Page 17

They say the past always comes back to bite you.

In Mr. Cordova's case, he was more of a liar than a biter.

And charming as all get out.

Poor Felix and Ryker. They tried to get him to leave, but their father refused —in the politest way possible . And true to her word, Essie didn't let him on the bus. After a few minutes, the rest of us joined Felix and Ryker outside where Mr. Cordova insisted on taking us all out to lunch.

We walked to a little brunch and breakfast place down the block while he regaled us with tales of the past.

He seemed nice at first.

Jovial even.

But from the moment we sat down, I couldn’t help but notice that he was complaining.

"Did they have to seat us at the worst possible table?" he said then laughed. " Ah well, I guess that's why they have comment cards."

"It's a restaurant," Ryker said.

"What's your point?"

"Hotels are the ones with comment cards."

His dad grinned . " I see you still have that dry wit . Must get that from me. "

Ryker didn't respond.

Glancing at the faces around the table, the man nodded.

"Nice to see you guys again."

A general round of agreement sounded, but it was like Hayden, Elliot, and Santino had become duller, less talkative, more watchful versions of themselves. Felix was right there with them, but the air around him seemed charged with deep disdain.

"And who are these beautiful girls?" he said, and I realized he meant London and me. "They can't be groupies. They're far too pretty for that."

While I flushed, London offered him a small smile.

"Hey, Mr. Cordova," she said. "It's me, London . I'm Elliot's twin sister, remember? We met a while ago ."

The man tilted his head. "Are you sure? I feel like I 'd remember a face like that."

She laughed self-consciously. " Like I said, it's been a long time . I was only 12."

Mr. Cordova sent her a wink. " You grew up nicely."

"Thanks, I guess," she mumbled while Ryker's face turned to stone.

"Dad," Ryker snapped when he kept staring.

"What?"

"Stop."

"Stop what?"

"Being yourself," Felix muttered, which his father pretended not to hear.

"You're making her uncomfortable," Ryker said.

"Oh, I'm sorry, darling," their father said with a contrite expression directed at London. There was so much genuine innocence in his tone I almost believed he was sincere . "I didn't mean anything by it. It's just hard not to notice when you're sitting by so much beauty."

London waved him off, and his gaze landed on me next.

"And you are?"

"Oh, I'm Aurora," I said. "I play violin on the tour."

"Ah."

"It's nice to meet you, Mr. Cordova."

"Please call me Tony," he said, sending me a smile. "The whole Mr. Cordova thing makes me feel old."

"That's because you are," Felix said.

Ignoring him again, the man shrugged his broad shoulders that were so like his sons'.

"I don't know about anyone else, but I need a refill," he said, gesturing our waitress over. "Can I get another beer, sugar?"

"Of course," she said. "I'll be right back with that, sir."

"No rush."

As the young woman walked away, his eyes stayed firmly on her backside.

"So, Tony," Hayden said. "What brings you here?"

"Heard my boys were in town. Everyone's talking about the tour."

"Glad to know our PR team's doing their job."

"They sure are."

Tony aka Mr. Cordova looked back at him.

"I hear the show's sold out," he said.

"It's our hometown," Hayden replied. "People like to come out and support. You know how it is."

"I do. That's why I'm here."

Ryker sat back in his chair. " You're coming to the show?"

"Of c ourse." Tony nodded as the waitress delivered his beer and our food. "Thanks, sugar."

She set our order down on the table, checked to make sure no one else needed anything then left to serve her other customers . Tony immediately started digging in while everyone else seemed to be going through the motions. Even Santino, who usually ate with gusto , was reserved.

"Been a while since I've had Presley's Pancakes ," Elliot said.

"Yeah, the place has gone downhill in the last few years," Mr. Cordova said.

"They taste good to me."

He hummed then pointed a fork at his sons. "I remember when me and your mom used to bring you two here when you were young. Ryker used to get the grilled cheese, and Felix, the only thing you'd eat were those breakfast potatoes covered in ketchup . Flat-out refused to try anything else."

"I was eight," Felix mumbled.

"Yeah well, you were both always picky."

"And you could never decide, had to sample everything on the menu."

Tony missed any deeper meaning behind the words because he was too focused on his food. He kept reminiscing about old times while the rest of the table stayed mostly silent. By the end, his plate was totally clean. We had to get take-home boxes.

When the waitress came over with the check, Tony patted his pockets then looked up with the perfect mix of surprise and embarrassment.

"Oh shoot," he said. "I 'm sorry, sugar. I must've left my wallet at home."

Felix shook his head while Ryker sighed.

"Can somebody else get this one?"

"No problem," Hayden said, passing the waitress his credit card.

"Thanks, I'll pay you back."

"No need."

"Yeah well," Tony said with a broad smile. "I guess to a Davenport, paying for a meal like this is nothing."

"Like I said, it's cool."

As we walked out of the restaurant , Tony hung back to use the restroom. I tried to catch Felix's hand in min e—but as his father rejoined us, he let my hand fall, stepping farther away from me. I tried not to read anything into that.

Tony held up his phone and grinned. "Got that waitress's number."

"Poor girl," Felix mumbled.

His father shrugged. "So, you guys must be bringing in a lot of money."

"We do alright," Ryker said.

A scoff. "Alright? You sold out the Rookery."

"Performed at a venue five times that size a week ago."

"Glad to see I raised two successful sons."

Felix made a noise in the back of his throat.

Santino stepped forward and tapped him on the shoulder. "Hey, we're going to head back. Give you some time to talk."

"We're done here," Felix said.

"Right. See you, Dad," Ryker said, but Tony put a hand on his arm.

"Hey, wait," he said.

Tony waved the others off, but by some unspoken agreement, London and I st ayed relatively close. I just wanted to be there in case Felix needed me. His shoulders were tense, his eyes narrowed. Felix was strung tighter than a bow string . It was only a matter of time before he snapped.

"What's up?" Ryker said.

"Yeah, Dad," Felix said. "Why are you really here?"

"I told you already." Tony shrugged. "I heard about the show, came to see you boys."

"And?"

He paused a moment before replying. "I also had a small favor to ask."

"Knew that was coming," Felix muttered.

"It's nothing big."

Ryker crossed his arms. "How much do you need?" he asked.

"Just $800," Tony said and held up his hands when both sons scoffed. "Consider it a loan. I'll pay you back, but I'm in a little trouble , need to pay off my debts. You're doing so well now, thought you might want to help your old man out."

"I can't believe this," Felix said.

"Hey, " Tony snapped. "Watch it. I'm still your father."

"Unfortunately."

"Ryker, you know me. I promise I'll pay you back. Just need to get out of this hole."

The big guy gave him a somber look.

"Listen, if this is about that London girl, I'm sorry," he said. "I didn't know she was yours."

"She's not," Ryker grumbled.

"Then why won't you help?"

A long pause . "I'll send you the money later."

"Can you do it now? I kind of need it."

Felix glared at his brother when he brought out his phone and made the transaction but said nothing.

"That all you need, Dad?"

Tony smiled that sweet-as-syrup smile and patted Ryker on the shoulder. "That's it. Thank you, son."

He looked at Felix and gave him a nod.

"Felix. Ry. I'll see you boys when I see you."

As Tony turned to walk away, Ryker called out, " You still coming to the show tonight?"

"Yeah, sure," he said, throwing a wave over his shoulder, "I'll be there."

"You promise?"

"Of course, you know I'm always good to my word."

"I'll tell Izzy to be on the lookout," Ryker said. "So you can come backstage."

"Sure. Good luck."

And then their dad disappeared around the corner.

"You know he's not coming," Felix said once he was gone.

"He might," Ryker said.

Felix just shook his head. "He won't."

"We'll see."

The walk back to the bus was a long and silent one.

#

"It feels like family night," I said to London.

" Unofficially, yeah. W henever they play here, a lot of people turn up to wish the guys well," she said.

They were an interesting bunch, and according to London, it was like a who's who of Honeycomb, Georgia.

"Look, there's Hayden's grandmother , Constance. Remember, Gigi, from the bar?"

"How could I forget?" I said with a smile, watching as Constance ruffled Hayden's hair and pretended to swipe a smudge off his cheek. Instead of pulling away, Hayden laughed and said something that made her smile. "Who's the girl with them?"

"That's Magnolia."

"Ah, Hayden's girlfriend," I said, recalling the name. "He mentions her at least once a day, and his face lights up whenever she calls or texts."

London gave me a look.

"What?" I said. "I 'm not judging. I t's cute."

"Kind of like you and Fe," she said.

I scoffed a laugh. "We're not like that."

"You do realize you smile whenever his name is mentioned in conversation?"

I didn't.

Was it really that bad?

Had Felix noticed?

Oh my goodness, he must think I'm crazy about him.

Which I was but still . E verything was so new. Maybe I should try and tone it down, so I didn't scare him away .

London laughed at my apparent distress. "Relax. He's just as into you."

"I don't know," I said.

"Well, I do." London tapped my arm in affirmation then pointed to someone else . " Hey look , there's the mayor of Honeycomb and her daughters. I heard they're diehard fans."

I nodded.

"Elliot's talking to Nick and Norah, the directors of our foster home. Nice of them to make the trip."

Looking at the smiling man and woman, I didn't think they'd come only for the music.

"They're obviously proud of you and Elliot," I said.

She shrugged. "More him than me, I think."

I put my hands on my hips and frowned at that.

"I just mean he's more impressive, done more with his life."

" They complimented your jewelry line. I heard them say they're proud of you for going to college to get your degree and ask if you'd make bracelets for the kids in the home."

"Yeah, free labor. Who'd turn that down?"

I pinched her arm, and she yelped in surprise.

"Aurora!" she said, rubbing her skin . "What was that for?"

"Just a reminder."

"Of what?"

"You're my friend, and that means no one talks bad about you. Not even you."

London faked a grimace, but it turned into a smile a second later. " Thanks, friend."

I rolled my eyes then asked, "Who's that with Santino?"

"His grandma," she said, and we watched as Santino helped her into a chair . He was so attentive to her, so gentle. His eyes didn't stray once to the many fans vying for his attention . "She raised him, you know."

"R eally?" I said. "What happened to his parents?"

" Not sure. All I know is they didn't die in a car crash like ours did." Her words held a bitter edge, and I felt her pain as if it was my own. I hadn't asked about the foster home situation, knowing London would tell me if she wanted me to know. But I didn't expect this .

"That sucks," I said . " I'm so sorry, London, and I know it doesn't help. But I wish I could've met them."

"You do?"

"Yeah, they must've been amazing to have had you and your brother."

London's eyes got misty, and her face regained a bit of its normal glow . "Than ks for saying that."

I shrugged. "It's true."

"And it does help."

She was probably just being nice, but it made me feel better, hearing my words might've eased her pain even a little.

"About Santino," she added, "like I said, I don't know the whole story. But he ended up living with his grandma at a young age . He's taken care of her ever since he became an adult."

"That's surprising," I said then tilted my head, "but also not. Santino's a good guy."

"Yeah, his cockiness just overshadows that sometimes."

Looking around the room, there was one face I definitely did not see.

"Mr. Cordova didn't come," I whispered to London.

"Yeah," she said, "Felix was right about that."

"I'm not sure he wanted to be."

In fact, despite the clear rift between them, I thought Felix might've been hoping his dad would show up—whether he'd admit it or not. The guys were clustered a few feet away, and I noticed Felix standing off to the side. Ryker was the closest to him. They'd both been quiet , keeping to themselves, letting everyone else flow around them during the meet and greet. Which was kind of normal, but there was a definite air of sadness surrounding the brothers.

"He looks unhappy," I said. "So does Ryker."

"Ryker doesn't smile much—at least around me ," London said then sighed. "But you're right. He and Fe do seem down."

Thanks to their dad and his broken promises.

While I was thinking of all the things I wished I could say to the man, a girl stepped in front of us. She couldn't have been older than 13.

"Hi," she said, looking up at me with a smile, "you're Aurora, right?"

"That's me," I said.

"Would you sign this for me?"

The girl held out a tour t-shirt.

"Absolutely ," I said. "Do you have a pen?"

When I was finished, I looked back up at her.

"Do I know you from somewhere? You look so familiar."

Her eyes got brighter. " I should. You and your cousins played at my birthday party."

"Oh, that's—"

"And you're dating my brother."

London laughed as I stood there in shock. " Zoe," she said, and it was clear they knew each other well, "how have you been?"

"Good," Zoe said, "but the tour is kind of hard on me. I miss Felix and Ryker."

"She's lying," a woman said, pulling Zoe into her with a smile. " Zoe loves getting all the attention and being the only child in the house. Isn't that right? "

"I don't hate it."

The young girl's eyes glimmered as they settled on me, and I realized they were the same shade as Felix's. I also found out Zoe enjoyed causing mischief.

"Mom, have you met Aurora? She and Felix are a whole thing. Their relationship basically broke the internet ."

"I haven't." The woman's assessing gaze met mine. "But I came this way to introduce myself."

She looked me over from forehead to feet. Her face gave nothing away, so I had no idea what she was thinking. Apparently done with her examination, she gave me a nod.

"I'm Elise Cordova."

"Aurora Kent," I said.

"Are you really with my son?" she asked.

Not going to lie, I had to think about it. Felix and I weren't faking anymore. But we'd also never officially been on a date. I didn't think the group date counted…did it?

"She is," Ryker said, saving me from answering as he joined us . "Though I don't get why. Felix is such a pain. "

Felix sauntered over then. " Are you saying she should've gone for you instead?"

"No—although I am better looking."

"Not even on your best day, Ry."

Their mother held her hands up. "Please, you're both gorgeous. You obviously get this from my side of the family."

"Aurora doesn't care about my looks," Felix said. "She didn't even like me when we first met."

"That's not true," I said.

"Yeah, she didn't remember you," Zoe corrected.

Felix turned to his sister. "And how would you know?"

"I heard the podcast."

"You should stop listening to those things and read a book."

"I've already reached my reading goal for the year, thank you very much," she retorted.

"I love reading," I put in.

"You do?"

I nodded. "Books are the best escape. I'm all for that."

"True."

"And I l-like your brother."

"Why?"

"I don't know," I said then blushed when I caught Felix staring at me . Hopefully he hadn't caught my almost-slip from a moment ago. " He's kind, funny, thoughtful. Pretty too. It's everything, I guess."

Zoe scoffed. "Please, Felix is annoying, sarcastic, and emotionally unavailable."

"You're 13," Ryker said . "Where do you hear these things?"

She shrugged. "Places. Anyway, if Aurora doesn't want him for his looks, what else is there?"

"Well," Felix drawled, "I've been told I'm excellent at tickling."

Zoe 's eyes went wide as she backed away. "Felix, I'm too old for this."

"Should've thought of that before."

"I was joking."

"I'm not."

And then they were off, Zoe running while Felix tried to catch her.

"Why are my children so crazy?" Elise asked.

"Must be their mother," Ryker said which earned him an elbow to the ribs.

"London, it's nice seeing you again." She gave her a nod. " Don't be a stranger. You know you're always welcome at our house."

"Thanks, Elise," London said.

"That goes for you as well, Aurora." My eyes snapped up to hers. Her face had fully bloomed into a smile now, and it was beautiful. "I 'd like to get to know you better. See why my usually reclusive son fell so hard, so fast."

"That sounds nice," I said when in reality it was mildly terrifying.

What if she didn't like me?

"Do you go to college with London?" she asked.

"Actually, I'm still in high school ," I said. "I'll be a senior next year."

Her smile didn't waver, but the look in her eyes grew slightly concerned. "So, what happens after the tour?"

"What do you mean?"

"With you and Felix. I'm sure you guys have discussed it, but you'll still be in school. He'll likely be pursuing his music career. Long distance can be difficult. I was just wondering, what happens when the tour ends?"

Good question, I thought.

I wish I knew the answer.