Coming Home: Dominant Devils Book 2 (2 page)

We breezed through sound check in no time. Everyone parted ways to finish up their obligations for the rest of the evening. It was almost three in the afternoon. The opening bands would kick us off at six thirty with us taking the stage at nine. The three acts before us would work to get the fans riled up just in time for Layla to rock this place out.

When I got back to the bus I found Hunter sitting on the couch with Trevor. Hunter was perched at the edge with a bowl of grapes watching some cartoon while Trevor was laid out with his arm over his face slightly snoring. When Hunter noticed I was coming in he turned to me with his little finger pushed against his lips. “Sssh Momma, uncle Trev is snoozing.”

“I can see that baby. Have you been good for uncle Trev while momma’s been working baby boy?”

“Yes momma. I sweared it,” my little boy said while crossing his heart with his little fingers. “I promised uncle Trev I wouldn’t get into anythin’ while he closed his eyes for a sec.”

“Okay baby. Why don’t you and I leave uncle Trev to finish his nap and we’ll go get something to eat from the caterer’s tent with the rest of the guys.”

“Yay Momma! I get to see uncle Harvey and uncle Mica too,” he said with so much enthusiasm I couldn’t help but feel excited too.

“That’s right baby boy. Let’s go get you fed so momma can get back here to get herself together for tonight.”

Hunter jumped from the couch and scrambled to the back of the bus for his shoes. I was going to wake Trevor to let him know where we had gone but I figured we would be back before he woke. I’d make sure to bring him a “to go” plate back when we came. With Hunter’s shoes on we quietly left the bus and headed towards the food tent. I just hope they had some chicken salad on the menu.

Thankfully, we hit the tent just at the right time. Hunter was able to visit with his favorite uncles for a bit while I made my way back in line a second time to get something for Trevor. Once I had a chicken salad sandwich platter for my bestie I walked back over to where my son sat with Harvey and Mica. Hunter was telling the guys something using his hands to talk just as much as his little voice. The looks on the older guy’s faces let me know they knew something I didn’t. As I walked up behind Hunter I heard him say, “but don’t tell momma. Uncle Trevor says she worries too much. She will totally be taking my games away if she finds out.”

The guys never lifted their eyes to give me away as I eavesdropped on my son’s conversation. Mica just winked at me giving me the heads up he was going to get Hunter to elaborate before I made my presence known. “So I take it Uncle Trev let you sit on his lap while you drove the golf cart around? Surely you couldn’t reach the pedals yourself,” Mica asked trying not to laugh.

“Nope! Uncle Trev sat beside me while he worked the pedals and Aunt Ember was holding the flashlight so we could see. We were way ahead of the security guards. I didn’t think the golf cart ran that fast uncle Mica. We must have been going a hundred miles an hour.”

Harvey lost it. I’m not sure if it was because I just heard something my son knew would get him into trouble or the enthusiasm my son had while telling his story. He couldn’t even pull himself together to respond to my sons “tell all” about the night he convinced Uncle Trev to let him drive Aunt Ember back to the bus from the stage. I felt a nice calm settle over me. Their little interaction made me realize that no matter what happens, Hunter and I will always have family. If his father wanted nothing to do with him he had plenty of men that would gladly fill that role. No matter what that little boy was loved unconditionally.

Shaking myself out of my thoughts I spoke up letting my little boy know I was on to him and he had some explaining to do. “So you mean to tell me you were running one hundred miles per hour on the security guards golf cart while uncle Trev worked the pedals and aunt Ember held the flash light so you could see while you out ran the security guards last night?”

“Yeah it was the coolest thing ever, but I can’t tell momma though. She’d skin me alive.”

“Uh dude you just told your momma,” Mica said between hysterics.

My little boy slowly turned around looking me up in the eye. The moment it clicked he just told on himself was priceless. All I heard was “AWW SHUCKS,” as my four-year-old took off. He went running as fast as his little legs would take him yelling for Auntie Layla to save him. I had to take a moment before I went after him to get my laughter under control. The two goofs he calls uncles sitting at the picnic table weren’t helping the matter as they kept repeating what he said before they started to laugh all over again.

Once I got myself together it didn’t take long to find him. Before I could get ten feet in his direction he was scooped up into the arms of a giant. Ben stood at least six foot four and at least two hundred and fifty pounds of solid muscle. He had my little car jacker in one arm while he held the hand of the woman my son was so desperate to find, Auntie Layla. His Auntie Layla would stick up for him no matter what and he knew it. He was quick to pull that card whenever he knew he would be in danger of losing his precious video games.

“Auntie Layla momma is gonna skin me. You got to hide me or send me to China! I’m in so much trouble this time.’

“Oh come on kiddo, it can’t be that bad can it. You know I can’t send you to china. You would starve to death. They eat with those chop stick things over there. Even Uncle Ben can’t work them,” Layla said just as serious as she could while covering her amusement.

“Okay well if I can’t go to China then where’d can I go. I can’t stay here. This is a matter of life or death Auntie Layla.”

“Oh my this is really serious,” Layla told Hunter as she looked straight ahead to me with a smile. “How about I hide you with me tonight mister. You can hang with Uncle Ben in our bus tonight and give your momma time to calm down.”

“That sounds like a plan little dude. We can hook the game console up and race on the big screen,” Ben added.

I walked up to the trio knowing that I would never win this battle with Layla. She might be someone I worked for but she was also one of my closest friends. She took to Hunter as soon as she met me. I joke with her all the time that the only reason she keeps me around is him and not because of my voice.

“Well, well, well what are you three up too,” I asked?

Hunter didn’t say a word. He just turned he gaze to Layla waiting for her to say something. “Apparently I’ve got a date tonight after the show. It seems that my nephew wants to have a little quality time with his Auntie Layla and Uncle Ben,” Layla said grinning at me trying not to laugh. “It seems Hunter thinks you might be a little mad and need time to cool down. I was told it was a matter of life and death.”

“I see. Did your nephew tell you why he thinks his momma will need to cool down,” I asked playing right along?

“Why no he didn’t. It couldn’t be that bad. My little guy would never do anything too serious. He knows that if he gets in trouble he won’t be able to play any video games with any of his uncles,” Layla responded nonchalantly.

“Well I’ll tell you exactly what he did and let you decide how bad it is. Hunter are you okay with that or do you want to tell Aunt Layla yourself?” Hunter shook his head no. He knew he had been caught. He buried his head in Ben’s shoulder as I began to speak.

“It seems that our little guy over here decided he was going to high jack the security team’s golf cart last night. Apparently Uncle Trev let him sit on the seat to steer as he sat next to him and worked the pedals.”

“There’s no way my little guy would do that,” Layla answered playing the part putting her hand to her chest dramatically.

“Oh but he did. It seems they wanted to give Aunt Ember a ride back to the bus from the stage. She even held the flashlight so they could see as they ran away from the security guards trying to apprehend them. From what I hear they were going really fast. Like a hundred miles per hour fast. I think Uncle Trev, Aunt Ember and Hunter should all be in trouble.”

With his face still buried in Ben’s shoulder Hunter squeaked out, “I’m sorry momma. We won’t do it again.”

“See he says he will never to anything like that again. He’s very sorry,” Layla gave her speech as she began to rub Hunter’s little back. “I know he won’t do it again. If he does he won’t have to worry about his momma being mad because Auntie Layla will be even madder. Aunt Layla will take his video games away and make sure he has no TV.”

That got his attention. He leaned up and looked right at Layla then to me before he spoke. “I’m sorry momma. Please don’t be mad at me. We won’t do it again. It was my idea. Don’t be mad at Uncle Trev or Aunt Ember. Aunt Ember’s feet were hurting cuz she wore the boots taller than me. I was just trying to help her. I was just trying to help a lady just like you told me momma.”

Oh he was good. You couldn’t be mad at him even when he was wrong. It was so cute that he was taking the blame when truth be told his Uncle and his Aunt should know better. The whole situation was just too damn funny but I couldn’t let him think he was getting away with anything. If he was anything like the rest of my family, he wouldn’t have to look for trouble it would find him.

“Thank you for apologizing. I think I need to talk to Aunt Layla before we decide what you, Uncle Trev or Aunt Ember should be given for punishments.”

“How about I take Hunter with me back to the bus and leave you two ladies to sentencing,” Ben stated with a megawatt smile. He was so trying to keep his self together throughout this charade.

“I think that’s a great idea. What do you think Layla?”

“Why that’s an awesome idea Avery. That way we can figure out who will be scrubbing the toilets,” Layla added for good measure.

The two of us made sure to wave and keep our game faces until Ben disappeared out of sight with Hunter. As soon as I saw them turn behind the equipment truck I lost it. We couldn’t help ourselves. I knew I was going to have a talk with his Uncle and his Aunt. Hopefully I could get them to play along a little bit too. That is after they get a tongue lashing about corrupting my four-year-old. After getting myself under control I turned to Layla. “Thanks for the backup Auntie Layla.”

“Not a problem girlie. That little boy is going to be a handful. What am I going to do with myself when I don’t get to see him every day? I think he’s the only male that can make me smile these days.”

“Aw honey, I’m sorry. Things will get better. Just think I get to be the cool Auntie when this little bundle gets here,” I say placing my hand to her tiny baby bump. I pulled my hand away quickly hoping no one had seen. “I’m sorry. I keep slipping like that. I’m probably the reason why the news leaked. Someone probably saw me rubbing your belly and called TMZ,” I said apologetically.

“Nah, I doubt that. With the exception of a slim few we have a loyal group here. There’s only one person I’m blaming and if the truth comes out his ass is fired. That’s enough about that. I’m not going to let it ruin anymore of my day and that is why you’re going to let my favorite little guy hang out with me tonight,” Layla answered me frankly.

“Layla I can’t let you do that. You and Ben need to enjoy your time together while you can. In a few months you won’t have the opportunity to have a night alone for a good while.”

“Nonsense. Ben and I were looking for you before we found out he completed grand theft auto last night. We wanted you to have a night out. Your twenty-five years old woman. You deserve to act like it once in a while. Besides we still have over five months left and I know you’ll return the favor.”

“You know I can’t wait to spoil that little one just like you have done with Hunter. I can’t wait to be able to tell him. I guess if you’re sure about tonight then I’ll just take you up on your offer. Maybe I can head out with Trevor or Demi after the show,” I said with a smile. I haven’t been out with Trevor and the crew for a while. I need a little fun to get my mind off my impending trip home.

“Go honey. Have fun. Do a couple body shots for me while you’re at it,” she exclaimed pulling me close to whisper the next part in my ear. “Just a heads up. We plan on telling Hunter tonight that he’s going to have a baby cousin.”

“He’s going to be so happy but you know that little boy can’t keep a secret for shit.”

“Yeah I know but I only have you guys for five more days before everyone breaks off. We wanted to tell him and we didn’t want to do it through a video chat or throw it on him without either one of us there to explain. I know he’ll be excited but for almost four years now he’s been my little guy and I need to make sure he knows that he always will be,” Layla said choking back tears. “Goddam pregnancy hormones. All I do is cry.”

“At least you have an excuse. I want to cry right along with you.” I said trying to reassure my friend.

“Oh I almost forgot. I need you to meet us in the green room in an hour or so. We’ve got some things to go over before everyone crashes before the show,” Layla informed me.

“Ok chick no problem. I’m just going to run Trevor some lunch, thirty-minute power nap and I’ll head over.” I gave Layla a hug and told her that I would just crash on the couch on their bus when I got back tonight. That way if the buses left before we got up they wouldn’t be stuck with hyper Hunter all day tomorrow by themselves. I left her in line to get her sugar fix, which I knew half of what she orders would be going back to the bus with her, and turned towards the buses to take Trevor his food and have a little conversation about my sons driving skills.