Aloha, page 39
Aw, young love.
“Can you hold a benefit concert, Uncle Liam? I’ve seen old home movies of you doing one for the twins after their dad died, and I just think with your following, the band could raise a lot of money. I thought about asking my dad to pose for a calendar, but my mum says that’ll go right to his head and his ego is already too large for the house.”
I crack up and am very thankful I don’t have a mouthful of anything, otherwise I’d have a mess to clean up. After I gather my wits, I nod. “I think that’s a great idea, Eden.”
She claps her hands and launches herself into my arms. “Thank you, thank you, thank you.”
“On one condition,” I tell her.
“Oh, I’m not singing or anything.”
“No, nothing like that. The band doesn’t have a problem doing this, but the money only goes so far and is controlled by the government once we donate it. So, why don’t we do a drive of sorts? Let’s ask people to bring new blankets, clothes, or gently used items. Things we can fly over to Maui to help the residents. The money will help them rebuild, but they can’t rebuild if they’re not clothed.”
“What if we do a silent auction as well?” Rush suggests. “We can get items donated and auction them off.”
“That’s fantastic,” I say. “Tell you what, I’ll work on the venue and get that set up. I think we’ll need somewhere big—some place outside. I’ll ask some friends to perform. We’ll make it a day event. I’ll have Josie work on vendors for food, bathroom facilities, security, and whatever else we’ll need. You two get donations. Betty Paige and Mack will help.”
“We can do that.” Eden beams at Rush.
“Don’t be afraid to use your name, Eden,” I tell her. “Tell people who you are, sell your story, and if they don’t budge, tell them who your dad and uncles are.”
“I think I can get the snowboarding team to donate. Even the ski team,” Rush adds.
The door opens and Elle walks in. “What’s going on in here?”
Eden and Rush turn to look at her, and smile.
“They just sold me on hosting a fundraiser for Maui,” I tell her.
“That’s what I came in to ask. Plum wants to do something, and I thought we could do a joint venture.”
“We’d love to have them,” I tell Elle. “What about Talking Til Dawn?”
She nods. “I’ll ask, but they’re usually game for whatever.”
“Do you think Sinful Distraction will play?” Rush asks.
“Without a doubt,” Eden says as her cheeks flare. It’s no secret Eden used to crush on Quinn. It’s harmless and while she says she doesn’t, she can’t hide the evidence. I used to tease JD about Eden liking older men, just to rile him up. It’s not like Quinn or Eden would ever look at each other as anything but family.
“That’s four bands,” Rush says.
“That’s more than enough,” Elle says. “Venue?”
I shrug. “I think some place outside?”
“I’ll make some calls. We want something with facilities because rentals are such a hassle. There’s the new amphitheater out toward my parents’ place. It faces the water. It might be kind of cool to have it there.”
“Do you want me to contact them?” I ask Elle.
She shakes her head. “I’ll take care of it.”
“Then what am I going to do?” I ask, throwing my hands up.
“I don’t know,” Elle says as she heads toward the door. “Sit there and look pretty?”
Eden and Rush laugh.
“Elle . . .”
She laughs. “What’s the point of knowing a manager who can handle all of this for you?”
“When she’s my niece—”
Elle laughs. “Love you, Uncle Liam,” she says as she walks out.
“We have a list of things to do, so we’re going to take off,” Eden says as she approaches me. I pull her in for a hug. “Thank you.”
“It’s my pleasure. If you run into any problems, call me.”
“We will. See you at dinner.”
“We’ll be there.”
As soon as the door shuts, I tap the screen on my phone and open the app that allows me to video chat with Harrison and JD at the same time.
Harrison answers first, but before I can say anything, JD’s face pops onto the screen. “Ooh, three-way. This is saucy,” he says, causing us to laugh.
“Are you ever serious?” Harrison asks him.
JD scoffs. “Pffft, what’s the point? Being serious sounds boring, mate.”
JD’s not wrong. I think there was a time in his life when he would’ve changed, but then he was shot and ever since he’s lived life to the fullest. There’s never a dull moment when he’s around.
“So, what brings us all together?” Harrison asks.
“Well, moments ago, my niece and her boyfriend approached me, asking if we’d be willing to hold a fundraiser for the people of Maui.”
“Ah, so that’s why she wanted to come and see you,” JD says. “She wouldn’t tell me the reason.”
“And we agreed?” Harrison asks.
“We did, and then my other niece took it a step further and said all three of her bands will perform as well.”
Harrison laughs. “Does Quinn know?”
“Nope, I’ll leave that up to his sister.”
“So, what’s the gist? What do we need to do?” Harrison asks.
I clear my throat. “With Elle managing the logistics of it all, I think we spread the word, find people to donate, get some advertisements going. I sent Eden and Rush to find donations and told her not to be shy about telling people who she is.”
“Good luck there,” JD says. “I tell her all the time that she needs to be all ‘Do you know who my dad is,’ but she won’t.”
“That’s because no one knows you,” Harrison blurts out through laughter. To make matters worse, he adds a “ba-dum tsh” drum sound, which only infuriates JD.
“You know, after all these years, I wonder why I stick around. The amount of disrespect.” JD shakes his head.
“Because we’re family,” I tell him. “And you know damn well we’d do anything for you.”
“Yeah, yeah,” JD continues to shake his head. “Someday . . .”
“Someday, we’ll retire, and then we’ll be three guys who sit around, fiddling with our instruments while reminiscing about the good ole days. Until then, we’re a band about to have a charity concert because our resident surfer needs her family to help her friends out.”
“I’m going to send a tweet,” JD says. “Or X, or whatever the hell it’s called now.”
“I’ll go live on TikTok once I have a date from Elle,” I add.
“How’s that going—the Love Line with Liam?” Harrison asks.
“Good. It’s fun answering questions. People seem to dig it.”
“That’s good. I thought about doing something similar, but each time I pick up my phone, Ollie wants it and we’re not putting him on social media.”
“I don’t blame you,” JD adds. “We hired someone to manage Eden’s. She needs it, but doesn’t have the time between competitions, practice, and school.”
“That’s probably for the best,” I add. “Okay, I’m going to check in with Noah. I’m sure some of his teammates will do something.”
Harrison scrubs his hand over his face. “I’ll reach out to some peeps once we have a date. Rehearsal?”
“Yeah,” I say, sighing. “Tomorrow?”
They agree, and we hang up. I hadn’t planned my visit to California to be taken up with a fundraiser, but it is what it is. I text Josie quickly and tell her I’m heading back to the house and ask if she needs anything. She tells me no and reminds me we have dinner plans with my mother later.
Chapter 2
Harrison
As soon as I hang up with Liam, Quinn’s voice rings out, asking if anyone is home. I sit up and pull my legs off the coffee table while Oliver runs toward the door, yelling, “Win!” When Quinn enters the room, he has Ollie on his hip.
“Have you spoken with your sister?” I ask him.
“Nope. Why?”
“You didn’t even ask which sister?”
“Well, since I haven’t spoken to either of them, saying no seemed like the logical answer.”
“Smart ass,” I mumble under my breath.
“Ollie, did you hear what Daddy said?” Quinn asks the toddler on his lap. Katelyn started a swear jar and if she catches me, or anyone for that matter, saying things we shouldn’t, she tells us to pay up. It’s for Oliver’s college fund. Not that he needs one because we’ve already started a trust for him.
“Daddy pay. Daddy pay.” Oliver claps his chubby hands in excitement only because that’s what my lovely wife taught him to do.
“Where’s Mom?” Quinn tickles Oliver, who giggles uncontrollably.
“With your aunts.”
“Josie’s in town?”
I nod. “Liam and the kids are as well.”
“Noah’s pre-season game is at home. Why are they here?”
“We’re working on new music.”
“Ah.” Quinn nods. “So, back to one of my sisters?”
“Elle volunteered Sinful Distraction to perform at a charity event 4225 West is hosting.”
“Yeah, I know,” he says. “Eden called and asked if we’d do it.”
“Wow, and you’re okay with it?”
Quinn rolls his eyes and sets Ollie down. “You make it seem like I don’t like performing. I do. I don’t enjoy touring. There’s a vast difference. Besides, Eden asked, and it’s important to her.”
I place my hand on his shoulder and squeeze. “I guess growing up on a tour bus ruined you, huh?”
Quinn shrugs. “It’s not that. I don’t like leaving Nola for long periods of time. She wants to work, and I respect that. Plus . . .” Quinn trails off.
“Are you afraid of Alicia?”
He nods. “I always wonder if she’s lurking out there, somewhere. It’s like I love singing, writing music, and being with my band, but then I think about her and then I don’t want to leave my house.”
“She can’t hurt you if you don’t let her.”
“She can’t hurt me or Nola, or you and Mom, as long as she’s not hiding behind someone.”
I sigh heavily. As much as I want to regret ever meeting Alicia Tucker, I can’t imagine my life without Quinn. He was my missing piece. My entire reason for living. That was until I met Katelyn and the twins. Then my life became about the four of them and giving them all the life and family they deserve. Life became better when we added Oliver.
“Is there anything I can do?”
Quinn shakes his head. “Nah. It’s my demon.”
While that may be, it’s not one I want him to tackle alone. “I’ll make sure security is tightened at the event. We won’t take any risks of someone getting backstage.”
“Thanks.”
For a long moment, he’s quiet. I don’t pretend to understand what he goes through when his mind wonders about the woman who left him on my doorstep. I always said if Alicia came back, I’d encourage Quinn to form a relationship with her. That was until she did some sneaky, underhanded shit. I’ve never thought about harming another person in my life until that moment.
Before I can say something profound to my son, the door opens again, and the high-pitched squeal of Evelyn rings out. “Grandpa!”
“Evelyn . . . oof.” I groan as she tackles me. On the outside, Miss Evelyn Jameson Ballard is a sweet little girl. But on the inside, she’s a holy terror, determined to cut me down at my knees.
“Sorry, Grandpa,” she says “grandpa” with a snicker thanks to Liam. He thinks it’s funny that I have this moniker because I’m older than him. I keep reminding him his time is coming, and if he’s not careful, I’m going to teach his grandchild to call him something ridiculous, like pewpew.
“It’s okay, love bug.”
I stand and give Jamie and Ajay hugs and rub my hand over James’s hair. He’s too busy playing with Oliver to say hi. “What are you guys doing here?”
“Katelyn called and told us to come over,” Jamie says. “I brought chips and dips.” She holds up a grocery bag before taking it into the kitchen. I look at Ajay and then Quinn. Both shrug.
“Don’t look at me,” Quinn says. “I came to hang out while Nola’s doing her thing.”
I pull my phone from my pocket and walk out to the patio, with Evelyn hot on my heels.
“Can I talk to Grandma?”
“Yeah, let’s call her.”
I sit and bring Evelyn onto my lap. Holding the phone out, Evelyn presses the video button next to Katelyn’s name. After two rings, she answers.
“Hi, Grandma!”
“Hi my sweet girl. Are you at my house with Grandpa?”
Evelyn nods. “Are you coming home soon?”
“I’m on my way.”
“Okay, I’ll wait for you.”
Evelyn climbs down and heads back into the condo. “Hey, wanna fill me in?” I ask.
“I’m assuming you’ve spoken with Elle?”
“Liam, but not Elle.”
“Well, this is an all-hands-on deck situation. I invited everyone to come over for dinner.”
“Everyone?”
Katelyn nods. “Yes, except our son. He’s not answering.” I look over my shoulder to find him and Ajay deep in conversation.
“He’s on the couch, and any mention of free food will keep him there.”
She laughs. “Everyone should be there shortly. I called in an order for some barbecue, which I’ll pick up along the way. I think what you guys are doing is really commendable. Elle told me all about it, how Eden had the idea.”
“You know I’m game for whatever. By any chance, did Elle tell you when it is?”
“This Saturday.”
“Oh wow, so not much time to plan.”
“No, which is why everyone’s coming over. We’re going to divvy up some responsibilities so no one takes on more than they can. Chandler is going to watch the kiddos while the adults work.”
“All right. What can I do here?”
“Send the boys to get drinks. I don’t think there’s enough in the garage. Liam and Josie are bringing dessert, and they’re bringing Bianca, too. They were supposed to have dinner with her tonight, but she’d rather plan the shindig. Oh, and make sure you have the laptop set up. We’ll need to call Peyton later. She’s going to get the team to do something. They can’t attend because of Noah’s game, though.”
“I figured.”
“Okay, I’ll be home after I stop to pick up the food. I love you.”
“Love you more.” We hang up and I go back inside to find Quinn on the floor with the boys, and Evelyn on his back, trying to get him to act like a horse. “Okay, just got off the phone with the boss. We’re having a family gathering and by family, I mean everyone. Mom needs you boys to stock the fridge in the garage.”
“On it,” Ajay says as he stands, as does Quinn with Evelyn, who’s still attached to his back.
“Can I go, Daddy?” she asks Ajay.
“Yes, but you can’t get a piggyback ride in the store. Quinn will need his hands.”
“Okay.” While Evelyn agrees, she doesn’t make any attempt to get down.
The boys leave and I round up the toddlers and take them into the kitchen with me. It’s not ideal, but leaving them in the living room by themselves isn’t, either. This is where I find Jamie, busy putting out an assortment of chips in bowls.
“I can do that if you want to take these guys,” I say, as they both try to wiggle out of my arms.
“Nope, I’m good.”
Bamboozled.
I sigh heavily and as dramatically as possible, but to no avail. Jamie ignores me, which leaves me no choice but to take these two into the other room to keep them busy.
“All right, Thing 1 and Thing 2, let’s head up to the playroom.”
When we get to the playroom, I finally let them out of my hold. They both rush to the toy boxes and, within seconds, the floor is no longer visible. I sit in the rocking chair, the one Katelyn bought when we brought Ollie home, and watch them. Every so often, Oliver brings me a toy to hold—not to play with, though—until he’s ready for it.
As soon as Katelyn appears in the doorway, I no longer exist. I watch our son make his way to his mama and reach for her. She scoops him up in her arms and he nestles into the crook of her neck. From the day she met him, their bond has been strong. It’s like Oliver was meant to be in the hospital where Katelyn volunteered.
“Channy,” James says as Chandler walks into the room. I’ve never been so happy to see her in my life. As much as I love having the babies around, I like adult time, especially when my wife has been gone all day.
Katelyn hands Oliver over to Chandler and I motion for her to head down the hall to her office. I lock the door behind us and turn to face her. The energy in the room shifts. The dull static of the day turns to radiant power. I will never, ever tire of looking at Katelyn. Each day, each moment, she takes my breath away.
In one long stride, one hand cups her cheek while my other hand finds its place on the small of her back. Our breathing becomes synchronized, becomes one. I lean in, our eyes flutter closed, and press my lips to hers. What starts out as sweet turns quickly into fervent passion. I do my best to tell her, to show her all the love and desire I still feel for her after all these years together.
Katelyn presses her hand to my cheek and holds it there for a moment. “I love you.”
“I love you. Did you have a good day?”
“I did. I miss not having Josie near me every day, but I get it. I’m really hoping they’ll move here after Paige is done with school.”
“They own a lot of property there, and other businesses, too.”
“I know.” She leans into me and I wrap my arms around her.
“We could always move there.”
Katelyn steps back and looks at me.
I shrug. “I’ve thought about it now that we have Oliver. And with Elle and Ben spending more time there, it makes some sense.”
