We took our seats when my brother joined us, his daughter on his shoulders. “Macaroni salad. I was hoping you made it.”
My mom jumped up and grabbed Natalia from his shoulders. She coddled her granddaughter and showered her with kisses. My dad was just as fond of her.
My brother clapped me on the shoulder. “Cash.”
“Denver.” He was the only one who didn’t give me shit for being single. It was a relief. “Where’s Vivian?”
“She couldn’t get off work. The hospital needs her.” My brother went above and beyond when he bagged a hot doctor for a wife. I was a little jealous when we were younger. Now I just saw her as a sister.
Natalia ran to me then wrapped her arms around my knee. She was four and pretty damn cute.
“Uncle Cash, pick me up.”
“You lazybones.” I picked her up then held her in my arms. “What’s happening, kid?”
“Do I get a present?”
“It’s not your birthday,” I reminded her.
“But you always get me presents.”
This kid had the memory of an elephant. “You’re right. I do.”
She held up her arms and squealed. “What is it?”
“You spoil my daughter more than I do,” Denver said.
“She’s my niece.” I shrugged.
“Where’s my present?”
“Hey!” McKenzie said. “This is my birthday party.”
Natalia stuck her tongue out. “Too bad.”
Everyone laughed. My parents beamed at her like she was the most precious thing in the world—which she was. I carried her inside then back to the front door. I left the bag in the closet so she wouldn’t see it. After I pulled it out, I put it on the floor so she could tear it apart.
Natalia ripped through the packaging until the box was free.
“Yay!”
I knew she’d like it.
“I want to play with it now!”
I grabbed the box and tore it open with my bare hands.
“What is it this time?” Denver asked while he sipped a beer.
“Princess dresses!” Natalia yelled. “Look at them.”
Denver glared at me. “You make me look bad, man.”
“I’m just fulfilling my duties.”
Natalia ran to me and jumped in my arms. “Thank you, Uncle Cash.”
She almost knocked me over because I wasn’t expecting it. I wrapped my arms around her and gave her a hug. My heart throbbed with warmth at her touch. “You’re welcome, kid.”
“I love you.”
The words killed me every time. “I love you too.”
She returned to her present and started taking out all the dresses and accessories. She pulled them over her clothes and placed the tiara on her head. I watched her, content with being an observer. I felt my brother’s gaze.
“Anyone special in your life?”
That was the first time he’s asked me that in years. “Not you too.”
“I’m not pestering you. I’m just curious.”
Prudence’s face came to my mind. “No.”
Denver kneeled down and watched his daughter. “I didn’t want kids for the longest time.”
Great. I knew what was coming.
“Until I found the right person.”
“You’re very fortunate, Denver.” I didn’t want to be rude to my brother. We didn’t talk about personal girly shit, but we were close. He was my number one guy for sporting events, marathons, and fighting shows, at least when he wasn’t busy being a full-time husband and dad.
“You can be fortunate too. If you gave someone a chance.”
I didn’t respond. Maybe if I didn’t speak, he would drop it.
“I’m worried about you.”
Ugh. “Denver, I’m very happy with my life. Don’t worry about me.”
“I’m not buying it. I’ve been patient but you need to move on.”
Now I was getting angry. “Knock it off.”
He stared me down. “Looks like I hit a nerve.”
I wanted to blow up and tell him to fuck off, but his daughter was sitting on the floor. Like a good uncle, I held my tongue.
“Vivian has a friend from work. We think you’d hit it off.”
“I can get my own dates. Thanks.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
It was getting more difficult for me to contain my rage. This was why I preferred my friends instead of my family. They didn’t question my marital status, with the exception of Parker. “There is no problem. I’m very happy with my life.”
“Bullshit.”
I glanced at Natalia. She didn’t notice the curse word, too absorbed in her present.
“I’m done with this conversation.”
Denver glared at me then drank from his beer. “Then die alone as an old man. I don’t care.”
“We all die alone. And we’re lucky if we’re old when it happens.”
He walked back to the patio and joined the rest of my family. I was happy where I was, with the one family member I felt comfortable with. I watched her put a veil on her head then plastic rings on her fingers. It was easy with her. Married or not, I was still the best uncle in the world. And that was enough for me.
Chapter Seventeen
Prudence Clearwater
We played a few shows during the following weeks, and we rocked every single one of them. While we sold merchandise and gained new fans, executives and agents never approached us. Not that I was surprised. I was realizing it was a hobby more and more.
I applied to a few more positions but didn’t get any calls back. Hopefully, somebody would take a chance on me. I didn’t have any experience, but I knew my chemistry. My grades would attest to that.
Cash came to every show, like he said he would. I’d grown more attached to his presence. When I played my music, I always stared at his face. It calmed my nerves and made me feel better. With him, I wasn’t nervous or scared. And his eyes never left my face.
At the end of every show, he brought me a beautiful arrangement of flowers. Every time. I was starting to realize he was my number-one fan. But Desi insisted he was my number-one stalker.
Gavin wasn’t rude to Cash, but he didn’t speak to him. In fact, he didn’t look at him. But I guess that was better than throwing punches.