Page 8 of Bayou Knights
“They seemed nice. I just can’t always be remembered for that one moment when I didn’t listen to directions.I don’t know if it would have been any different.The police would have found them like that if it wasn’t me. I don’t know. Go have fun. I might come out later.”
“Okay. I love you,” he kisses my cheek and runs out before I can say the same.
Gator was kind enough to leave some food at the door. I think what the card said it was etouffee. I’ve never had it before, and it was pretty good.After I ate, I laid around all day until it was almost four in the afternoon.I can’t just close myself off.Gage says that the guys from last night said they would go beat up my soon-to-be-ex if I wanted. I don’t need them to do that. I can only hope that I come out of this divorce scot-free.We did sign a prenup and there is a cheating clause in there. I had him sign one because my grandpa told me to.Sawyer insisted it wasn’t necessary, but he would try to say that since I’m the sole heir to my grandfather’s throne.I guess I could go to Texas, even though we rolled right through it.My grandpa has land there and a huge house.My parents and I are the only ones who knows the address since he never wanted Lyra to know.After my sister tried to steal from him by hacking into his accounts, he wrote her out of the will.She wasn’t happy about that.I told her it was her fault that she let drugs rule her mind.She’s still using.Is Sawyer using drugs?
I find myself saying that I don’t care if he is.I do know he’s not getting my money.I don’t use it, I put it away for Gage to use for college or like now when I need it to fix my car.Gage said it was towed to NOLA. I do at least need a ride there. It’s not about money or staying, it’s that my secret is embarrassing, and I don’t want anyone else to know, even though the whole world knows.
I really hate Sawyer right now.
I take a shower and dress in jeans, sandals, and a tank top.I’ve always been more comfortable in jeans than the stuffy clothes I wore when dropping Gage off at school. Heaven forbid I was wearing sweats which are more comfortable than even jeans.
I pull my hair up in a high ponytail and grab my wallet and room key. Time to check out what this festival is all about.
* * *
Zion
Everyone is having a good time. Grills are going, music pumping. We’ve already booked four gator tours for the morning and three for the afternoon.Gator said that he has four reservations for the Inn and Cupid is checking them out.Business is good.
“Dude, I’m saying she was hot,” I hear Luca, better known as Fist. He has a mean right hook. Don’t piss him off.
“You can’t be serious,” Stetson blows him off.
“Ask Ziggy or Gator,” Luca says.
“Ziggy,” Stetson calls my son over. I don’t know why I’m listening like some weirdo, but I’m intrigued to know who this woman is.
“Is Plum hot or not?” Luca asks.
“Hot,” Ziggy agrees.
“Gross, that’s my mom,” Gage whines and everyone laughs.
“Sorry, Gage. She is hot,” Ziggy says, before they all walk off into the crowd. I need a breather and round the corner to the inn and almost run over someone. Not someone, a woman.A tiny woman and when she raises her eyes to mine, I’m nearly knocked over. She’s not hot, she’s fucking gorgeous.
“I’m terribly sorry,” she whispers, or maybe she just has a soft voice.
“I wasn’t watching where I was going,” I apologize.
“Okay, sorry. I need to go find my son,” she says.
“Is your son Gage?” I ask her.
“Yes, how did you know? Is he in trouble or is he being trouble?”
“He’s fine. He’s with my son, Ziggy.”
“You’re Ziggy’s father?”
“I am, though his name isn’t Ziggy. That’s a nickname.His real name is Brody.”
“I like that name,” she says softly. I know she’s looking for Gage, but I don’t want her to leave my side for some reason.I want to talk to her, get to know her. I know that makes me sound like a pussy.
“Have you eaten yet?” I ask her.
“Just lunch a while ago,” she says, right as her stomach grumbles.
“Let’s get you a plate and you can see for yourself your son is good,” I offer, and I’m pleased when she falls in step.I hand her a plate and pile on whatever is on the buffet we have set up.Her eyes go wide but she doesn’t say anything. I grab a couple beers and a water since I don’t know if she drinks, and I show her to a table under a willow tree with some shade.
