Page 18 of Rock Bottom
“And you’re connected to the bikers through Hailey, your bandmate.”
Interesting she used Hailey and not Suli, but I answered without commenting on it. “Right, Ghost is a member, though I guess he has to pause his membership when he goes on tour with us? Or change the status, somehow. The band is invited into their clubhouse for special occasions.”
“Tonight’s mixer is a small, intimate gathering. Less than twenty people, I believe. Kirsten is part of a poly group, and both Nathan and Mordecai will be present. One of Marco’s business partners has RSVP’d, and he’ll bring his three lovers. They are Isaac, Frisco, Cassie, and Cam. I believe you’re okay with this kind of relationship, yes?”
“Yes, and I know Cassie and Cam, but thanks for the heads up.”
“I understand you know Ranger and Mac, as they guard your boss when he’s in town. They are close to Cora, and will be in attendance with the other two members of their group, Jonathan and Bethany.”
“I know Bethany from Girls’ Night Out, too, so I’ll just be meeting Jonathan.”
I felt better, knowing I wouldn’t be walking into a room full of strangers.
As it turned out, we didn’t walk into a room because the party was outside on a gorgeous patio area near a fantastic pool with a waterfall. We were just far enough away from the sound of the water, it was a nice background noise.
Cora walked out to greet us when we pulled up to the house. “Julian is handling some last-minute items for Marco, despite the fact I told Marco to make sure Julian was finished when you arrive. Come on back. A few guests are here, with more to come, but it’s easier this way, meeting people in smaller groups.”
They had a bar set up with a bartender, and Cora asked me what I wanted while we walked towards it. “We have your brand of beer stocked, since Julian says you usually prefer beer to liquor, but you aren’t driving tonight, so order what you want.”
I considered wine, but since they’d stocked my brand of beer, I decided to go with it. I told the bartender what I wanted, and he asked, “Bottle or chilled glass?”
“Bottle is fine, thanks.”
He took the top off with a flourish and handed me the bottle. It felt odd, not tipping him, but I didn’t see a tip jar, and I hadn’t known to bring cash with me.
Bethany walked up to us as we left the bar. “Oh, wow. Your hair! And those shoes! Damn girl, that is an adorable outfit. Come, meet my men and talk to us.”
“I know Mac and Ranger. I mean, I’ve been around them, but I guess I don’t really know much about them. They don’t talk much when they’re doing the bodyguard thing.”
She rolled her eyes. “They don’t talk a whole lot when they aren’t, either.”
Julian joined us while I was talking to Bethany and her men, and Kirsten came to us and hugged me, then Bethany.
“I’m so glad ya’ll are here. Welcome to Homewood. We aren’t doing a dinner tonight, but there are plenty of finger foods in the screened-in part of the porch. Feel free to grab what you want.” She turned to me. “We had awesome seats to your last show in Atlanta, and wow, do ya’ll put on a show!”
“OMG, yes!” Bethany said. “What a kick-ass night that was. Are ya’ll working on new stuff now, or taking a break after being on the road for so long?”
“We’ve had a few marathon sessions, working on new songs. I’m glad you enjoyed the show.”
And someone was going to mention the cello in three… two…
“The cello piece was fantastic!” Bethany said. “I’ve probably heard that song a hundred times, and I never knew it was a cello and a violin!”
I smiled because it never failed — someone always brought up the cello. It was sweet, how people latched onto that detail.
“Well, I for one was majorly impressed with the bass riff inCats and Unicorns,” Jonathan said. “The cello was cool because it’s different, but she’s a master on the bass guitar.”
“Thank you,” I told them all, and changed the subject. “This is an enchanting property. I’m in love with the waterfall. I’m in a townhouse specifically so I don’t have to worry with lawn maintenance, but if I had a yard, I’d put a waterfall in it.”
* * * *
Julian
I’d been so nervous about this evening, but it all worked out. I knew Marco had spent time on the river one night, close enough to Silver’s place he could spend some leisurely time going through her head. He’d told me she was perfect for me, and that she cares as much about me as I do for her.
We talked about the three suggestions he’d put into her head — that she wouldn’t notice how cold I am, or that she’s never seen me during the day, and that she wouldn’t mention to others that I don’t eat food around her. He promised me he hadn’t put anything else into her head, and I believed him. I wished we didn’t have to do anything to her thoughts, but I understood why it had to be done. I was grateful he’d done it, actually, so I didn’t have to. When she finally found out what I am, I’d be able to honestly tell her I’d never been in her head.
Marco had promised a while back to try to work things so I could tell her what I am, but not until he felt it was safe to do so. He worried if he tried under the current climate, with the Senatus so new, it might put her in danger, so I’d asked him to hold off until it was safe.
