Tulsa
Page 30
I play a part in her happiness, but she’s really come into her own since the tour ended. Having spent the past week in Austin, we’ve had endless hours, and all of our nights, together. “I like this shirt on you.”
Tugging twice at my sleeve, she says, “I love this shirt off you.”
“Good.” I steal a kiss from her sticky lips. “You ready to hit the road?”
“I’m ready to start our new life together in California.”
“C’mon. Let’s go say goodbye.”
We walk up the path to Jet’s house and enter through the open door. Hannah’s packing a cooler in the kitchen, and Alfie’s sitting in the middle of the empty living room floor playing a video game. I squat next to him and rub the top of his hair. “Whatcha playin’?”
“Chicken Wiggle.”
“Sounds fun. Are you going to be a good boy for your dad and mom?”
He nods and lies down on the carpet, staring up at me. “Why can’t I go with you and Aunt Nikki?”
“Your Aunt Nikki and I are driving. It’s gonna take us more than a day to get to LA. So, while you’re settling into your cool new house, we’ll still be on the road.”
“I don’t mind.”
Nikki laughs from behind me. She lies down next to him on the floor and looks up at me. With their heads bumped together, I get a flash of my future—my kids with her.
My chest tightens, and I’m overcome with a need to protect. And I get it. I understand and respect Jet even more because at nineteen, he sacrificed everything for us. He never complained. He simply gave. He protected us. I’ll follow in his footsteps and continue to love and protect Nikki, and the family we’ll have as well.
Though most of the furniture is old and staying, Rivers decided to stay here a while to figure out his next step. Jet’s new home has room for him when we start recording again, but for now, he’s choosing Austin.
We all know there’s more to it, but that’s for him to work out in his own time. Jet comes in the room with Rivers carrying Alfie’s bedframe. The kid doesn’t want to part with his bed, so it’s going.
I take it in—the chatter, the digs, the laughter, the smiles, their faces. This is my family.
Every person I care about and love is here, helping each other out as our lives change in new ways while moving in new directions. Hell, even Ridge is here. I shrug when I see him. The name’s grown on me.
I offer a hand to my little buddy and pull him to his feet. “Your mama needs you with that special cargo she’s carrying. Promise me you’ll carry your own bag and help her with hers once you get to the airport.”
“I will, Uncle Tulsa.” He wraps his arms around my neck, and I hug the little guy.
“Love you.”
“Love you, too.” He runs off to help Jet with the moving truck.
Still squatting down, I turn my attention to the sexy woman lying on the floor looking like she could use some company. I ask, “What are you doing?”
“Looking for trouble. Do you know where I might find some?” Fuck, do I ever. When she puts on a Southern accent, my dick reacts.
I pull her to her feet and take her into my arms. “You found it, darlin’.”
Los Angeles: A few months later
Violet Rain Crow
Jet and Hannah’s seven pounds seven ounces sweet baby came racing into the world a week early.
Named for The City of the Violet Crown, a nickname for Austin dating back to 1890, according to Hannah. Sticking with tradition—her first name was chosen for where she was conceived. Rain was chosen to honor our mother, both of them sharing the same middle name.
Sweet Violet Rain. There will be plenty of Prince jokes, but as I hold my brand-new-to-the-world niece in my arms, I have nothing but love for this little bundle of perfect joy.
Nikki moves in front of us and boops her little nose before booping mine. I know this is Jet’s daughter, but I can’t help but want this—all of it—the wife, the kids, the house, the whole package. “I want this with you.” I see a tear slip down her cheek and reach to wipe it away. “Don’t cry.”
“I used to be carefree and did what I wanted. I never thought about the future. I lived in the present, but I want this too.” Hearing that she wants the same things—to build a life and start a family . . . it’s more than I ever dreamed of. She reaches up and wipes my tear away. “I want this life with you, Tulsa.”
Taking her hand, I kiss her palm and then hold it against my cheek. “I promise to give you everything you ever want.”
“I promise to give you everything you ever need.”
Rivers coughs and then clears his throat, making Jet and Hannah laugh. Reaching between us, he asks, “Can I hold the baby now?”
I hand the baby to her other uncle, who flew in from Austin last night, and then wrap my arm around my wife’s shoulders. Pulling her close, I rub her stomach while whispering in her ear, “I’m going to put a baby in here.”
Her hand rubs over my abs, which I tighten for her. “Keep grinning like that and I might just let you.”
“You never could resist me.”
“Remember that time I called you a pig?”
“Eh, you didn’t mean it. If you did, you wouldn’t be here now.”
I get jabbed in the ribs. “True,” she finally concedes with a smile.
When we leave the happy family at the hospital, we return to her apartment. Two more months until the lease is up. Nikki sits at the table and pulls up a real estate website. “Let’s start now.”
Coming around behind her, I move her hair to one side and start kissing her spine.
We might be talking about two different things, but we’re on the same page. When she lets a little moan of pleasure escape, I scoop her up and take her into the bedroom. “Yes, let’s start now.”
Epilogue
Tulsa
On an island in the Maldives
I fucked my way through the states all right.
It just happened to be with my wife.
I never saw Nikki Faris coming, but now that she’s in my life, I’m never letting her go.
Faris Wheel finished their album last week. Coming off the tour and the move to California, the timing was tight, but with the high praise from the tour, it was best to wrap it up and get it out.
The first single, “Sleepless,” released this week. Nikki’s song, our song, releases in three weeks. I couldn’t be prouder of my wife for scoring that spot on the record and to have it placed in the front push of marketing.
We renewed our vows in front of our families and friends under an arbor of flowers in Ojai. The Outlaw’s property gave us the peace we wanted from the media circus our lives have become. A few helicopters flew over but soon left us alone to enjoy our night under the stars, dancing, singing, playing guitars, and drums, drinking, eating, and loving every minute of the celebration and our lives.
I finally feel like we’re beginning our lives together.
The Outlaws gifted us the use of the private jet for our honeymoon. The morning after the reception, we fell into bed in the plane’s bedroom, nursed our hangovers, made love, and slept.
Nikki looked out the window as we flew over the Indian Ocean. My surprise was worth the look on her face—pure happiness. Turning to me, she said, “You sure know how to woo a girl.”
“I promised to make up for all the shit we had to go through to get here.” She knows what I mean.
She pulls me close with her hands around my neck. With our noses almost touching, she whispers, “The past is in the past. We have our whole lives ahead of us. I cannot wait to honeymoon with you.”
I thought I was livin’ and lovin’ life before we met, but it pales in comparison to my life now. It’s funny how that works. I never thought life could get better, but then along came Nikki to prove me wrong.
I used to think people only wanted one thing from me, so I gave it to them, but she saw more in me. Sure, it took a little time and effort to win her heart. She didn’t
fall at my feet, but I won her over with love and goodness soon enough. When she shined her light on me, I shined mine right back on her. Together, we warmed our world and found peace in each other’s arms.
It’s not all lovey-dovey stuff. I still catch Nikki staring at me. What’s not to love about a great face, tight abs, cut biceps, and workin’ what the good Lord gave me?
Some of the time, I watch Nikki sleep. She draws me in, easing a once restless soul. I’m still not sure what I did to deserve her, but I’ll spend my life making damn sure I’m worthy of this gift.
I don’t keep secrets from my wife, but I’ve been debating about one from the night of our reception. I think Laird and Lauralee are hooking up. I’m not positive, like I didn’t witness them actually fucking, buuuut he was tucking the shirt to his tux back in when he left the bathroom, and when I tried to use it, it was occupied . . . by Lauralee. She walked out, poked me in the chest, and told me to keep my trap shut. I sent her a dick kit the next day and made sure to mention it was for use when Laird is touring.
The next day, I received a text from her with a video clip of the horse’s head in The Godfather. The girl’s got a sense of humor, albeit a little dark. She’s feisty like Nikki. I can see why they’re friends.
Only a day after arriving in paradise, Nikki has already tortured me by doing naked yoga this morning. She got as far as downward dog before I downward dogged her from behind.
I think she’s trying to kill me on this trip by sunbathing nude on the deck over the clear turquoise water for the past hour. I don’t know whether to appreciate the view or keep the binoculars glued to my eyes to make sure no one else can see her. I’ve been given plenty of eye-rolls and reminded that this is an exclusive resort. No one can see us in our ultra-private bungalow since there aren’t any other bungalows in sight, but I still want her all to myself.
It’s glorious here, like our own private haven.
Wearing shorts because I’m not taking the risk and frying my willy, I sit up from the chair where I’ve been staring at my wife. She’s stunning. It’s hard not to stare. I’m pulled away from my favorite thing to do when an email pops up, dinging on the laptop a few feet away. Her eyes never open when she says, “Don’t check it. Stay here with me.”
“Aren’t you curious?”
She knows what I’m talking about, though she plays it cool. “Nope.”
Three.
Two.
One.
“Damn it. I am.” Blue eyes that are prettier than any ocean below or sky above find me. That sweet smile I love so much follows. “Will you check for me?” she replies, sitting up. Her perfect tits give me two fantastic reasons to stay exactly where I am. The show’s over when she pulls her bikini top up to cover her breasts, so I stand and go inside.
When I see the screen, it’s my email that’s up, not hers, and the sender’s name catches my attention—Rivers Crow. Clicking on the email, I start to read, but Nikki asks, “Is it the new song?”
“No. Sorry. Guess I forgot to log out earlier.”
“Why do you look like that? What is it?”
Glancing at her, I chuckle. “Like what?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know. Intense?”
“I have an email from Rivers, which is unexpected.”
“What does it say?”
I sit on the bed and read the email aloud. “Hey, bro, hope you’re enjoying the time off. I found the box Jet had of Mom’s. It was in his attic behind a box of her old dishes. I thought this was worth sending over.”
Why am I suddenly on edge?
She nudges my knee with hers. “Keep reading.”
“I found this photo with a handful of others from when Mom was little. I know you don’t need proof of anything. Not to us or yourself, but I thought you still might enjoy it. Open the attachment before you finish reading the email.”
Nikki sits behind me, pressing her cheek to my arm. When the attachment opens, we see a dated photo. “Aw,” she says, “that’s so cute.” Leaning in, she tries to get a better look at it and then touches the screen. “Oh, my God, Tulsa. The little boy is just so much like you. I would swear I was looking at a photo of you and a little girl.”
I’m already smiling when I reply, “Yes, it does. Just like me.”
“Who is it?”
“That’s my mom and my uncle Brian when they were little.”
She keeps staring at the photo. “Babe, that looks just like you from the other photos.”
“I know,” I reply, finding a deep sense of satisfaction from this discovery. “I look like my uncle. I look like my uncle. Well, how about that.”
“I didn’t know you had an uncle.”
“He died when he was young. We never knew him.”
“I’m sorry.” Rubbing my arm, she kisses my shoulder. “Oh. That’s why Jet made sure you stayed together when your mom passed away. Because you had no other family.” She leans on me, her arms going around my back. I love how she touches me, as if all of her needs to touch all of me. I understand the desire. “Read the rest of the email.”
“There you have it, baby bro. You’re a Crow who was lucky enough to look like our mom’s side of the family.” I chuckle. “Now get off the computer and go spend time with your wife. Love, Rivers.”
“I like Rivers,” she says, laughing.
Kissing her on the head, I ask, “I want to spend all my time with you, but would you mind if I call Jet really quick?”
“Of course not. After that, you’re all mine.”
Hers. There’s no other way I want to be.
After setting the laptop down, I log out and into her account, so we hear when she gets the email we’ve been waiting for. I spin the phone around in my hand. I don’t care how much it costs. I don’t care that it’s the middle of the night for them. I have to make this call.
Jet answers on the third ring. “Hello?” He was sleeping, as expected.
“Jet, it’s Tulsa.”
“What’s wrong?” I hear the panic in his voice.
“Nothing. I’m good. I’m great.”
“I’m not. It’s four in the fucking morning, Tulsa. I just got Violet back to sleep an hour ago.”
“Sorry, but I had to call you. I got the photo Rivers found. Guessing he sent it to you?”
“Yeah, he did.” His tone changes from a whisper-yell to more awake. “I’m going into the bathroom. I don’t want to wake Hannah.” I hear the door slide closed, and he says, “You’re one of us. No one doubted that.”
“It was good to see it, though. I don’t know why I thought a few similarities could make me a Cartwright, but there is no way I’m related to him. Thank fuck.”
“He never mattered, Tulsa.”
“Crazy how much you look like Brian, though, right?”
“Really crazy. I know I’m a Crow, but deep down, that photo relieves me.”
“Understandable, but you’re not his.”
“Glad you feel that way because you’re stuck with me.”
We may not be in the same time zone, but I know he’s smiling. “That’s nothing new, kid brother. The Crow brothers always stick together.”
“Yeah, we do.” I sit on the edge of the bed. “I don’t say it much, but I love you.”
“Love you, too. Get back to that wife of yours before she gets too lonely.”
“Don’t worry. I’ll never let her get lonely. We’ll see you when we get back to LA.”
“Sure thing.”
When I hang up, Nikki comes to me, standing between my legs and running her hands through my hair. “How do you feel?”
“Like the luckiest man in the world.”
“I can imagine the relief.”
The computer dings, and I glance over to see an email from Tommy. “The song is here.”
She squeezes her hands into little fists full of excitement in front of her chest. I say, “Don’t block the beauties.”
After a dramatic eye roll, she says, “Play it.”
Nuzzling her ear when the song ends, I take her lobe between my teeth and give a little tug. “It’s amazing, just like you.”
“It’s amazing because of you.”
I kiss her cheek, and then whisper, “I’m not lucky because I knew I was a Crow.”
Kissing my temple, she rests her head against mine and then leans to kiss the newest Crow tattoo—the one I got for her. “Why are you so lucky, Tulsa Crow?”
“Because sometimes we’re not only given what we want but what we need all in one smokin’ hot body.”
“You need me?”
“I need you more than ever, baby.” My hand slips between her legs, and I ask, “Did you bring your pink toy?”
Adjusting, she wiggles her ass over my lap. “Why bring sex toys when I can have the real thing?”
“True.” I pick her up and set her on the bed. Her top goes flying, and my shorts come off. “Get ready to be honeymooned, darlin’. We have seven more days of paradise ahead of us.”
“I’ve been ready since the moment I laid eyes on you.”
“So, you were playing hard to get?”
“Not playing. I was hard to get, but somehow you managed to bang your way right into my heart.”
“You know what they say—drummers hit it harder.”
“I thought the saying was drummers do it with rhythm?”
“Either way, I’ve got you covered.”
“You’re still talking about sex, aren’t you?”
“Sure am.”
“Oh, Tulsa.” She laughs, pulling me closer. “Don’t ever change, babe.”
“Never.”
When I catch her eyeing me, I give her a wink, call her darlin’, and vow to love her so hard she smiles when she sleeps.
As for the rest of the world, I’ve got two pieces of advice: Live life to the fullest and always give ’em your good side.