Page 59 of Thick as Thieves
“You tried to hook up with Marcus in Devon when you knew he was married, and again when he came back to LA in a state,” I snap out.
James spins around and stares at her, his face a mask of contempt. She looks really uncomfortable.
“I know. I told Evie about that as well. I don’t want him or you, I’m here with Gabe. I went through everything that happened before with her. I promise, I’m just here for Gabe. Spending time with her and the twins is a bonus.” She smiles tentatively at me, at James. I don’t think I’ve ever seen her like this before. She looks more casual, more dressed down, stripped bare.
“What’s up, Xan?” Evie comes down the stairs and smiles at us all, spreading calm. She’s getting more like Marshall everyday. “Are you coming with us for the day, Texas? We’re going to the park with the lake, near the zoo. It’s a bit of a walk, but it should be nice today. Valentina’s relations are there, so we’re joining them.”
She turns to me and holds my hand, threading her fingers through mine. She’s grinning at me, completely keyed in to my annoyance. “I wondered when they’d see this Xander?” Kissing me gently, she reassures me, “We’ll be fine. I’m taking Tommy and Darryl, you go for coffee. James, sort him out.” She pushes into me and I hold her, breathing in her scent. Rose and summer rain.
“I worry.” I close my eyes and pull her close. I can’t get enough of her.
“I know, but don’t. We’re fine. You’re all at the radio station in a few hours, go have fun. We’ll see you back here for dinner. James, are you coming to the park?”
“Yes. I’ll take Papa out, caffeine him up, and join you in a bit.”
She nods at him, smiling all the while. I brush her hair from her face.
“Go,” she says gently, pushing at me.
I can’t stop kissing her, pecking at her lips, and all the while she’s laughing at me.
“God damn, woman, I’m going, I’m going.” I laugh and turn to leave, catching Texas staring at me like I’m an alien. Well I probably am to her. She’s never seen me with Evie, no one has. Only Kellen.
Evie turns and starts up the steps, talking to Texas about the food the boys have eaten.
Gabe is standing like a statue, staring at me, with a weird expression on his face. James is watching him, clearly trying to decipher his look. “Do you want to join us, Gabe?” He’s so fucking polite, no way would I have asked him.
He’s still staring at me. “No, thanks James. I think your Papa needs you more than me.” He smirks, finally breaking the stare. There’s no malice in his comment. He knocks my shoulder and I’m sure he says, “Lucky bastard,” but it’s so quiet I can’t catch it for sure.
25
Xander
We makethe radio station late into the afternoon and are being fawned over by the radio team. They have drinks and food waiting for us. Tim joins us unexpectedly, rushing in at the last minute, waving at us all.
“What you doin’ here?” I ask him. “Do you think we need our hands held? Want to prep us on what to say?” We’re all teasing him.
He goes beet red. “I had to get out of LA, my ex is hounding me. I’ve changed my locks. I might move into your house, Xander.”
“Sure, it’s free. Just let the housekeeper know, she’ll let you in. What have you done that’s caused you so much trouble?”
He goes red again. “No way, Tim, you haven’t?” laughs Marcus. “And you’re always on at us.”
“Well, she told me she didn’t want to be exclusive. So I took her at her word and went out with someone else. I’ve had to block her, as we saw her at?—”
The studio producer calls us all in for the interview, cutting Tim off mid flow, and leaving us without the punch lines. Kell is whining, hissing at Tim to carry on with his tale even when we get into the studio. He wants ammo for later, as Tim always tells him off for his antics. Tim, clearly relieved at not having to relive the situation again, bats him off, going redder and redder. We’re grinning at him like school boys, every infantile comment ready on our lips. We don’t get to dish them, as he shushes us all as the production team start to give us instructions.
It’s an easy session. It’s not live, and we’ve seen all the questions. A lot again for Marcus about his wife and twins. Of course, we all chip in about the twins, keeping them talking. We also talk up the new music, and the vibe stays light and upbeat. We’re all happy, laughing and joking with each other, snapping out insider jokes aimed a bit at Tim, via Kell, and me towards Gabe. It’s a really great interview with the hosts, all the team interacting.
We leave the studio and go back into the green room about two hours later. Tim turns his phone back on, starting in again on the tale of how he blocked his ex. His phone is going mad. We’re all laughing at him, asking if he’s sure he’s actually blocked her and should we get Jonno involved. But his face drains of all colour as he scrolls rapidly through some messages and then pictures.
“We need to find them, now,” I shout as I digest the pictures and messages we’re all being shown. “She said they were going to a park with a lake near the zoo.” I’m frantically pacing, frustrated this is happening and upset I’m not there to prevent it.
“Call James,” Marcus demands. “And Jonno. Call Jonno, call Jackson. They can get a team to them.” Marcus is going pale, all the blood draining from his face as he looks at pictures of his family, our family.
“A fucking team? Is it that bad?” I grab the phone off Tim and see pictures of Evie and the twins in the park. “Is that the park from today?” No one seems to know. I’m pulling at my hair,fuck, that woman from this morning must have gone straight to the press.
“Can we get an injunction on the story? She signed an NDA.” Gabe looks really pale and sounds a bit terrified. I know he hasn’t appeared to be that supportive, especially around our living arrangements. But underneath his bravado, he loves them all, and he’s particularly worried about paparazzi near the twins. He loves them. He’d never intentionally do anything to put any of them in harm’s way.
