“What’s the story with you two?” I asked and walked to Kai, snatching the drumsticks from his hands, saying. “I’m sure you have another set of these.”
I handed the sticks to Ethan. He bounced up and down and ran over to the coffee table and began beating them against its wooden surface.
“Amazing Grace did my band’s first album cover.” He explained.
“Is that right?” I smirked, getting the feeling that she’d done more than just his album cover and I implied that by saying, “I’m getting the vibe that there’s more than that.”
“We had a moment.” She confirmed, looking down shyly as she ushered Ethan to the sofa and removed the sticks from his hands. He protested only slightly when he noticed her taking an iPad and a pair of Beats headphones from her tote bag. He wasted no time placing them on his head.
We all have those moments.
I smiled at the thought as I untangled cables and fiddled with my pedal board.
“We had many moments.” Kai corrected, and cruised over to his pack, taking out two new sticks.
My eyes darted to Grace as I tried not to show my interest in their history, even though I was screaming – what the fuck, internally. I looked to Ethan and he was content in his plugged in world with headphones as big as his head.
“So, you gonna give me the back story?” I looked between them.
Kai sat on the stool behind the drum kit checking out the snares. He ran his palm across the soft surface and tapped the drumhead lightly with his stick. Grace cleared her throat.
“We were just babies…before babies.” She threw one leg over the other and swung her foot up and down, staring at Kai, and then her eyes landed on me. “He decided to get some girl pregnant…” She paused for a long moment eyeing me with irony written all over her face and said, “And then I met my husband. Nothin’ much else to say.”
Kai didn’t look at her. His expression soured and I took that as a confirmation.
“He couldn’t say no to the young and impressionable ones.” Grace’s biting words got Kai to look up.
“Touché, love.” He accepted her insult with an obliging nod and looked to me. “For the record, we weren’t together.” Kai’s eyes slid back to Grace. “Taking the comfortable, secure route was in your cards.”
I was jolted to thinking Kai didn’t know her husband had died. How could he? I didn’t think he would have dealt such an insensitive hand if he had. Grace looked down at Ethan and stroked his cheek.
“Maybe we should go, Jake, I…” She said, calmly.
“No.” Kai cut in. “I’m sorry. Please don’t leave.”
She looked at him with uncertainty. I didn’t want her to leave either.
“Stay.” I said.
I strummed my guitar and the sound vibrated through the room and Ethan looked up, wide-eyed, pulling off his headphones.
At the end of our rehearsal, I checked my phone and Aly had sent a text telling me she was cooking dinner, and to let her know when I was on my way home. My little homemaker. This was the first meal she was cooking for us since we lived together in New York.
Bobby said a speedy goodbye and took off to his apartment in West Hollywood. Grace was my ride home and I looked over my shoulder to tell her I would be ready to leave in few minutes, but Kai had her attention. He was sitting on the coffee table, elbows on his knees facing her. She looked coy, wearing a tight-lipped smile. I felt a tinge of something unsettling. For a moment, I thought maybe I was jealous, but that wasn’t it. I felt protective. If it weren’t for the fact that Kai was just as successful as I was, I’d be cock-blocking him so fast.
No opportunist here.
“Hey, I’ll be ready in a minute.” I said, loudly, without looking at them.
Okay, maybe a little cock blocking.
“Okay…you hear that Ethan? Let’s go.”
I heard Kai’s heavy steps behind me. “These are interesting times, my friend.” He gripped my shoulder in passing and went to his backpack. “How’d you two hook up, anyway?”
I wondered if Grace told him she was a widow. I glanced over my shoulder at her considering what to say to Kai.
“Her neighbor, Gabe. He’s my driver.” I answered.
Kai nodded, distracted. He scowled saying, “Fucking little sister. She’s telling me she’s not here.” The muscles in his jaw flexed. He punched his finger aggressively at the screen and put the phone to his ear. “Hello? What the hell? Yeah…so fucking what! Let me remind you, that’s my car. I ask you for one favor and you can’t even do that. Way to go…yeah…hurry your ass up.”
“You need a ride? I’m hitching a ride with Grace.”
“Naw, man. She’ll be here eventually.”
“I can give you a ride,” Grace offered, sweetly. “If it’s not in the opposite direction.”
I snapped my guitar case shut and moved to my pedals, placing them in their box.
“Thanks, but it’s okay.” He ran his hands over his sweaty hair and dug in his pocket, pulling out a red elastic band. He tied his hair into a man-bun. “I need to get my car outta the shop, anyway. She better hurry up, they close at five.”
It was 3:30 PM.
“That’s iffy, man.” I frowned. “Total foul on her. How old is she?”
“Sixteen. My stepsister. My old man remarried.” He explained.
I was wondering about the age differential. Kai was about thirty. “How old are you, again?”
“Thirty-three.”
“That’s right.”
“You?”
“Twenty-five”
“A baby.” He laughed and pulled his backpack onto his shoulder.
We stood outside of the studio and I watched Kai as he paid extra attention to Grace’s every move. I sent Aly a text informing her we were on our way home and walked to the trunk of Grace’s car, parked just a few spots down from the studio door. Ethan ran over to me and I wondered how old Kai’s kid was. I knew he was married but wasn’t sure if he’d married the mother of is kid. I recalled some news of a divorce and wondered about that, too.
“I’m gonna go back inside.” He gestured to the studio door. “Let me know the schedule for next week as soon as possible. I have other rehearsals.”
“You got it. Where’s your sis coming from?” I asked, feeling bad about leaving him there.
“Santa Monica.”
“Wait…she’s still in Santa Monica?”
“Pretty sure.” He said, miserably. “She said she was gonna go shopping in Hollywood, stay in the vicinity.”
“Kai, I can give you a ride. It’s no big deal.” Grace insisted. “Please.”
Kai’s eyes wandered affectionately over Grace, from head to toe. I could feel his want of her and it was killing me. I wanted to remark with something smart and pictured myself throwing a bucket of cold water over him.
“You sure?”
“I wouldn’t offer if I wasn’t sure, silly.” Grace giggled.
Oh geez.
When Kai sat in the back seat, Ethan didn’t like it.
“I want Jake!” He whined.
“Ethan! You behave or you’re going to your room when we get home.” Grace scolded.
His chin fell to his chest with a pout, mumbling, “I want Jake.”
Kai kicked open the door. “You got it, little man. Chinese Fire Drill.”
We switched spots and were finally on our way back to the beach.
24
Jake
Traffic made it impossible for Kai to collect his car by the repair shop’s closing hour. We didn’t make it back to the west side until nearly 6 PM. I was having such a great time reminiscing with Grace and Kai that I invited them home to dinner. I raved to Kai about Grace’s graphic design talent, picturing the album covers lining the walls of her house. Being tied-in with the record labels she’d designed the covers, and befriended many of the same musicians, Kai and I both toured with in our early years.
The three of us busted through the front door
of my house after dropping Ethan at home. Kai and I bantered about who had it tougher on tour on our rise up the music charts. I won with the broken hand, breaking my former guitarist’s nose, and almost ending up in jail, all in one day. We stepped into the foyer and I leaned my guitar case against the wall. Kai sat the other gear cases down next to it.
“Mmm,” Kai hummed and sniffed the mouth-watering aroma. “Someone’s cooking somethin’ good.”
Grace’s lively expression faded as we turned into the den area from the foyer. I followed her stare across the room into the kitchen. Aly stood at the stove wearing a little white apron with red dots splattered on it, holding a large black spoon. She looked shocked to see the three of us standing there.
“Hello, everyone.” Aly said, fanning her fingers at us. She didn’t sound happy, even though a smile appeared on her face. My gut sank when I noticed the two wine glasses and flickering candles on the counter.
Shit.
“Alycat,” I said in a cheerful pitch, an attempt to shift the mood. “Meet Kai and Grace.”
“Nice to meet you, Alycat.” Kai said and wore a silly grin. He stuffed his hands into his pants pockets, looking around the room.
“Hello, Aly.” Grace waved.
Aly opened the oven and placed a baking dish into it. She moved to the sink and rinsed her hands. I sailed in quickly to her side and took her waist in my hands. I kissed her ear, whispering, “Sorry. I wasn’t thinking.”
“It’s okay.” She said, with a hint of disappointment, and shrugged, giving me a peck on the chin. “Thank goodness I made lasagna. I can make a bigger salad, too.”
I kissed her hard on the cheek. “She made lasagna!” I announced and offered our guests a drink, “Water? Beer? Wine?”
“Aly, we don’t mean to impose.” Grace said, apologetic. “I get the impression Jake failed to mention we were coming home with him.”
Aly chuckled, saying, “It’s okay. There’s enough.”
“I promise next time I’ll ask.” I bowed my head over praying hands and turned my attention to Grace and Kai. “I’ve been without her for far too long. She needs to put my training wheels back on.”
Dinner was mouth-watering, with enlightening, but cautious tales of how Kai and Grace came to know each other. They were very young. Their story was not that different from ours – passionate, bittersweet and perhaps tragic, depending how you looked at it. I was shocked to find out that Kai hadn’t seen his kid since infancy and it disturbed him greatly. The parallel between our stories was immense. The news sent a shockwave through me. Aly and Grace wore similar expressions of empathy. Their eyes looked to me, wondering if I would divulge my eerily relatable situation.
“I don’t mean to be a fuckin’ downer.” Kai shook his head and wiped his eyes. “It’s fucked. I try not to think about it.”
“The battles of life. I’m sorry, Kai.” Grace sighed, almost sounding flippant, but Kai didn’t react. Aly shot me a look. “I think it’s time to go. I’m gonna walk home.” Grace concluded and slid her chair back, looking to Aly. “Alyssa, thank you for a lovely evening.”
Kai’s stature stiffened, startled by her abrupt decision to leave.
“Um, it’s dark. Maybe your husband should pick you up.” He suggested with unknowing ease.
My heart sank.
Kai has no idea he’s dead.
Aly kicked my foot from under the table, looking for me to say something.
Grace looked uncomfortable and I realized now that she’d avoided telling him all night, for whatever her reasons. She brushed her hair back over her shoulder and her eyes floated over the three of us. A slack smile came to her face. “I’m no longer married.”
Kai’s eyes sparked and his mouth gaped in astonishment. “Grace.” He murmured her name, consolatory, and stammered saying, “I’m…I’ll…I’ll walk you home.”
Grace wrung her hands and looked hesitant, but agreed. “It’s kind of far.” She warned. “About a mile away.”
“More reason to go with you.” He insisted. “I need to walk off the two bottles of wine, anyway. They’ve made me…uneasy.”
Grace excused herself to the bathroom and I took the chance to have a firm word with Kai. “Tread lightly.” I warned.
“Why didn’t you say something? Why didn’t she?” He looked flabbergasted.
“Not my story to tell.”
He sniffed, somber. “Must still be contentious between ‘em if she didn’t mention it.” He grimaced. “I never liked the guy.”
I didn’t get a chance to correct his theory when Grace emerged from the hallway. Kai cast me away in two steps. The two of them glided together in one fluid movement that held something heavy.
Grace thanked me one last time, with barely a glance, and walked out the door. Kai lingered a moment, as if waiting for me to give him one last explanation. Without giving too much away, I offered, “Second chances, man.”
He nodded, tight-lipped, and shut the door.
Aly and I sat at the dining table for several quiet minutes, finishing the wine. She slowly began stacking dishes on top of each other. She had a funny look on her face, like she was upset at how the night had turned out.
“I’m sorry.” I groveled. “I promise next time I’ll let you know.”
I helped Aly clean the kitchen and we rehashed the relationship between Grace, Kai, and myself for a few more minutes. I voiced my concern about Grace, and Kai’s reentry into her life.
Aly was at the sink and all of a sudden turned to face me, the water still running at her back. “I have something for you…and…and something to say about what’s going on with you.” She said with a tenacious nod. “I don’t care about them.”
“Okay, baby.” I said calmly, going to her. I kissed her gently on the cheek and reached around her turning off the water. I held her arm. She was shaking. “What’s wrong?”
She took in a deep breath. “Grace didn’t tell you that we talked?”
I shook my head no and took her hand in mine, leading her away from the kitchen. “What’s this all about?”
I couldn’t imagine why she would be so disturbed. This was probably the only time in the existence of us as a couple that I wasn’t too nervous about what she was going to confront me with. I hadn’t done anything wrong.
“Sit down, tell me what’s the matter.” I directed. She exhaled heavily and plopped down stiffly on the couch; acting as if I was forcing her to do something she didn’t want to do. I didn’t know what else to say so I asked, “Do you want a another glass of wine?”
She barely nodded, clutching her throat.
Now I was worried.
I watched her carefully as I cranked the wine opener down into the cork. She got up without a word and disappeared toward the bathroom. That’s where I thought she was going, but she returned with a brown box in her hands. One that looked like it had been delivered.
“What’s that?”
“It’s a present.” A little smile crooked at her lips and she shrugged. “I hid it in the hallway closet.”
“Alycat, you don’t need to be buying me any presents.”
She smiled coyly. “It’s a very important present.” Her voice shook and she coughed. “So, Grace really didn’t mention our talk?”
“No. What’s up? What happened?” I asked more sharply and handed her a glass of wine. I sat down close and bent one leg up on the cushion to face her. “Tell me.”
There was a strange tension between us and I sipped anxiously from a stemless glass watching her as she struggled with how to begin. “I ran into Grace the other day when I went for an early morning run. The same morning you left before dawn.”
“Okay.”
She looked to the box sitting on the coffee table, then back to me. “I guess it doesn’t really matter what we talked about.”
“Maybe it does if it’s got you all riled up like this.” I frowned, a bit perturbed that Grace didn’t tell me, and that she got Aly all upset.
&nbs
p; Aly reached for my hand and with the other she touched my face. Her exotic eyes bore into mine. The flecks of green, brown, and amber shimmered. Her fingertips brushed over my cheek and neck with a lightness of a feather, sending chills running all over my skin. She ran her hand down my chest and over my thigh, resting it on my knee. The feeling it gave me was electrifying, so powerful I closed my eyes. No other girl had ever touched me the way she did – so lovingly, so delicately, so meaningfully.
I opened my eyes when I felt her hands move away. She reached for the box and sat it between us.
“Wait.” I said, raising my hand. “Since we’re giving gift, I have one, too.”
“No.” She protested. “This first, please.”
“Okay.” I said slowly, with surrendering hands.
She tipped her head at the box. “Open it.”
I took the box into my lap. There were no labels indicating where it came from. It was just a small, square, corrugated shipping box and I edged the clear tape up by my fingernail. After stripping the tape away, I unfolded the top. Black tissue paper loosely packed the inside. I stuck my hand in and felt around. Something hard hit my knuckles. I removed the tissue and a smaller black box revealed itself.
My eyes met Aly’s wanting her to explain. She had her hands laced together at her mouth. Her teeth pressed into her index finger. I took the box out and couldn’t imagine what was inside.
“Open it.” She coaxed again.
I cracked it open and lifted the small lid. My heart bounced, stunned at what my eyes were seeing. Was this really happening? I looked up to Aly and her eyes glistened with tears.
“Wha…”
“Shhh.” She put her hand up between us. “Let me explain. I know that this probably isn’t how you wanted it to go…but…I wanted more than words…here…between us. I want you to know that I love you…more than words…” Aly’s voice quivered with emotion and she tried sniffing back tears, but they rolled out from her eyes. She hastily wiped them away. I kept swallowing over and over again, trying to hold back my own tears. “You never gave up on me…and I don’t want you to give up on your son either…” Her chin sank to her chest and a silent sob shook her shoulders.
Love Amplified (Heavy Influence Book 3) Page 15