Page 50 of Married to the Beasts
The food they serve us is surprisingly incredible, and I’m told Zeb made most of it, with help from Griffin. I’m sure their inkwork is good, but the two of them should consider opening a restaurant.
When Hazel sees all of us enjoying it, she asks Zeb if she can get the recipes.
“Oh, are you doing all the cooking in that big mansion?” Ember asks her.
Before I can object, Hazel says, “There’s a housekeeper. I cook sometimes, because I like it,” and Ember looks like she regrets her question.
“She made incredible muffins.” Bron gives Hazel a look that makes her cheeks go red, but thankfully, her sister doesn’t seem to notice.
Rafe’s pretty quiet through dinner, which is what I’d expect. As we’re finishing the best panna cotta I’ve ever tasted, he nods toward Griffin. “Hazel told us you play guitar?”
The poor guy runs a hand through his hair, immediately flustered, though he’d been the most talkative person at the table. “I play a little. I dabble.” He laughs nervously.
Ember jumps to his defense. “He plays wonderfully. He’s an in-demand tattoo artist, so he doesn’t play full time, but his band is great. He sings, too.”
“I brought a guitar over. Conal did, too.” Rafe nods toward me. “We could have a little jam session, if you’re up for it.”
Griffin looks dazed. “Oh, shit, man. Really?”
“We’ve been slaving over the same few songs for days,” Rafe says. “It’d be nice to mess around a bit.”
That’s how we end up out in their back yard, sitting in a circle, three of us on guitar, Bron using an empty water jug for percussion. A quick discussion reveals that we share some common influences, and we start playing a song we all know.
We keep things mellow in deference to their neighbors, but it’s a good time, and Hazel, Ember, and the other guys seem to enjoy listening to us play.
Hazel’s mood is much lighter by the time we leave. The hug she shares with her sister is warmer than the earlier one.
“Thanks for coming,” Ember tells her. “Oh, and try to keep in touch with Mom more often. She doesn’t want to intrude, but she’s worried.”
“Will do. Thanks for having us over. Thanks for a delicious dinner.”
We guys shake hands all around, promising to get together some other time, and then we go.
HAZEL
“There’s a break in our schedule for the crew this week,” Conal tells me during our ride home. “Would you like to visit your mom?”
“All of us?”
He slides his arm around me. “Yeah, if your mom’s up for company.”
I reach up to give him a kiss. “I think she’d really like that, and so would I.”
When I get in touch with my mom, she’s all for it. I know the visit will mean her rearranging her work schedule, but she tells me not to worry.
The guys’ assistant makes all the arrangements, and we take a short flight on the band’s private jet to the small airport nearest my mom’s house. There aretwo luxury SUVs waiting there for us, our luggage, and the security team.
My mom has a meal waiting on the table when we arrive, and insists we sit down to eat shortly after hugs, introductions, and handshakes. If she wonders why Conal’s two brothers have also come along, she doesn’t say anything. Maybe Ember broke the news.
Mom and I both have to remind my little sister to eat several times, because she keeps staring at the guys, mostly Conal, mouth agape. When they ask her questions, she has trouble speaking, which has never been a problem for her, ever since she said her first words.
The guys ask Mom questions, too, about our town, her work, and about me when I was young. I can tell she’s charmed by them, and I couldn’t be more pleased.
After we eat, I show her the camera they bought for me, and take candid pictures of everyone as they talk. I also reach out to Bliss to let her know we’re in town.
“Shoot! I’m working today and I have a date tonight,” she says. “I’d cancel, but we have tickets to a show.”
“I’m sorry I didn’t give you more notice. The trip was so last minute.”
