Chapter 34
thirty-four
JUDE
An hour later, I’m enjoying the music, the company, and the feel of Greer’s ass in my lap. Mudbug’s breaking open a new bottle of whiskey for shooters when Folgers commands my attention. He gestures ahead of us, past where the crowd’s lingering. “You’ve got company.”
Couyon’s just pulled up to the dock, the airboat’s approach left unheard over the booming harmony of the Zydeco band. If he’s in an airboat instead of his bike, there’s a passenger on the boat.
I suck in a breath when the light hits an old baseball cap. He’s wearing his usual tan fishing shirt with the company logo. I bring the plastic cup to my lips, eager for more liquor to hit my bloodstream.
“Is that your grandpa?” Greer asks.
I shake my head. “Dad. He had kids later in life.”
He’s shown up, which means he knows it’s a special day in my life. I know the club blacklists my brother-in-law, but I didn’t think they’d invite Pops.
My old man looks uncharacteristically dazed as he steps off the airboat. I take another sip of my drink, move Greer off my lap, and decide to meet him halfway.
If I won’t do it figuratively, I can at least do it in the literal sense.
With my arm draped over the shoulders of a woman he’s never met, and full patches on my back, I wait for my father on the well lit path from the dock.
Life on the water has been good for him. His light tan gives him a glow of good health, and the once permanent bulge in his front shirt pocket is notably absent. I guess he really did quit smoking for good.
I can’t blame my father for anything that’s happened between my sister and me. He’s a lost soul without Mom. We’ve tried prompting him to find a lady friend, but he only nags me to settle down and give him grandkids.
If he only knew.
When he looks up in my direction, the crow's feet around his eyes deepen. He holds out his hand in greeting, an eager grin growing on his face. “I hear we have reason to celebrate with you, son.”
I take his palm in mine. “There is. Thank you for coming.”
“I showed up at the garage last week looking for you. Couyon said you were out of town, but invited me to this shindig.” There’s a question in his voice, one that’s going to be left unanswered.
Greer’s hand is on my back the entire time, my life raft when I’m drowning in a swell of emotions. “Guess it was a good opportunity for you to meet one another,” I remark, turning my focus to my old lady.
“I heard you were seeing one of the Guidrys,” he says, inspecting Greer over his glasses. “You Regina’s granddaughter?”
I feel Greer’s muscles tighten for a moment. “Yes, do you know one another?”
He laughs, “I used to run into Regina at the Friday night dances. I haven’t seen her in forever. Last I heard, she’d just run off that second husband of hers and was on the prowl for a third.”
“She succeeded. Two more times,” Greer confesses. “She’d have a fifth husband, but the groom's children pulled him out of the nursing home before they could get married.”
Dad chuckles with his whole body, then prods, “Can you dance like her?”
My body stiffens because I know exactly what my father is about to do. The only person Greer’s dancing with is me. “Her blood sugar’s been low tonight,” I growl.
“Don’t be ridiculous,” Greer says with a dismissive wave. She drops her hand from around me and tries to move towards Dad.
I jerk her back to my side. “But, Baby Doll…”
“I’m dancing with your father, Jude,” she says in a sugared tone.
When I turn accusing eyes on my father, he’s looking between us. My sister clearly told him about Greer’s diabetes, since he’s not at all surprised.
A waltz starts up its slow beat, and the fiddler switches places with the bass player as lead singer.
“I don’t know the steps to the waltz,” Greer apologizes as she leaves my fucking side and goes straight to my father.
“It’s been a long time, but I believe I can remember,” Dad says in the charming voice he reserves for the female customers.
And he’s using it on my woman.
I pull in deep breaths, not wanting to cause a scene. I notice every detail, the position of Dad’s every finger on her upper back as they find their spot, the grasp of their clasped hands. As my father seems to start telling a story, each millisecond is a trial.
Beautiful Greer tosses back her head with a laugh, the sound buried in the music. Before I’ve blinked, I’ve closed the distance between us, not so subtly cut in and gathered Baby Doll into my arms.
Mine, all of it. Every bit of it, from her laughs, fumbled waltz steps, and even the scowl now directed at me. After I loop her arms around to lead her into a half turn, she accuses, “You didn’t make it a full chorus.”
“What was so funny?” I bite out.
“You were. Your father bet you’d only make it a third of the way through the dance before cutting in. I told him you’d make it at least halfway. Guess I was wrong.”
I make a displeased sound, “I’ve only danced with you twice tonight.”
“And we have the rest of the evening,” she placates.
“My party, my rules.”
She laughs like it’s the most ridiculous thing she’s ever heard, “Who am I to rain on your parade?”
As I guide her through the steps, I look through the crowd searching for Dad.
Someone’s given him a plate, and he’s standing with some of the older brothers, being made welcome.
Solomon pats him on the shoulder in greeting, and it makes me hope Dad comes to more club events.
He doesn’t socialize nearly enough, swearing the grandkids and work keep him busy.
When the song ends, Greer leans her head against my chest and makes a low, happy sound. “Should we check on your dad?”
Both our heads crane toward my father. He’s nursing a beer, gesturing with his hands as if to show the size of a fish. “He looks like he’s enjoying himself without us.”
A spark of hope grows in my stomach, one I try to dampen with the same suddenness that it came. It’ll be easier than being disappointed.
“So, good day?” she asks.
“Definitely top three.”
“So what were the other two?”
“The day I made a U-turn and chased down a redhead in a VW convertible because I knew I had to make her mine.”
She blinks fast, mouth open. “That’s only two….”
“I’m saving the third for when you marry me.”