Resilience Read online

  He closed his eyes and rubbed the bridge of his nose under his glasses. “Nevvie, darling, that does not work. Tell me what happened.”

  She sighed. “He took a pain pill and’s been zonked for hours. He missed the game, too. He fell off a ladder this afternoon.”

  Tyler’s eyes popped open. “He did what?”

  “Okay, let me rephrase that. He fell two steps off a ladder and landed on the grass. His foot slipped off the rung. He was on his way down. Landed on the bad leg, but he’s not injured, just hurting.”

  “What the bloody hell was he doing on a ladder in the first place?”

  “That bad storm we had Thursday night? Now we’ve got a roof leak around one of the vent stacks. He was up there looking at it before calling in a roofer.”

  Tyler started unbuttoning his shirt as his pulse slowed. “Are you sure he’s all right? Did you take him to hospital?”

  “The hospital, and no. He’s fine. More mad at himself than anything. He got dive-bombed by a wasp and slapped at it. That’s what made him lose his balance.”

  “Oh, dear.”

  “Yeah. And FYI, before you get indignant, I made an executive decision tonight with Tommy out like a light and you just plain out.”

  “What?”

  “The twins asked about going to a party next Saturday night with Mikey, and I told them they could.”

  “But—”

  “It’s at a friend’s house, the parents will be there, and I already met the parents and talked to them. Well, talked to the mom. She was at the game tonight. It’s fine, Tyler. He’s one of Mikey’s teammates. And they live close by.”

  He grumbled. “When did we become the parents to teenaged girls? They can’t be fifteen. They were only born a few months ago.”

  “Sure feels like it, doesn’t it?”

  Another grumble. “I do not like it.”

  Her voice gentled. “You and Tommy cannot sit on them all their lives.”

  “Watch me, love. Besides, I thought we were going to do something as a family next weekend since I’ve been gone for two weeks?”

  She started to say something, then it sounded like she yawned. “Sorry, Evil Genius. I’m wiped out and too tired for phone sex, or arguing with you about this. I’m lying here next to Tommy. I was almost asleep when you texted.”

  “Sorry, love. I’m not exactly much in the mood myself right now. I’m going to set my alarm and go to sleep.”

  “Want me to call you in the morning? I’m going to be up and moving early. I’ve got a lot of stuff to get done.”

  “Yes, please. That would be nice. 6:30, sweet.”

  “Sure thing.” A long pause. “I miss you. We both do. Love you. Safe trip. Come back to us.”

  Homesickness so sharp and keening he nearly cried slammed into him. “Always, love. I miss and love you both so very much, pet. Tell our boy I love him, too, despite his propensity for accidentally maiming himself. I have informed Crystal that, in the future, no long trips unless I’m forced to take an overseas tour.”

  “Good. I think I hate her already.”

  After saying good-night, Tyler made sure to put his phone on the charger and that the ringer was on. He set the alarm for 6:45, just to be certain, then finished getting undressed before he climbed into bed.

  It was rare he wasn’t with one or both of his loves, especially for this long, and he hated being alone like this.

  I will make sure I speak with Elliot about this tomorrow.

  Chapter Three

  Saturday morning, Tyler awakened ten minutes before Nevvie’s call and lay there with his phone in hand, staring at their family picture on his phone’s lock screen and desperately missing Nevvie and Tom. And the children, too, of course, but especially Tom and Nevvie.

  I hate this.

  That admission shocked him. Never in his entire writing career had he felt something like that before.

  Writing? He absolutely loved that. It was who he was, not merely what he did for a living. Even if he wasn’t getting paid to do it, he’d still be doing it. He didn’t just write. He was a writer.

  Edits and promotions were part of the gig. He understood that. Didn’t care much for that end of things, but it was a necessary evil.

  Same when it came to dealing with fans. He’d never leave their home in Savannah if he could get away with it. Especially after what happened nearly sixteen years ago.

  Although he did recall hearing Crystal blathering on last night about setting up a series of signings in the southeast, starting with Atlanta, and possibly as far south as Orlando and Tampa. At least those wouldn’t be too bad, being close to home. He could stay at the house in Tampa, maybe visit with friends and family while there.

  Absolutely no more trips like this alone.

  If Nevvie or Tom couldn’t go with him, then they’d have to reschedule the appearance around his life.

  He still held his phone in his hand when Nevvie called him promptly at 6:30.

  “Fresh Frisky Florida Phone Fucking Service calling. Press one for blowjobs. Press two for fucking. Press three for morning snark. Press four for coffee, but you’re shit outta luck and need to make it yourself, ’cause I ain’t in New York, ya rat bastard.”

  Finally, something that could make him smile. “Good morning, angel.”

  Her voice dropped to a sultry whisper. “Good morning, Master.”

  A low moan escaped Tyler. In the background, he heard Tommy sleepily groan. “Goddamn, Nev, it’s barely even daylight.”

  She sweetly giggled. “Glad to hear that can still get your interest.”

  “You did that and more, naughty, wicked pet.” She let out a squeal. “I presume you awakened our sleeping beauty?”

  Another giggle. “Apparently I need to dump another pain pill down his gullet or I won’t get out of bed to get stuff done this morning. Here he is.”

  He heard the sound of the phone passing. “Why are you not home yet?” Tom grumbled. “My cock ain’t gonna suck itself.”

  “Nevvie can give you the details, love. And you can always have her suck your cock.”

  He sighed. “I meant my ass ain’t gonna fuck itself. See? I can’t even complain right, it’s so damn early. What the hell?”

  “How’s your leg? Also, why the bloody hell were you on the roof, you stupid sod?”

  A brief silence met Tyler’s question. “Um, heh. Oh. Nevvie told you about that, huh?”

  “Yes. She did. I thought we had an agreement?”

  “I didn’t want to call a roofer if it was something easy I could fix.”

  “What if that wasp had attacked you at the top of the ladder? Or on the roof?”

  He let out a grumble. “I know. Nevvie chewed me a new one all the way inside, upstairs, into the shower for a hot soak, and into bed again.”

  “As she rightfully should, boy.”

  “Uh-oh.”

  “Uh huh.” Tyler smiled. “Put your Mistress back on, please, boy.”

  “Shit,” he muttered. “Can I play a get out of slave jail free card?”

  “There is no such thing, and no. Oh, and I love you.”

  Tom chuckled. “Love you, too, Evil Genius. Here she is.”

  Nevvie came back on. “Why’d he uh-oh?”

  “I told him to put his Mistress back on.”

  “Uh-oh.” She giggled, then it sounded like she was talking to Tom. “You are soooo fucked, buddy. Your ass ain’t leaving this house until he comes home.”

  “That’s it, angel. Keep our wayward boy under your thumb until I return to help you wrangle him.”

  “Will do.”

  Tyler yawned. “I need a cup of coffee and a long, hot shower, loves. I want to try to jot down some ideas this morning before breakfast with Elliot.”

  “Have a good day, Ty. Love you.”

  In the background he heard Tommy say, “Love you, buddy.”

  “Love you, both, too.” Once he hung up he turned off the alarm on his phone, climbed out of bed, and g
ot his coffee started before hitting the bathroom.

  It is going to be a bloody long day.

  * * * *

  In the years Tyler had worked with Elliot Paterno, the man seemed to have changed very little, except that there was more grey in his hair and the native New Yorker’s thick Brooklyn accent had grown more husky with time.

  Tyler stepped in to hug the man, not having actually set eyes on him in nearly a year. Crystal Higgins was, of course, there as well, and he diverted her with a two-handed handshake instead of the hug he could see she wanted.

  They sat at a booth, Crystal seated on Elliot’s side and by the window. Tyler made sure to seat himself directly across from Elliot, instead of in the middle. Earlier, while he’d taken his shower, Tyler had let his mind finally begin to process the entirety of this trip. Every time he stepped foot out of his hotel room, it seemed, Crystal was doggedly on his heels.

  Including when she didn’t need to be.

  Time to nip this in the bud.

  Perhaps he was imagining things. She was eager and young and a recent college grad looking to make a name for herself with her first big-name client, but whenever Tyler failed to ignore his instincts, bad things happened.

  Without fail.

  After the waitress took their drink orders, Elliot leaned in. “So how you like our newest addition, Ty?” He tipped his head toward Crystal. “Ain’t she a pistol? Interned with us for two summers before graduation. Knew I’d better hire her before someone else snapped her up.”

  Right. Perfect segue.

  “Actually, one of my topics of discussion, mate.” He offered a smile and steepled his fingers. “Crystal here is wonderful at her job, and obviously very knowledgeable and devoted.” Start with the carrot. “However, as I discussed with her last night, I would appreciate a less…intense approach to my future scheduling. I’m sixty-two, not thirty-two. While a junket like this would have been no problem for me early in my career, I have a family. As it is, I missed Mikey’s football game last night. Season opener. I despise missing his games.”

  Elliot glanced at her. “Didn’t you talk to him before you scheduled this?”

  “I’m sorry, sir. I was trying to maximize his social media presence ahead of last night and tonight, plus around the book fair. I found out about his open block of time and booked the appearances.”

  “Exactly, a block of available time,” Tyler said. “Not meant to be a filled block of time. And I didn’t find out about any of this until three weeks ago, when she sent me the itinerary. By then, it was too late for me to cancel any of the appearances without looking like a wanker. I can’t do that to my reputation.”

  Elliot closed his eyes and groaned. “Jesus Christ, Crystal. You never finalize plans without contacting the client first.”

  “I’m really sorry. I thought I had, and then I realized I…hadn’t. That’s my fault, and I totally take responsibility for it.”

  “Then there was the matter of yesterday morning,” Tyler added.

  Elliot focused on Tyler again. “What happened?”

  “Four a.m. wake-up knock.” He arched an eyebrow at her. “Again, I already discussed this with her last night. I’m not looking for you to chew her out, Elliot. You asked me to work with her so she could get used to handling bigger clients and receiving feedback, and that is what I am giving you. Constructive criticism. I know everyone has to start somewhere, but I could have easily slept another couple of hours. That was unnecessary.”

  Elliot’s head snapped around. “You do remember the part about me telling you not to piss off one of my best and oldest clients, right?”

  Her face reddened, and Tyler felt a little bit sorry for her.

  Except he remembered sitting in a green room for over two hours yesterday morning when he could have been sleeping, or working.

  “I’m really sorry, Mr. Paulson,” Crystal said. “The booker said to make sure you weren’t late, and I wasn’t familiar with the traffic—”

  “The hotel is less than ten blocks from the studios. I could have walked. That is another point—a car was unnecessary.” Tyler added a bit more carrot. “Once she is more sure-footed in her duties, Elliot, I dare say your Crystal will prove herself an exquisitely amazing and valuable addition to your staff. Please, don’t be too rough on her, as long as she takes this criticism to heart and learns from it. And you know I don’t hold a grudge, mate. But in the future, I’m going to reserve the right to overrule scheduling decisions for the sake of my health and sanity. Even at the last-minute, if need be.”

  Elliot rolled his eyes. “Sorry, Ty. I didn’t go over everything with her. I’ve been booked myself. I take responsibility for this.”

  Tyler sat back as the waitress set their drinks in front of them. “No worries. Again, I’m not saying this to get her in trouble. I honestly believe she is wonderful at her job.” He focused on her again, channeling “dad” mode…

  Holy shitballs, as Nevvie would say, I am more than old enough to be her father. “But If I don’t give you critical feedback, you won’t have any idea if something is working for your client or not.” He offered her a smile. “I appreciate your enthusiasm and all the work you’re putting into this, truly. Except for being exhausted, it has been a productive promotions trip. I commend you for your work overall.”

  “Thank you, Mr. Paulson. Sorry again about the early wake-up. And the scheduling screw-up.”

  “No hard feelings, my dear. Now, let’s move forward and focus on business.”

  “Agreed.” Elliot sipped his coffee, black. “So, Crystal. What were you yammering at me about numbers before Ty got here?”

  * * * *

  Tommy sat in the hot tub, grateful that Nevvie had thought to crank up the temperature last night, anticipating his pain levels that morning.

  “Here you go, Crash,” she teased, pressing a full mug of coffee into his hand.

  He didn’t even open his eyes. “Thank you, baby girl.” It was still quiet out, not even seven in the morning yet. Mikey and the girls were enjoying their Saturday morning sleep-in. After Tyler’s call, despite Tom’s earlier bravado at hearing Nevvie’s slave-girl voice, he’d struggled not to scream when he sat up in bed, the first painful step in actually getting out of the damn bed to make it to their bathroom.

  Once vertical, he was loathe to sit down again, until he’d slowly and painfully limped his way downstairs and straight into the hot tub. Nevvie had started the coffee brewing, brought him some ibuprofen and water, and now…hot brown bliss in a mug.

  It was probably better Ty wasn’t home. Ty would be simultaneously hovering over him, worried about him, cursing Tom for hurting himself…and blaming himself for it happening, right or wrong.

  He sipped his coffee and finally looked up at her. “You coming in with me?”

  Nevvie had perched next to him on the edge. “No, sweetie. Not this morning. Too much to do. I want to have everything done before Ty gets home Monday night. I don’t want to have to go shopping or anything. I just want to spend all day Tuesday snuggling in bed with my two sweet love gods while the kids are in school.”

  She leaned in and nuzzled his ear. “FYI,” she whispered, “I hid the keys to the tractor.” She kissed him, quickly stepping out of his reach and heading for the back door with a grin on her face.

  “How the hell am I supposed to mow today without the damn tractor?” he called after her.

  “You’re not. That’s the point. I’m going to turn Mikey loose on it when he wakes up. Last night I offered to pay him forty bucks to mow our place and Dad’s.”

  Tommy grumbled but sipped his coffee as Nevvie returned inside.

  Fricking smart wife of ours.

  But he smiled as he thought it.

  Come to think of it, it would be nice to spend all day Tuesday in bed with Nevvie and Tyler. No doubt Tyler would want to try to work, to get caught up after being gone for so long, but the two of them could tag-team their evil genius and give him at least sixty-nine
reasons to want to stay in bed with them.

  If not, there were always handcuffs.

  He had finished his mug of coffee and was contemplating getting out of the hot tub when a very sleepy-looking Mikey stepped out onto the lanai and walked over. He carried a mug of coffee in his hand.

  “Hey, what are you doing up so early, buddy?”

  Mikey kissed the top of his head. “I told Mom last night I’d mow today. I want to get started before it’s too hot.”

  “You did, huh? Way I heard it, she bribed you.”

  “Who do you think told her to hide the tractor keys, Poppa? That’s when she offered me the cash, after I came up with that idea.” He leaned against the edge of the hot tub.

  There was no doubt which of their sons took after which father. Mikey was built long and lanky, and had Tom’s brown eyes and dark hair. He was already an inch taller than Tom. Adam looked so much like Tyler in his younger years it sometimes twisted Tom’s heart.

  “You know I’m going to tell Dad on you when he gets home, right?” Mikey continued. “Me and Mom both yelled at you yesterday morning not to worry about the leak and to call a roofer. Or to wait until I could help you look at it today.”

  “Yeah, well, you know us stubborn Crackers.”

  His son smiled down at him, then dropped into a perfect imitation of Tyler’s British accent. “Whole bleedin’ lot of ’em’s barmy. Soddin’ idiots.”

  At least Tom’s pain had toned down enough he could laugh. “Sorry I missed your game last night.”

  He shrugged. “Mom, Grandma, Grandpa John, and Grandpa Andy all taped it. You and Dad can watch it together when he gets home.”

  It was hard to believe this was Mikey’s senior year of high school. He’d already cinched himself an academic scholarship to USF in Tampa, their alma mater, studying engineering. And the three of them couldn’t be prouder.

  Not that Mikey needed a scholarship, because they could afford to send their kids to college. All three of them had pounded a good work and study ethic into their four kids. Adam was currently working toward his law degree at UGA in Athens. He made it home some weekends, and was planning to come home next weekend, as far as Tommy knew. Willow was seriously leaning toward following her oldest brother into law at UGA. Zoey hadn’t made up her mind yet if she wanted to be a vet or a human doctor, but it looked like something in the sciences might be in her future.