider.
They’ve tried to include me each day I’ve been here, but today I felt welcomed.
Even Pierce was nice to me. I thought he was still upset about me going off on him the other day.
Hopefully he knows my heart is in the right place but now, I won’t do anything to upset Paula.
When I get back to the room, Paula is shoving things into her bag. “Do you need some help?”
She turns around and one of her braids hits her in the face. She slaps it away, and shakes her head. “I don’t think so. I think I got most of my stuff.”
I grab discarded shirt from the dresser. “Are you sure?”
“Damn it.” She grabs it from my hand and puts it in her bag. “Okay, so maybe I do need help.”
“Make sure you leave your pajamas and clothes for tomorrow out. Otherwise, you’ll have to dig them out later.”
“How are you so good at all this stuff? Any time I go on a trip I swear I leave half my stuff.”
I’m walking around the room, picking up whatever I find.
“Traveling with a band can be chaotic at best. When we’re constantly on the move, I have to do what I can to keep organized.
I figured that out after I lost a few things when I started working for them.
Some of them were pricey items and it didn’t take long to learn my lesson. ”
“It’s smart,” she agrees. “I wish I was more like that sometimes. This is pretty much what my room looks like at home. Half the time I can’t find anything. I need to get things organized.”
So, I was right. She keeps the community spaces clean and lets herself go in the other areas. “You shouldn’t change how you do things because you’re impressed by the way I do them. But if you really want me to help you, I will.”
“Thanks.” She smiles at me. “If I can get a process started, I can stick to it.”
“Most people operate that way. When things are messy, they get overwhelmed and don’t know where to start.”
“Well, you’re going to help me get back on track.”
There are footsteps coming down the hall then they stop right outside our door. “Dinner’s ready. Y’all come eat.”
Abigails voice is loud enough to be heard by everyone. Unless they are in the shower. Hopefully everyone is done with those.
“Was your mom a cheerleader, or someone who had to get people’s attention?”
“She wasn’t, but she did have to wrangle all of us at once. She’s learned to be loud when she needs to be.”
“Makes sense.” I set the few things I’ve picked up on the bed. “Let’s go eat.”
We head to the dining area and I’m shocked to find everyone already there. Not much time has passed since Abigail told us to get in here. I swear this family can be stealthy when they want to be.
The table is already set. We take our seats where we’ve been sitting while here. There is food everywhere covering every inch of space.
“Mom, why is there so much of everything?” Paula asks as she takes a drink of the tea sitting in front of her spot.
“These boys didn’t eat as much as they usually do, and we need to get rid of some of this food.”
“Oh.” Paula looks at each dish on the table. “It’s like the holidays but not. I’ll gladly take some leftovers home if there are any.”
“I guess it’s a good thing I brought some bowls.”
We all load up our plates and dig into the food.
For once nobody is talking over another person.
It was probably playing football that made everyone so hungry.
Working concerts is hard work, but I haven’t run around like that in a long time.
I should definitely add physical activity back into my routine.
I feel good now even if I’ll probably be hurting tomorrow.
Once everyone is done eating, we help clear away the dishes and clean the kitchen. All hands are on deck, and it doesn’t take long for the kitchen to be back in pristine condition. Paul grabs a couple bottles of wine and brings them into the living room where we’ve moved.
“I hope everyone has had fun this weekend,” he smiles as he opens it and pours it in the glasses Abigail brought from the kitchen.
“It’s been a blast,” Piper adds as she takes the glass of wine he offers her. “It’s been a while since we were all under one roof.”
Everyone glances toward Paula knowing she’s the missing link when it comes to get togethers. I know she can feel their eyes on her. She doesn’t turn away from the scrutiny, though.
“As you can tell from earlier today, I’m not getting any younger. I will be retiring soon, and I want to say how happy I am I’m leaving our family legacy in capable hands.”
“Are you retiring tomorrow or something?” Parker asks, confused.
“No,” Paul laughs. “I’m not retiring tomorrow. It will still be a while. I need to get documents for the lawyer and all that stuff. I just want y’all to know you’re going to do a great job with Starlit Fields.”
Pierce stands up next to his dad. Did they rehearse this? Maybe that’s what they were doing when they were gone earlier today.
“We’ll do you proud, Dad.” He claps his dad on the back. “We’ll need all hands-on deck when the time comes. I have areas I want each person involved in.”
His siblings are looking at him like he’s lost his marbles because they are already immersed in the business. This is all for show for one person and I hate that he’s singling her out like this.
“Paula, I hope you’ll consider being a part of our legacy. It means a lot to all of us to have you on board. We’re family and it should be family who continues this business.”
The rest of her siblings shift uncomfortably. Even Paul takes a step back and stares at his feet. Is he intimidated by his own son? Abigail twists her hands in her lap and shakes her head.
Paula glances at me. For support, or to speak up for her, I don’t know. But I can’t fight this battle for her. She needs to do it on her own.
“Pierce, I appreciate that you want me to help, but I have a job. I like what I do.”
“But that isn’t where you belong,” he argues and takes a step forward. “This is what we’ve always known we were supposed to do.”
Paula takes a moment to look at each of her siblings, then her parents, studying their expressions. All of them seem to be embarrassed but also hopeful. She doesn’t acknowledge me, though.
She turns her focus to her big brother. “I’ll think about it. Will that satisfy you for now?”
He nods. “We have time. I only wanted to see where you stand.”
“Thanks.”
She doesn’t argue with him, or tell him how she really feels about working in the winery. She gives him an answer to put it off. All this tells me is she will likely end up doing something she isn’t passionate about to appease her family.
After everything she’s told me, she still can’t stand up to them.
It looks like they were getting into a much better place.
Like maybe Pierce wasn’t going to put pressure on her to do this.
I know I said I wasn’t going to fight her battles for her, but damn it.
I can’t let her do this. But I’m not an asshole, unlike her brother.
I’ll wait until we’re alone to see what the hell she’s thinking.
Until we go to bed, the only thing I can do is grin and bear it.