Page 28 of Wish You Once More
Chris and Kelvin piped up with some choice words at my barb.
I held up my hands. “Okay, okay, I’m sorry. Can’t you take a joke?”
The JRs had limits, and I knew full well my brother was happy with them. Playing gigs locally, where everyone knew and loved the band, was his comfort zone. I was prepared to push myself more, hence why I was the one touring the country. Although seeing how he was with Melinda and Henry this weekend, loved up in their little family bubble, brought out unexpected pangs of envy. Perhaps it had something to do with finally telling Bree the truth about why I’d left. Or maybe it was just being home after a tour and pushing myself to the limits with the new music. I dragged a hand over my face while we took a short break, checking my phone again.
Thankfully, Bree hadn’t replied. A nagging voice in my head wished she had.
Ellie had, asking whether I’d be free for lunch with her, Scott and Rosie.
“Jonny, I’m going to get lunch with Scott,” I said, as the same time replying in the affirmative to Ellie. “If you’re okay to get my bass over to the park?”
“What did your last roadie die of?” He pulled a face. “Sure. I know we can’t compete with a rock star and his supermodel girlfriend. I’ll tell Melinda to put less roasties in.”
I frowned. “You didn’t say anything about Sunday lunch?”
“Why do you think Dad was around this morning?”
“For breakfast? Before watching us play this afternoon?”
“You know nothing of Redmond family traditions these days, do you?”
Watching the exchange between us, Chris and Kelvin flicked from one to the other, akin to a tennis match. Jonny had already served up something of an ace though.
“You should have said something. I can’t exactly go back on my word with the others. They’re only down for the weekend.”
“Much like you.” Jonny folded his arms across his chest. “Do whatever you need to do. It’s not like you don’t anyway.”
Suddenly, we were teenagers again, bickering over whose turn it was on the Playstation. As the older brother, Jonny usually won out. But on this occasion, I was determined he wasn’t going to.
“Thanks for the support,” I hissed.
“I suppose I should be grateful you even turned up this weekend.”
“Why wouldn’t I?”
Jonny dropped down onto the floor, his head bowed. “Because you don’t know the half of what’s going on here. You swan around in your rock star existence, not giving a damn about the business or Dad.”
“Wait, what?” I grabbed his shoulders and shook him. “The band was the reason the business didn’t go to the wall. Don’t forget that.”
“How could I? Dad harps on about it every occasion he gets, forgetting I was the one papering over the cracks at the time. It’s the reason I’ll never own my own home.”
Uncomfortable that we were discussing private matters in front of Chris and Kelvin, I glanced over at them. “Do you guys want to go and get a coffee or something? I think Jonny and I need to talk.”
They mumbled their agreement and headed out of the hall.
I pulled Jonny to his feet and faced him, the memory of something he’d said yesterday coming back to me. “Hang on a minute. You said Dad was stoked to have a famous rock star in the family and didn’t want me bothering about the business. Don’t go twisting my lack of knowledge about what goes on around here into something it isn’t.”
His shoulders sagged. “I’m worried about Dad, Mat. I told you how he’s been lately. Melinda keeps badgering him to go to the doctor, but he won’t. I half expect to find him slumped over his desk one day.”
“Can’t you persuade him to take on some more help? I’m sure there are plenty of people around here who would love a job with us.”
He snorted at the word ‘us’, but let it go. “He won’t have it. Says he doesn’t want anyone else interfering the family business.”
“What about Melinda? Can she do more?” Instantly, I regretted the words as soon as they’d left my mouth. With a four-year-old to look after, plus keeping an eye on Jonny and my dad, she would have no spare time. “Sorry, I didn’t mean that,” I added, hastily, not wanting to risk more of my brother’s wrath.
“She’s offered, but Dad refused. I told her she was crazy for even offering, but you know what she’s like.” Jonny shrugged.
“Yeah, she’s a keeper.” A smile tugged at the corner of my lips.
