Page 25 of C*cky Best Friend
Grandpa Michael has become a lot more talkative after he retired from politics. But tonight he’s just smiling in a silent way like the performance made him speechless.
Grandma Nance is his opposite. She is going on and on, gushing until finally Hannah says, “Grandma, where is Grams?”
“She had a cold last week and the cough has stuck around. One of her friends drove her here tonight, and they left since Samantha saw her and she was able to say hello from the audience.” Turning to me, she adds, “Grams didn’t have the energy to come backstage, honey, but she said she knew you’d be that good. It was no surprise to her.”
I laugh, and hug Max as he tells me, “Wow, just wow. I wish Caden was here to see that!”
“I know!” I sigh, pulling back with a sad smile. “I was thinking the same thing.”
“I videoed some of it to send to him.”
“You’re not supposed to do that!”
“So?”
I smack his arm and look at Hunter. He jerks his chin up at me, shoving hands in his pockets on a proud smirk.
With the albums Dad’s produced, and the music careers Mom’s managed, they’re thoughtful to call an end to the family congratulations.
“Are you going out with the cast tonight?” Mom asks, intending everyone to know.
Dad nods, “We’ve taken up enough of your time.”
I smile, “We’re going to the Vortex. You guys wanna come?!”
Mom rolls her eyes. “No, honey, this is your big night and you should be with the people who understand what it took to get here. We just wanted to be in the audience watching you shine.”
Hannah gives me a hug. “I have a sitter watching Clara.”
“Where is Emma?”
“Big as a whale, so she needed the beach. Aka her couch. She’ll come before the run is over, but she backed out at the last minute because her feet wouldn’t fit into anything other than slippers.”
Her MMA husband, Tobias, slips me a flask. “Take this to the party.”
“Woodford Reserve?”
“Like you’d drink whiskey.”
My jaw drops on a grin. “You don’t know what I drink! Maybe I take it straight.” Glancing to Grandpa Michael I demure, “I’m kidding!”
He gives me a wary look with humor crinkling his sharp, green eyes. “You better be.”
Turning comically away I whisper loud enough for everyone to hear me, “Seriously, what’s in this?”
“A green smoothie.”
“No, you didn’t!”
Tobias’s deep laugh shakes his shoulders. “Congratulations, Sam.” Turning to Hannah he says, “We could tell the sitter to wait.”
“No, Aunt Sarah’s right. Let Sammy be with her cast tonight. And that lead, wow! Was it just me or is there something between you?”
Everyone is interested. I throw up my hands. “Too soon, guys, too soon!”
We say our goodbyes and Zoe whispers to me, “He’s beautiful,” right before she goes.
Hunter lags behind the others. He throws me a look and shakes his head.