"He's fine," I said. "This is supposed to be a no-work-talk party."
"Tattoos versus my sick mother," Axel said bobbing his head left to right.
"I get it," I said.
"I didn't get a chance to swing by there the last couple days," Axel said. "Been busy. And … uh … "
"Axel, it's hard to watch, I know," I said. "But if I can give advice as a friend? Don't miss out on this. No matter what. If you do, you'll look back and regret it."
"She's doing okay, though?"
I swallowed hard. I could see it in Axel's eyes. He wasn't willing to accept the truth. Or fate.
"She's as comfortable as we can make her," I said. "I promise you that, Axel."
Axel rubbed his cheek. "Fuck. It's just … that's not the person I know."
"I understand," I said. I heard the roar of laughter outside through the thick glass of the door. "Just please, don't sacrifice this time you have."
"What does … "
The door opened, and in came River holding two beers. Behind him came Max, Maddox, and Cass. Cass was holding a beautiful little girl who had the brightest blue eyes I'd ever seen. She was in a little bathing suit and a bucket hat that matched. The cuteness was on overload.
"What's going in here?" Max asked. "Tate wants us all outside."
I stepped out with River, his hand slipping into mine. There was a large concrete patio outside that was rounded. On one side, there was a large fireplace, and on the opposite was an outdoor kitchen. Tate manned the grill. He turned around after shutting the lid, grabbing a drink and lifting it up. Then he stuck his fingers into his mouth and whistled as loud as he could.
Everyone stopped and looked at him.
I took stock of everyone there. River whispered in my ear, naming those I didn't know. There was a guy named Gonzo. He owned the local auto garage. There was a cop there, but he was drinking water. A guy named Pecker, who was a bartender at a local dive. Cass handed the little girl off to a beautiful woman with dark hair and dark eyes. River whispered that she was Diem, Cass's woman.
Tate looked around, making sure he had everyone's attention.
"Food is ready," Tate announced.
Everyone started to cheer.
He waved a hand. It got quiet.
"I just wanted to thank everyone for being here," Tate said. "I couldn't be here without you all. St. Skin started as nothing but an idea. A drunken idea at that. Somehow, between shots of whiskey, I shook hands, made deals, and instead of waking up from a one night stand, I woke up with a building and a name. You guys and gals are the best I've ever met. Here's to another wild year for St. Skin."
A few cheers and claps echoed around.
"Now," Tate said. "I expect everyone to drink. To laugh. To swim. To cause trouble, but not too much. The police are already here."
There was a rumble of boooos.
Tate laughed.
"As I look around, I realize this is becoming a little more of a family party than the rock star vibe we used to have," Tate said. "And I like that. So, eat the food. Drink the booze. Love life."
Tate threw his drink back, and everyone cheered again.
"He loves giving speeches," River whispered to me. "Are you hungry?"
"Starving," I said.
"Good. Come on."
We all lined up and got our plates.
I looked over my shoulder just in time to see Axel slipping back into the house. He was looking down at his phone.
I felt bad for him. I could only do so much. After all, in my eyes I had lost my parents a long time ago and there was no love loss involved with it.
"Hey, you okay?" River asked as he put a hand to my back.
I looked up at him. The only man I ever loved.
"I'm perfect," I whispered.
"Good. Now let's get you fed, drunk, and naked in that pool."
I laughed.
River didn't.
He was serious.
And it was going to happen.
It was me with my head against River's shoulder. Then there was Tate, Axel, and Maddox. Prick was on the stone ground, curled up like a baby, almost sucking his thumb. He somehow kept all his food down and decided to just sleep off whatever was in his special drinks.
Tate flicked a cigarette into the fire pit. "Remember the first time River met Dirt?"
"Dirt?" I asked. "Is that some joke … "
"Oh, no," Axel said. He was good and drunk. "You haven't lived in this town until you met Dirt."
"Is Dirt a … person?" I asked.
"He's an asshole," River said.
"That he is," Tate said. "Shit, how many times did Cass get arrested fighting him?"