Page 118 of The Spare

"Well, don't stand outside like strangers. I really need to get you guys a key, don't I." She's all smiles as she ushers us into the house. It's a stone one-story Mcmansion on a very prestigious side of town in a gated community. Isobel wanted her to move in with them, but she put her foot down, to Hendrix's happiness. The woman is clean, andI always smell bleach whenever I come over. Tonight's no different, though there are other scents mixed in.

"Hmm, smells like tacos?" I guess.

"Yes, and I got stuff for buffalo chicken dip, too!"

I flick her an amused look, seeing Melody fiddling with her jacket that's currently covering up the state of her neck. "Oh man, mama, you spoil me."

She really does.

"So who's all here?" Melody asks.

"Everyone. You are the last ones to arrive,as usual,"she stresses, making me chuckle. "Here, give me those. I'll put them in the kitchen. You two go say hi to everyone. They're in the living room."

She takes the platter of cookies from me, and I nod at Pablo, the security guy Hendrix gave her four years ago and never took back. He sits off the foyer area, doing something on his tablet. Stephen joins him, and I have half a mind to dismiss him for a bit. But the last time I did he'd explained that he and Pablo are good friends, so I leave it optional whenever we're all together.

We walk into the living room hand in hand, and Father is the first one to catch my eye, surprisingly enough.

"Hey, son," he says, "How are you?"

Did the world stop turning or something?

I arch a brow and wet my lip, unsure. "I'm okay, Father; how…uh…how are you?"

He nods, giving me a small smile. "Doing okay. Doing okay."

Well, that's fucking odd. I blink, my eyes sliding to Hendrix who has a minute frown on his face. I bend down to Melody's ear. "Is Father seriously going to act like the last time we were all together we weren't at each other's throats?"

"Who cares," she whispers back, "just go with it."

She steps out of reach to bend down to give Isobel a hug who looks like she's about to pop open all over the living room. My eyes rise, before flicking to Hendrix again. No fucking wonder he looks like death.

"Hey, uh, Izzy. When are you due, hermosa?" I ask, bending down to kiss her cheek.

"Yesterday. I was due yesterday,Mason."

I ignore her irritated tone and grin. "Really? Shouldn't you be in the hospital then?"

She rolls her eyes. “No, jerk, I have two more weeks to go."

"Ohhh." I sit, pulling Melody down next to me when she's done giving out hugs. "So are you going to the Balducci-Scognamiglio wedding this Sunday?"

"I plan on it. I have to go…"

I nod. "Maybe the baby will come early and spare us all the hassle of going."

Father gives us all a stern look when we look too happy for his tastes. "We will do no such thing. We're all going to the wedding to express our gratitude and solidarity, and the baby is coming exactly when he's supposed to.End of."Father motions with his hands like that's the legitimate end of it, and I can't help laughing, bringing his eyes to mine.

"So, how's life?" he says, flicking his eyes to Melody, who has adopted a rather strange smile. She tugs at the hem of her jacket again.

"It's fine," I toss to Father, glancing around and not seeing mama. "Hey, where's Madre? Did she not come?"

He gets an uncomfortable look on his face that makes my eyes narrow. "She's in the kitchen with Donna."

His eyes go a little wary as he turns his head to look towards the kitchen door, and for a second he looks a little lost. I throw a look atHendrix who just gives me a small shake of his head in a'don't say shit'look.

"Ah." Bending down to Melody, I nudge her arm. "Baby, just take it off. I can tell you're hot."

She shakes her head."Nu-uh. I'm okay."