Page 29 of Crocodile Tears
Everyone started catching him up on all the latest news. He was ever the politician, even taking time to talk to Lark and Logan on the laptop.
“I'd ask you what you've been up to,” Mom said. “But I think we've seen it all splashed around the news.”
Deacon chuckled. “Don't believe everything you read.”
“I loved you inViolent Nova,” Mom added. “Dove used to be obsessed with the books and games.”
“Oh really?” Deacon turned his smug gaze on me.
I swore to God, if Mom told him I used to have theViolent Novamovie poster on my wall, I was moving to the most remote jungles of Brazil and never returning.
“Do you think you'll ever do more Lucky Role songs?” Hannah asked, saving me from my runaway thoughts. “I always loved your music.”
Hawk cleared his throat and leaned a little closer to his very pregnant fiancée.
“Never say never,” Deacon hedged. “But I don't think my team wants me pursuing new music right now.”
I could hear the tinge of disappointment in his voice, as if he didn’t get to decide what he did with his career.
Deacon had been “discovered” by a model scout at thirteen, and he and his mom had moved to New York to follow his dreams, splitting the family in two until he was old enough to live there on his own. He’d modeled for a few years before launching a music career under the name Lucky Role. While he’d been doing the whole rock-star thing, he’d started popping up in supporting roles in films, and I’d always figured the acting bug had gotten him.
Now, it was hard to even remember his singing career. He was an action star through and through. His latest role as a monster-killing elf in a Netflix fantasy series was plastered over every billboard. I could begrudgingly admit he was a good actor, but he was an even better singer and I kind of wished he were still making music.
“How's your sister?” I asked. The question came out before I could think better of it.
Deacon looked at me, grateful for the spotlight being shifted off career questions. “Faith’s good, still touring with Rusty Sky Reverie,” he said with a smile. “Still adamant that we are never mentioned in the same sentence online.” He laughed and shookhis head. “She always wanted to make her own name for herself and she has.”
“I saw they won a Grammy,” Mom exclaimed. “Please tell her congratulations from all of us.”
“And your brother?”
“Still an electrician,” Deacon replied with a grin. “He's not in the least bit drawn in by the flashing lights of Hollywood.”
I nodded in approval.
“And Tom and Sheila?” Mom asked.Of course she remembered the names of one of her kids’ best friend's parents from fifteen years ago.
“Good.” Deacon’s smile seemed to widen in acknowledgement that Mom had remembered. “They still live in a beat-up little farmhouse in Vermont. I keep offering to pay someone to fix it up for them, but they refuse.”
“They're good people,” Mom said. “It would be lovely to see them again. If they're ever in the area, you tell them to give me a ring.”
“I’m sure they’d love that,” Deacon replied.
Hawk rubbed circles down Hannah’s back as he said, “Good to have down-to-earth family to keep you grounded.”
I snorted. “You thinkhe’sgrounded?”
Mom kicked me under the table, and I plastered on a fake smile to appease her.
“You know.” Mom gestured between Deacon and me. “I always thought the two of you would end up together.”
My fork clattered onto my plate. “Mom!”
Deacon laughed a little too hard. “Dove and me? Never.”
Damn.
That shouldn't have hurt nearly as much as it did.Never.
