Page 51 of Small Town Swoo
“Doesn’t anybody knock around here?” I shielded my crotch with the yearbook.
“I have a key. Why would I knock?” He stuck his hands on his hips. “A better question is, why are you naked in the living room?”
“I’m getting more comfortable with my vulnerability,” I said, like it was obvious.
“Well, I was coming by to see if you wanted to go get some lunch, but you’ll have to put your vulnerability away.”
“Why, is it makingyourvulnerability feel bad?”
Xander narrowed his eyes. “You wish.”
Xander wanted to go to Moe’s—he’d heard about the braised rib grilled cheese from our dad and hoped it would be on the specials menu—and I didn’t argue.
The diner was full when we got there. While Xander gave his name to the hostess and told her we’d wait outside, I searched for Ari but didn’t see her anywhere. Disappointed, I followed my brother out to the sidewalk.
While Xander checked his messages, I glanced at the poster taped inside Moe’s front window advertising a spring carnival nearby. A quick look at the dates told me it was happening this weekend. Recalling what Ari had told me about carnival food, I wondered if there was any way I could surprise her with a quick trip either today or tomorrow.
Xander slipped his phone into his back pocket.
“Hey, is Ari working at the pub tonight?” I asked.
He nodded. “I think she starts at five. By the way, you didn’t tell me you had her car fixed.”
“Because it wasn’t a big deal.”
The sun was in his eyes, and he squinted at me, crossing his thick, tattooed forearms over his chest.
“You can quit with the bodyguard routine,” I told him. “Ari doesn’t need you to protect her from me. If you don’t believe me, you can ask her.”
“Relax, brother. I’m just curious about the situation.” He shrugged. “I get bored when Kelly is gone.”
“Where is she this week?” I asked.
“Texas. Then Phoenix and Salt Lake City. And the following week, she has a bunch of California shows.”
“If she wants to stay at my house while she’s there, she’s welcome. I can give you the codes for the gate and the front door. Might be more comfortable than a hotel.”
“You sure that’s okay? I think she’d like that.”
“Of course. Extend the offer.”
“Thanks.” He took his phone out again and started typing. “I wish I could fly out and surprise her.”
“Do it.”
“I can’t. I’m taking time off for Devlin’s wedding, and I shouldn’t be away from the bar that much. I just won’t see her for a couple more weeks, and it sucks.”
“Is she coming to the wedding?”
He shook his head. “She can’t. She doesn’t have a public show that night, but she’s got some kind of private appearance in L.A. the record label said she had to do.”
“That sucks. The long-distance thing must be hard.”
A shrug of his shoulders. “It isn’t ideal, but music is her dream. And anything I can do to make her dreams come true, I’m going to do it—even if that’s just making her feel okay about the separations.”
“And it’s worth it?”
He gave me a funny look as he put his phone away again. “Fuck yeah, it’s worth it. I can’t imagine my life without her. I don’t want to.”
