Page 64 of Tainted Love
“Why not?” Granddad shrugs.
“I don’t own any golf clubs.”
“Easily rectified.” Buying a new set of clubs would be like buying a bag of lollies to granddad.
“You don’t have to do that,” Elias mutters, looking uncomfortable. “I’m not a charity case.”
“You may not have the Kirkland surname, Elias, but my son loves your mother, and that’s enough for me. I haven’t seen him this happy since the day this one was born,” Granddad places his arm around my shoulder, squeezing gently as he kisses my temple. “Money is a necessary evil, but there isn’t a cent in the world that I wouldn’t give up to ensure my family is happy. And now that includes you and your sisters as well.”
I bow my head, blinking back tears. The guilt over what Elias and I have done behind our family’s backs is eating at me, but in the last couple of days I’ve seen a different side to Elias. One that is passionate and determined and caring. As much as I’m trying not to, I’m scared I’m falling for my stepbrother. But am I ready for the ultimate heartache that may come along with acknowledging those feelings?
Chapter 35
Elias
JONATHON KIRKLAND HAS thrown me completely off kilter. All this talk about us being family, and when he speaks of Mum, he actually sounds like he is almost fond of her or something. I mean, I love my mum and I know how special she is, but I was expecting Bea’s granddad to be more wary of her. Attie said Darren and Mum knew each other when they were younger, but I don’t know, this seems like something more.
I expected Jonathon to be a dismissive, stuck-up arsehole, probably because of my run-ins with his business partner’s dickhead grandson. But he looks me in the eye when I speak to him, and he’s happy to introduce me to the right people who can give Forever Summer our big break.
Once the formalities are out of the way and the Chancellor thanks everyone for their generous contributions, Jonathon calls out to a man in his forties who is passing by us on his way to the bar. “Terri, I’ve got someone I’d like you to meet.”
My eyes widen at the man now standing in front of us.
“Terri Sampson from SoundMuse, this is Elias Vasilios, lead singer of Forever Summer.”
Shit. Jonathon not only knows the name of our band but also the fact I’m the lead singer. I’m so shocked it takes a moment for me to realise I’ve left Terri hanging with his hand outstretched until Bea nudges me subtly.
“Uh, sorry. Hi. Nice to meet you.”
I want to crawl into a hole and die. The first important person I’m introduced to, and I choke. He releases my hand and I rub the back of my neck.
Terri and Jonathon chuckle, the latter claps me on the back. “Relax, son. We’re all just people.”
I clear my throat. “Right.” Except these two men hold the key to two of the most important things in my life—music and Bea.
“Forever Summer?” Terri inquires. “You opened for Bitter Rhapsody at the Forum last year?”
My eyes widen. “Yes, sir. We did.”
He laughs again. “Terri, please. I was at the show with a couple of colleagues. You had a great sound. It was raw and edgy. We thought you showed real potential.”
“Thanks, sir—Terri. That means a lot.” I can’t wipe the grin off my face. “That gig landed us a spot on the summer festival tour.”
“Impressive,” he says with a raised brow. “I hear it was a sell-out at every show.”
I nod, catching Bea’s smile from the corner of my eye. It gives me the encouragement to shoot my shot. I reach into my jacket and pull out a USB. “We’d be really honoured if you wouldn’t mind listening to some of our new stuff.”
“Sure,” he says, taking the USB and handing me a business card. “Call me in a couple of weeks and I’d be happy to give you some feedback.”
“That would be incredible. Thank you.”
He grins, pocketing the USB. “Enjoy tonight. Jonathon,we’ll talk soon.” He nods politely at Bea and her granddad before moving off to greet another group.
“Holy shit,” I mutter under my breath, pushing my hair off my face. “Did that actually happen?” I look over at Jonathon. “Thank you. I don’t know how to repay you for that.”
He waves me off. “We’re family, son. We look after our own.”
My stomach drops and I force a smile as I risk a subtle glance at Bea, who looks uncomfortable. “Well, anyway, it means a lot.”
