I help Henley finish breakfast while Kip and Rhys are on cleaning duty. There’s pancake batter splattered all over the counters and walls. Her kitchen isn’t small either. I chuckle every time I turn to see them cleaning their mess.
When breakfast is almost done, Rhys appears with a fresh cup of coffee for Hen. He offers it to her with both hands cupping it, and puppy dog eyes. His bottom lip sticks out in a pout.
“For you Queen,” he kneels in front of her and bows his head.
“Good boy, you are forgiven,” she says and kisses him on the cheek when he stands.
Rhys turns around to Kip, ensures Henley isn’t looking and sticks his tongue out and flips him the bird while mouthing “fuck you”.
Kip frowns and boxes her in around the kitchen sink as she washes a dish.
“Do you forgive me?” he asks cheerfully.
“You haven’t done anything nice for me,” she replies with sarcasm.
He leans down and nibbles on her neck which causes her to squeal.
“I’ve got something very nice for you,” he says and grabs his junk.
“I need food, Kip.”
“Everyone get to the table so my woman can get some nutrients and shit. She needs her energy for the nasty shit I’m going to do to her,” he announces like it’s not a big deal.
“Bruh, I was gonna eat,” a man says in the doorway.
“Beau, Chauncey, meet my other brother Koi,” Henley wastes no time with introductions.
We shake hands and begin to place the food on the table.
“How can you people eat after he said that?” Koi asks.
“At least Joe isn’t here spreading his malaria all around,” Kip says.
“Shut the fuck up,” Joe says as he sits down at the table.
“Fuck! I thought I got rid of your diseased ass last night,” Kip smacks his forehead.
I burst into laughter, my kid is fucking hilarious.
Henley instructs everyone else to clean up after breakfast since her and I technically cooked. She invites me out to a patio for a smoke.
“Thank you for letting us stay,” I say as soon as we’re alone.
“No problem. I won’t have y’all staying in a hotel. Besides, you’d miss all the fun,” she chuckles.
“Memphis says it’s always like this,” I state.
“Pretty much. The members of both bands, our publicist, our attorney, our tattoo artists, Cam’s wife, and my gatekeeper have all been friends since childhood. We’re all really close and supportive.”
“I’m glad he’s had that all these years,” I admit.
“He’s an amazing person, Beau. I don’t know a lot. He hasn’t shared too much with me. He’s one of those people you can’t rush. You have to let him sort it out in his head and make sense of it, and when he’s ready he lays it all out.”
“He seems amazing. I just wish I knew how he’s really handling all this,” I wonder.
“He has the most beautiful soul. He makes me laugh all the time. He always understood me, even at my worst. He’s always picked me up, especially at my worst. He’s my best friend first. As for how he’s doing, he’s coping. You being here is good. It means he’s accepted who you are. It will take time for comfort, security, and even a father-son love to be present in your relationship, but it will come with time. Just remember you’re here right now. Kip gets quiet sometimes, but don’t let it bother you. He’s been so quiet recently that I worry, but he’s good about cuddling up to me to let me know it isn’t me. He can’t do that with you though. Just know if his arms are around me and he’s quiet, he’s sorting through something. He’s got a lot to sort through.”
“He does. I wish I could change that. I tried. I really did, Henley.”
“I don’t know the story to be honest. You can talk to me just as well as Kip can. I won’t get in the middle unless you hurt each other, but I’m here to talk to. I know him better than anyone else, and I hope that helps to make things easier on you. Personally, I’m glad you’re here. I’m glad you’re his dad, because Gary Paxton was a piece of shit,” she says with such distaste.
“He was. Worse than you probably know.”
Our conversation ends when the rest of the crew joins us. I watch as Kip plays tug-of-war with Cash, who has to be the cutest fucking dog I’ve ever seen. After he tires of it, he tells Cash to follow him as he walks over to Chauncey and me.
“Sit, Cash,” he commands, and the pup obeys. “Cash this is your grandpa Beau and your Great-Uncle Chauncey.”
We chuckle because we were just called grandpa and great uncle. Neither of us are even fifty yet.
“I don’t like grandpa,” I say.
“I don’t want to be called great anything until I’m at least seventy,” Chauncey adds.
“Well shit. Fine, what do you want to be called?” Kip asks me with humor in his eyes.
I think about it for a beat, “How about Pops? It sounds more rock-and-roll.”
Kip looks down at Cash who waits for further instruction, “Cash say ‘Pops’.”
Cash barks and Kip tells him he’s a good boy and feeds him a snack.
“Cash say uncle Chauncey,” he commands.
Cash barks and he’s rewarded again.
“You guys made such a pretty baby together,” Rhys feigns crying.
“Why are you crying?” Kip shouts like Tom Hanks.
“It’s just so fucking beautiful,” Rhys wipes his imaginary tears.
Kip replies, “Hen do you have some manpons for Rhys? He just got his period.”
***
Kip
We meet at Red’s at four in the afternoon and Thanksgiving is wonderful. We spend most of the afternoon and late evening there and laugh like hell. Cash stays under Red’s ass because he feeds him entirely too many treats from the table. I’ve spent some time with Beau and Chauncey, but never alone. I’m not ready for that just yet.
I wrap my arms around Henley and rest my chin on her shoulder. I think about the last Thanksgiving in California where Gary and Pam graced us with their presence. He made me feel insignificant even then. This Thanksgiving I feel a little freer than I ever have. I don’t feel like I need to impress Gary, and I sure as fuck don’t want his approval or for him to be proud of me. I’m with my family now, and that includes my dad and uncle. A dad and uncle who actually want me and that makes me smile a little.
“You okay,” Hen asks.
“Yeah, why?” I ask and kiss her on her shoulder.
“You’re quiet and I can hear the wheels spinning in your head,” she answers.
I stand up straight and turn her to face me. I slide my hands to her waist and look down into her grey eyes.
“I’m okay. Thank you for all of your help with them,” I say and peck her lips.
“You’re welcome. Stop looking at me like that though,” she frowns.
I smile widely at her, “Like what?”
“I don’t know. When you look down at me like, I don’t know, like you… and when you talk quietly the rasp in your voice is more pronounced, and it does shit to a girl,” she narrows her eyes at me.
I lean down and envelop her in my arms and whisper in her ear, “I look at you like what, baby?”
“Nothing,” she sighs.
Chicken shit.
“I don’t look at you like you’re nothing. The exact opposite actually.”
“I didn’t mean you look at me like nothing.”
“Did you mean I look at you like I’m in love with you?” I call her out.
“Yes,” she whispers.
I pull back so I can look at her face.
“It’s because I am.”
“Good. Me too,” she says and smiles shyly.
“You’re such a chicken shit,” I accuse and then kiss her.
“You have a lot on your plate, I didn’t want to add more to it.”
“Henley, I’ve always told you I love you.
I get that it means more now when I say it but I am in love with you. I love you,” I admit and my heart ends up in my fucking throat.
Stupid fucking heart.
“I’m in love with you too, Kip. I love you,” she says and stands on her toes to press her lips to mine.
“Knock it off,” Koi yells from across the room.
I pull her into a deep kiss just to piss him off and flip him the bird.
“Reminds me of when we fell in love,” Grandma says to Red and pats her hand on his hand.
I break from Henley and see the look Red gives his wife. It’s a look of love and devotion.
“Do I need to take you in the room, Mama?” Red asks in front of everyone and I choke on my own spit.
“What the fuck?” Koi asks.
“How in the hell do you think all you little mother fuckers got here? Immaculate conception?” Red questions.
“I mean I understand the basic principles of reproduction, but I like to think of it in scientific terms when it comes to people I’m related to,” Koi seems appalled.
“Do you think of it in scientific terms when you’re with a woman?” Derek teases.
“Hell no,” Koi admits.
“How do you think you’re mother got here?” Red asks.
“Red, I do not want to talk about you having naughty thoughts about my sweet, innocent grandmother. It’s wrong on so many levels,” Memphis jumps in.
“Bruh,” Koi agrees.
“Sweet and innocent?” Grandma asks and I see the fire in her eyes Henley gets when she wants to correct a misconception.
Uh-oh.
“Yes. You are pure,” Koi says.
Red snorts out a laugh.
“I’ll have you know the night your mother was conceived we were eating dinner on that very table in there. When I put my fork down, your grandmother took her hands and cleared the table, breaking shit all over the floor. She crawled across that table like a seductress and your mother was conceived on that very table,” Red says.
Grandma chuckles.
“Jesus Christ, Dad,” Grace says.
“I just vomited in my mouth,” Koi gags.
“I can’t even look at you right now,” Memphis says and covers his eyes.
“I’m old, doesn’t mean my dick don’t still work, boys. Make a pill for that shit now,” Red adds.
“Yes they do,” Grandma says.
“Red!” Henley shouts.
Beau, Chauncey, and Derek are cracking the fuck up. Yeah, welcome to our crazy world.
“It ain’t like you don’t know what one is, girl,” Red tells her.
“Time to go home,” Henley announces.
Happy fucking Thanksgiving.
Chapter 12
Henley
Beau and Chauncey join Kip on his tour bus as we head to Jacksonville for a show. I nap during the four hour drive, so I don’t worry about Kip spending time with Beau without me around as a buffer. I’m happy he has Beau, but he doesn’t know him, and he’s got all this shit he needs to deal with.
Before the bus stops, I freshen up to meet fans at the pre-show meet and greet. Once we’re escorted into the venue, we’re placed in our designated dressing rooms where Jessica will prep each of us with what she’s chosen for wardrobe. We really need to hire someone else for wardrobe. Jessica has entirely too much on her plate. I place a call to Samantha while I wait for the meet and greet and ask her to look into someone who can do hair, makeup, and wardrobe to lessen the load.
As soon as I hang up, Jessica bounces into the room. She looks me over for several minutes.
“You fucked him,” she smiles.
“Yep.”
“How was it?”
“Which time?”
“What? You nasty bitch, I want to know about every time,” she says and takes a seat, resting her chin on her hand.
“Well, he knows how to fuck that’s for damn sure. Best lay of my life,” I admit.
“Nuh-uh,” she gasps.
“He knows how to go slow and worship my body, but he can also fuck hard and dirty.”
The door opens and Meghan steps through with Kathrine and Stephanie behind her.
“I didn’t know you were coming,” I say to Meghan.
“Speaking of coming, you can continue the conversation. You were talking about Kip I assume,” she wiggles her eyebrows.
“She said he knows how to go fast and slow… best lay of her life… dirty boy… keep going,” Jessica recaps and then pleads.
“What do you want to know?” I ask.
“Did he eat your pussy?” Meghan asks.
“God yes,” I answer.
“That good?” Kathrine asks.
“Yep.”
“How big is his dick?” Stephanie asks.
“I had to get a little accustomed to his size,” I wink.
“I knew that mother fucker was packing heat,” Meghan states.
“It’s always the drummers. They fuck like gods,” Jessica says and we all turn our heads to her.
“What do you know about drummers?” Stephanie and I ask at the same time.
“What do you know about drummers?” I ask Stephanie because I’m nosey and I want to know if she and Rhys have finally done the deed.
“We’re talking about Jessica not me,” Stephanie dismisses.
“Oh, we’re coming back to you. No bullshit either,” I tell Steph.
“Answer bitch,” Meghan says to Jessica.
“I’ve fucked a few drummers,” she rolls her eyes.
“Do their names start with Kip or Rhys?” Kathrine chuckles.
“Kissed Kip in high school, and it was one of the best kisses of my life. Had a crush on him again, but Henley started sticking her tail in the air like a damn cat in heat. Do you know how good those fantasies are? Fucked it up for me when he said he was in love with her,” she rolls her eyes again.
“Stop avoiding the question,” Meghan demands.
“I have not fucked Rhys or Kip. Kip’s out of the question, and Rhys…” she looks Stephanie up-and-down, “If you don’t get your shit together, mama just might have to take care of him like a man needs.”
“I’m in love with Chris,” Stephanie blurts out.
“What?” we all ask in unison.
She sighs, “It snuck up on me.”
“You’re in love with Chris as in your business partner at the tat shop?” Jessica asks.
“Yes, but nothing has happened,” Stephanie asserts.
“What is wrong with you? Rhys was chasing your ass all around trying to sling the wang your way and you were all cat and mouse with that shit. Now you’re crushin’ on Chris and you’re too chicken shit to say anything. How about Jessica takes Rhys off your hands and I’ll take Chris,” Meghan taunts.
“I’ll cut your ass,” Stephanie threatens.
“Over which one?” Meghan asks.
“Both,” she whispers.
“No, see that’s too much damn man for one woman. You gotta give one of them up,” Kathrine advises.
“Rhys and I slept together once, it was great, but I’ve always had a thing for Chris. We’ve been spending a lot of time together renovating the shop and shit just clicks. I guess I’m scared the distance of Rhys’ profession is a little too much for me. I care for him, I really do. I don’t want to hurt him, but I know me. I can’t handle him being on the road all the time,” she confesses.
“You need to tell him now before feelings get any deeper and you hurt him anymore than you already will,” Kathrine says.
“Yeah. I am,” she sighs.
“Well, now that we have that out of the way which drummers have you fucked?” Meghan asks Jessica.
“I’m taking those to the grave,” Jessica says with finality.
“Look at you trying to get all up in everybody else’s shit, and you showed up just hoping Memphis will give you the time of day,” Stephanie accuses Meghan.
<
br /> “Wait, what?” I ask at the mention of my brother’s name.
“I know where you sleep,” Meghan says to Stephanie who smiles mischievously.
“Don’t know what she’s talking about,” Meghan attempts to play stupid.
“Oh yes you do. They were getting all cozy in the club the night Ian and Jagger got into a fight. My ovaries started ovulating just watching the shit,” Jessica announces.
“What?” I ask still confused. “You’re fucking my brother?”
“Jessica fucked Koi,” Meghan tries to take the spotlight off her.
“A lot,” Stephanie adds and Jessica shoots her a bird.
“I’m not talking about Jessica and Koi. You going to spill it or do I need to ask my brother?” I ask.
“No! Do not ask your brother anything!” She takes a deep breath and lets out a sigh. “We danced at the club, he got chub and I wanted it. We’ve been texting, and that’s it. He’s sweet and hot and I want to fuck your brother, but I don’t want to mess up getting to know him first.”
I smile at her. Meghan and Memphis would be great together. “Was that so hard?”
“You’re a bitch,” she says.
***
When we tour with Broken Access we co-headline, which means we alternate closing shows. We each take the stage for ninety minutes, but the last to play has a little more time to give encores since equipment doesn’t need to be broken down for the next band. Tonight Abandoned Shadow is closing the show, and I wait the last few minutes in my dressing room for Kip to come see me.
He doesn’t and I try not to take it personally since Beau and Chauncey are here. I don’t want to monopolize his time, but I would’ve liked a quick kiss before the set.
“Go time,” Cory sticks his head inside my door.
I nod and follow him. Fans line the hallways and shout out encouragement as we walk to the stage. I smile and nod my head at their shouts. As we enter the dark side stage, my designated technician hands me a Stratocaster I’ll lead out with. He slips the headphones over my head and plugs in so only I can hear the tuning. I play through the first minute of our first song and when I’m satisfied, I unplug the guitar and the remove the headphones.
Guitar Face Series Box Set: Books 1-4 Page 97
