by Andrea Smith
I felt my forehead crease in confusion. “What song?” I asked.
“Yeah, well it doesn’t have a title just yet, but the lyrics are finished, and it’s a beautiful number. A solo for Liv.”
“What?” I snapped, louder than I should have. “Who the fuck decided all of this?” I demanded. “Did I somehow forfeit my portion of the decision-making for the band?”
Cooper knew I was pissed. Royally pissed. I had my hands on my hips, glaring at him and waiting for a fucking answer.
“Hey look, Emmett, Liv brought me the song and asked if I’d help her with the music. It’s an acoustical number she wants to do, with solo vocals. It really would be a great sound for the group, and a perfect addition for the breakout album. You want to work with us this weekend to get the music and the chorus mixed in?”
“Naw,” I snapped, “looks like you got all the bases covered, Coop, have at it. I’m done for the day.” I turned and walked out of the garage, giving zero fucks about the rest of the practice, and feeling the knife planted firmly in my back.
Fuck it all.
Chapter 25
Olivia
My phone wouldn’t stop buzzing in my pocket. Since we had just started the long instrumental, I stepped outside to see what the urgency was.
My head wasn’t in it anyway, and Emmett and I were like two strangers. It felt like a game of who could ignore who the most. We needed to get past this because we were going on the road in a few months.
It was Mom who was blowing up my phone. I had left her alone because she seemed to be responding a bit better to her new medication. But once her Medicaid kicked in, I would hire a private nurse for the times I would be gone.
“Mom, what is it? I’m at practice.”
“Olivia,” she said, her voice quivering, “I just got a strange call. I think it was Zak.”
“Zak? As in my father, Zak? What did he say or want?”
“He wouldn’t talk, but I know it was him.”
“Wait,” I said and walked away from the building. Slade and Wayne were stepping out to have a smoke. “If they didn’t say anything, what makes you think it was him?”
“The area code, it was a Seattle area code.”
“And that proves what…?”
“That’s where he took off to right after I told him I was pregnant with you,” she replied. “Haven’t I told you that before?”
“Mom, that was over twenty years ago. I don’t think he would necessarily still be there. And besides, who the fuck cares anymore?” I knew it was a heartless thing to say, but she was pissing me off. I was already in a mood just being around Emmett.
“Olivia, please. Just listen to me,” she wailed. “I think you might be in danger. I think your father is trying to find you and take you away from me.”
“Mom, I’m twenty-two-years-old. I don’t think he can do that. Besides, you said he never wanted me.”
“Olivia, if he takes you away again…”
She was becoming so hysterical. Nothing made sense anymore.
“Mom.” I looked up and saw Emmett storming out of the garage. He threw his guitar into his truck and glared at me. What the fuck was his problem? “Mom, I’m sure it was just a random number. Look, I’ll be home soon. I have to go.” I ended the call, as Emmett peeled out of the driveway.
Coop was standing in the doorway, his hands shoved down into the pocket of his jeans. “What the fuck was his problem?” I asked Coop.
“Wanna go for a beer?” he asked.
I looked at my phone and then shoved it down into my jeans. “I sure the fuck do,” I said. I was in no mood to deal with Mom.
“Jump in my truck, and let’s head down to The Keg.”
When we walked in to The Keg, a local sports bar, Coop suggested a table in the corner, rather than sitting at the bar. The ride over had been quiet, but I planned to get the scoop as to what was up with Emmett.
“My treat,” Coop said, and I ordered a Yuengling. Maybe it was a bit expensive, but at that point, I didn’t give a shit.
“I’ll have a Bud Light on draft,” he told the barmaid.
“Hey, what was up with Emmett? And don’t lie to me, Coop. I’m getting fed up with his bullshit.”
“Look, I don’t know what’s going on with you two…”
“Nothing. That’s what’s going on,” I interrupted.
“Whatever, but after that night in Indy,” he lowered his head and raked his hands through his long hair. “I don’t give a shit what you two do in private, but…”
“Coop, it was a one-time mistake,” I replied quickly, feeling my face warm with embarrassment. “I know you guys heard us, and God, I feel like shit what with Stacie and all,” I said, my voice trailing off.
He lifted his hands in mock surrender. “Hey, I’m not judging. As far as Stacie goes? I wouldn’t let that keep you awake all night.”
“Well, call me old-fashioned, but I think Emmett should step up to the plate.”
“That’s… a complicated subject,” he replied with a shrug.
I took a sip of my beer, but I wasn’t ready to brush over the subject. “He knocked her up; they have a baby. Sounds pretty cut and dry to me.”
“Yeah, but…”
“Yeah, but what?” I asked, wondering if Coop was simply defending his buddy.
“Emmett’s not sure if the baby is his,” Coop replied.
“You know, Coop, they all say that. I’m sure my old man said the same thing.”
“Look, Liv. I don’t want to get into Emmett and Stacie’s shit, but we do need to talk.”
I took another hefty drink of the Yuengling. “You’re right. What’s up?”
“I don’t know how to say this.”
“Just spill it,” I said, becoming more frustrated by the second.
“Can we wait on your song?” he finally asked.
I just stared at him. He said my song was perfect for the album just days ago, and now he wanted to scrap it. My first instinct was to call him out on it, or tell him off, but Coop was the only reasonable guy in the band. I didn’t need to burn that bridge.
“Liv,” he said and took my hand. “It’s a beautiful song, and I know it’s going to be a hit. But, maybe it’s not for this album.”
“How can you say that without at least putting the music to it? And what if we don’t get a chance to make a second album?” My hand was still in his, and he looked me in the eyes. I could tell he was struggling with this for some reason. He’d been so pumped about it the other day.
He sighed and continued talking. “Right now, we have a sound that they are expecting. Your song is something we can save for the next album and there will be one, I promise. I’m thinking a theme album,” he finished.
“That’s exactly why I asked you to help with the sound. You can make it fit into our brand. However, you can make it work, I’m cool with that.”
He looked away, and I knew there was more.
“It’s Emmett, isn’t it?” I asked plainly. No more beating around the bush.
He was quiet, and I knew I hit the nail on the head.
I pulled my hand from his. “Fine, do whatever the fuck you want. I thought I was part of the band, too, but I guess you only needed me to get your one-hit demo.”
I was pissed and immediately stood to leave, but Coop grabbed my hand again. “Liv, please sit. I don’t want there to be problems between you and me. I think you’re a very talented singer, and yes, we are where we are, in part, because of you.”
I sat back down, and he took both my hands into his. I knew he was just trying to keep peace with the band, and I didn’t want to make any more waves.
I took a moment to calm. “You’re right, Coop. I’m sorry. Let’s try and work this out together. You mean a lot to me.”
And then from behind us a familiar voice sounded. “Well, well. Guess I didn’t get the memo,” Emmett said, walking over to the table. “Don’t m
ind if I join your little secret rendezvous, do you?”
Emmett didn’t wait for a response. He pulled out a chair and turned it around so that he straddled it. He rested his elbows on the back of it as he took a long pull from a bottle of Budweiser. He wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, as he eyed Coop and me coldly.
“There’s nothing secret here, Jackass,” Coop said to Emmett, shaking his head in disbelief.
I bristled at the accusation. “What the fuck are you talking about?” I hissed across the table at him. “Don’t you have a girlfriend and a baby to be home with?”
Emmett slammed his bottle of beer on the table in front of me. “Oh, am I too much baggage, now that I have a baby?” he asked with sarcasm. “Jesus Liv, you were all over me that night in the hotel room. What? So I was just a one-nighter? Maybe a warm-up for Cooper?”
“Hey,” Coop started, but Emmett wasn’t done with me, still glaring at me as he continued. “Guess you had to move on.”
He then turned to Coop. “By the way, how was your night with her down at the Motel 6, brother? Did you make her scream your fucking name?”
“Go to hell, asshole!” I said loudly, drawing the attention of the people sitting up at the bar.
“Emmett, that’s enough,” Coop piped in. “Calm your shit down. There’s nothing between Liv and me. But you know what? It speaks volumes that you’d even think shit like that about me. For your information, I met her the other night because she wanted to test out a song she’d written. You know? The one I told you about already. She wanted my opinion, and I gave it to her. She needed me to help with the music, that’s all. It’s a fucking great song. It would complement our first album if you want the truth. But when I saw how pissed off you got today, I asked Liv to have a beer. I was just now asking her if we could hold off until the next album on her song. I’m fucking sick of trying to be the peacemaker in all of your personal drama, dude. Get your shit together, man, and fucking grow up in the process.” Coop threw some cash on the table, stood up and left.
“Well, damn,” Emmett said a bit stunned he’d been put in his place by his own best friend, “he sure as hell over-reacted to a simple fucking question.”
He turned back to face me, but I’d had enough. “You. Are. A. Piece. Of. Work,” I said succinctly. “And you can go to hell.” I stood up, turned on my heel, and walked out the door.
And now, I had to go home and deal with Mom’s shit.
Fuck them all!
Chapter 26
Emmett
Okkaaaay…
So, I was pretty much having the day from hell, and most, if not all, was on me. I needed to own this, and I needed to make sure I got to the bottom of whatever had caused Olivia to think I was an irresponsible piece of shit who didn’t give a fuck about anyone other than myself, or worse yet, I was somehow a cheating baby dad.
I knew where I needed to start. All that shit Olivia had said to me a few days ago about what-the-fuck-ever Rocky, hadn’t been cleared up yet. I got distracted by the thought of Coop and Olivia hooking up, but I would not be deterred now.
I got into my truck and peeled off. I couldn’t get home fast enough. I was going to set Stacie straight, once again, and I was determined to not tolerate any of her escape from reality tactics:
So tired the baby didn’t sleep at all today.
I’ve got post-partum depression.
I can’t lose these last ten pounds of baby weight.
I can’t believe my own parents have disowned me!
I got inside the trailer, slamming the front door after me. I immediately scanned the room and saw Stacie in the kitchen.
“Shhhh,” she hissed, heading out with a can of Diet Coke, “I just got Emmie down for shit’s sake. I swear, she wears me out for only being five weeks old. I think she has colic, and I’ve heard that can–”
“Shut up,” I hissed. “For once, shut your mouth and listen to what I’ve gotta say, or you can hit the road.”
She swallowed nervously, and sank down on the sofa, popping the tab on her soda, and taking a quick sip of it.
“Now, I’m gonna tell you this one more time, and I want it to sink into that empty head of yours. You and me,” I said, waving my finger back and forth between us to emphasize my point once again, “We are not a couple. We may or may not share a child. Do you understand that?” I spit out, giving her a cold, hard stare.
She nodded her head slowly, her eyes wide. I could only imagine how scary I looked, because thank fuck, I’d gotten my gonads back again.
“Secondly,” I continued, “what’s this shit about me forcing you to get some tattoo on your ass? Rocky? Care to explain it to me?”
Her face turned beet red. It was so obvious she’d been busted. “I… I uh told Olivia about it. I let her think… well, I let her think you’d asked me to get it.”
This made no fucking sense to me. “Even if that were true, which we both know it is not, why the hell would it say ‘Rocky’?” I demanded briskly.
She sank even lower into the cushion of the sofa and remained quiet.
“Tell me!” I bellowed, moving closer to where she sat.
She shrank back from me. “Shhh,” she pleaded again, “please don’t get loud. It was… an old tattoo I had from a former boyfriend named Rocky. I told her it was… a nickname I had for your dick,” she finished quickly.
I shook my head in abject disbelief. It wasn’t that I didn’t believe her explanation. It was that I couldn’t believe the utter audacity this conniving little bitch possessed. I also felt angry at how ignorant I’d been as to what exactly she’d been spewing to Olivia to make her think there was actually anything between Stacie and me.
I gave myself a few moments to calm myself down, and to collect my thoughts. I needed to be concise and clear on my next words. There could be no misinterpretation or confusion on her end. “Okay, I need you to listen to this, and I need you to listen carefully, so there is no confusion. I feel nothing for you. As soon as the paternity test is conducted, I want you out of here. If I’m Emmie’s father, I want very much to have a relationship… with her. Not with you. Never with you. Do you understand what I’m saying?”
I waited for her to nod her understanding. She finally did so.
“Good. Secondly, I will kick your sorry ass out of this home, and file for custody of Emmie even prior to the test if you continue to paint some fake relationship story to anyone about you and me, do you understand that?”
I waited, and saw a flicker of rebellion cross over her face. But as quickly as it was there, it was gone again. She nodded.
“Lastly, and again, this is the most important part and your staying here is contingent on this part. You are to go to Olivia and tell her every bit of the truth about all of this, do you understand me?”
Her upper lip curled up in disdain, and her eyes narrowed. “Why?” she blurted. “I don’t owe her an explanation for anything,” she snapped.
“Oh, but you do,” I said calmly. “You see, Olivia means a lot to me. I fucked her while we were in Indianapolis, and it was more than a fuck, I have to tell you, Stacie. It was a connection that went beyond physical. And guess what?” I was on a roll because finally putting the truth out there was my own fucking liberation. “I want to keep on fucking her. I want to make love to her. I want her, and if Emmie is mine, I want Olivia to be a part of her life as well. The fact that you put lies and fake stuff in her head, well let’s just say, you’re going to clear all of that up. Stacie,” I continued, “if you can’t do that, then pack your shit right this minute and don’t let the door hit your ass on the way out. I intend to do everything in my power to make Olivia mine. It’s your decision, but hey, if you can’t hang with it, just let me know. We have only four more weeks until you can get that DNA blood test done, and I guess you can stay with your folks until then, but these are my terms. They are non-negotiable.”
She was as pissed as I’d ever seen, but I didn’t give a damn. “So what will it be? I think Olivia is home right now as a matter of fact. And as my dad used to say, ‘There’s no time like the present’.”
I had my hands on my hips waiting for her reply. It came out in a sputter.
“Fine you Nazi asshat! I’ll do it right now. Watch Emmie.”
I breathed a cleansing sigh of relief. It might not change how Olivia regarded me, but it sure as hell would eliminate any guilt she might be feeling about what happened in Indy. She didn’t need to burden herself with guilt she didn’t own.
Stacie flounced out of the trailer, and I pulled my cell phone out of my pocket and called Cooper.
“Yeah,” he answered brusquely.
“Hey Coop, I totally apologize for my behavior earlier. You were right. I was wrong. Don’t scrap Liv’s song for this premiere album, man. I trust your judgment, and my tune can wait. I want her to have her own solo. She deserves it after all of the shit she’s been put through.”
It was silent for a few moments, and I wondered if Coop was still too pissed to respond. Then I heard him sigh. “You’ve got it, Emmett. And hey, apology accepted.”
“Thanks,” I replied, feeling better than I had in quite some time. “I love you, man.”
Chapter 27
Olivia
I was fuming when I left The Keg. How dare Emmett blow his lid and accuse me of fucking his best friend. He had no room to talk. What is it about men who stick their dick in some girl and are shocked when she ends up pregnant? Oh, they’re all in it for the sex–but not for the babies. And to think this was how my life started out….
Was Zak really calling my mother? How would he even know how to get in touch with her? I knew it had to be part of her schizophrenic episodes, but damn if part of me wanted it to be true. I wanted to believe that my father, after all these years, was reaching out to meet me. I was still confused that she felt I was in danger from him.