Power Couple (Nashvegas #1) - Laramie Briscoe Page 0,1
face. We haven’t seen each other in a couple of months, not face-to-face. I’ve been on tour with my band Grey Skies, and she’s been hanging with Dad while he becomes a big-time producer. She turns slightly, putting her hands on my cheeks. “EJ, you look so much like your dad, I swear. The older you get, the more you do. I’ve missed you, let me get outta this car and give you a hug!”
I grin having heard this for most of my life. Taking a step back I let her finish turning the car off, and then she’s out. my mom’s always been on the smaller side, her head comes up to my collarbone, and when I lean down to wrap her in a tight hug, I basically engulf her, picking her up off her feet. “How’s it goin’?” I ask as I let her go.
“I have exciting news.” Her eyes are shining brightly, she’s busting at the seams. “We haven’t announced it yet because I wanted to tell you and your brother first.”
“If you and Dad are having another kid in your fifties, I totally don’t wanna hear about it, because ewww.” I shudder.
She smacks me in the stomach, while I laugh. “Not even close,” she looks around. “I wanted to wait for your brother to get here and we’re seated, but I see he’s late as usual.”
“Two things you can count on in this world,” I say as I sling my arm around her shoulder as we walk toward the restaurant. “You’ll never say fuck, and RJ will be late to his own funeral.”
“Everett,” she admonishes me.
I fight back the smile I want to let spread across my lips. I say it to get a rise out of her. “Why don’t you tell me your good news?”
“Harmony Stewart has signed on to do a Vegas residency!”
“Shut the fuck up, Mom, that’s amazing!” I can barely contain my excitement for her. She gave up a lot when she had me and my brother. We seriously had the most devoted mom ever, dad too, but Mom was always there. If there was a PTA meeting, a sleepover, Cub Scouts, football, and then later band practice, Mom always made sure she was there front and center. If anyone deserves this, it’s her.
“I’m really excited and your dad’s very happy. You know we honeymooned in Vegas.” She flashes me a smile.
My parents are sickening in their love, and I don’t need a reminder of it. “Vegas has lots of opportunities.” My tone is non-committal, I’m sure she doesn’t want to know what kind of opportunities I like to partake in when I’m in Vegas.
We’re standing outside the restaurant when I hear the loud rumble from what I know is my brother’s truck. My suspicions are confirmed as he breaks out of traffic, and pulls into the lot. Loud music signals his arrival just like the muffler does. I swear, the kid will be deaf by the time we get through this leg of our tour. “RJ’s here,” I comment dryly, earning another smack from my mom.
“Be nice to him.”
I wrap my arm a little tighter around her neck so she has to look at me. “I am nice to him. He’s a spoiled brat thanks to you, Mom.”
“You’re both spoiled. Are you arguing?” she asks seriously as she waits for him to get out of his truck. “I hate it when you argue.” She puts her thumb in her mouth, lightly biting on the nail.
“No, we’re not arguing. I’m just looking forward to a few days not having to see him. Actually, I’m looking forward to not having to see any of the guys for a few days. Touring the last eight months has been crazy. Some days we’re sick to death of each other,” I admit.
“It happens to everybody who’s in a band.” She rubs my back. “Come by the house later on and talk to your dad. I’ll talk to my mini-me.” She points to my brother. “And Garrett can talk to his.”
How true those words are. As I see RJ walking our way, it hits me like it always has - we are replicas of our parents. Me of my dad, him of my mom.
“Mom!” RJ jogs toward us as he gets a good look at her.
“Rhett James, I missed you.” She opens her arms up, letting him sweep her off her feet the same way I did.