Chapter 6
Colby
When I enter the living room of my parents’ house—surprise, surprise!—I discover my baby brother asleep on the couch, looking more like the four-year-old I taught to throw a football than the twenty-year-old aspiring rock star he’s become.
I flick Dax’s forehead. “Rise and shine, sweetheart.” But he doesn’t stir. I nudge his shoulder. “Hey, Dax.” Still nothing. For a split-second, I consider leaving Dax here without waking him. But then I remember I’m not a total dick. If the guy dragged his ass all the way out to my parents’ house from his gig in SoDo last night, then he must really need to borrow my truck. “Yo, Rock Star,” I say, nudging Dax again, this time quite a bit harder than the last time. And, finally, my brother stirs.
“Oh, hey, Bee.” He rubs his eyes. “What time is it?”
“Just before seven.” I sit on the edge of the couch. “How was your gig last night?”
“We slayed. The bar owner already invited us back for two more shows next month.”
“Awesome. Congrats.”
Dax rises up onto his forearms, clearly energized by whatever he’s about to say. “Oh, and get this. You know that guy Kat’s been dating?”
“The one who was supposed to come to my birthday?”
“Yeah. Josh Faraday. It turns out he’s best friends with Reed Rivers! Can you believe it? Kat gave me some money she won in Vegas and told me to record an album with it. And she said when I’m done, she’s gonna send it to Reed motherfucking Rivers!”
“I bet knowing who Reed Rivers is would make that story a whole lot more exciting.”
Dax laughs. “Reed Rivers owns an indie record label called River Records. You know that song ‘Shaynee’ that’s all over the radio right now? It’s by Red Card Riot, one of the bands signed to River Records.”
“Holy shit. Kat’s boyfriend knows that guy?”
“He doesn’t just know him. Kat said Josh has been best friends with Reed Rivers since they went to UCLA together.”
“That’s huge, Dax. Wow. Good luck.”
“I don’t need luck when I’ve got Kitty Kat Morgan working all the angles for me, son. The girl’s pure magic.”
“Except when she’s playing foosball.”
We both chuckle.
“Speaking of Kat,” I say. “Have you talked to her since my birthday? She seemed pretty bummed about Josh not making it to the party.”
“Um, yeah. I took her to the airport on Thursday, actually. She was flying to LA to spend a long weekend with Josh.”
“Really? Did she seem happy?”
“Um. Yeah. As far as I could tell.”
Oh, God, my baby brother is the second-worst liar in our family—second only to me. “Okay, Dax, spit it out.”
“Spit what out?”
“Whatever secret you’re sitting on.”
“I don’t have a secret.”
“Your blazing cheeks tell me otherwise.”
Dax sighs. “It’s not my secret to tell.”
“Okay. Fine. Suit yourself.” I slap my palms on my thighs and rise from the couch. “I’m gonna head to work now. In my truck.”
“Aw, come on, Bee. That’s extortion, man.”
“Call it what you want.” I turn on my heel to leave. “Have a good gig tonight.”
“Colby.”
I stop.
Dax exhales again. He looks toward the kitchen and then whispers, “You promise you won’t tell anyone?”
I nod.
“No one. Not even Ryan.”
“You have my word.”
Dax looks around again, apparently making sure our parents aren’t within earshot. “Kat’s preggers.”
My heart stops. That’s not at all what I expected Dax to say.
“It’s a total oops,” Dax continues. “The biggest mistake of the poor girl’s life. The good news, though? Josh is for sure the father and Kat’s head over heels in love with him. Plus, Josh is rich as fuck. Not that Kat’s a gold-digger, obviously, but if she’s gonna get accidentally knocked up by someone, a gazillionaire she actually loves is a good choice.”
I clench my jaw, suddenly realizing why Josh didn’t come to my birthday dinner. “Is that asshole denying the baby is his?”
“No, no. Down, boy. Kat hasn’t told Josh about the baby yet. No need to go all Ryan Morgan on the guy’s ass quite yet.”
“Why hasn’t she told him yet?”
“He’s mentioned a couple times he never wants kids and she fucked up by missing a pill or two. She’s hoping maybe the situation will go away on its own before she ever has to tell him.”
“Why the hell did she tell you and not me? Kat always comes to me with her problems.”
“She’s not telling anyone. Not even her bestie. She only told me because she had to pull over to barf while I was driving her to the airport.”
My heart is aching. “I’ve got to call her. I’m always her shoulder to cry on.”
“No, Bee. Kat would kill me if she found out I told you. She doesn’t want anyone to know before she tells Josh. Just wait for her to tell you, okay? I mean, this isn’t the kind of secret the girl can keep forever. Sooner rather than later, she’ll have to tell you and everyone else.”
My shoulders sag with resignation. I nod.
“So, hey,” Dax says. “On a lighter note, can you guess why I happen to be here at chicken-thirty on a Saturday morning?”
“I’m too beaten down by this thing with Kat to summon the energy to make you beg,” I say. I hold out my car keys. “Take it.”
Dax whoops and takes my keys. “Thanks, Bee. Fish’s van is on the fritz and we’ve got to haul our gear to a gig all the way in Lakewood tonight.”
“But I swear, Dax, if you’re not at the firehouse tomorrow morning at seven twenty-nine with a full tank of gas and Ralphie sitting in my passenger seat, then I’ll never let you borrow my truck again.”
“Got it.”
“Roger?”
“Rabbit.”
Dax beams a wide smile at me. “You’re a life-saver, Colby.”
“Do not make me sit at the station after work for an hour like last time, Dax.”
“I won’t. I promise.” He fist bumps me. “You’re the best big brother in the world.”
I put out my palm. “Your keys?”
Dax rummages into his rumpled jeans on the floor and lays his motorcycle keys in my palm.
“Helmet?”
“Kitchen.”
I head off. “Have a great gig tonight, Rock Star. And don’t be fucking late tomorrow or I’ll kill you.”
***
In the kitchen, I find the usual scene: Mom and Dad sitting at the table, drinking coffee while Ralph is perched next to Mom, staring at her adoringly.
After the usual greetings, I stride to the cupboard, grab a to-go mug, and ask, “So what are you two crazy kids up to this fine Saturday?”
“Oh, we’re going to have big fun,” Mom says. “I need to find an antique dresser for a client, so I’m dragging your father to a bunch of estate sales.”
Dad shoots me a pained look that makes me laugh out loud.
I secure a lid onto my mug, grab Dax’s helmet off the counter, and head toward the doorway. “Enjoy. Dax will pick up Ralphie tomorrow morning and bring him to the station.”
“He’s borrowing your truck again?” Dad asks.
“He’s working his ass off. It’s the least I can do.”
“Such a sweet big brother,” Mom says.
“What can I say, I’ve got a soft spot for the kid.”
“Be careful out there,” Mom says.
“Always. Have fun today, kids. Love you both the most.”