For now, he just wanted River, in whatever way he could have him.
“Sunshine!” River chirped when he picked up. “What, no video today? Have I been bad?”
Jem smiled in spite of himself. “You tell me.”
“I’ve been the picture of innocence.” The background noise faded as presumably River moved somewhere quieter. “How’s California without those fresh-faced five-year-olds?”
Jem stifled the twinge of guilt over his dishonesty but told himself he couldn’t jeopardize River’s reinvigorated love of music by adding guilt over missed family events to the equation.“Quiet,” he complained. “Boring. When are you coming home, again?”
“Soon,” River promised. “God. You don’t make it easy, do you?”
“Depends what ‘it’ is.” Jem lay down on the twin-size bed and looked up at the ceiling. “If you mean staying away from me, then no.”
“I could fly you out here. First-class all the way, the real VIP experience. Caviar and champagne in the green room and everything.” He paused. “Caviar’s not shellfish, is it?”
“No,” Jem laughed. “And you do not have caviar back there. Come on.”
“Fine, it’s KFC and a hundred pounds of Swedish Berries—it’s still yours if you want it. Ripe for the taking. Uh, metaphorically. I don’t think you’re supposed to eat chicken ripe.”
What a dork. Jem stretched and wiggled his toes. “As tempting as that sounds, I’ll pass this time. You should enjoy your last road trip with the boys.”
River sighed gustily, put-upon. “Fine. Are you and Tori celebrating this weekend? Freedom from the germ factory?”
A nasty virus had taken out a third of the staff in the final two weeks of school, in rotating shifts. Miraculously, he and Tori had avoided infection. “If by ‘celebrating’ you mean ‘staying in bed in our pajamas all weekend.’”
At least, Jem thought that was Tori’s plan, and it was what he’d have done if he’d actually stayed at home.
Maybe next year he’d get to do it with River next to him.Thatseemed like something to aspire to. “You could be doing that here,” River complained.
“I think I can do a repeat, if you’re up to it.” Jem smiled. “Just come home to me.”
“All right, sunshine. You have a deal.”
Chapter Fifteen
For the First Time in My Life
“Stop lookinglike that,” Lara teased. The Flat Tires and their main supporting musicians occupied a long table at an izakaya place in Corktown, a recommendation from one of the hotel staff.
Jem would’ve loved it—the character of the ancient blue-painted building, the simple and rustic interior, the little cocktails in their pineapple-shaped glasses. Too bad the food would probably kill him. At least with Jem safely across the country, River could eat shrimp without fear.
Unfortunately, with Jem across the country, food lost much of its appeal.
“Like what?” he asked after swallowing, as though he didn’t know.
“Like someone kidnapped your puppy.” Ward nudged his foot under the table. “At least pretend to enjoy spending time with us.”
“I am!” River protested. “Maybe I’m being a sad sack because this is our—” He glanced around and lowered his voice. “Our last tour together.”
Eric and Ward looked at each other. Then they looked at Lara. “What’s the bullshit detector say?”
“Like fifty-five percent.” Lara helped herself to some brussels sprouts. “The man has layers. He can be pathetic about two things at once.”
“When did Lara get this job?”
Ward reached around him for the dumplings. “She’s in training. Someone’s gotta look after you when we’re not around.” He assessed River up and down. “Think you nailed it,” he added to Lara. “Nice job.”
They clinked glasses.
