Page 74 of Higher Notes

“All right,” I clapped my hands loudly as I hit the landing on the stairs and scared the shit out of them. Served them right. “Who thought it was a good idea to send a picture to Fizzbo?”

More laughter.

I pinched the bridge of my nose in frustration. “What did you come up there for anyway?”

“Completely forgot when we saw it was the Queen’s teatime.”

“Worst. British. Accent. Ever. Jason.” The smartass stuck his tongue out at me. “Really mature. Now, what did you want?”

“Wow, someone’s panties are in a wad. We need to finish out the tour and as much as I don’t want to leave Mom and the kids, Joey can’t keep filling in for me. It’s not fair to him.”

“You’re the talent and ultimately the choice is yours. When do you feel is the right time?” I didn’t want to leave anymore than Jason did, but this was his job, and mine and Snipe’s as well.

“As soon as possible but Mom, I’d like for Gabe to go with us.” Dana’s eyes widened. “He will always be with one of the three of us and never left unattended. He’ll get to experience new things and more than anything, he’ll get the break that he deserves. I know it’s hard to let go of your babies, but I really and truly believe this will be good for him.”

I agreed with Jason, but this was completely up to Dana.

“Wyatt, Hayden, you’ll have fifty percent of everything I hold dearly in your hands. Do. Not. Let me down.”

“We won’t.”

The gate to our housing community had been fixed immediately the day after the incident and the no-show guard for the shack was fired. Easton was going to be pitching our subdivision to high-end clients that were looking for affordable, comfortable homes that weren’t mansions. The up and coming, he called them. With that being said, he’d now deferred to Fizzbo and contracted our company to hire the new guards.

Non-armed but trained in conflict resolution.

There would be two on duty at all times effective immediately, which eased some of the insecurity about leaving Dana and the twins behind.

“I’m gonna take off,” River packed his messenger bag as he spoke. “Dana, I’ll be in touch tomorrow. Don’t forget to turn in your monthly expense report for your phone and internet so the company can reimburse you. Welcome to the team.”

Dana was all smiles. Masterson was paying her far better than the employer she’d worked with for years and she got to stay at home and work around the kids’ school schedule, whatever that ended up being.

“Thank you for everything, River.” Dana gave him a hug and saw him out. “Why don’t you call Gabe down, Jase, so we can talk to him about the trip?”

Jason ran upstairs and returned a few minutes later with Gabe and a backpack. What was he up to?

“What’s up, Mom?”

“Have a seat, Gabe, so we can talk to you.”

“Am I in trouble?”

“Quite the opposite, my love. Come, sit by me.” Dana patted the seat beside her. “Have I told you how much I love you lately?”

Gabe rolled his eyes though the act held no malice. “Only like a bazillion times. What’s going on?”

“Here,” Jason handed him the backpack with the familiar Minecraft characters on it. “Open it up.”

“This is so cool.” Gabe surveyed the outside then slid the zipper open. Collectively the group was engaged, having no clue what Jason had concocted. “A phone?”

“Keep going,” Jason’s grin lit me up and this wasn’t even my gift.

“A Switch?”

“Check the front pocket.”

Gabe slid out a familiar lanyard. Now I knew what else River had been delivering this morning inside the big box he arrived with.

“Backstage all-access pass for Chaotic Abyss and Embrace the Fear.” Gabe read it then the realization hit. “Wait, do I get to go on the road with you?”

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