Page 74 of Everything After

“But you didn’t mention what I looked like, you referenced my skill.”

“Bet you have plenty of other skills,” Delilah muttered brazenly under her breath but loud enough for us all to hear. “Being attractive isn’t only about looks, it’s about a person’s confidence, how they carry themselves in conversation, smiles, tone of voice… all sorts of things, really.”

I laughed. “There you go, Digs. See what I mean?”

“Want to get a room?” Digs asked Delilah, grinning.

“I’d expect dinner first,” Delilah flirted back.

“Oh, the confidence,” I said, laughing.

“Mine or hers?” Digs asked, laughing too.

“Alright, back to this gig,” Delilah said with a coy smile. But she stole another glance at Digs through her lashes.

“When is your exam?” I asked, allowing the conversation to get back on track.

“In a couple of weeks,” she informed me.

“Alright, I’ll gather the troops and see who is available to come to a party at the house,” I promised.

Through the whole exchange between Digs and Delilah, I’d noticed Cody texting. Suddenly he stood. “I’ll cover the check, but I need to head out.”

“I hope it’s to meet a female that’ll take your mind off my wife,” Alfie muttered.

I glared at Alfie. “Stop it. You’re not helping,” I admonished.

“Yeah, you’ll be pleased to hear it is. She’s one of my regular hook ups.”

“Maybe hooking up is where you’ve been going wrong all these years. You should try dating,” Alfie continued.

“Enough, Alfie,” I scolded, embarrassed to have my other bandmates and a girl I didn’t know witness Alfie’s remarks.

“Yeah… actually, I have had enough. That’s why I called him out earlier.”

“Noted,” Lennie mumbled, glaring at Alfie. “I’ll call you tomorrow, Cody,” he added to our bandmate.

I’d thought we’d gotten past the earlier exchange between Alfie and Cody, but realized Alfie had kept his temper because of me. However, something told me the altercation he’d had back in the studio with my bandmate was only the beginning of his retribution.

“I’m glad you and Delilah hit it off. She’s awesome, right?” Alfie said as we drove back to the island after dinner.

“She appears so,” I agreed, yawning.

“Do you think it wise to throw a party in the middle of recording and getting ready for the baby?”

“It’s one evening, and I had my reasons other than giving Delilah an opportunity.”

“Yeah?” he asked, glancing from the road to meet my gaze. “What reasons?”

I shrugged, and his eyes focused back on the road. “Thought we might tell everyone at once that we’re expecting a baby.”

“You want a grand announcement?” Alfie asked, his now twinkling, excited gaze trained on me again, before switching back to the road.

“Not for that reason. I figured it would be easier to tell everyone at once instead of over and over, and maybe getting calls from people congratulating me. I feel that would be more of a distraction than one party.”

“True. Plus, seeing everyone’s reactions instead of guessing how they took the news would be fun.”

“You’re thinking of Cody again, aren’t you.”