Page 43 of C*cky Best Friend
Chapter Eighteen
Samantha
Lexi wasn’t home, and she’s not answering her phone, so I’ve driven over to talk to Mom and Dad at his studio. Framed platinum records line the path to his second home behind a soundboard. Beside him, cut into the wall, is a glass case, where the old one he worked behind when he first met Mom rests on display. Technology has advanced, but he likes the reminder of where it all started. He has a thing for nostalgia. Dad has always been a huge romantic.
My cousin Gabriel walks out of the sound booth, surprising me with a big hug. “Samantha, how is your play going?”
“Gabriel! I didn’t know you were here. And it’s called a musical.”
He winks at me, “What I do is music.”
My hands crash onto my hips. “Oh, so you’re gonna play it like that, are you?”
“Since you won’t dance at my concerts, you think I’d go easy on you? Have you met me?”
“Hip-hop is not my strong suit. I keep telling you that! How many times do I have to keep telling you that?”
“You’re better than most of the dancers I’ve got on the payroll. Don’t tell them I said it.” He waves to Mom and Dad. “I’ll catch you guys later. Oh, Uncle Jason, I want to ditch the third track for Halo’s Eve.”
“No!”
“We’ll talk later.”
“I’m not budging on this, Gabriel!” Dad shouts.
Mom pats the couch next to her. “Don’t let him get a rise out of you. If he had his way he’d steal you from us and we’d be down another child.”
My smile falters as I sit with her while Gabriel smirks, “For a good cause!”
Dad shouts, “Yeah, yours! Don’t let the door hit you on the way out, ya selfish bastard.”
Gabriel’s laughter disappears as the lock clicks. Everything is soundproofed.
Mom mutters, “Don't call your nephew a bastard, Jason.”
“You always do.”
“But I’m me.”
As they banter, I’m silently wondering how I could have forgotten that this might not be good news. I’ve been so caught up in the glitz, it never occurred to me what happened when we all had dinner with Caden right before he moved to Chicago. It was so painful, especially for Mom and Dad. She hasn’t been the same. Sadness is in the back of her eyes even when she smiles. Only big events like Isabella being born, and my opening night, have taken it away, temporarily. “What is it you wanted to tell us?” Mom asks as she moves a velvet cushion behind her back for better support.
I glance between her and Dad, my breath held. He tilts his head to the side and leans back in his chair. “Everything okay with Lexi?”
My gaze drops to his purple carpet. “It’s not always about Lexi.”
There’s an awkward silence before Mom says, “What is it, Sam?”
I flick a glance to her but…I can’t stand how this feels, so my eyelashes drop back down. “I think I’m falling in love.”
Dad stands up, shoving his hands in his pockets like the Cocker men do when they’re uncomfortable. “With Asher?”
“Who else would it be?”
“Jason,” Mom warns.
“I was just making sure we were talking about the same person.”
I cross my legs and pick up a silver throw pillow, hugging it to me.