Page 22 of Loving the Legend
“Cool. I brought gifts for everyone. I had little time, so don’t judge them harshly. Is anyone sober? I picked up a few bottles of aged Japanese whiskey. My dad was gifted a bottle once and loved it. I picked up a necklace for your mom, and well, for you, you’ll have to wait and unwrap your gift later.”
He flashes me a wide grin. “Thanks, man. My bad for the late invite. We were on the road until yesterday, and I lost track of time. I made a mental note to invite you after our interview in New York, but it somehow slipped my mind.”
I wave it off. “It’s all good! It’s not like you didn’t go all Batman, sending a plane to scoop me. Anyone sober?”
“Nah. Kieran and Tommy will love the whiskey.”
I start to remove my shoes.
“I didn’t even have to ask you,” he says, tracking my movement.
“I grew up with the same rule. Before I forget”—I reach into my pocket—“here you go.” I extend five twenty-dollar bills.
He grins. “Keep it. Watching you dance was reward enough.”
“Glad you enjoyed it ’cause it’ll never happen again.”
“Never? Not even when you cop a ring?”
I arch my eyebrows. “When—I appreciate the vote of confidence.”
“Keep playing the way you’ve been, and it’ll happen. Come on,” he says.
I trail him through the house, grinning hard.
“Whoa,” I whisper as I freeze at the entrance of the family room, taken aback by the luxuriousness. There’s a massive three-sided fireplace ablaze, casting a warm glow. The room alone is a quarter the size of my house. I shouldn’t be surprised. Being Sid’s height, you’d need the twelve-foot ceilings. There’s an indoor-outdoor vibe to the room from the double-height arched black French windows that look out over a manicured courtyard. A rustic brass-colored wagon wheel chandelier illuminates the room along with a tall Christmas tree—I’m talking at least nine feet—adorned in silver and gold ornaments. Gladys.
Ella Fitzgerald’s “What Are You Doing New Year’s Eve” emanates from a sleek Hi-Fi audio system setup, with shelves of vinyl records, elevating what is already an elegant space.
A comforting peace settles within me from feeling like I am exactly where I am supposed to be.
“Wrought iron,” Sid says, watching me eye the light fixture.
I nod. Fancy digs.
“Kieran and Tommy, meet my friend Ty.” Sid turns to the two men, who are busy putting the finishing touches on Gladys. Both of their heads turn toward us. A motley pair if ever there was one. The smaller of the pair saunters over to us first.
“Hey, handsome, I’m Kieran. We caught your game earlier. Mad skillz. Had us on the edge of our seats.” He embraces me in a hug. There’s only one way to describe Kieran—mesmerizing! Smooth, deep voice, silky golden-brown skin, and lean runner's build. He's rocking a Christmas sweater similar to Sid's but longer, like a sweater dress. Brown locs with golden highlights fastened and piled high with the sides shaved low and similar geometric patterns as Sid's. Piercings cover his right ear. Deep-set eyes the same chestnut color as Sid's but outlined in black ink. Red polish covers the fingernails of one hand, green on the other, and the tips are metallic gold.
“Thanks. Nice to meet you,” I say as we separate. “Something about a Christmas Eve win makes it sweeter. Dope nails and piercings, by the way.”
“Thanks.” His smile is radiant as he turns and walks over to Sid. “I love him already,” he whispers loud enough for me to catch.
Sid hooks his arm around his shoulder. “Knew you would.” Kieran, who’s probably no more than 5 '11”, is dwarfed by Sid’s gigantic frame.
“Hey, I’m Tommy,” the next member of the odd pair says, extending his hand.
Tommy looks like an offensive tackle in the NFL, stocky with bulging muscles. Black hair shaved in a low fade, a medium-length goatee, three decorative slashes through both eyebrows, and a suspicious stare. He’s wearing Sid’s version of the Christmas sweater with joggers.
“Hey, Tommy. Nice to meet you,” I reply as we shake hands. I brace for a bruising handshake, but his grasp is gentle.
I hear a rumbling sound as the Ella record comes to an end. My gaze sweeps past Tommy towards the Christmas tree.
I gasp. “Wait! Is that what I think?”
Making its way from the back of the tree is a large-scale electric train set. Since I was a kid, I’ve wanted one.
Sid and Kieran chuckle at my reaction.
