Page 6 of Higher Notes (Chaotic Abyss #2)

Chapter Six

Snipe

“Gentlemen, it’s wonderful to meet you.” Pressley greeted us as she answered the door at the first house. These homes were more estates and there was no way in hell they were anywhere near our price range.

“Wow, nice digs.” Jason’s whistle echoed through the overly marbled entrance. “What’s the rent on this mansion?”

Pressley ignored his question and rattled off the specs. “Six bedrooms, seven bathrooms. Each bedroom has its own plus there’s a guest bathroom downstairs. It has a media room, two master suites upstairs, each on opposite ends, and a swimming pool. Follow me, gentlemen.”

“There is no way this is in my price range,” Jason whispered as we headed up the massive set of stairs.

“My thoughts exactly,” Sikes agreed.

“Here is the first master with en suite .”

“Well, this room would definitely hold a bed fit for three.” I thoroughly enjoyed Jason’s lack of filter and complete honesty.

“No kidding, and this tub would hold three bodies as well.” Sikes’ guilty pleasure was a large bathtub. Sadly, our apartment didn’t offer that, but we’d been a bit spoiled with some of the hotels Masterson booked us and the bands at, including the one we just stayed in at Disneyland.

“I believe all the members of the Social Sinners band live in this gated community.” I wasn’t sure if Pressley was trying to sell us on this house by saying that or pointing out we could never afford it.

“It would be great to be near them but Pressley, there is no way we can afford this.” It was best Jason be the one to point that out to her since he was the talent. This house wasn’t being shown to Sikes and me, it was meant for him and whoever he lived with, which just so happened to be us. Potentially.

“In normal circumstances, yes. But I’ve been directed by Easton and Diamond to find the house for you first then we will make the payment work in your favor.”

“Wait, what?” Jason stopped dead in his tracks. “If I can’t afford to live here I shouldn’t be here.”

“Not true at all, Jason. You know as well as I do your safety is first and foremost with Masterson and I can assure you that you and your family would be safer here than in most places.” Pressley had that air about her that spoke of the high-dollar homes and clients she was used to catering to.

“I-I don’t know what to say.”

I felt for Jason. I knew how important it was to him to care for his family, but a house of this magnitude would cause unneeded anxiety and give him the air of drowning in debt. None of us needed that added weight.

“Is there a smaller home around here with maybe like four bedrooms that doesn’t look like Bill Gates once lived in it? At this rate we’d have to rent rooms out just to pay the electric bill.” Jason had a point, but I think he’d forgotten we’d offered to be those roommates.

“Yes. Let’s look at the others, then you and your partners can discuss them and get back to me.”

Partners.

So the jig was up.

Pressley was a bit put off by that. Likely not used to showing homes to those who had to account for every dime in order to survive.

The rest of the homes, while a fraction smaller than this one, were still lavish and out of our price ranges. What did one even do with a butler pantry when you had no butler? Pressley stood firm on not sharing costs at her boss’s request which only made it more challenging for Jason.

“I feel like I’m getting special treatment above what my band brothers would get,” Jason said as we slid into the restaurant booth after we’d finished the tours. “I don’t know what to think. What will Josh or Marley or Nigel think when I’m shacking up in some huge ass mansion living well above my means?”

Can’t say I wasn’t feeling much the same. Those houses were…insane.

“I appreciate what Easton and Diamond are trying to do but I’m just not at their level yet. My mom would have a heart attack if she saw these places. I just wanted something simple, you know. A safe, comfortable place where everyone had their own bedroom or one where the boys could share a room. I just want a better life for them.”

Jason’s frustrations were valid. This was foreign territory for us, too, but I didn’t know what to say or how to make it better.

“From a security standpoint,” Sikes began, glad one of us found our words. “I see why they picked where they did. Plus, they’re used to luxury so to them this was a no-brainer.”

“Well, I’d hoped for something that wouldn’t require all of us to work three jobs just to pay the utilities.” Jason took a long pull from his beer. “Fuck.”

“Don’t forget, the offer for roommates is still there. Well, not roommates exactly.” What was the word? Co-habitating? Shacking up? No clue.

“It feels like my bubble has been burst and I’ll never get my family out of the ghetto.”

“We can always find a new agent?” Right? We had no contract with Pressley.

“Yeah and risk offending Diamond and Easton? No thanks.” Jason pulled his phone out and groaned. “Shit, we’ve been summoned to their mansion.”

Sikes cocked a brow at me. “Let them know we’ll be there as soon as we’re done eating.” Jason typed away and sat his phone on the table.

“Fuck.”

That was pretty much the word of the day. Now if there was a quick course on how to not offend your client by saying, are you fucking nuts? We can’t afford these houses, I’d really like to know what it was.

Tact was not our friend.

We finished eating and headed back the way we came. Mansion after mansion we passed until we got to the end of the subdivision at the top of the peak. Of course, they had the biggest house here that overlooked the bluff with a gorgeous view of Puget Sound.

“Wow, this explains a lot,” Jason said before the three of us got out of the car. Diamond had the front door opened and stood there waiting.

“Hey,” he grunted. We’d always felt most comfortable around him, and he tended to stand with the guards at events he wasn’t starring in.

“Hey.” Jason shook his hand then we did the same and followed him inside.

“Easton will be right down. The contractors just finished the nursery, so he wanted to survey it.”

This house was insane. And huge. Did I say insanely huge? The sunset over the sound could be seen through the entire wall of windows that ran the length of the back of the house. Hell, we could pitch a tent in their backyard and live there just as comfortably as we did now.

“That view was what sold me on this house,” Diamond said as he stared out at it. “I could see it a million times and likely have, but each time is like the first all over again. I can’t wait for the twins to see it.”

“They’ll be too little to understand, babe.” Easton kissed his husband. “Gentlemen, thank you for accommodating us last minute. I understand there were some challenges with the properties today?”

“Challenges in the form of money. I don’t mean to sound ungrateful because I’m not but I’m just not there yet, financially.” That was hard for Jason to admit to but he was always honest and I was proud of him for stating his truth.

“I can promise you that making you feel inferior was not our intention, we just wanted to help. Though we do have another option that might be more up your alley.”

Easton had our attention.

“One of our new housing ventures is a build to order subdivision in Mill Creek. The houses are currently under construction, so you’d be able to not only pick the floor plan you want but all the finishes as well. We’d be happy to rent it to you until you decide if you wanted to buy it or wished to move elsewhere. It’s not gated nor are they multi-million-dollar homes, but it’s an option. Would you be interested in meeting with the builder to see if they could accommodate your requirements?”

Multi-million or single million, it was still out of all our price ranges for purchase. But renting may work out.

“What do you think, guys?” Jason asked us.

“Oh, will this be a co-habitating venture?” Easton’s poker face was spot on but he knew the answer before he asked.

“The topic is on the table and still being discussed. Would make it easier for all parties involved and more affordable.” Sikes said just enough without saying too much.

“Would it be all right if I scheduled Pressley to escort you to site tomorrow and I could have the contractor, William, meet you there as well?” How did anyone say no to Easton? I had a feeling that didn’t often happen and I wasn’t about to break that seal.

“Sikes, Snipe?” Jason turned to us. “What do you think?”

“I’m game,” Sikes replied.

“Same.”

“Excellent. I’ll text you the information after I speak with her. Gentlemen, I’ll let you get back to your evening. Thank you for stopping by.” By far the nicest brush off I’d ever received. I bet Easton could deliver bad news without anyone even realizing it.

“Thanks, we really appreciate all your help.” We said our goodbyes and hit the road.

“Well, I think Mom would be excited to pick out all the finishes. How do you guys feel about that?”

“I think it’s a great idea. From everything you’ve said she’s more than earned a break in life so why not add shiny appliances to it?” Hell, I was lucky I could put my clothes on most days.

“I don’t know what I did to deserve you guys but if you find out let me know so I can keep doing it.” Jason didn’t realize we were the lucky ones.

“Ditto, babe.” I threw out a rare term of endearment but damnit if the moment didn’t call for it. “Your place or ours?”

“How do you feel about grocery shopping? Might as well break you in the hard way.”

What had we gotten ourselves into?

“Bring. It. On,” Sikes challenged him.

“Let’s roll.”

“Dude, what the fuck?” Gabriel screamed into the mic at whoever he was playing against online with as we walked inside.

“Language, Gabriel,” Jason corrected. “Pause the game.”

“Hi, Wyatt, hi, Mr. Sniper,” Nicole waved at us.

“Hello to both of you. Let us set the groceries down then we’ll give you a hug.” I really enjoyed these two but then again, we didn’t live with them. Yet. When we sat the groceries down the promised hugs were given but Gabriel was still playing the game, completely ignoring Jason.

Sikes and I blocked the TV screen with our bodies. “Pause the game and help unload the car.” He swallowed hard but didn’t sass us. The twins had wandered into the kitchen to help Jason empty the bags, though by the looks of it they were just picking through them.

Gabriel followed us out. We loaded our arms with bags and carried the rest inside.

“Gabe, where’s Mom?” Jason hollered from the kitchen.

“She got called into work.”

“Did you guys eat dinner yet?”

“No, Gabe was playing his stupid game.” I must admit, Nicole was quickly becoming my favorite. “Mom told him there was stuff in the fridge to heat up.”

Jason peeked into the fridge and shook his head. “Yeah, that’s not going to feed all of us.”

Sikes grabbed the coloring books for the twins and a Minecraft figure Jason said Gabe would like that we picked up for them at the store. While I helped Jason finish putting everything away, Sikes kept the kids busy, then Jason and I started dinner.

“What’s the plan?” Jason watched as I started dicing onions and garlic.

“An old go to of ours. Spaghetti with meat sauce, salad, and we’ll use that loaf of French bread we bought.” Thankfully we’d had the forethought of doubling most of what Jason picked out for instances such as this.

“What can I do to help?”

“Sauce needs to cook for a bit so why don’t you get a snack together for the kids.”

“You guys are nothing short of amazing.”

“Nah, we’re just trained to adapt and overcome any situation.” Which was the truth, only this was the first time it included kids.

Jason grinned and gave me a kiss then pulled out the kids’ divided plates with cartoon characters on them. Carrots, crackers, and snack size cheeses were divvied up then he delivered it to them. A few minutes later I felt a tug on my pants and found Nolan standing there.

“Mr. Sniper, if I color you a picture will you put it on your fridge?”

“I’d be honored to, little man.” Damnit if these kids weren’t winning me over and from the looks of it, Sikes, too. Guess they’d sucked him into coloring as well. The little princess sat beside him dictating which color to use. Yep, he was a goner.

With the sauce on and simmering, I joined the coloring party with my new friend Nolan. Jason decided to play games with Gabriel, both wore headsets and talked smack to whoever was on the other end.

“Those boys,” Nicole shook her head and sighed. “I don’t understand why they get so crazy with those games.”

“Me either, princess,” Snipe played along. “What do you want to be when you grow up?”

“Mmm.” Her face morphed into the cutest deep in thought look. “Maybe a doctor or a princess. I like that idea.”

Sikes beamed like he’d won the lottery by calling her that. She had him wrapped around her little finger. “Good call.”

I could see it already. He’d insist her room be princess everything. But I tell ya, the thought of having kids around for the holidays had me ready to buy a tree. Their excitement was contagious and for the most part Sikes and I did nothing by way of celebration for any holiday. I can’t believe how much our world was about to change.

I was happy to report Nolan was nowhere near as bossy as his sister when it came to coloring with him. I finished the picture I made for him and the kid was in heaven. All they wanted was attention and for someone to play with them. With Dana and Jason working all the time, they didn’t get much time with them. Nothing against Dana or Jase, they did what they had to do to take care of their family, but I really hoped this housing situation worked out and we were all under one roof.

With the picture done, I got back to cooking and Jason joined me.

“Sikes is under Nicole’s control. We’ve lost him.”

“Indeed, we have. The poor man was a goner from the moment they met. Why don’t you put the salad together while I get the noodles on and the bread in the oven.”

“On it!”

In no time we had dinner done and on the table.

“Dinner is ready, go wash up,” Jason called out. The herd of elephants stormed down the hall and into the bathroom and returned far faster than a thorough handwashing took. The kids sat as did Jason and Snipe, next to his princess of course. I stood at the counter and ate but didn’t feel left out. Conversation flowed around what I hoped would soon be our new family and I for one couldn’t be happier.