“He’s good. We had a few bumps, but things are great.”
“Great. And April?” My eyes slid over to the two of them, and my heart filled with pride.
April was in the kitchen showing Robbie how to make brownies. My heart tripped over itself as they both laughed. “Wonderful.” It was the only word I could think of to describe what was happening between us.
Natalie sighed. “God, I’m so happy I could burst. Let me round them up and we’ll be over as soon as we can.”
I hung up the phone and walked to the kitchen just as Robbie tasted the batter. He nodded, his eyes wide. “That’s so good! Can I eat more?”
“No.” April laughed. “You’re the taster. See how it has eggs in it? They aren’t cooked, so we can’t eat a lot of that.”
Robbie nodded, looking much younger than nine at that moment. “I’ve never made brownies before. I always thought they came in wrapped packages.” He laughed nervously.
“I love to bake, so you’re in the right place.” She turned and slid the pan into the oven. Robbie caught sight of me and smiled. It was almost like we hadn’t almost lost him a few hours ago from my stupid comment. I needed to be more careful with what I said and the way I said it. I had a child to think about now.
“Is the band coming over?” Robbie asked, sliding onto the barstool next to me.
I nodded. “Yes. They’re dying to spend time with you, now that you’re officially part of our family.”
Robbie jumped up and down a little. “That’s so cool. I mean, Jaded Regret is a big deal, right?”
I shrugged, trying to downplay it. “Well . . .”
“Uh, yes, they are.” April interrupted me. “They’re a huge deal. Your dad is part the hottest rock band in the country, if not the world.” She might’ve been exaggerating slightly, but it made my heart swell with pride.
“I want to listen to your songs,” Robbie said.
Little did he know he was going to live this life with us now. I wondered how I’d manage going on tour and making promotional stops with Robbie. It wasn’t like I could leave him. Who would I leave him with? We had no family, and the family I did have would be with me on tour. How would he go to school? I shook my head. I wasn’t equipped for this sort of thing. I tapped my fingers on the counter.
April covered my hands with hers, stopping my tapping. She eyed me but didn’t say anything. She was able to read me like Natalie did. I wasn’t sure if I loved it or hated it. “Of course you’ll hear all of their songs,” April answered for me. “You’re going to be around the band all the time now.”
I thought again of Robbie being around all of them. What would it be like to have him there? I mean, we’d barely adjusted to Bex and Johnny having two children, and Robbie was older.
“Do I get to go with you on tour?” Robbie’s question shifted my thinking and made me pay attention to my son.
“Well, I would think so. Where I go, you’re going to go. I’m not sure what all that looks like right now, but we’ll figure it out as we get to it.”
“I have a family,” he said. It was amazing how he could seem like a little boy and also like an adult within just a few seconds.
“Yes, you do,” April said.
“Robbie, you remember Bex and her husband Johnny.” Robbie nodded, smiling politely. For a kid who hadn’t had much of a childhood, he sure had great manners. My chest filled with pride as I watched him.
Bex put out her hand, and Robbie took it. “It’s so great to see you again, Robbie. These are my kids. Lennox, say hi to Robbie.”
Lennox smiled. “Hi, Robbie!”
Bex kissed Jaden on the forehead. “This is Jaden. He’s just a baby now, but he’ll be ready to run with you and Lennox very soon.”
Robbie looked back up at me and then back at Bex and the kids. I wondered what he was thinking. I watched Bex, thinking how different she was for the millionth time. Before Johnny and their kids, she would’ve never been crouched down talking to my child. My child. Even thinking that still sounded funny.
“Hey, buddy.” Johnny shook his hand and ruffled his hair. “You okay with being stuck with all of us?”
Robbie nodded. “Yes. It’s so cool that you’re my family.”
Johnny’s eyes met mine and he nodded. “That we are, Robbie. From here on out. You can come to us with anything. Got it?”
“Got it.” All of this was overwhelming for me, so God only knew where Robbie’s head was at.
“Welcome to the family.” Tanner stepped forward, also shaking Robbie’s hand. “You seem like a cool kid. Are you gonna let your dad teach you to drum? You know he’s like the drummer in all of rock music, right?”