Page 79 of Gin and Bear It

-Luis

I put my phone down and take a few bites, frowning. I’ve always written songs, but being a songwriter as a full career never crossed my mind. My dream was always to be a performer, but now that that’s over…maybe…

Life would be similar to what it was before, but only with the parts that were actually fulfilling. Being in the studio, writing, thinking of ideas.

I hear Jim’s obnoxious laugh coming my way and start eating faster to avoid him. Songwriting would mean there wouldn’t be any sales huddles or bullshit like that.

Luis’s email stays on my mind through the rest of my short lunch and the sales huddle. What if this is the path I need to take next? Besides the shitty, annoying sales division, I’ve liked working for the company. But will I like it forever? Can I live in Jepsen for the rest of my life?

And Jada, of course, comes to mind, too. We’ve been married almost four months now, and I have to work for Stryker Liquors for another eight months. I’m into her—I can’t lie about that. But eight months is a long-ass time when it comes to a relationship. Our connection could be completely different by then.

Even though I know that’s true, I can’t completely ditch the idea of staying with her. And I can’t pretend that I don’t want to start a career as a songwriter, either, assuming Luis has the connections to help.

I make it through the rest of the day and head home, an anxious tightness in my chest at the two paths in front of me. The tension releases a little when I step inside, but Pip doesn’t come to greet me. Jada’s home—I saw her car in the lot—but even when she’s home, he’ll come up and say hello.

“Pip?” I call out, patting my leg. “You okay, buddy?”

“We’re here!” Jada calls out.

I follow the sound of Jada’s voice and find her and Pip sitting next to the closed bathroom door. Pip is rolling around, belly up, pressed against the crack the way he is when Jada is trying to take a shower.

“I brought home CC and Waylon told me to introduce them with CC in a safe space with his own food and stuff,” she says, her eyes bright with excitement. “But Pip has been totally obsessed and happy, even through the door. I think they might get along.”

“That’s great.” I pet Pip. “Already?”

“Yeah, Waylon said it would take a few days, if they even clicked at all. I haven’t heard CC hiss or growl, either, and he seemed calm when I was in there with him.” She pets Pip, too, our fingers touching.

“Wow.” I stand up again and lean against the wall. “So we just let them sniff around for a while?”

“Yeah. We can leave them be.” She stands up and leans against the wall on the other side of the door. “Hi, by the way.”

“Hi.” I smile. The urge to kiss her is uncomfortably strong, so I walk past her to the kitchen. “Any plans for tonight?”

“I was going to go to my dad’s for dessert and to do Jeremiah’s hair,” she says. “We were going to watch a movie, too, if you want to come.”

“Is your dad expecting me?” We said we’d connect later at the wedding, but I haven’t gone with her to anything at her dad’s house.

“Kind of? He’d like to see you. Shake you down a little bit.” She says it in a half joking way, but there’s a kernel of truth. “I completely forgot about it since Jeremiah and I were texting about his hair. The plans just spiraled from there. I should have warned you.”

“It’s okay. I’ll go.” I don’t have anywhere else to be, and this is important.

We eat a little, just enough to leave room for dessert, and head to her dad’s house. It’s a small, ranch-style house that looks like a mini version of my parents’ place. Big trees are out front, and we park in front of the closed garage door.

My heart races as we walk up, and Jada opens the door.

“Dad, we’re here,” she says.

It smells like cake and fruit inside, which only adds to the coziness. It’s a small space, with a lot of charming touches to the architecture and furniture. Pictures of his kids and grandkids line the walls, along with an eclectic art collection.

“Hey, JJ,” Ray says, coming out of the kitchen. He’s in sweatpants and a Crescent Hill University T-shirt. “Hi, Ash.”

Ray hugs Jada, then lightly claps me on the shoulder. His expression is warmer today than it was the day of the wedding, which is a relief.

“Where’s Jeremiah?” Jada asks.

“I’m in here,” Jeremiah calls from the living room. “Trying to pick a movie.”

“The cobbler’s almost ready,” Ray says.