“Leave, Alicia, or I’ll call the police,” Tess ordered.
“I just need Hannah to come back home. Your father has plenty of children. He doesn’t need her. You think that he gives a shit about her?” She laughed. “He doesn’t and neither does that woman.”
“Oh my God, you still live in denial.” Tess chuckled. “Let me guess, you want her back so you can get a couple of years worth of child support.”
“It’s none of your business,” Alicia said, pushing Tess.
I caught her by the waist, breaking the fall.
“Forget it, she’s not going back.” Tess continued, her voice strong though her body trembled under my hands.
“You’re a useless bitch,” the woman said, raising her hand. I stopped it mid-air. She wasn’t touching Tess.
“I should’ve aborted you.”
My back stiffened as I saw Tess’s face crumbling. I released her body and moved in between them. “Ma’am, I’m going to ask you to leave the premises.”
Honestly, I didn’t see it coming. Her fist, punching me right in the nose and her knee kicking me square in the balls.
“Mind your own fucking business,” she said and then stared at Tess. “Hannah’s coming back with me. You’ll see.”
“Have a nice trip to jail, Mommy dearest,” Tess snarled as her mother left.
“Fuck, my insurance doesn’t cover crazy bitch rants,” I mumbled covering my bleeding nose.
“Come on,” Tess said, handing me a tissue. “Let’s take you home. Dad will know what to do.”
I walked behind them, trying to block the pain and the nosy bystanders. Tess shoulder’s hunched as we reached the small black SUV, her hands shook when she reached out to the remote.
“Why don’t you let me drive?” I suggested.
“No, it’s fine,” she stuttered a little.
“Hey,” I said, turning her around and lifting her chin.
Her eyes were red. Her body shook either in rage or fear. I pulled her into my arms and held her tight. “Everything is fine. She’s gone. And I’m fucking happy that you’re here, in this world.”
“You don’t even know me.”
Yet, I feel like we’ve known each other forever. As if you’re a part of me. Such a weird sensation.
“Let’s get you home,” I suggested, pushing away all the nonsense in my head.
“It’s fine,” she said.
“I’m okay,” she repeated quietly.
“You’re allowed to be upset, Tess,” I said, concerned by her dismissal.
“Tessy, let him drive us. You look too upset,” Hannah agreed with me.
“She has no right to come here and try to bully you into going back,” she growled. “I made sure of that. Do you think it was easy telling everyone what she did to me? I’m not going to allow this.”
Okay, she wasn’t scared. She was freaking mad. Her voice boomed louder than her mother’s.
“Get in the car. You don’t want to make another scene. Hannah’s going to have a hard time tomorrow.”
Tess stiffened, closing her eyes briefly. After a couple of breaths, she got in the car.
“We’ll figure this out,” I promised and shut her door.
I had no idea why I felt that intense need to protect her.
Seven
Gage
Before I began driving, I had to ask them if they had more tissues since my nose continued to bleed. Hannah offered a couple of tampons with a smirk on her face. I accepted them and took a quick inventory of myself. My jacket was ruined, and the shirt might be too. That was only the tip of the iceberg. On our way to Bellevue, my cellphone rang. I let it go to voicemail and at the next red light, I checked who’d called. It was the school.
“Mr. Rodin, this is principal Jensen. It has come to our attention that you had an altercation with Mrs. Hayes afterschool. Please report to my office tomorrow first thing in the morning.”
“Who the fuck is Mrs. Hayes?” I mumbled, dropping the phone on the console.
Life fucking sucked. No good deed went unpunished. This was the lowest point of my life. Not a week ago, when I was about to move back home.
“What is it?” Tess asked, picking up my phone and browsing it.
“They want to talk to me about some altercation with Mrs. Hayes,” I said frustrated.
“I bet they meant Hades, not Hayes. She was asking for his name and threatened to report him,” Hannah said.
“You think Alicia went to complain about him?” Tess asked tapping her own phone.
“Hey, kiddo,” the male voice was on speaker.
“Alicia paid a visit to Hannah, at the school,” Tess informed her father.
“Are you guys okay?” His worried tone had an edge to it.
“Yes, but she hit my music teacher,” Hannah explained.
“We’re on our way home,” Tess said. “I think she complained to the school and knowing her, she might try to get him fired.”
“I’ll try to figure something out, maybe have his medical bill paid?”
“You shouldn’t worry about me,” I interceded.
“Why is he with you?”
“Tess’s a little shaky, Dad. He offered to drive us.”
“I appreciate the gesture, sir. Drive safely, and I’ll see what I can do on your behalf.”
He sounded like a nice guy. I wasn’t sure what to expect, but when he opened the door to his house, I was speechless. Every teenager who dreams of becoming a rock star imagines how he’d meet his idol. My vision, at the age of seventeen, was to be at the Grammys and have Kaden Hades hand me the award for album of the year. Turned out, reality would be far from that.
My clothes were bloody, and I had tampons hanging from my nose. Life was cruel.
“Oh fuck,” Kaden Hades said when he opened the door. “Tess, bring a clean t-shirt and baby wipes from upstairs. Hannah, get a roll of paper towels, a bag of frozen fruit or veggies, and a glass of water.”
I straightened my back and extended my hand to shake his. “Gage Rodin.”
“She got you good, didn’t she?” He chuckled, moving away from the door.
“You’d think that after stopping so many bar fights, I’d have better reflexes,” I commented, pretending the blood on my shirt and blazer didn’t matter.
Kaden Hades looked me over from head to toe several times and crossed his arms before he spoke. “Are you sure you’re a teacher? What are you, twenty? Aren’t you in college?”
“I’m twenty-seven,” I corrected him. “I went to Berklee for undergrad and Julliard for grad school. I spent a couple of years in Los Angeles, and last year I got this teaching job in Greensborough.”
Fucker, stop vomiting words. Don’t say anything stupid. Look cool, idiot.
“Was it Berklee in Boston, or Berkley in California?”
“Boston,” I mumbled.
“What did you study at Berklee?”
Music business management with a minor in recording and production for musicians. Took classes at the conservatory for both piano and voice. My credentials sounded great on paper, but I only managed to answer, “Music,” with a shrug.
If I told him how much I practiced and studied since the moment I got my hands on a guitar, or how Dad bought me the used piano from our neighbor when she died, he’d know I was a fucking failure.
“To be a teacher?” He snorted. “You could be doing a lot more with your degree.”
“It’s a job, and I enjoy it, sir,” I lied.
Now the little show to impress Tess on Friday made sense. People used her to get to him. Anger brewed inside my chest as I came to the realization of what I’d let happened right in front of my eyes. If I had known, I’d have kicked the punks out of the bar.
“Here’s a shirt and a towel for you to clean up.”
Carefully, Tess used the wipes to clean around my mouth and nose. The tenderness of her touch and her soft gaze made it impossible not to stare at her.
“Why didn’t you take hi
m to the hospital?” His voice was firm. He didn’t like me being here one bit. “What if she broke his nose?”
“It’s fine, sir,” I said casually, taking the clean shirt and the towel.
I looked at the Killing Hades shirt they’d given me. The fanboy in me wanted to ask for his autograph and run with the shirt. The grownup behaved and spoke like a sensitive teacher.
“My only goal is to keep all my students safe. The lady seemed unstable.”
“I’m sorry, Dad.” Tess’s voice shook. “If I had been there earlier…”
“Tess, don’t apologize for your mother’s stupidities. Are you okay?” Her father asked.
She nodded in response.
“Should we take you to the hospital?” He looked at me questioningly. “You don’t look so good to me.”
“It’s just a bloody nose. If you tell me where your powder room is, I’ll clean my face and change.”
He glared at me and told me where to go. It didn’t take me long to change. The bloody nose had stopped, thank fuck. There were a couple of bruises forming around my eyes. When I came out, everyone was in the living room.
“The principal wants to see me tomorrow,” Kaden said. “He promised to take care of the teacher that insulted my wife. Is she fucking kidding me? She claimed to be my wife. I should’ve demanded that she change her last name when we divorced.”
“Kade, calm down. You can’t let her get to you. Your legal team will take care of it, and there’s a warrant out for her arrest. She ignored the restraining order, again.” I heard a new female voice. “We need to think about Hannah’s safety.”
“I don’t want to have a bodyguard,” Hannah protested. “Do you have any idea how hard it is to be normal?”
“Change schools,” Tess suggested. “One closer to home, away from her. If it wasn’t for Hannah’s teacher, she would’ve punched me, Dad.”
“Do you think he’s going to sue us? He lost his job.” Kaden ran a hand through his hair.
“I lost my job?” I sighed. “Fucking great. Well, I guess that’s it for me. Thank you for the shirt. I’ll make sure to send it over after I wash it.”
“We’re sorry,” the petite woman next to Kaden said. “Is there something we can do for you?”
“Thank you, it’s okay.”
“I’ll drop him on my way to the dance academy,” Tess said.
“You’re not going anywhere,” Kaden ordered. “We don’t know if Alicia is out to get you. She needs money. I have a security team on its way.”
“I have to go to work, Dad.”
“Sweetheart, you don’t look so good to us.” The woman who I assumed was Hades’ wife stood right in front of Tess. “I don’t want you to eat your feelings.”
“I’m fine. So, what if she wishes she’d aborted me? It’s not the first time she’s told me that I’m a useless bitch.”
Kaden pulled Tess into his arms. She cried, and my heart hurt for her. I wanted to be the one consoling her and telling her that she was an incredible person, even though I barely knew her. Without saying a word, I left the house and called a cab. I had to make a few calls and rearrange my schedule. Joe might have a few extra hours, and if not, there were other bars in the area that might be hiring.
Eight
Gage
My meeting with the board of directors and the principal didn’t take too long. They requested my resignation. The incident with the Hades family brought unnecessary attention toward the entire faculty. Some of the students spread the rumor that I attacked Hannah, while others insisted that I was having a torrid affair with her mother. Carson Smith’s mother complained that I called her last night offering my services in exchange for music lessons.
I did call her, but my message was straight forward. She paid too much for those guitar lessons. An entire year would only cost her half of what she’d sent me. I asked what she wanted me to do. I could cash the check and send her the difference home with Carson. In no way was there a double meaning to my words or any sexual innuendos hidden between the lines. Fucking bitch.
“I understand the situation with Alicia Hades,” the principal said. “Mr. Hades came to the school to explain and request his daughter’s transcript.”
“This isn’t my fault? Why should I resign? If you want, you can go ahead and fire me.”
“We’re offering you a severance package, along with a recommendation letter. According to our legal team, this is the best way to deal with the issue for both parties.”
I read through the contract they wanted me to sign. If I signed, I wouldn’t ever be able to talk about the events that took place yesterday.
“If that lady sues me, I couldn’t defend myself, could I?”
“Well, that’s a risk, but maybe she won’t—”
“Either way I’m screwed. I’d rather be able to have freedom of speech. I won’t quit though.”
“Then, you’re fired.”
“My lawyer will be in contact with you,” I said.
Where the fuck would I get a lawyer? I ran a hand through my hair as I left the conference room. Cam or Easton might be willing to help me, I thought. They didn’t mind helping me. However, running to my big brothers every time I had a problem felt … childish. And lately, I seemed to collect mishaps by the minute.
I packed up my instruments and books. It was nearly noon when Easton and Camden arrived to help me carry boxes to East’s truck.
“You should’ve accepted the money,” Camden said.
“It’s all good, Gage. We’ll figure this shit out.” East patted my back, glaring at our brother. “Do you want me to put this in storage or take it to Cam’s place?”
“Storage is fine.”
My entire life was temporarily stowed in a twenty-five by twenty-five square feet unit I rented last Saturday. I only kept my clothes and a few personal items with me.
“Hey, everything’s going to work out,” East said squeezing my shoulder. “If you don’t mind construction work, you’ve got a job with my company.”
“Are you for real?”
“Of course, we can always use a set of hands. But I can also lend you some money, so you can go back to your music career.”
My brothers were twins but too different from each other. They looked a lot alike, though Easton’s hair was a darker brown, and his eyes were a different shade of green. Camden was the glass half empty kind of guy while East always told us to be thankful we had a glass. Both felt responsible for their younger siblings. It was something Keane and I both appreciated and resented all at once. We weren’t ungrateful, but it stung that we couldn’t keep our shit together.
“I just finished paying Dad back the loan he gave me a couple of years ago. Why would I want to incur more debt?”
“To start a solo career. We can set you up. You’re being stubborn,” Camden insisted.
“Freddie Mercury wasn’t just Freddie, they were Queen,” I gave him a few examples. “Oasis flopped after the brothers split.”
“You think you need a band to make it, but you don’t,” Easton said.
“Elton John is just one man,” Camden added. “David Bowie was a solo act. Peter Gabriel did better after he left Genesis.”
“Genesis sucks,” Easton added. “Collins is a pompous ass. Another drummer that double crosses his people. You don’t want that.”
“You two know a lot of music gossip.”
“Mom and Emmalee,” they said in unison.
Emmalee was our little sister. Mom wasn’t our biological mother. She was dad’s second wife, but since Cody and Emmalee called her mom, we did the same. We loved her like a mother too.
“You’ve been talking about me?”
“Always, we worry about you. Dad regrets making you pay back the money you borrowed from him.”
“You should ask Kaden Hades for help,” Camden suggested, with a shrug. “His crazy ex was the one who got you fired.”
“I’ll think about it,” I said to calm them.
&n
bsp; As my big brothers, they worried. I understood. I worried about our younger siblings just as much. There’s no way I’d ask the Hades for help. That’s what people do with that family, use them.
“Don’t think, do,” Easton ordered. “I’m heading out. Come by the office tomorrow morning. We can talk more about your future job, or career. The money is ready for you. Just say the word.”
* * *
Camden gave me a ride to his apartment, but we made a pit stop by Hummingbird Flower Designs. I had forgotten about Tess, until her captivating voice received us.
“Good afternoon, gentleman. How can I help you?”
Fuck, that melodic voice hit me right on the groin, tightening my balls. But my cock went limp when Kaden Hades appeared right by her side. His eyes narrowed, his chest puffed. “Gentlemen.”
“I placed an order a couple of weeks ago for Stacey Grant,” my brother said.
“You’re Mr. One Yellow Carnation Every Day?” Tess stared at him in indignation. “Why would you do that?” She asked.
Camden frowned, looking at her with curiosity and answered, “She likes the color yellow and I thought carnations were kind of cool. She said we’re over.”
“Men,” she snickered. “They’re so stupid sometimes. Next time ask for help. That’s what we’re here for.”
“Why?” I asked puzzled. “Shouldn’t she be ecstatic to receive a flower every day?”
“Do you know that yellow carnations mean disappointment and rejection?” she asked.
“Oh fuck,” my brother growled. Then, his postured changed as if eureka had hit him. “I know where I’ve seen you. Alyssa, right? Or was it Alison?”
Her eyes widened as she stared at me.
I patted his shoulder. “Cam, her name is Tess. You’ve never seen her. This is her father, Kaden Hades,” I said, hoping he wouldn’t do anything stupid.
Kaden didn’t seem like the kind of father who would enjoy knowing that his daughter was caught at a bar with a fake ID. My dad would kill my sister and would read her the Miranda rights before grounding her—for a year. That’s the cop in him.
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