Chapter 32
Chapter Thirty-Two
Jonah
I didn’t doubt for a second that Vivian would win. But hearing Roz say his name was so cool. I’m so proud of him.
Vivian kisses me and goes to the stage to accept the trophy and the prize money. Roz says something to him, and Vivian nods. Then he turns and holds the trophy up like he’s won a Grammy. I clap so hard that my hands start to hurt and my cheeks ache from smiling so much.
Frankie’s boss, Mr. Rainey, stops by to officially offer Vivian the job.
“This is amazing. Thank you,” Vivian says. “May I have a few days to think about it?”
He blinks a few times. “Of course. We’ll be in touch.”
Everyone’s hugging and laughing when Carolynda pulls me aside. “I’m worried about your dad.”
I wipe the sweat off my brow. “I don’t know what to do. If he won’t accept us…” I leave it hanging because what if he doesn’t? What if he wants me to choose between him and Vivian?
Her face is pinched. “No, I agree. But he’s not answering his phone, and I’m worried about the heat.”
God, I’ve been so upset with him that I didn’t even think about the heat. What if he needs help? I pat her arm. “I’ll go look for him.”
“Thank you, Jonah.” She squeezes my arm.
I tell Vivian where I’m going, and he offers to go with me, but I wave him off. This is something I need to do. And I want him to enjoy his time in the spotlight.
Weaving through the booths, I think about where he might be. Is there anything he’d be interested in looking at?
He was so upset. What if he left? But that possibility doesn’t bother me. If he left, he’ll come back for Carolynda and Maisy.
After the third time ending up at the same booth—I got turned around the first two times—I realize someone is following me. I swing around and come face-to-face with Vivian’s dad.
He looks uncomfortably hot in his fancy suit. “Are you following me?”
“I’d like to talk to you…” He clears his throat. “Jonah.”
“Glad to see you know who I am.” The snark isn’t necessary, but damn, it feels good. “Go ahead.”
“Can we go someplace a little less crowded?” He nods to a small area that is mostly clear of people. “How about over there?”
I want to tell him to fuck off. But this is Vivian’s dad, so I nod and follow him.
“Okay, talk.” I need this to be as short as possible so I can find my dad.
A muscle in his jaw ticks, but his voice is calm. “I believe you want to do the best thing for Vivian. This job is his best chance at success. As you might know, he’s been…floundering. Lost. For a while now.”
I cross my arms. “Shouldn’t you be having this conversation with him?” And then I get it. “You’re worried he’ll turn this job down for me.” That’s the last thing I want, but I don’t mention that to him. “I want Vivian to follow his dreams in whatever way makes him happy.”
He scoffs. “I used to be that na?ve.”
I snort that. “Okay, good talk.”
When I start to walk away, he says, “Vivian is very dramatic. High maintenance, I think they call it. And you’re…” He looks me over and obviously finds me lacking. “You’re a farm boy. Do you really think you can make him happy?”
“Vivian doesn’t need your help. He can decide who he wants on his own. But to answer your question, I’ll do everything within my power to make him happy. You have an amazing son—”
“You think I don’t know that?”
“Exactly. I don’t think you do.”
His laugh is harsh. “Vivian changes his interests and his boyfriends constantly. He’ll get bored with you. But until that happens, I want to make sure he doesn’t give up on his dreams.”
His words are designed to hurt me. But I don’t even feel them. He doesn’t know Vivian at all.
“How dare you.” My dad’s voice shocks me out of my staring match with Vivian’s dad. His face is bright red, and I’m not sure if it’s from anger or the heat. Dad shakes his finger at Mr. Beauchesne. “You know nothing about either of these boys. Vivian is a great kid.”
“This isn’t any of your business—”
“Like hell it isn’t. Vivian is my stepson.
And I want to thank you for sending him to us.
He’s a joy to have around.” Dad takes a deep breath, still not looking at me.
“And don’t you dare say another word against my son.
I may not understand everything that’s going on, but he’s a good man.
Loyal. Protective. I have no doubt he’ll make Vivian happy.
” He shakes his head. “You don’t have the right to judge them.
And neither do I.” He finally looks at me.
“I’m sorry, Jonah. I reacted badly. I love both you boys—”
“How touching.” Mr. Beauchesne tugs on his sleeves.
“Some things never change, Renato. You’re just as much a prick as you were when we were married.” Carolynda gives him a disgusted look and then turns to Dad. “George? Are you okay?” She takes his hand.
He looks like he’s about to cry. “I’m sorry.”
“We’re okay.” She kisses his cheek. And then she gives Mr. Beauchesne her full attention. “Why are you here?”
“Not that it’s any of your business, but I’m here to support my son.”
“That’s a first, isn’t it?”
He sneers at her. “Vivian doesn’t need his mother to fight his battles for him.”
My hands tighten into fists. I am not one for violence, but this man could use being taken down a peg or two.
“You’re right, Father. I don’t need anyone to fight for me.”
My head jerks up. Vivian is glaring at his father, and Frankie is holding a tired-looking Maisy in her arms.
“But it is nice to have backup. Carry on, Mom.”
His father sneers at him. “You were always weak—”
“That’s where you’re wrong. Others standing up for me, having my back, doesn’t make me weak. It makes me stronger.”
“I am not releasing your trust fund—”
“I’m done with that threat, Father. Don’t release the money. The only reason I ever cared about it is because Uncle Henri wanted me to have it. So do what you want. Either way, I’m finding a lawyer.”
“You can’t afford one, and no one here is in any position to help you.”
“This is where friends come in handy.” He ignores his dad and reaches for my hand. “Are you okay?”
I nod and kiss him. His father makes a disgusted noise and stomps off. Good riddance. “You know lawyers?”
“Roz said they could help me find someone.”
I grin. “Look at you making friends.”
Dad approaches us like he does a mare after it births a new foal. Very carefully. “I’m sorry. I overreacted.”
“You also told off my father. That was impressive.”
Dad rubs the back of his neck. “You heard that?”
“I did.”
“Well, he was being a jerk. And so was I.”
“Now that everyone’s happy and not being jerks,” Frankie says, shifting her hold on Maisy. “Can we get out of this heat? I’m exhausted.”
“You know what used to make Jonah happy after a long, stressful day?”
I duck my head. “Stop, Dad. I’m not five anymore.”
“You don’t have to be a kid to love ice cream.”
Maisy jerks her head up. “Ice cream?”
“Why, you little faker.” But Frankie’s grinning at her with something like pride on her face. God help us all.
We go for ice cream, and it’s a nice end to a very long day. We’re supposed to spend one more day in San Diego before heading back, but to hell with the schedule. It’s already fucked.
Vivian and I are in the bathroom brushing our teeth—together—when I finally broach the subject. “I want to do whatever works best for you. If that’s this job in San Diego, we can make that work.”
He spits into the sink and rinses his mouth. “What if I want to do what’s best for both of us?”
It sounds nice in theory. “I love you, Vivian. I want to be with you, but I can’t let you give up on your dreams.”
He dries off his hands and pulls me into his arms. “Sweetie, I am not your mother. I already know what I want.”
“You do?”
He nods. “I want to finish this vacation with a bang—only not a literal bang. Once was enough, thank you. I want to see every single stupid touristy thing we can find during the day—including the robotic dinosaurs—and then, I want to spend my nights getting bossed around by a certain farm boy.”
“That does sound nice.” I brush my thumb over the fading bruise. So much has changed since that night we sang karaoke, when I only wanted to take care of him. Now, I get to spend forever with him. “What about after our vacation?”
He shrugs and gives me his smile that usually means trouble. “Let’s just say, we have options.” Vivian kisses me and leaves the bathroom.
I follow him. “Options? What options?”
He grabs a card out of his bag and holds it up. I snatch it from him. It’s a business card. “Roz?”
“Yup. They want me to call them.”
“About what? A job?” Then a thought hits me, and I grab his arm. “What if they want you to perform with them in Vegas?”
“Slow down. That’s unlikely. The point is, we have options. And nothing has to be decided today.”
“So, San Diego is still a possibility?”
“All this time, I didn’t feel like I was part of the family. But I was so wrong. You and Dad and Carolynda and Maisy and Baby Hank—”
“No. Never.”
“You’re all my family. And now that I have it, I don’t want to give it up.”
“So, you’re going to continue living in Hopeview?”
“Oh, hell no. Roz has a place in California. But they also have a place in Kansas City. And it’s not too far from Mule Creek.” He grins at me. “Know anyone looking for a roommate?”