Chapter 24 #2
“According to who?” Ray asks, sitting on the recliner where Ms. Beulah was. The dog climbs up and wedges herself between her dad’s thigh and the couch.
“According to people with taste.” Jeremiah sounds tired, like they’ve had this conversation countless times before. “It’s my turn this time, so we can’t change it.”
Both Jada and her dad boo Jeremiah, making me smile. It’s like I’m not even here, but not in a bad way. No one is grilling me about anything or making me feel like I don’t belong. Jada works through Jeremiah’s hair with practiced hands, using a little tool to retighten each loc at the root.
The movie isn’t really for me, and after about fifteen minutes, it doesn’t seem like it’s for Jeremiah, either. He starts making offhand comments which opens up the floodgates for Jada and Ray to start snarking, too. The movie is too self-serious to take at face value.
“Hang on,” Jeremiah says, pausing the movie about forty minutes in. “Bathroom break.”
He hops up and goes down the hall. Without Jeremiah there as a buffer, Ray’s attention feels more direct. Ms. Beulah’s gaze isn’t helping. But Jada leans back against my leg, steadying me. It’s been fine so far—I don’t need to worry.
“The numbers for the hotel look great,” Ray says to Jada. “I’m proud of you.”
He must do the accounting for the hotel.
The pride on his face is so open and intense that I choose to look at Ms. Beulah instead.
My own father has never looked at me like that, much less said he was proud of me.
Even though it makes me uncomfortable, I’m glad he’s saying it to her. She’s dedicated to the hotel.
“Dad.” Jada looks shy. “It basically runs itself these days. Aside from the whole renovation situation.”
“Don’t discount your efforts,” he says, giving Ms. Beulah a scratch between her ears. “You’ve worked hard. It’s not easy.”
“Thanks.” Jada curls her knees up to her chest. “At least the renovation budget isn’t being blown up anymore. That was stressing me out.”
“Finally. It’ll fly by now that they’ve gotten the structure fixed up,” he says, then glances at me. “Have y’all discussed Stryker Liquors being served at the bar?”
“Not yet,” Jada says quickly. “I’ve talked to Rose about making cocktails for the menu, though.”
Ray nods slowly, and I can’t read his expression. Were we supposed to talk about it? Jada said something about her grandparents wanting her to work on the hotel with a partner, or at least have a partner to talk to. We’re not in a relationship, so why do I wish she’d confided in me?
“Let’s power through the rest of this,” Jeremiah says when he returns. “And no, I’m not going to hear anything about how y’all were right about this movie being boring.”
We finish the rest of the movie, and Jada takes some time after to finish up Jeremiah’s hair. I help Ray clear the dishes.
“Thank you, Ash,” he says as he puts the last bowl on the drying rack.
“It’s no problem. It was delicious.”
He glances back at Jada and Jeremiah in the living room, then at me. “She seems to be doing well.”
My nerves come swelling back, and the kitchen suddenly feels too small.
“Yeah. She is.” What else am I supposed to say?
“I’m glad.” He blows out a breath and opens a cabinet. “You know I was a little worried about how quickly y’all got married.”
“I know. So was everyone else.”
He smiles a little. “It seems like you’re both doing well. Thank you for taking care of her, even though she can take care of herself. The hotel is a lot, and even though the staff is great, I worry about her.”
I swallow the knot in my throat. “Of course.”
We go back out into the living room as Jada finishes Jeremiah’s hair. After saying our goodbyes, we head out.
“Sorry, was that horribly dull?” Jada asks when we get into the car.
“No, why?” I ask. “The movie sucked, but it was a chill time.”
“Dunno.” She shrugs and buckles her seat belt. “We were our regular selves. I’m sure your Fridays haven’t been as exciting as they used to be before you moved back.”
“They’re not, but it’s fine. I kind of need the down time.” I start up the car. “And partying all the time can be exhausting.”
“Being on, you mean? And social?”
“Yeah. Then there’s the whole social dynamic of being in the band, and all the bullshit around that.
” My shoulders relax. I used to love parties before the band got bigger and everyone wanted a piece of me for the wrong reasons.
I miss those days—even though I was getting wasted too often.
I wish I could go to a party with people I like now.
It wouldn’t be a big guest list, but it would be fun and end before the sun came up.
“Your dad’s worried about you,” I say once we’re on the road again. “That you’re secretly stressed about the renovation at the hotel.”
“Of course he is.” She snorts. “As if I’m good at hiding literally anything. Besides the origin of this marriage, I mean.”
I nod instead of telling her what else he said—that he’s glad I’m taking care of her. I’m not sure how she’d react to that, and I don’t know how I’d react relaying the information.
But I do like the idea of it. Not in an antiquated way, but in a “I have your back” kind of way. I’ve only had that kind of relationship with Dylan, and obviously, it wasn’t romantic. I want to keep being that kind of person, not the asshole with a chip on his shoulder.
“If you want to talk about it with me, you can. Or I can ask someone in sales about providing the liquor,” I say. That means talking with Jim more than I absolutely have to, but I’m willing to do it for Jada.
“You totally don’t have to.” She plays with the end of one of her locs.
“But would it help you?” I ask.
“Yes, because I’ve been putting it off a little.” She sighs. “I’ve met some of the guys in sales before and they’re kind of annoying.”
“Like my cousin, Jim?”
“Yep.”
I smile. “I’ll talk to him first thing Monday so you don’t have to deal with him as much.”
“Thank you.” She gives me a shy smile that makes my chest warm.
“It’s no problem.”