Chapter 29

Chapter Twenty-Nine

Ainsley

We're in the kitchen preparing breakfast.

I'm heading back to Texas tomorrow. I'm concerned about what's going to happen. Our parents are getting a divorce—aren't they?

"Who's going to take care of Dad? He's not going to accept the fact that he has to stay in bed for days, or that his diet has to change, or that…"

"Honestly, Ainsley." Jacob sets the spatula on the counter and crosses his arms. "You know who should be taking care of him…"

"Not me, Son," I hear a voice and turn to look at the entrance. His green eyes still crinkle as he stares at me. Papa.

"You should," I tell him, smiling. "That's one of your jobs, you know? You promised in sickness and health."

He tilts his head and then shakes it. "He should be thankful I dragged his sorry ass out of the hospital without the press knowing and kept the three of you away from the circus."

Then he looks at Jacob, "Thank you for covering her, Son."

"It's my job, Dad." He side hugs me. "She might be a pain in the ass, but I kind of like her."

"Hello, Ainse, how are you?" Papa walks toward me. He places his hands on my arms and scans my face. Then, he checks my hair and does a complete inspection. "You look older."

"And wiser," I add, smiling widely. "How's my favorite Papi?"

"Happy to see you again." He glances around the room. "Heard we have to have a little conversation."

"How much did Dad tell you?"

"Not much, but I know you're going to be okay. I just know it, baby."

"Because Dr. Christian Ainsley Colthurst-Decker says so," I respond, holding back the tears. "What, now that you have a PhD you know everything? What will the fans of Mr. Rock God say?"

"I don't need a PhD to know everything. I'm your father. That should be enough. Between you and me, I like it more when you call me Papi." He opens his arms, hugging me. "I missed you, baby girl."

"I missed you too, Papa." I squeeze him tight. "I'm sorry for everything… running like a madwoman and breaking you guys up."

My body relaxes as I feel part of my troubles shedding like dead skin.

"You didn't break us apart," he reassures me. "Things changed between us. We wanted different things, and life goes on."

I love that about them—my parents. They cover for each other.

"What if he's sorry?"

"Is he sorry, or are you working that cuteness of yours?"

"Both," I hear Gabe from behind me. "I'm sorry about leaving, giving up… throwing so many years away for nothing."

"Look, Gabriel, you had a scary episode, and I get that you want to change… but I'm too old for this shit. Actually, I never wanted this shit and you more than anyone knows it."

"What?" I ask. "What are you calling ‘this shit?'"

"Family," Chris starts. "A relationship… getting your heart smashed. You came to me, Gabriel, and I told you no, yet you begged. I agreed to everything because I love you."

Chris kisses the top of my head.

"I don't regret anything I did because I have them. The best thing that came out of being with you is my family. Look at these three children we made." He looks around. "Matt still asleep?"

I nod.

"As I was saying, if I knew you'd end up choosing the mistress, I wouldn't have yielded."

"Mistress?" I ask, wondering if they are speaking about that Nikki girl.

"Fame, Ainse," Chris responds. "That's a fucked-up mistress sometimes you can't please, but she keeps you begging. That's what your father chose over us."

At that moment, the actual other woman, the girl we'd like to kick out of the house, enters the kitchen, dripping wet hair, wearing a white sundress and a pair of cute sandals I'd like to steal from her.

"Great, breakfast," she says. We all look at each other. "What? I'm not sure who you people are, but I have a deal with Gabriel, and I'm holding him to it."

"I talked to your uncle yesterday," Gabe takes over the conversation. "He's sending a car today to take you away."

"Look, I don't care that your lover came in, making a scene, and brought her thugs to pressure you." She points at me and then at Jacob. "I won't take off."

Matt enters the kitchen, wearing nothing but a pair of running shorts. He points at her and mumbles, "There's a car waiting for you. The fucking driver woke me up with his honking."

Mason enters the room to escort Nikki out.

"Does that girl know who you three are?" Chris glares at Jacob then at me, and we both shake our heads.

Papa stares at Dad, and they use that telepathic communication that I've never understood. Whatever they told each other relaxes them both.

"Well, for what I did, I'm sorry," I apologize.

"We dated," I hear Porter say from behind me. "During the summer after her first year of college, we moved in together. She's the love of my life."

The attention suddenly turns toward me, three sets of eyes—four if I want to acknowledge Porter.

What the fuck?

Mason enters the kitchen, and as he's about to turn around, my eyes beg him to stay. If he does, maybe we'll sit down, eat breakfast, and stop poking each other with the past. The thought of being put on the spot makes my legs wobbly.