Page 57 of Thick as Thieves
He blows on his fingers and rubs his shoulder, like he’s the shit.
“All Evie,” I tell him.
He laughs. “I fucking know it.”
The following week,James arrives. It causes a serious stir in the house. All of the girls are fangirling him, and Gabe is fucking fuming.
“Don’t pick women so young then. They’re more his age than yours,” I tell him, laughing at his face, he looks so sour.
“Fuck off, Xan. No one’s ever bothered before,” he tries to rationalise.
“Yeah well, one, it’s James, and we’re all old, and he’s not,” I state matter of factly. Gabe needs to wake up and smell the coffee. We’re not young twenty-somethings, he’s pushing forty.
Evie’s so happy James is here. He’s come alone, the rest of the band going to the coast. Bucky said he needed the beach break, so he’s gone to ground at some villa just south of Cancun. Alone.
“Do you think I should go get him?” Evie asks me and Kellen at dinner. “I’m worried he’s getting out of control again. James said he isn't, he's a lot better. I’ve FaceTimed him, and he looks ok, but still.” She’s so worried about them all, always considering others.
I squeeze her arm, letting her know I understand. Sure, I want to reassure her, but I also can’t seem to stop putting my hands on her. I’m a man with an addiction. Her.
“We’ll see how he looks in a day or two, and if you’re still worried we could go. We have a few days off now,” I remind her. But to be fair, if she needed to go, I’d make it happen.
She nods and smiles at me lovingly. “We’ve been invited to Valentina’s home for a Mexican family meal. Do you both want to come, or should I go alone with the twins?”
Kell and I look at each other, the potential onslaught of Valentina’s family is overwhelming, the sheer numbers making my head swim. And my waistline can’t handle the copious amounts of food.
She starts to laugh. “I’ll go alone this time, but if she invites us all again, you’re going.”
James tags along instead. He comes back talking about Valentina’s granddaughter, who’s studying law, and by all accounts gave James a hard time on women’s rights and the treatment of women in the music industry.
“I know Mum is hot on this stuff, but God, she was on it,” he tells Marcus. “We really need to up our game. Or you two do, with the label. You need to recruit her. She was amazing.”
Marcus is grinning at him. “I’ll get on it. Make sure we’re leading lights. Otherwise how can I look my wife in the eye?”
“I tried to convince her we—well, you—were good with this type of thing, but she had an answer and a reason why not for everything.” He looks a bit dejected. “I’m going to bed to consider my interactions with women in the industry.” He grins at us all and kisses his mother. “Do you still love me, Mum?”
“I do, Sunshine. And you’re fine. I’d tell you all if you weren’t.” He saunters off to bed.
“He’s never met anyone he can’t charm,” says Evie, nodding towards his retreating back. “It was an eye opener for him.”
“Well neither had we until we met you, so…” says Kell, laughing at Evie’s face.
“I’m nice to you both,” she says, prodding at Kell. “I only tell you off when you deserve it.” She grins at us, kissing Kell and then coming over and kissing me on the lips. My heart is thumping away. How can these simple exchanges make my heart explode? How can it all feel so amazing? This family, being a part of a family, being in love as a family, being at the centre of it. I can hardly believe how lucky I am.
The days arefine and dry and getting warmer, the twins have started on food, so on this particular morning they are fed and having a mid-morning nap when I hear some shouting, and a lot of banging, coming from downstairs.
Gabe comes huffing and puffing upstairs into the kitchen where I’m alone, sorting drinks out. “Just lost one of the girls. She tried to get in bed with James. He’s gone loco, kicked off and stationed Zak at the door. Not sure what his problem is. I would’ve been happy if she’d have climbed into my bed unannounced.” He seems more annoyed about James’s reaction to the whole thing than the actual intrusion James experienced.
“I’m not surprised, Gabe. What the fuck? Did you not tell them he was not to be bothered? This is home for him. And I told you those girls were too young for you. They’re middle twenties, you’re a thirty-seven-year old man.”
He looks at me like I’ve lost my mind on so many levels. “Xander, you’re not his dad, so stop fucking acting like it.”
Wonderful. He’s starting in on me straight away. Trying to push my buttons. Fucking hell, he’s such an idiot.
“I am his fucking dad. I’m with his mother, so he’s mine. And keep them away from him, otherwise you’re all out. I’m honestly surprised he hasn’t asked you to go. Because make no bones about it, he would not give a shit to do it.”
“it’s not up to you, it’s up to Marcus and Evie, his fucking parents.” He’s picking at me, and enjoying it. I can see the glee on his face.
I’m fuming, and bite straight away, steam coming out of my ears. “Fuck you, Gabe. He fucking is mine, and I protect what’s mine.” I move to grab Gabe by the throat, miss as he feints to the right, but waste no time getting up in his face, mine a picture of anger. He’s still full of snark.
