Page 16 of Deliverance

“I think jet lag doesn’t agree with me anymore,” I say.

“Tell me about it. I live with one of you, rascals.” She winks at me. “Mine is getting grumpier by the minute if he has to travel to another time zone.”

Indeed, this is probably the longest since the band started touring that we’ve all been home, wherever home is for Tyler anyway. He’s the only one who likes to do a disappearing act. I personally don’t tend to hide my whereabouts, but it does hit me that everyone except me is settled down in the sense of having a partner. I’m the last man standing. Single and free as a bird. Ready to fly. The question is, do I want to?

“I hope you’re hungry.” Wendy winks, leading me inside through the main entrance. “Oh, and Hazel wants everyone to take their shoes off before coming in,” she adds, pointing at the floors. “Just be mindful in the living areas, okay?”

I haven’t been in this house for a hot minute and the change surprises me. Toys are everywhere.

Expertly maneuvering around plush bunnies and miniature plastic cars, Wendy escorts me to the back yard overlooking the ocean, where a dozen people—most of whom I already know—are gathered around the large pool. To the left of it sits a shiny grill, and to the right, a round table littered with cups, plates, and heaps of napkins that softly flap in the wind.

I walk down a narrow stone path that cuts the lush lawn in two halves. A few hands wave at me from the cluster of lounge chairs beneath the umbrella on the opposite side of the pool. A couple of glasses with bright red liquid and orange slices decorating the rim are raised as a greeting.

I instantly know those aren’t margaritas. There’s no alcohol in this house.

“Z-man is here!” Cruz shouts enthusiastically.

I note Justice standing in front of the grill, flipping what looks like a generous steak. He’s sporting a pair of beach shorts and flip flops, and the top part of his hair is pulled back and tied into a knot. Aiden is circling him on a small blue bicycle with training wheels in nothing but bright red swimming trunks and a pair of matching goggles. Slabs of wet hair cling to his tiny shoulders and narrow back.

A little farther down, behind planters filled with flowers, where the pool house is, I see two female figures moving around. One is Hazel. I recognize the golden glow of her hair. She’s wearing a white knee-length tunic and a pair of sandals. The other is turned with her back to me and is holding the youngest and apparently the most sleepy member of the Cross family while Hazel is filling up a large bowl with some fruit. Covered by a small floppy hat, Faith’s head rests with her plump cheek squashed against the woman’s shoulder. She’s studying the party currently happening in her back yard with a look of utter boredom. Her half-closed eyes indicate that she’s not even a single bit interested in what the adults are up to.

It doesn’t hit me until a few heartbeats later that the woman rocking Faith looks a lot like Drew. The platinum locks that stick out from her messy bun cause something in my stomach to leap.

Excitement, perhaps?

Whatever the reason, I can’t imagine Drew in the loose jeans and simple white T-shirt I’m seeing. To me, even after two quick meetings, she’s a bohemian chaos, but despite people expecting to shake my hand, my gaze lingers on the woman’s figure longer than socially acceptable.

While I peek over at the white gazebo nestled in the sand right outside the property line down below, I wait for her to turn so I can verify that she’s indeed Drew, but before I get an answer to my question, I’m distracted.

“Zander!”

Aiden has already ditched his bicycle and is racing across the lawn, small bare feet slapping the grass. His body hits my legs with such force that I bounce back a little before lifting him up.

Laughter bursts from the adults.

“Wait? Did you get taller since the last time I saw you? I think you’ve grown an entire inch!” I widen my eyes at him teasingly, pretending to be surprised at the extra height he’s supposedly gained in a week. “You’re going to be like your dad in a couple of years.”

Aiden grins. “Wanna see my bicycle?” he asks as we continue the rest of the way toward the pool with him in my arms.

“Let me say hello to everyone first.”

By the time we get to the circle of lounge chairs occupied by the guests, the front of my shirt and jeans are drenched. I’m greeted by a rumble of voices, the smell of freshly cut bananas, and more children giggling. Both of Cruz’s sons are in the pool and water splashes all over as they fight for a spot on a floating mat.

I lower Aiden to the ground and half a second later, he’s already gone, distracted by something that’s apparently more important than getting me to see his bike, but I know he’ll be back later.

“Someone’s going to have to play referee.” Conveniently ignoring her kids mauling each other, Wendy flops back into her chair and shakes her head. Her expression clearly says,I’m done for the day.Get them away from me.

“I tell her to stop feeding them double-A batteries.” Cruz laughs. He’s gained some weight, but he seems happier than he’s ever been. Touring was getting to him at the very end.

“Aren’t you secretly glad you spent all that time on the road while they were torturing her?” Justice says to Cruz as he approaches us, grilling tongs still in his hand.

Wendy scowls at him. “You want them? You can have them.”

“I’ve got two of my own.” He claps my back. “Good to see you, man.”

I return the gesture. My gaze darts to the people relaxing beneath the umbrella.

“You remember Clay and Rayna?” Justice motions at the couple to my right.

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