Page 38 of Dark Verse

“Crap.” I turn my head and spot a wall calendar. It’s still on February. The snowy scene is completely anachronistic to the view outside my window. The sun has only been up for two hours, and I swear I can see the heat mirages on the roads already. “That’s this Sunday, right?”

“Yes.”

“Uh…I’m not sure, Nan. We are in the tail end of renovations at the venue, and our relaunch is Saturday.”

“So it’s a good thing his birthday is Sunday. Dove isn’t coming down until Sunday afternoon, so you two can come together. I know you’re not working on Sunday.”

I hear the that’s the Lord’s day comment left unsaid between us.

“Actually, Nan, believe it or not, in the year of our Goddess Jill Scott 202—”

“Raven Simone.”

Oh shit, middle name.

“I’m kidding. Yes, I do work Sundays because…well, capitalism. But I don’t work this Sunday.” I admit.

I was hoping to use the time to finalize some spreadsheets before they are due to the CPA midweek. But I know admitting I don’t have scheduled work means that’s the end of the discussion. I quickly rearrange my plans for Monday and Tuesday in my head.

I sigh before saying, “I’ll text Dove.”

“Thank you, sweet baby,” Nan says, her tone like honey. “We’re all looking forward to seeing you.”

“And I’m looking forward to seeing you,” I say. “And will this Jordan be attending the party?”

She scoffs. “No. This is family time, and he can’t go five minutes without tripping over his own dick.”

“Nan!” I gasp, but I am also howling.

She has let the side down a little with me in the past, but she’s still a church girl through and through. She doesn’t even like other people cursing.

“What?” she says innocently. “It’s true.”

“I…I can’t believe you just…said that,” I say through my shaking laughter. I’ve never heard her say something so out of pocket before.

“Well, I did. I do not have time for that man right now. I want to see my grandbabies, celebrate my son-in-law, and enjoy myself. He is always trying to talk to me when I’m in the middle of doing something.”

“I mean…maybe he’s just trying to get to know you. How else is he supposed to do that?”

“That might be true, but his timing is terrible. So, no, he did not get an invite.”

“Enough said.” I pull my phone away to look at the screen, noticing the time. “Well, Nan, I need to be getting off this phone and heading into work. We’ve got a full day ahead of us.”

“Yeah, what’s on the agenda?”

“We are finishing the sound system installation this morning, and both my bands are coming in for rehearsal in the afternoon.”

“That does sound like a full day. I’ll let you go.”

“I love you, and I will see you Sunday.”

CHAPTER SIXTEEN

KNOX

THE BLAST of cold air that hits my face as I step into the building is welcome, and the sun’s heat is intense before it’s truly midday. I wave to Hendrix as we pass each other in the hallway on my way to the stage.

Via and Cash are chatting in low voices, and Zeke gives me a quick head nod when he sees me.