Page 79 of Cabin Fever Baby
The three of them bent their head over the pages. The language of music was nearly indecipherable to me, but my muscles relaxed as Q melted into the moment.
Rory came into the living room with a beer. He stopped at Ivy and gave her a quick kiss. “I promise, we’re not going to work all night.”
She shook her head. “You know that’s a lie.” She nodded her head toward the guys. Three acoustic guitars had appeared, and the coffee table had been pushed back to make more room.
Rory sighed. “I’m really sorry.”
“Don’t be.” She looped an arm around his back. “Ellie just texted me that she has an opening for tonight. I’m going to drop Rhiannon at her bestie’s house, and you guys can play.”
“What about Ocean?”
I glanced from Ivy to Rory. “Actually, I have an ulterior motive for my visit. And it has to do with Ivy.”
“Oh.” He looked blankly at me, then realization dawned. “Oh, girl talk.” He looked as if he had more questions, but then he just shook his head. “My ginger fairy will fix it all. I’ll leave her in your capable hands.”
Ivy rolled her eyes. “You just want to go play with your friends.”
“They are my best mates…”
“Go. I’m going to go spend your money on very fabulous hair.”
He laughed as he headed over to the guys. “You already have fabulous hair, love.”
Ivy waved him off. “We all need a little spiffing up,” she whispered to me. “Honestly, this works out. Especially since I have a very special present for Rory for Christmas.”
“Mama!” Rhiannon clomped over, still in her boots. “Can we go to Katie’s house now? Da’s being boring with his music friends.”
We both laughed.
“Get your coat on.” Ivy tucked a strand of ginger hair around Rhiannon’s ear.
She nodded and took off, clomping to the closet.
“I’m sorry to kind of put you on the spot, but I’m a little desperate.”
“Really? What can I do to help?”
“How about I drive, and I’ll tell you in the car?”
“Deal.” Ivy grinned. “I hate driving at night.”
We all put on our winter gear again and waved to the men, who barely looked up. They’d be at it for hours, I feared.
Rhiannon sang along to Taylor Swift as we drove the winding roads of the suburbs to her bestie’s place a few streets over.
“Is something wrong with Quentin?”
“Oh, no. This is all about my drama.”
“Good.”
I laughed.
Ivy snorted. “Sorry, I didn’t mean it that way. I just know Ian has been through the ringer with the fame stuff. I didn’t want it to be the same for Quentin.”
Since the trip to Katie’s house was so short, I didn’t get into my story until after we dropped off Ivy’s daughter.
Katie’s mom waved from the porch as Rhiannon jumped down from the backseat. “See you later, Mom!”