Page 34 of Punk Rock Reflection
Finally, Brett did away with offering his hand and embraced Tommy in a hug. “Welcome home. Me and Kira put off going back to the West Coast for a couple of weeks because we didn’t want to miss you guys.”
“Appreciate it. It wouldn’t be the same without you and Kira.”
Brett pointed his thumb over his shoulder toward the front door. “It was nuts out there. I’ve never seen anything like it.”
“I’m as shocked as you are.” Tommy almost forgot that there was a herd of fans still camped out in front of the mansion. He tried to make it as easy as possible by sending a Hummer limo to pick everyone up and having extra security, but there was only so much he could do. The number of fans seemed to be multiplying instead of tapering off. Things had never been this chaotic before, not even when they first bought the house and word got out they were living in a beachfront mansion on Long Island.
“People love you,” Brett said, leaving Tommy with a pat on the back to make way for Mason and his aunt.
Aunt Mary smiled, the corners of her eyes crinkling under her wire-rimmed glasses, and she patted Tommy’s cheek. “You look different. But still handsome. Welcome home, dear. I sure missed your little ones.”
“We all missed you Aunt Mary.” It wasn’t a lie or an exaggeration. Aunt Mary was like the matriarch of the Immortal Angel family. Everyone loved her, and she had a huge heart filled with kindness.
Mason looked as if he grew two inches, if that were possible, and his face was starting to take on that of a pre-teen adolescent. It reminded Tommy how fast these kids were growing up.
“Look at you!” He hugged Mason and realized how much he missed the boy. “Are you shaving yet? Did you get married while we were gone?”
Mason laughed harder with each question, showing off his dimples and the amazing Wilder smile. “No. I’m only 12!”
Tessa came running over with a scowl on her face and took hold of Mason’s hand. “Mason’s not married. He’s going to marry me when I grow up.”
Tommy threw his head back and laughed, while Mason swung Tessa’s hand. “Whatever you say, Tess.”
Alyssa was the last to greet Tommy. This chick was too cool to give big hugs and make a fuss. She stood and looked at him with her hands on her hips. “Next time you think about taking my best friend and those two babies away from me for over two months, I’m coming with you.” She smiled and nudged his bicep with her knuckle, then looked at the muscle in his arm. “What’d you do over there? Work out on the beach every day?”
Angel came up beside Tommy and slung his arm over his shoulder. “Yes. We worked out in more ways than one.”
Alyssa cackled. “I can’t believe I missed you two so much. And.” She held up her hands, ready to make a dramatic statement. “I’m dying for some of your lechón asado, Angel. I almost went to Garcia’s, but it didn’t feel right to go without you,” she said, her tone now serious and sincere.
Angel positively glowed from the compliment. “I knew you loved my cooking.”
Alyssa reluctantly nodded. “Yeah. I kinda do. Now, if you’ll excuse me. I have two little ones to smother in kisses, and juicy gossip to catch up on.”
The adults all congregated in the great room while Lucas and Mason retreated to the studio downstairs so the boys could play their instruments together before dinner. Tessa joined them because she wanted to watch and never wanted to be left out.
“I’ve always loved Bora Bora,” Audra admitted. “I wanted to go for my Sweet 16.” She shot evil eyes at her sister. “But I got outvoted.”
“Can you imagine Daddy sitting under an umbrella on the sand in an Armani suit?” Kira responded.
Audra laughed with her sister. “No. That was the point. My plan was to convince him to let us go with a chaperone, but you had to agree that Switzerland had more culture.”
Brett draped his arm over his wife’s shoulder. “Kira never disagrees with her father.”
She shrugged and displayed an innocent smile. “I told you. I’m the good sister.”
“I guess I got the troublemaker,” Jimmy said, giving Audra a side hug. “So, what was the highlight of your trip?” he asked Tommy.
“We went shark fishing with this guy from Ukraine.”
“We met this amazing couple,” Jessi explained. “They had a little boy Lucas’ age, and we spent a week with them. It was really nice to be with people who had no idea who we were.”
“No one recognized you guys?” Audra asked, surprise making her slow blink. “That must have been weird.”
“At first, it was,” Tommy admitted. “But the freedom we had to just go wherever and whenever we wanted without anyone invading our privacy, and the ability to take the kids places without worrying about their safety, was the best feeling in the world.”
“Tell me more about this fishing trip,” Brett said. “My father used to take me and my brother fishing when we were kids. I love boats.”
The remark reminded Tommy that Brett tragically lost both his parents several years ago, and it made his heart heavy. “I’m not really into fishing, and neither is Angel, but we loved the boat ride. I’ve never been that far into the ocean. The water was beautiful and crystal clear. We saw turtles. Dolphins. A manatee. I saw a manatee! It was incredible!”
