.” She’s happy when she says this. Her eyes light up as she looks at me. “He’s so handsome and talented, much like his father. Have you heard his new single? I love it.”
The anxiety I felt about joining the band has come full force. She was exactly the reason why I didn’t want to be out there, why singing for tips at a local bar was the best avenue for me. This is what I wanted to avoid, and now I’m questioning everything. Did Nola bring her here or was it the band?
My dad looks over at me and frowns before turning toward Alicia. “For years I have waited to tell you how I feel. I’ve practiced the words, what I was going to say to you, over and over again. From the time you showed up at my apartment and left my son on the floor, to the time you failed to show up for the custody hearing or when you couldn’t be bothered to appear in court for the restraining order, but had the audacity to approach my wife while she was at the spa—”
“She’s not your wife,” Alicia says. “Can’t pull the trigger or have you been waiting for me?”
Dad scoffs. “Katelyn is more woman than you’ll ever be, Alicia. She’s my wife, my partner, the mother of my children, and the love of my life. And you tried to take that away from me, and for what? I didn’t scorn you, break-up with you for someone else. I didn’t leave you pregnant and alone, you did that to yourself. You could’ve told me you were pregnant. I could’ve been there when my son was born, but you took that away from me, and for what?
“You and I have never been anything to each other, ever. The only commonality we have is what flows through Quinn’s body. That’s it. Nothing more. You have never and will never be anything more than the vessel that brought life to my son. You don’t deserve to know my boy, to be a part of his life, to walk in his shadow, to even breathe the air that surrounds him. He’s so much more of a person than you ever gave him credit for when you abandoned him that day. You left him, and for that, I will always hate you. I will despise you until the day I stop breathing. As far as I’m concerned, you are dead to me.”
Alicia takes a step back at my dad’s harsh words. Honestly, I didn’t know he had it in him to say those things, but I’m glad he did. I never considered how he felt, not being there when I was born, and it’s probably why he told my mother he’s looking forward to being a grandparent. He has three children and wasn’t there for a single birth.
“And how do you feel, Char… I mean Quinn?” She smiles as if it’s okay that she made the blunder.
“I stand with my dad. I always have and always will. He’s never lied to me about how things happened. What you did, that’s not something I can accept. I told you as such last night. There isn’t any room in my life for you.”
“You have a sister who would like to get to know you.”
I nod. “And maybe in time, but not right now, especially after what I witnessed last night. I have two sisters who mean the world to me and I’d never want to do anything to hurt them. If they ask me to forget about Sofia, to not have a relationship with her, I’ll do as they ask.”
“She’s your blood.”
“And they’re my family. They’ve never turned their backs to me, never treated me like I wasn’t their brother. They’ve never set out to hurt me, and Sofia did that last night without even knowing me.”
“I see,” she says. Alicia inhales. “I guess we’re done here.”
“Not yet,” Dad says. “I want you to leave. Go back to wherever you were holed up, live your life, but stay out of ours. If Quinn wants anything to do with you, he’ll contact you. I wouldn’t hold your breath though. Let’s go, son.” Dad puts his hand on my shoulder and directs me to the door.
As soon as I’m outside, I fall into his arms. Now I’m the one shedding tears and thanking him for always being my dad and for never giving up on me.
34
Eleanora
My vacation’s over, evident by the amount of sweat dripping down my face at seven in the morning. I didn’t miss the humidity, at least not like this, and would give anything to go back to the west coast, back to where Quinn is so I can apologize again.
That fateful night ended with me packed in my car, and my brother behind the wheel, heading east without looking back. There wasn’t a reason to stay. Quinn, through his sister, drove home the message that he gave me in the back room at the Bean Song. He was done. His other sister though, she made damn sure that I don’t ever come back again or else. To be honest, the fact that he didn’t give me a chance to explain things to him really hurt. Although, Sofia’s tale of how things are isn’t that far off. I’ve always thought her brother was cute. It was just dumb luck that I ended up in the same place where he performed.
And now I’m home, sitting on my grandma’s old rocker, watching as the landscapers mow the lawn. Even though I’m of age, my daddy says I’m grounded, and honestly, I’m too scared to test him on his words. He’s taken my car away too, making me feel like I’ve been caught smoking out back or something. Rhett says he’s just angry because I lied. My counter-argument is that I’m old enough to make my own decisions, except no one in my family sees it my way.
A car pulls up to the house, which is a big no-no in my mama’s book. She wants people to park away from the house, it’s been something she’s trying to implement for a few years now. Most people listen and respect the house rules, unless you’re Roybert Aldridge, who is currently walking toward me.
“What’re you doing here, Roy?” He walks toward me and decides to lean against one of the pillars. His hands are in the pockets of his khaki dress pants and his loafer is crossed over the other foot, acting as casual as possible. Me, I’m in a stupid dress because it’s hotter than Hades here and according to my mama, it’s the proper attire for a young lady.
“Heard you were back in town.”
“Yep, three days now.”
“Didn’t think you wanted to call and let me know?”
“Didn’t feel like I had a reason to.”
He cocks his head and smiles. Roy’s cute, but he’s not Quinn, and right now, despite everything, that’s where my heart is. Roy takes the seat next to mine and reaches for my hand. I shy away, but he grabs hold tightly and doesn’t let go. I glare at him, which only makes him snicker.
“Your mother’s party is coming up, I think we should announce our engagement.”
I stand up, ripping my hand out of his grip. “Have you fallen and hit your head? What makes you think I’m going to marry you after you’ve knocked up what’s-her-name.” I’m pointing off into the distance like his other woman is standing out in the field. “You’ve gone and lost your mind.”