Page 28 of Busted String

“Sounds good.”

Jace caught a hint of disappointment in Sammie’s expression.

The conversation continued for a while longer, with Mark expressing his concerns and Nico and Jace trying to reassure him. In the end, Mark reluctantly agreed to give their relationship a chance. But he was still apprehensive, and Jace knew they would have to work hard to prove him wrong.

Chapter Fourteen

Nico

The drive to Sequoia National Park took two hours, winding through picturesque mountain roads. Jace sat beside him, writing a new song, and Sammie was diligently crafting the custom-made colorful good luck bracelets for them, as he did before every important gig. Mark was engrossed in the pages of his book, completely oblivious to the world around him.

“I really need this,” Jace said, leaning his head on Nico’s shoulder while he was driving.

“Me too. Last night. Those fucking eggs. I swear I’ll never eat another egg.” Nico put his hand on Jace’s thigh.

“You saved me from all of it.”

“I protected what’s mine. No one will ever hurt you again.”

“I didn’t realize how deep my father’s hate was for me.”

“Now you do. Don’t have any hope he’ll change. He won’t.”

“Your father did. Remember when he cut off all your bank accounts, then later on he opened them?

“Jace, my father educated me. He taught me shit and did things with me. He gave me values. Yes, he’s a dangerous mobster, but I didn’t grow up with hate and abuse. Your father tried to brainwash you and prevented you from going to college. He’ll never change. Never.”

“You said your father told you if you have a relationship with a guy, he’d put a hit on you and your lover.”

“He says a lot of crap he doesn’t mean. No one in my family would respect him if he did. Just like when he shut my accounts. The difference is my father doesn’t hate me. He loves me so much he wants me to take over. All that he does comes from love. It’s a sick kind of love, but it doesn’t come from hate.”

Jace’s face was stained with tears as they rolled down his cheeks.

“Jace, I didn’t mean to upset you. I just think you need to face the truth.”

“I know. It just hurts to hear all that shit.”

They were quiet for the rest of the trip until they stopped at a grocery store. “Sammie, we’re going to do the grocery shopping for this week. Jace and Mark, stay in the van,” Nico said.

Nico had assigned Sammie as the primary grocery shopper for the band because he knew exactly what was needed, could find it at the lowest price, and he collected coupons each week. Nico always footed the final bill, then they all took turns cooking dinner. These were his guys, and he wanted to make their lives work better, but mostly he enjoyed watching them succeed in the music business. When they finished shopping, they put the bags in the back with Mark and Sammie, since the trunk area was occupied with instruments and suitcases.

The cabin was deep in the forest, twenty minutes from the grocery store and away from people so they could practice with no complaints. Nico parked in front of the log cabin surrounded by towering sequoiaswith the soothing sound of a stream trickling nearby. He loved the wraparound porch with wooden rocking chairs, which offered a perfect spot for morning coffee or for the guys to engage in lively music discussions.

They all piled out of the van with their instruments and suitcases.

“We’ll put the equipment in the living room to set up once we’re settled,” Nico said.

An enormous stone fireplace dominated the room. The walls were paneled in rich, dark wood, giving the space warmth. Plush sofas and armchairs were arranged around a low coffee table, creating the perfect spot for them to relax between practice sessions.

Jace and Sammie went to the van and carried the groceries to the kitchen. It was well-equipped, with a vintage stove and a wooden dining table that could seat the four of them. The scent of pine and the faint aroma of coffee lingered in the air.

“Jace and I will take the main bedroom, and you two can decide which room you want,” Nico said.

Upstairs, the bedrooms were smaller than they were used to but comfortable enough, with each room having a view of the forest. Quilts and sheets were provided, so they hadn’t needed to pack bedding.

Jace and Nico went upstairs to stake out the primary bedroom with its private bath. The bathroom had a clawfoot tub with thick, fluffy towels hanging beside the vanity.

“That tub looks like fun,” Jace said.

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