Page 19 of Holding The Reins

“She said she wants to help me work on my fingering. She said I work a tight finger and I need to loosen it up.”

Wade snickers and Cole breaks out in a grin.

“Well that’s good, Pop. You just gotta practice your fingering then,” Cole says, laughter rumbling from his chest.

“I mean, don’t we all?” Wade asks in a shrug.

Mama Jo looks horrified and we all crack up laughing. All of us but CeCe.

“Children,” she says.

Dean continues, “I’m trying my best. I broke the damn G-string while I was fingering a tight major tonight.”

“Jesus, Papa,” CeCe says, but her face breaks out into a wide grin before burying her head in her hands as the rest of us give into our laughter.

Dean just smirks like the old shit disturber he is, knowing exactly what all of this sounds like and adds, “Did you boys know if you finger the A just right, it produces a higher note?”

“Dad!” Mama Jo belts out at him, swatting him with a dish towel as the three of us boys double over.

I can’t wait to be old, you get away with everything.

“Good thing Mabes left the room,” she scolds Cole.

“How do you expect to raise a lady with this kind of behavior around her?”

“And y’all are just encouraging him,” CeCe says, pouring herself her bourbon.

I take in the sight of her, such a sharp contrast to the professional businesswoman from earlier. Now she’s in her cut-off jean shorts, the kind that end just at that perfect spot beyond the curve of her plump ass, a white Blondie tour t-shirt with a wide cut out neck so it hangs off her bare shoulder. I remember her obsession with vintage t-shirts and realize she must still have them all, she had so many back in her teen years, from all different eras of music. When was the last time Blondie actually went on tour? She’s padding around the kitchen in her bare feet. Her thick hair is pulled back into a smooth high ponytail and her face is free of any makeup. I decide this is how I like her best. Natural. Fresh and so goddamn young looking it reminds me who she is as I try to sober myself up.

I clear my throat and Cole swats me.

“You alright?”

I look at him. Did he just see me ogling CeCe like some old pervert?

I nod and decide I need to talk. Now.

“Well, I can’t top that story, Papa Dean… but CeCe and I have some interesting news from our day for y’all,” I pipe up, everyone looks at me expectantly, especially CeCe.

“Olympia has a new administrator and accounting manager.” I nod toward CeCe.

Mama Jo looks between CeCe and me.

“Wade finally took on the job?” she asks, without missing a beat, a smirk on her face.

“Reluctantly,” Wade retorts. “But I told him no sexual harassment, I have to endure enough of that from him in the barn.”

“Aww, bud. You’re not my type.” I grin.

Mama Jo looks at CeCe with a knowing smile but speaks to me.

“Funny, CeCe never mentioned it all afternoon while she was home with me, but I think that’s just fabulous. He needs the help in that shit show of an office.” Her eyes move to mine. “No offense, you got a pretty face, boy, but you’re not the best with accounting.”

“Thanks?” I say, wondering if I was just insulted or complimented. Jo has a way of doing that better than anyone.

“I was gonna tell you, Mama. I was just getting used to the idea myself and making sure I wasn’t gonna quit before I even started,” CeCe says, her eyes on mine. I smirk. Bullshit. She ain’t quitting.

Cole gets up and pats her on the shoulder.

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