Page 53 of The Roadie
“Sit down.” Kira patted the seat next to her on the leather couch. “Don’t be nervous. My father is a pussycat.”
“More like a lion,” Jimmy snickered, and Audra elbowed him in the ribs.
None of it was easing Brett’s trepidation about meeting one of the most powerful record mogul’s in the world, who just happened to be the father of the girl he was in love with. He didn’t want to bring attention to himself by standing awkwardly in the room when everyone else was seated, so he joined Kira on the couch. The buttery soft, cream-colored leather felt as if he were sitting on a cloud. It had a welcoming effect, and his spine momentarily relaxed, but the sound of heels clicking on the floor made him go rigid again.
A woman entered the room, presumably Kira and Audra’s stepmother, and the four of them stood to greet her. She was regal and sophisticated in an ivory pantsuit with her hair pinned at the back of her neck in a stylish bun. “I’m so sorry to keep you waiting,” she apologized. “I was just checking with Edward about dinner. He made a wonderful chateaubriand. If your father isn’t here in 30 seconds, I swear I’m going to disconnect the internet.”
Mason dropped his controller, ran and gave her a quick hug, then returned to his video game.
Mary didn’t jump up like Mason, but waved the controller, apologetically, and said a quick hello. “I’m winning,” she announced, with a joyful smile.
Kira’s stepmother waved a greeting at Mason’s aunt, then kissed Audra and Jimmy on the cheek, then Kira. Then the woman took Brett’s hand and held it in both of hers and smiled warmly. “You must be Brett. I’m Claudia Abelman. It’s wonderful to meet you. Welcome to our home.”
He wanted to shake her hand, but thought it would be too formal, since she was embracing it, so he just gave it a little squeeze. “The pleasure is all mine.”
There wasn’t time to say anything else because hard footsteps coming from the other room grew louder as Mr. Abelman approached. Both Kira and Audra’s faces lit up, but Brett stiffened.
The billionaire had an imposing presence and an air of confidence that overcrowded the room the moment he entered it. He wasn’t as tall as Brett, but easily six feet, with square shoulders and a broad chest. His demeanor was all business, and he emanated power and wealth.
Before Kira and Audra had a chance to greet their father, Mason brushed passed them and stood in front of his grandfather. The kid straightened his button-down shirt and extended his hand in a formal greeting.
Mr. Abelman’s harsh features softened, and his lips turned upwards at the corners. He shook Mason’s hand. “Good afternoon, young man. Do you know what happened to my grandson?”
“It’s me, Granpa! Mom said I should wear a dress shirt, so we look presentable when you meet Aunt Kira’s boyfriend.” Mason wrapped his arms around his grandfather’s legs, then ran back to his video game. “Sorry, Granpa,” he apologized for running off. “I can’t let Aunt Mary beat me.”
“Of course not.” Mr. Abelman raised a hand in Mary’s direction, stopping her from rising from her seat. “It’s a pleasure to see you again, Mary, but no need to get up.”
Kira and Audra pressed a hug into their father’s shoulders at the same time, practically before he even finished his sentence. They kissed his cheek, never letting go of his arm, and hugged him for a moment longer. “Hello, Daddy,” they both chimed, at the same time. Side by side, hugging their father and sharing a greeting, emphasized how much these two sisters mimicked one another, and with Kira’s hair now lightened by the sun, the two looked almost like twins.
Mr. Abelman glowed in the presence of his daughters. His eyes filled with warmth and his entire demeanor relaxed. “Hello, girls. You both look lovely.”
After they thanked him, Jimmy stepped up with his outstretched hand, much like Mason had, wearing a similar black button-down shirt and the trademark Wilder smile.
Mr. Abelman raised his brow as he shook Jimmy’s hand and eyed him from head to toe. “Have I stepped into an alternate universe? First, my grandson, now my son-in-law. I honestly didn’t know you owned a shirt with buttons, son.” He nodded his approval. “I’m very impressed. You should dress for dinner more often.”
Jimmy’s smile broadened, and he held his hands up in protest. “Let’s not get out of control, man.”
Mr. Abelman dismissed Jimmy’s remark with an eyeroll.
Now, it was Brett’s turn to meet Kira’s father, and he was never more nervous. It wasn’t because this man was a titan in the music industry or because he was a financial giant. Ron Abelman was the center of attention in the room and may as well have been wearing a gold crown in the eyes of his daughters, and that meant that the man’s opinion of Brett held more weight than he realized.
Brett sucked in a deep breath, straightened his tie and smoothed down the front of his suit jacket as he waited for an introduction.
Kira placed her hand in the center of his back. “Daddy, this is Brett Navarro. Brett this is my father, Ron Abelman.”
As if the man needed an introduction. He had been on the cover of Forbes Magazine more times than Brett could count and touted as one of the richest men in America.
Brett met the man’s steel gray eyes and hard scrutinizing gaze as he received an iron handshake. “It’s nice to meet you, sir.”
“I appreciate that everyone dressed for our introduction,” Mr. Abelman said, with a gravelly voice, much differently than how he greeted his family. He nodded once at Brett. “A suit and tie make a grand first impression.” His eyes narrowed, and he paused. “Don’t you own a razor, young man?”
“Daddy!” Kira scolded.
Brett was happy to put on a suit and tie because those were dispensable things, but his beard defined part of his personality, and he wasn’t changing that for anyone. He ran his hand over his long beard with disdain. “This has been with me for 10 years, sir.” It wasn’t an apology or excuse. Just a statement of fact.
Mr. Abelman studied Brett for a moment. “Very well. Shall we all head into the dining room for dinner?”
Brett hung back as everyone followed Mr. Abelman out of the room and tried to assess the man’s comments and stoic demeanor.
