Page 63 of A Play for Love

“Shut the fuck up and grab your beer. I’ll meet you down at the beach.”

“Hey, fam.” I smiled as I sat in one of the loungers and twisted the cap off my beer bottle. “Anything new?”

“I spoke with Roman today, and he told me they found more evidence that’ll put Henry away for a long time. With any luck, he’ll die in there. I don’t mean like someone will kill him. I mean of old age,” Simon said.

“Mom alert,” Stefan quietly spoke.

I turned around and saw Aunt Barb walking toward us.

“Hello, boys.” She smiled. “I just love seeing all of you together like this. It warms my heart, and your fathers would be so proud of all of you.”

“And when Grayson and Gabriel move into those houses Shaun is building, our family circle will be complete.” Simon grinned.

“You look really good, Mom.” Sam smiled as she sat down next to him.

“Thank you, darling.” She kissed his cheek.

“Hey, Ma? The girls are at Shaun’s house.”

“That’s nice, Simon. I’m here to talk to you boys about something. I’ve sold the house.”

“Congratulations, Aunt Barb.” I smiled.

“Thank you.”

“So now what?” Sebastian asked.

“I bought a house.” She brightly grinned.

“Oh yeah? Where?” Simon asked as he took a sip of his beer.

“The Tomlin’s house.”

Beer flew out of Simon’s mouth when he heard the news.

“As in right down the freaking street?” he asked.

“That’s the one, Simon.”

“I didn’t know it was up for sale?” Shaun said.

“Well, it sort of wasn’t.”

“Mom?” Stefan’s brow arched.

“You didn’t know that Mr. Tomlin recently passed?” she asked.

“No!” We all exclaimed.

“It was very sudden. Anyway, I ran into Gretchen at the hair salon the other day. I gave her my sincere condolences, and we grabbed some lunch after our appointments. She was going on about her financial difficulties, and since Gregory took his own life, the insurance company will only give her a percentage of the life insurance policy.”

“Wait. What?” Sam asked. “Mr. Tomlin committed suicide?”

“Unfortunately. Poor man. He had been battling demons for years. At least, that’s what Gretchen said. Their finances are in chaos due to his gambling issues, and apparently, he had a drug problem. Anyway, she only has one payment left until the house is paid for. I told her that she should sell it and she could pay off what debt she has and buy a nice condo.”

“Let me guess, Mother,” Simon said. “You swooped in and offered her cash for her house.”

“I did.” Aunt Barb grinned. “We close in a few days, and she’ll be out in thirty days. Isn’t that wonderful news? I’ll be right down the street and get to see my grandchildren every day.”

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