The Roadie: Radical Rock Stars Book 7

by Jenna Galicki

  Mr. Abelman studied the label on the bottle for a few moments before he finally sat down.

  It was a 30-year-old scotch, and Brett took it as a good sign. You don’t break out something like that when you’re about to read someone the riot act. On the other hand, this could be something to soften the blow, a peace offering of sorts, after Mr. Abelman told Brett how he really felt about him marrying Kira.

  Mr. Abelman placed the bottle next to the glasses and sat back in the chair. He studied Brett, who sat steadfast without averting his gaze, before he began. “People think work is the most important thing in my life, but it doesn’t compare to how much I care about my family. Everything I’ve done in my life has been for my two girls. I’m sure you know that their mother passed when they were young.”

  Brett nodded but didn’t want to say anything because he didn’t want to interrupt the man.

  “I’ve raised those girls by myself. I’m very protective of them. Of course, I love them both equally, but Kira is my youngest and that makes me a little more protective over her.”

  “I love Kira very much,” Brett said. “I’m protective of her as well. I would never do anything to hurt her. You have no reason to doubt my intentions.” Lighten up, he told himself. The last thing he needed was to come off as defensive and end up in a pissing match with Ron Abelman, one he’d surely lose.

  “I’m not questioning your intentions, but there is one obvious reason I need to speak to you.” Mr. Abelman raised his brows, adding more lines to his forehead. “Do I need to spell it out for you?”

  It hit Brett like a ton of bricks. He should have realized it sooner, but it wasn’t a factor in their relationship, at least not for him. “If you think I’m with her just for her money, you couldn’t be more wrong. I have every intention of signing a prenup.” Actually, the thought never crossed his mind, and Kira never brought it up. But, then again, they hadn’t talked about marriage until yesterday. Now, he realized that this was exactly what Mr. Abelman wanted to talk to him about in private.

  To Brett’s surprise, Mr. Abelman scoffed at his statement. “That goes without saying, young man.”

  Brett narrowed his eyes. “I may not be wealthy, or even well off, but I provide for myself and my brother. I’ve been taking care of him since he was 15. I didn’t rely on anyone or social services. I did it all myself. I still do.”

  Mr. Abelman nodded with agreement. “I’ve done my due diligence. I always have when it came to my girls. Even Mr. Wilder, who lived his life in the public eye – with no filter, I might add – didn’t get a free pass. I vet everyone who steps into my girls’ lives. There are no surprises.”

  “If it wasn’t about a prenup, what did you want to speak to me about?”

  “I know you’re an adult, but you don’t have a parental figure. There are some things that you need to know, so that falls on me right now. I understand that your generation thinks they know everything in the world by the time they’re in high school, but I’ve lived a long and arduous life filled with ups and downs and have overcome many obstacles. You may think I’m old fashioned and a prude, but I can assure you that I’ve seen many things in my life because of the line of work I’m in.” He took a deep breath. “My daughter loves you, and I truly believe your intentions are genuine. Please don’t let me find out otherwise. Don’t underestimate my power because it extends all the way to the West Coast and beyond.”

  Brett gritted his teeth. “I told you. I love Kira, and I’d never do anything to hurt her.”

  “I heard you the first time, young man. But things aren’t always going to be as sunny as they are right now. You and Kira will have difficulties, just as every marriage does. I expect you to do right by her, even in the darker times. So, when things aren’t as perfect as they are now. When things are rough, just remember who I am. If you betray my daughter or mistreat her in any way, I will surely be informed. You may think that most women, especially those as independent as my daughters, wouldn’t come running back to their father in times of crisis, but I’m always there for my girls. When they need something, they come to me. They know that. They practice that. As I said, I’m a little extra protective of Kira since she’s the youngest, but also because she’s more sensitive than Audra. Audra is all fire and fight. But Kira is all heart. If you break that heart, you will answer to me.”

  Brett hated the tone of this man’s voice, his posturing, and his outright threats. It took every bit of self-control not to pound his fist on the table and yell that he would never hurt Kira, but he knew when to back down. This was a man protecting his daughter. A papa bear looking out for his cub. Brett understood and actually admired the man for his steadfast loyalty to his family. “You can count on me to do the right thing, sir.”

  Mr. Abelman nodded once, and then picked up the bottle of scotch. “I’ve had this in my liquor cabinet for almost 20 years. I’ve been waiting for the right moment to open it.” He ripped off the gold foil covering the cap and unscrewed it. “I think today marks the perfect occasion to break the seal.” He poured three fingers of honey-colored liquor into each of the glasses, picked them both up and handed one to Brett. It was heavy and had a thick rim and emitted a musical twinkle when they touched glasses.

  “Welcome to the family, Brett.”

  It was the wedding of the decade, two years in the making. The marriage of the youngest Abelman daughter had been a hot topic of conversation among music industry professionals and the socialite circle. There had been speculation over the years and fictional pairings with both available rock stars and billionaires, but no one expected Kira Abelman to marry a working-class man. The media turned it into a reverse Cinderella story, and Brett had become an overnight celebrity.

  Kira’s father had suggested they fly to Paris for the wedding in order to avoid media attention, but she couldn’t imagine her wedding taking place anywhere other than in Central Park. It embodied family and was the heart of their lives. She was getting married in Central Park, paparazzi be damned. Just like Audra and Jimmy had.

  Trailers were set up as dressing rooms for the bride and groom in the park, although the girls got ready at Kira’s apartment and the boys at Audra’s, then took separate limos to their designated trailers to wait for the start of the ceremony. With her sister on one side of her and Alyssa on the other, Kira admired her reflection in the full-length mirror while Jessi fixed a loose thread on one of the sequin appliqués on the train to Kira’s gown.

  Kira beamed at her reflection. “I love this gown, Jessi. It’s so beautiful. You should add a line of wedding gowns to your collection.”

  Jessi shot to her feet, eyes wide with ideas. “It would be totally different than my usual aesthetic.” She looked up at the ceiling in thought. “I could make gorgeous traditional wedding gowns, like this one. And add a separate glam line that’s cohesive with my collections. It could cater to the more edgy rock star types.”

  Alyssa perked up. “You could make a black wedding gown. I never understood why brides needed to wear white. I didn’t.”

  Jessi laughed at her best friend. “Because they’re supposed to be virginal, and white signifies purity.”

  Alyssa scoffed. “Who the hell is a virgin when they get married in this century?”

  There was a quick knock on the trailer door at the same time a masculine voiced boomed from the other side. “Is it all right if the father of the bride enters?”

  The sound of her father’s voice made Kira’s heart swell, and she swung around to face the front of the trailer. “Come in, Daddy.”

  He was handsome in a black Valentino tuxedo, and the touch of grey at his temples added distinguished character to his face.

  He sucked in a deep breath as his eyes took in her appearance. “You look absolutely stunning, sweetheart. A true beauty.” He turned to Audra, equally enamored. “You’re breathtaking, dear. You’re giving the bride a run for her money today.” He gave them each a kiss on the cheek, then addressed Alyssa with a look
of surprise. “Mrs. Diamond, I’m very impressed that you’re wearing a color besides black for my daughter’s wedding. I must say, you look lovely. I don’t think I’ve ever seen you in anything except head-to-toe leather.”

  Alyssa cackled. “I tried, but Kira and Audra wouldn’t hear of it.” She pulled up her gown to expose a pair of black leather ankle boots. “Don’t get ahead of yourself about the absence of black leather, though,” she teased.

  Kira’s father rolled his eyes, but he wore a small smile. “I should have known.” He then turned to Jessi. “Mrs. Blade, you’re as stylish as ever. I have to compliment you on the impeccable job you did on my daughter’s wedding gown. I admit, I questioned if you were making it out of hundred-dollar bills for the price it cost me, but now that I see the exquisite detail and beauty of it, it was well worth the money.”

  Jessi displayed a broad smile. “I gave you the wholesale price. This gown would have cost three times that if I was selling it retail. And please call me Jessi. How many times have I told you that over the years? There’s no need for formality with family.”

  “Very well, Jessi. Alyssa. Can I have a word alone with my daughters, please?”

  Jessi and Alyssa disappeared into the back bedroom leaving Kira and Audra with their father.

  He stared at Kira, eyes glazed with affection. “You’re the most beautiful bride I’ve ever seen. With the exception of your sister and, of course. . .” He paused and became slightly melancholy. “Your mother.”

  Kira had made a conscience effort to keep the heartache of her mother’s absence out of her mind today, and then spent an equal amount of time feeling guilty for doing so. A piece of her mother resided in her heart and traveled by her side at every moment. She knew that. She felt that. But today she felt more than her mother’s guiding spirit. She felt the loss and the pain of her maternal parent. In a voice barely more than a whisper, she confessed, “It’s been so many years, but I still miss her. Especially, today.”

  Audra wrapped her arms around Kira and buried her face in her shoulder. “Me too, sis. Me too. But don’t be sad. It’s your wedding day. She wouldn’t want that.”

  “I wasn’t sure if I should bring up your mother today,” her father continued. “As you said, it’s been so many years.” He glanced down at the floor in order to hide the sadness that covered his face. “I used to think about her every day, and now those moments of reflection are reserved for days like this. Days when I’m reminded of all she has missed.”

  Tears immediately filled Kira’s eyes and her chest tightened like a vice was crushing it, but she fought the urge to cry. She knew better than to look at Audra, or they would both be sobbing in an instant.

  “I always thought your mother and I would grow old together,” her father said. “That we would share milestones like this with the both of you. I never expected to raise two girls by myself. It was hard. Harder than anything I’ve ever done. I’ve built an empire. Dealt with the most uncompromising and arrogant business associates in the world. Went head to head with cut-throat competitors. But it was all a cakewalk compared to being a single father with two adolescent girls. I did my very best for you two. I promised your mother that I would, before she died. Over the years, I’ve questioned whether or not I made the right decisions when it came to you girls. I know I was hard on you sometimes. I’ve had to be a pillar of strength in order to withstand your pleading crocodile tears on several occasions. During those times, I always asked myself what your mother would do. How would your mother handle this situation? That’s what got me through every hard decision I had to make when it came to raising you girls. Life isn’t something taken for granted. Make each moment count in your lives. Don’t compromise on happiness. I can see that Brett makes you happy, Kira. That’s all I care about. But if, one day, he doesn’t, don’t settle for it. Demand his all. You deserve it. You too, Audra. Don’t ever accept less. I’m always here for the both of you. You two girls, and my grandson, mean everything to me. I love you both very, very much.”

  He reached into his jacket pocket and pulled out a tiny two-inch square shiny picture frame, but he held it close to him so that only he could see the photo. “I don’t know if it’s something your generation still practices, but I’m an old-fashioned man, and I think this covers all the bases. Something old. Something new. Something borrowed—I want it back,” he quickly added, with a small smile. “And something blue.”

  He presented the photo to Kira, and her face immediately crinkled with emotion. A long quivering breath passed through her lips that ended in a sob. Audra peeked over at the framed photo and gasped. It was an old photo of their mother’s smiling face, in a brand-new frame. Kira realized that the connotation of something blue meant the woe and sorrow in her heart, and the tears came in droves down her cheeks. Unable to form words, she blubbered an incoherent, “Thank you, Daddy.”

  Both Kira and Audra were openly sobbing as they flew into their father’s arms. He held them tightly, much like he had done when they were children. Kira suddenly felt like a little girl again, wrapped in her father’s loving embrace after waiting at the curb for him to return home from work. Back then, the long black limo had looked like a chariot, and she had felt as if she were being greeted by a prince. Now, he was her king.

  The trailer door flew open and the three of them turned toward it, startled by the sudden outburst.

  “I hope everyone’s ready because we’re walking down the aisle in fif—what’s this? No, no, no, no! There’s no crying before the wedding! Makeup! Emergency in trailer one! We have runny mascara!”

  “Who the hell is that?” Kira’s father asked.

  “The wedding planner.” Kira let out a small chuckle and wiped her runny nose with the back of her hand. She looked up at her father and noticed that there was a soft mist coating his eyes with a glassy sheen. The last bit of strength she had disappeared, and her shoulders slumped, suddenly too heavy to hold up. It was the first time she had ever seen her father on the verge of tears, and it just about did her in. She fanned her face with her hands and let out a shuddering breath.

  “No more of that, sweetheart. Wouldn’t want to upset that wedding planner again,” her father teased.

  As if on cue, the wedding planner returned with two makeup artists yielding an array of brushes and products, who went to work with face powder and mascara. And then they were all being led outside and down a path that led through the park. Alyssa and Jessi gave Kira a hug and left to join the rest of the wedding party, while Audra waited with Kira and their father.

  Kira was close enough to see the guests seated in rows upon rows of white chairs, all draped with a garland of white lilies, but not close enough to see Brett. She strained her neck toward the gazebo, which was covered in wispy white sheer panels and accented with deep red roses to match the girls’ dresses. The minister stood in the center by himself, and Kira’s heart sank because she expected to see Brett waiting for her.

  The music started and she realized he hadn’t even walked down the aisle yet. Butterflies danced in her belly and adrenaline pumped through her veins as soon as she saw him head down the center aisle alongside his brother. Brett wore a dove gray tuxedo, while Grant and the other groomsmen wore the typical black. She couldn’t see his face, but she could see the outskirts of his beard highlighted by the glistening sun, and it was enough to make her insides flutter. When he got to the end of the runner, he turned, but he didn’t see her yet.

  She sighed at the way his broad chest filled out his tuxedo jacket and how his muscular pecs pulled at the crisp white shirt. His long beard hid his collar and part of his bowtie, making him look extra sexy. He finally looked over the heads of their guests and saw her. His eyes immediately widened, and a huge smile spanned his cheeks.

  She jumped a little, as if struck by a tiny spark of electricity, and smiled back at him.

  He put his hand to his heart and patted it, which she knew was his way of saying “I love you” from a distance. She
did the same and felt the silent exchange they shared from a hundred feet away, as if they were standing right next to one another.

  Jessi walked down the aisle next on the arm of Brandon Bullet. Then Alyssa with Derek MacAlister.

  Mason suddenly ran up to Kira and flung his arms around her waist. “You look beautiful, Aunt Kira!”

  She cupped the back of his head in her hand, while his face was lost in rich taffeta. “What are you doing here? You’re supposed to be with the groomsmen.”

  “I know. I wanted to say hi and good luck.” He smiled, showing off his dimples. “Good luck!”

  “Thank you, sweetie.”

  “That was so nice of you, Mason, but you better get back,” Audra told him. “It’s almost time for you to walk with your father.”

  He shook his head and smiled wider. “I’m not walking with Dad.” He held up his elbow. “I’m walking with you.”

  “What?”

  “Dad said you were walking down the aisle by yourself because you’re made of honor. But I said I’m not gonna let my mom walk without a groomsman.” He stuck his thumb into his chest. “That’s me.”

  Kira’s heart melted at her nephew’s chivalry, and she shared a smile with her sister.

  “Then who is your father going to walk down the aisle with?” Audra asked her son.

  “Dad is gonna walk with Tessa and Lucas.” Mason held out his arm again. “You’re walking with me.”

  A hearty chuckle came from the boy’s grandfather. “You are quite charming, Mason. And you’re as debonair as you are handsome.”

  Mason let out an adorable giggle. “I don’t know what debonrare is, Granpa, but it’s a funny word.”

  Pride beamed from Audra’s face as she looked at Kira. “Well, then, I guess I’m walking with my son.”

  Kira looked toward the procession just as Alan Delgado and Jeremy MacAlister were walking arm in arm down the white runner. “Hurry up. You’re next.”