“Think about it. Zoe, Vinny, and Jeremy flexed for three days before the show to learn a new song you sprang on them, then helped you convince Frank and all that. Besides, I’ve been texting with Zoe, and she told me they’ve all been calling and texting you during the hiatus, even visited, but you never let them in. They care about you.”
“Stop being so smart.” He mumbled into my sweater.
His phone vibrated again and he showed me the screen.
Happy Holidays to you too, little bro. I wish you were here. We all miss you.
“Fuck. Do you see why it’s so hard to talk to him?” Rick grumbled and reached for his eggnog.
“No, I don’t.”
“He’s always been all smiles and positive attitude. I was so mad at him and it only made me feel like an idiot, cause he never shot back or got angry when it had been him and his family who were attacked, not my sorry ass. The band could have continued without him right away, figured it out or got someone new on board. But no. I didn’t want us to go on a tour with an old set but we’ve postponed recording the next album three times already. Frank is not happy.”
“What’s your plan now?”
“I told him to book us for February. Since, as Zoe put it, I pulled my head out of my ass and wrote a few songs. The band liked my idea for the new album and soon I’ll record basic demos of what I have in mind, so they can digest it and think on their part before we hit the studio.”
“That’s great, but… have you talked to them?” I cupped his cheek so he’d meet my gaze. “About your brother, the hiatus, and what it means to you and the band? They went through losing a band member too.”
“No, I didn’t want to drag them down my dark hole. And now that I’m climbing out, there’s no point opening the old wounds. It’s like when our parents died Linc and I were mid-touring and could take only a week off to deal with the paperwork. We had no time to grieve, let alone talk about it.”
“I’m so sorry.” I took his hand in mine. “I don’t know Linc, but from what you told me about the band and the brief time I had with them, I can tell they love you. Have you considered that they don’t want to bother you either, thinking you’d rather be alone? Maybe they’d like to talk to someone who’d understand.”
“You think?”
I shrugged. “No clue. But they sound like nice people who have always had your back. Why else would they finally leave you alone unless they thought that was what you wanted?”
“Well, shit. I’ll call them after Christmas.” Rick reached for me, stroking my cheek and down my neck. “Thank you.”
“I didn’t do anything.”
Rick scoffed. “You’re so oblivious if you think that. So cute.” He kissed me briefly. “And tonight is all about you. I’ll miss you.” His voice softened to near breaking and it mirrored the feeling in my heart.
“Fuck, Rick. I’ll miss you too. But let’s not think about that now.” I wiggled a tentacle onto his lap and he stroked it, his shoulders relaxing at the touch. I reached for another cookie and gave one to Rick. “I’m sure I’ll be with you in my dreams. Like I was before I met you and every night since then. Like people did in old legends. So many myths talked about fate and relationships that were bound by it. It’s an old wives’ tale, but sometimes I want to believe in something so mysteriously strong.”
“Ner, please listen—”
I put a tentacle across his lips and shook my head. The pain in his eyes mirrored what I felt but I refused to spend the time we had on tears and regrets. Sliding my tentacle down his chin and to the collar of his sweater, I pulled out the necklace that was always around his neck.
“It’s a shark’s tooth,” Rick said, and shook the cookie crumbs off his sweater.
“I can tell.” I traced the smooth edge to the pointy tip. “Where did you get it?”
“I found it during the Hawks Cay trip with my parents when Linc and I were kids.”
“That’s where the picture in the frame is from?” I asked.
“Yeah. It was the last long holiday as a family. After that, we got into music and never had much time to just travel for pleasure.” He took the necklace off and put it around my neck.
“Rick, I can’t—”
“Just for today. The two most precious things I have in this house.”
He meant me and a memento from a family vacation. Not platinum albums, not even his vintage guitars… Then again, I understood.
“I got this ring from my grandma on my thirteenth birthday.” I said and showed him my pinkie. “And it always reminds me of my family values.”
“I’ve never seen you without it.” Rick took my hand and kissed every knuckle, then paused, looking at the blue-green crystal. “It’s beautiful. What is it?”
