Loving a Man Who Forgot Me Novel Chapter 17
“Where do you think I learned to be so smart? I just wish you could have known her.”
“Me too,” I said solemnly. We both stared at the still, glassy water.
She made a sound in her throat after a minute, clearing away the scratchiness in her voice and shaking off the heaviness of the moment.
“So, how long do we get you for?” I cleared my own throat of emotion. “You mentioned a birthday dinner.”
She pursed her lips. “Yes, and it would have been nice if you’d texted me back, so I had time to plan it.
Not that I’m complaining about the surprise visit.” “I’ll hang around here through the weekend, but I imagine the label and my publicist are going to want to see me back in New York first thing Monday.
I should probably call and see how much trouble I’m in after last night.” “Talk to your dad. He might be able to help.”
“Where’s he at?” “In his studio, writing. He’s been pretty excited about the new album.” “About time,” I managed a grin.
“You don’t know how many times I get asked if Dad and the guys are going to start recording again. The world’s been waiting a long time for an Ashes and Embers reunion.” Mom smiled. “Aiden’s the last of the babies, and he’s hardly a baby anymore.
I don’t think the guys know what to do with all the time to themselves.” The band took a backseat when Mom was sick, and over those years, while she was battling, and the others were getting married and having kids, Ashes and Embers only put out a few albums, and rarely toured.
By the time Aiden was born, they were done altogether, despite their lasting popularity and chart-topping hits. Even now, with all my own fame, I was still Kyden McCabe’s son, and no matter how big of a name I made for myself, I didn’t see that changing.
I’d be happy if I could just live up to the example my dad set. Right now, I was doing a poor job. “Oh, and Abel,” Mom stopped me halfway to the doors. “Don’t think it escaped my noticed where you were pulled over last night.
If you came home for any other reason, maybe to see someone, I don’t think that’s the best idea. For either one of you.” I nodded but didn’t lie. Instead, I turned my head, unable to meet her eyes. How much would she see? I had a feeling more than I wanted her to.
“She’ll be at the game tonight,” she added. I didn’t look back or say anything else and went in search of my dad.
I found him right where my mom said, plucking out chords in his home studio, a pencil between his teeth and one of his notebooks in front of him. He’d spent the last several years writing hits for other artists, but he hadn’t recorded anything himself in almost fifteen years. The whole band had moved on with their lives.