Page 69 of Thick as Thieves
We’ve had weeks of gigs since the papers ran the stories about the twins and us. We’re hassled everywhere we go, the press is ridiculous. But as Tim points out, we’re selling out every venue and the music is so fucking amazing it’s getting as much press as our living arrangements.
My worry—Evie. Every day, she sets her shoulders and gathers herself together to go out and about. She won’t not go. She says if she’s going to stay in, she might as well go home.
Thank God for Valentina. She’s taking Evie and the twins—and Texas, which I’m still dubious about—to every family event. Every lunch, every picnic. And the Mexican mama has a lot of family and events.
Texas has inserted herself into the family routine and is hinting very heavily to Evie about coming to England to help her with the twins. I notice Evie calmly smiles, and all she ever says is, “I’m not sure Gabe can spare you.” A very uncommitted answer, but Texas is persistent.
Evie entirely loves the dinners and the events, so I’ve even asked Xan about Valentina coming back to the UK. He agrees and we’ve tentatively asked Tim to look into the requirements to get her a visa.
I need to talk to Evie about it. We’ve got about two weeks left of concerts, but Evie is planning on going home in a few days, right after Xan’s birthday, as Marshall is home just after.
We should only be a week or so behind them, but I’m not sure I’ll survive their departure. And I’m even less sure about Xan. He’s turned into a crazy stalker. Begging Jonno for apps, he’s calling and checking in almost hourly. The only time he doesn’t is if he’s on stage. When he comes off between sets, he’s onto Mick if things are okay and insists he have Tommy on call so he can check. He’s so protective of us all, he’ll not survive a week away at this rate.
We leave the latest meet and greet and try to make a dash for the car.
“Fuck me, not again. We’re staying aren’t we, Levi?” Gabe’s pissed off. He stands in the back room of the venue in only his jeans. “Send the plane back for us tomorrow night, we’re not playing again until a few days’ time. I have my entourage, Levi has his, we’re staying to party. You two boring gits run back home.” But he’s grinning at us as he finishes the sentence.
“They’re hardly boring,” contradicts Levi. “Three, every fucking night. I’d say they’re way more exciting than you, Gabe, ‘cos you’re down to one. Texas I’m sure has a girl crush on Evie. That woman pulls ‘em in. I’m a bit in love myself.” He’s laughing, but Xander has stopped dead in his tracks.
“What the fuck?” he grits out. “If she touches Evie, I’ll fucking kill her.” His eyes have turned wild, and his agitation hits maximum straight away.
Levi starts to laugh. “Cool it, Papa bear. I’m gonna cum in my jeans, all this testosterone on show from you. Help me, help me, I need you Xander.” He’s laughing and calling out as Xander tries to punch him. They’re laughing and mock fighting. Thank god for Levi lightening the mood. I’m relieved to see the levity, to be honest.
“Did Texas get off with Becky?” I ask. “Last summer. Does she like women?” Xander freezes again and looks at Levi.
“Yeah, she did, a lot, after the dining room, actually,” confirms Levi, pointedly looking at Xander.
“We need to go,” says Xan looking too fucking serious. “Why would she keep ditching Gabe for the twins?” asks Xan, clearly his mind has made a few leaps.
“Well, she can’t have kids. And she does work in a nursery in America,” says Gabe. We all turn to look at him.
“How the fuck do you know that?” We thought he wasn’t interested in anyone beyond the bedroom.
He shrugs. “She told me. They have to have a medical to come with me. It might amaze you to know, but I only fetch them out once that’s completed, and it came up on one. I know what they do for a living besides enjoying me.” He smirks at us.
Maybe Texas’s fascination isn’t with Evie, it’s with the twins.
“Well, make sure you’re back the day after tomorrow. We’ve talked Evie into a club night,” I tell him.
“Not THE club night?” Levi asks. “With all the whips and what not.”
“No, they’re working up to that,” laughs Gabe.
“Fuck off, Gabe. No, a nightclub. She doesn’t leave the house other than days out and the odd night with us at gigs, so…” Xander is pissed at Gabe’s attitude.
“Yeah, we’ll be back. Wouldn’t miss it brother.” Gabe grins at him and pulls him in for a hug and lots of back slapping.
The girls all come in and I see Tim following behind.
“You two ready? These two idiots are staying. I’ll stay with them, you head out and we’ll see you for your birthday, Xan. I’ve sorted transport for everyone.”
I smile my gratitude at him. “Thanks, Tim. Xan, let’s go.”
We head out, leaving the room filling up with all sorts of people. I shake my head, amazed at how unbothered I am. “A few months ago, I would have never walked away from all that,” I tell Xander, who’s already dialling home.
He looks up at me and smiles, a radically different smile from the practised one I see regularly with other people. He shakes his head, leans back and smiles even wider when Evie comes on FaceTime with Lochi up to the camera. I watch the man I love, loving our children and wife. What the fuck has happened to us?
“Haveyou thought about who you’ll get to help you when you go home, Kitten?” I pull her onto my lap. The sun’s warmed the comfy chairs through the kitchen windows throughout the day, and we nestle into them.
