Page 55 of The Comedown

“The Cuban one across town? I got some people over by there right now.”

“You didn’t rent another car, did you?” I know the McLaren was returned already. I was the one clutching the key this morning when the dealership came to collect it. “Because you can’t drive,” I say, but Julian doesn’t acknowledge me, only smirks.

Thankfully he’s much more coherent now, but that doesn’t mean I want him driving, or encouraging my son to date. Why is he here?

“Was there something I can help you with?” I ask point-blank, and Julian laughs.

“I came to thank you.” Meeting my eyes over his phone, his tone turns serious as he adds, “I thought I’d make it up to you.”

“You don’t owe me anything.”

He looks down at his screen again. “At least let me take you to dinner.”

I tilt my head, weighing my options.

“At Alma?”

Engrossed in his phone, Julian gives a single nod.

“Can we sit at the same table?” Not that I want to do a double date with my own son and Julian of all people, but I don’t see any way around it.

“Please no,” Holter begs.

I utter words I never thought I’d say, “You need a chaperone,” then wince at how old-fashioned I sound. It’s true though. I know better than anyone what can happen to unaccompanied teens in this world where money often talks loud enough to drown out objections.

“Done,” Julian says suddenly, pocketing his phone.

“What’s done?”

“All of it. The reservations. Our ride. His…chaperone. It’s all taken care of. We leave in twenty.” He points at Holter. “Is that what you’re wearing or do you wanna borrow something of mine?”

Now I’m the one begging with, “Please no.”

Chuckles around the room pluck at my already stretched too-thin nerves like a ten-year-old learning to play the violin.

“Can I speak to you outside?” I ask Julian, already off the loveseat and heading for the door.

Julian

I pause next to Irelynn real quick, quietly telling her to forward me all those DMs those little shits sent Collette before she blocks them, then as soon as I’m near the door, Collette yanks my ass the rest of the way through the doorway, slamming it shut behind us.

“What do you mean it’s all taken care of?”

A grin splits my face so fast. Goddamn. I haven’t felt this high in a long-ass time and I get high every fucking day. I didn’t think it could get much better than performing alongside Collette but spending time with her at her most vulnerable…fuck, it’s a close second.

Guessing she’s really only worried about the chaperone part, I say, “Don’t worry. Your boy will be fine. I promise Bare won’t leave his side.”

“Your bodyguard? How is that less embarrassing than me?” Her hands flail at her sides while I hold back a laugh. Not even The Collette is immune to embarrassing her teenager.

Since meeting Collette, she’s had her confidence in place like an iron shield, but just now, she let some of what’s behind it show, proving she’s just like the rest of us—human. Her son’s the crack in her armor, probably the only one she’s got.

“I can’t believe this is happening.” She sighs, propping her shoulder against the wall.

My eyes immediately fall down the rest of her, trying to judge if she’s doing it because she really is tired or if she’s wobbly. I don’t care what she says, I know what I saw, and she was about to pass out in there.

Her eyes are a silverish green right now as she glances up at me, saying, “He’s only thirteen. Were you going on dates at thirteen?”

Umm. “Not exactly.”