Chapter 25

Jacob turned the knob and entered the hotel bathroom like it was his own. He had a clipboard in his right hand, a new contract. “Hey Gabby, I–”

“Fuck! Get the fuck out of here!” she shouted. Another woman screamed as well. One of the backup dancers or that punk rock floozy from Nova Scotia? It was hard to keep track.

“Right, sorry, force of habit,” he said, pulling the door closed. He frowned at the latch. The attached room opened and the security guard peeked his head in.

“After seven months, you think you’d be used to her setting her boundaries now,” Mikey said, rolling his eyes.

“Yeah, I don’t take to change well.”

“It’s time for you to get your shit together. I think Gabs is handling things for the better,” Mikey said.

“Maybe, at least the shows are even better,” Jacob said. “Who’d have thought her new version of Where Are You? was going to blow up like that.”

“You always hated that song,” Mikey agreed.

“It’s sophomoric and cheesy,” Jacob said. “So I knew it’d sell well with some polish, but I didn’t think she had it in her to polish it.”

“Hey! Get out so I can get changed!” Gabrielle shouted through the bathroom door.

“Well, come wait over in our room,” Mikey said. “She’ll call you over when you’re ready.”

Jacob scratched his head with the corner of his clipboard as he followed Mikey through to the other room. Gabrielle came out, toweling out her hair with Kaleen, one of her backup dancers, following behind.

“Are you excited?” Gabrielle said. “We’re heading back to Richie!” She was practically bouncing. “I can’t wait!”

“Richie’s perfect...” Kaleen moaned. She was a long legged black girl, her thick hair dripped over her face and shoulders. She held the wall with knocking knees. They’d picked her up in England when one of their other girls had twisted an ankle and had to ditch the rest of the tour. That’s when the care package from Richie had arrived.

“Yeah, I can’t wait either,” Gabrielle said, tossing her towel on the bed. She dragged out a tank top and shorts from her travel bag. There was a knock on the front door. Kaleen looked through the peephole.

“It’s Blaire,” Kaleen said, still naked as she opened the door. Blaire strode in. Her hair was different, a new shade of electric blue and spiky in a wave over her left ear. She was wearing a black leather jacket over a torn up shirt and shredded blue jeans.

“Hey Gabby!” She said, rushing over and kissing the pop star.

“It’s just the three of us then?” Gabrielle said.

“Yeah, I did one last check with Miss Harper, but she said not to waste beans on the other dancers,” Blaire nodded. She flashed the tickets. “We gotta change planes in Munich and Ottawa, but Caitlin will be waiting to pick us up when we land in Sydney.”

Gabrielle gasped and her knees shook.

“You’ve had him, yeah?” Kaleen folded herself on Blaire’s back.

“Sure,” Blaire said. “You’ll love him.”

“I already do,” Kaleen moaned.

Jacob knocked on the divider door. Gabrielle pulled down her tank top. “Get her dressed and take her down to the bar.”

“Aye aye,” Blaire saluted and grabbed a light dress from a coat hanger. One of Gabrielle’s, tight across Gabby’s tits, it’d be loose falling forward on Kaleen. Someone in the bar was sure to get a show. Gabrielle almost stopped them long enough to grab a bra at least. Those tits belonged to Richie. She stopped herself. Jacob knocked again.

The hotel door hadn’t quite swung closed again when Gabby opened the door for Jacob. Mikey and the new guy, Josef, were playing chess. They waved and Gabby smiled as she closed the door.

“Great news!” he said. “I know, tours done, you wanted a couple of months off, but I got us a gig with some new writers. Vancouver on September 20th! It’s time for some new hits and–”

“Eleven days? I’m taking off until December first,” she said. She had wanted until January 2nd but she had a big charity gig for the Alberta Children’s Hospital and Richie had been stoked that that was the kind of thing she did. She wasn’t going to break that promise.

“Yeah, so you’ve been saying, but, honestly, you either make hay while the sun’s shining or you fade away,” Jacob said. “So, you do your Hi Mom thing and get drunk with that old friend of yours and–”

She snatched the clipboard, shutting him up. She scanned the contract, it was forty-one pages long. She frowned. “I’m not signing this.”

“This is an eight digit deal, Gabs,” Jacob said. “Plus, these guys are looking at you for the singing voice in the next big Disney cartoon. You could be the next Let It Go!”

“I’ve got eleven days, two of those are gone to travel, nine days to see him,” Gabrielle said. “No, ten figures isn’t worth it.”

“Ten figures is worth any guy,” Jacob said.

“Not to me it’s not,” Gabrielle said.

“Fuck,” he said. “If we hold off, we lose it. What if we fly your guy out with you?”

“That’s not my call,” Gabrielle answered.

“How is it not? This is your life and career!”

“Yeah and–”

“And my life and career. Mikey and Josef. The mixers, the engineers, do you know how many people’s lives and careers are waiting for you to say yes?”

“No,” she admitted honestly. Her phone buzzed. “Shit! Move the date.” she said, eyes driving into Jacob. She strode around the bed and knocked on the divider door. Josef opened it.

“Gabs, we’re not done.”

“Hey, you guys get everything packed up? We gotta hit the airport.”

“We don’t have to leave until tomorrow.”

“I’m not heading with you guys back to Calgary,” Gabrielle said. “Thanks Josef.”

“You’re welcome, Miss Xu.”

Gabrielle smiled and stepped out of the way of her security. She walked by Jacob who was red in the face. “Change the date and call me in on the twentieth. We’ll make our decisions then.”

“And if they can’t move, we miss out–”

“They miss out on me,” Gabrielle said. “Everything’s either in the bag or hanging up.” She pointed. “God, I love having you guys around! I’ll be down in the bar!”

“No Zita,” Harper mumbled as she ran alongside Richie.

“You’ve been saying that since she went to McGill,” Richie agreed.

“Well maybe you should be more sad about it,” Harper said.

“Why? She did so well to get where she is. I’m proud of her.” Richie was breathing hard as he pounded the concrete next to Harper.

“We’re all proud of her,” Harper said, rolling her eyes. “But it’s still sad and scary when your best little fuck bunny flies off to go to school. Morning Mrs Randalls!”

Mrs Randalls was an older woman walking to her car. She scowled judgmentally at Harper.

“Morning Mrs Randalls!” Richie waved. “What the fuck did you put in your smoothie?”

“Some of that sweet magic coca leaf,” Harper giggled. “You’re the one who wanted to run before your breakfast.”

“We’ve been going so hard, I throw up when I eat first,” Richie said, shaking his head. “Oh my god, there’s your door, thank god!”

“Pussy,” Harper said.

“I am what I eat,” Richie laughed.

“So you’re my sister?” Harper snorted. “No wait, you’re your own–”

Richie shot a look at Harper that shut her up. He couldn’t wipe away her shit eating grin.

She slowed to a jog and led Richie in through the garage and into the kitchen. Darleen and Mary were snuggling on the seats against the wall giggling madly at some shared joke. They had coffees and no food while across from them, Lilith had a big plate of chocolate chip waffles covered in blueberries and sparkling syrup in front of her.

“Oh, look who’s getting fat!” Harper said, leaning her chin on her sister’s shoulder and running her hands over Lilith’s stomach. “You’re bigger than I am now!”

“Sweetheart,” Mary said. “You lost eighty-five pounds and Lilith is almost seven months pregnant. I should hope she’s bigger than you.”

“He’s kicking!” Harper squealed. “Daddy, daddy!” She grabbed Richie’s hand and brought them around the chair to rub Lilith’s belly. Lilith sighed warmly.

“Where’s Caity?” Richie asked, after kissing Lilith’s neck.

“She and Nat drove out to pick up Gabrielle,” Darleen said. “You guys planning something big?”

“All purpose orgy,” Richie said. “Over at Flo’s.”

“Not a lot of imagination for your parties, is there?” Mary asked, with a soft smile.

“Don’t be jealous,” Darleen said. “Our full house last night made you smile. So, Gabby lands, happy birthday Harper–”

“Thank you!” Harper curtsied in her sports bra and shorts.

“Lilith’s baby shower–”

“Not really. Richie’s mom insists on throwing a normal shower. Without sex slaves. Weirdo.” Lilith rolled her eyes.

“That’s pretty much all Nat’s doing, really,” Harper said. “You need to stop ducking her.”

“Whatever.” Lilith said, shutting herself up with another forkful of waffle.

“Did I miss anything?” Mary asked.

“Sex is fun, Mary.” Darleen patted Mary’s thigh. Mary grabbed those fingers.

“I’ll show you fun!”

“Can I finish eating first?” Lilith asked. Ryan squeezed her shoulders and smiled down at Lilith’s put upon face.

“You have my permission to keep Lilith forever pregnant,” Mary said. “Her tongue just isn’t as sharp.”

“Maybe that was the drinking?” Harper said.

“And the pregnancies keep her from drinking,” Mary said.

“He doesn’t need your permission to decide how pregnant I am, Mom!” Lilith growled. Mary laughed at her youngest. Darleen just shook her head and chuckled.

“Birthday, welcome home, all purpose orgy! And, I think you missed out on Oksana and Perla’s reason to celebrate!” Harper bounced the conversation back.

“I thought Oksana said they were gonna wait until Zita came back for the summer,” Darleen said.

“For the wedding, yeah, but Perla still bought the ring,” Harper said. “She wants to ask Oksana tonight! It’s gonna be awesome.”

“It sucks we’re gonna miss it,” Mary sighed.

“You two gonna be OK looking after Trevor? We’ve got a couple hours, if you need some Richie time.” Harper said. “I was gonna take him to the shower, but–”

“No,” Mary shook her head sadly.

“No?!” Darleen said. “I love you Mary, but your fingers are not his dick!”

“She said need,” Mary said. “Not want.”

“Barf,” Lilith finally said. She reached up and squeezed Richie’s hand on her shoulder.

“Your fingers are sticky, Mommy,” Richie said, grinning.

“Usually,” Lilith said. “Can you go get me some of that peach juice? Morwen says three hundred milliliters a day will make the birth safer.”

“You just have to want it for me to get for you,” Richie said. “Fridge?”

“Behind the Yggdrasil syrup,” Harper said.

“Is that good for you and the baby?” Richie asked.

“It’s not bad and it’s super tasty, and the dreams are super fun,” Lilith said.

“It helped her pick up poetry and art appreciation,” Darleen said.

“I’m not convinced.” Mary shook her head.

“You’re a Philistine and your only good taste is taste in women,” Darleen countered.

“I gotta do more prep for court tomorrow,” Mary said, getting up. “Take care of my daughters, Richie.”

“I always do,” he said.

“Hey, I’m guessing everyone knows but me. I gotta ask. How come you’ve, uh, we’ve been all fucking like monkeys since March and your only, um, accident is Lilith?” Darleen asked.

“Lilith wasn’t quite mine when we started fucking,” Richie said. “At that point: her body, her choice, you know?”

“I didn’t choose to be a pregnant teen,” Lilith said.

“Neither did I,” Darleen said. “So, for the rest of us, it’s on your say so?”

“Yeah, I guess,” Richie said. “Provided you’re not too old.”

“Ouch. I’m forty-two,” Darleen said. “I can manage, but I already have my sons and Caity. Mary, well, she’s excited for your son, so her wires might be crossed. She’ll probably sound excited if you ask. My advice? I think it’s best if you only make her a grandmother.”

“Yeah, they’re not my next choices,” I said.

“Don’t make a decision too quickly. Oksana and Perla want to fit into wedding dresses,” Lilith said, downing her juice. Her face melted into joy. “Oh my god!”

“Flo might be looking at the clock though,” Darleen said, standing up. “I’m gonna get things set up for Trevor. Don’t be fucking when the child gets here.”

“We won’t!” Harper said. She poked her sister. “You full? Shower?”

“God ... I’ll fuck you at Flo’s,” Lilith said.

“Aw...” Richie rubbed her back. “Are you feeling good?”

“I feel fat and grumpy,” Lilith said.

“All good then!” Harper kissed her sister on the cheek and grabbed Richie’s hand. “See you in fifteen!”

“You won’t be done in fifteen...” Lilith snorted.

“Yeah, but your tiny preggo bladder will be!” Harper laughed. “C’mon!”

Richie dashed off after Harper. Lilith shook her head. “Fuck. Come back and help me out of this damn chair! My tiny preggo bladder can’t last fifteen minutes!”

“This place is so gross!” Olivia whispered in Stacy’s ear. Stacy put on a bright smile and nodded. “Why would Perla be hanging out somewhere like this?”

The two of them, and two others, were getting out of a small BMW. The four girls were dressed in pretty dresses and had their hair up. Two years ago, they had been four of the five piece clique that had ruled over Sydney Academy alongside, often under, Perla.

Olivia was tall, orange haired, and green eyed. She had been willowy and slender in high school. An extra twenty pounds had brought her up to a healthy one fifteen and the bulk of it had settled on her hips and butt. She walked like she knew exactly how hot she was.

Evelyn got out of the passenger side. She was a curly haired mixed race girl. Her hair was long and held out of her face with a crystal hairband. She was the opposite of Olivia, short and top heavy.

Stacy had been behind Olivia. She was a curvy blonde, her hair cut short and spiky. Tattoos swirled from her left wrist to the elbow. The piercings in her eyebrows were new to the other three girls. She had not suffered the “You used to be so pretty!” comments well. The turning heads were enough to tell her that guys were still super gross about everything.

Sloane looked the least changed from high school. Her long straight black hair contrasted her fair skin and bright blue eyes. She was a health nut, particular about and exercised nearly to the point that her abdominals looked chiseled from stone.

“I can’t imagine,” Sloane said. “Did any of you guys come back over the summer? I’ve heard Perla went crazy stuck in back here while we were out at college.”

“I did,” Evelyn said. “Come on. Yeah, it’s not the greatest house, sure, but you’ll love Perla’s girlfriend.”

“Girlfriend?” Stacy said. “Perla’s not gay. Not gay at all.”

“She is when she’s in love,” Evelyn said. “Oksana’s great.”

“Oksana Kremensky?” Sloane frowned. “I guess it’s true, they said she could turn straight girls bi in an instant.”

“I think guys just said that about her huge tits,” Stacy snorted. She picked up a tall white bag holding a bottle of wine. “Still, they should’ve thrown the party at Perla’s place. She still lives with her dad, right?”

“Yeah,” Evelyn said. “But apparently she wanted a girls thing today though.”

“Right...” Stacy said. “And that couldn’t happen at her Dad’s because?”

No one answered Stacy. The four girls turned at the beep beep of the car following them into the driveway. It was a used Nissan. Evelyn lit up like a Roman candle. The other three looked at each other in confusion.

“Harper?” Sloane mouthed.

“If this is gonna be a fight, we should leave,” Olivia said.

“Evvie!” Harper shouted as she got out of the car. She grabbed the girl in a big hug.

“She lost a fuck ton of weight,” Stacy said. “Abusive patriarchal beauty standards and–”

“And she looks amazing,” Olivia interrupted. “Oh my god! Hi!”

“I thought it was a girls thing, but that’s Richie Jackson,” Stacy grumbled at Sloane.

“Yeah, and he looks good too!” Sloane stuck out her tongue at Stacy. She walked over and started squeeing and trading hellos. Stacy frowned. Two more girls had gotten out of the Nissan. A girl and a woman. Richie had helped a big ballooned pregnant girl out of the back seat. A tall thirty-something blonde had stepped out of the driver’s seat.