Hendrix (Caldwell Brothers)

“Taking in strays now?”

I look over at Livi, and now she’s not so badass. No, she looks embarrassed.

“Nope, I moved her in myself. So, like I said when you walked in, watch yourself with this one. She is a damn good friend.”

I give Livi a wink then take our plates into the kitchen. When I come out, she is getting her things.

“Tired?” I ask, brushing her cheek with my fingertip.

She nods.

“Good, get some rest. I’ll see you soon.” I lean in and kiss the top of her head as Jagger walks in, shaking his head.

“See ya.”

“Shit.” I pull her into me and whisper, “When do you get your, your—”

“Should be any day,” she responds in a cool tone.

As the bar begins filling up, Sadi starts fucking shit up. A female bartenders on ladies’ night is a dumb ass move to begin with, but a bitchy one certainly isn’t what I need.

Jagger and Morrison are playing the crowd well and end up shirtless before the bar dancing even starts up. I am out back when Jagger comes out, “She’s a bad fucking idea.” He’s referring to Sadi’s bitchiness. “Where is Livi?”

“I sent her home. She works too much.”

“Are you kidding me? She loves it here. How’d she take it?” Jagger is being a douche, trying to push me, and I am in no mood to explain myself.

“It’s really none of your business how she takes anything. She’s mine to worry about.”

“What do you mean, worry about?” He asks, raising an eyebrow at me.

“I didn’t use a baby bag the other night. Thought she was on the pill or something. There’s a chance that she could—”

“Holy shit, man!” Jagger is beaming as he says it.

“No, dude, this isn’t good. I have no business being someone’s old man.”

“Come on, H.” He chuckles.

“None of us do,” I snap at him. “We don’t know how to be.”

“Are you joking? Mom was both, so we sure as fuck do.” He scowls and then laughs. “If you aren’t man enough, I know I am. Just say the word, and I’ll slide,” he pauses, “right in that little—”

“You fucking watch yourself, man.”

“I’m not afraid. You, on the other hand, are chicken-shit, and it’s funny as fuck to watch.”

“None of this is funny.”

“Do you like her?”

“Of course I like her.” I shake my head and look down. “Pops loved Mom once, too, and look how that—”

“You’re Caldwell, not Pops. She didn’t even give us his last name.”

We look at each other silently for a minute.

“Something tells me Momma would love Livi, Hendrix.”

I nod. “I miss her.”

“But a little less in the past few weeks, huh?”

I ignore him, leaning back against the wall. I guess I am finally hitting the final stage of grief, acceptance. Final. Like death, it’s all so final. Letting go of Momma, letting go of the loss without letting go of her life. It’s all so final. It fucking hurts.

“No need to answer. I think we all feel a hell of a lot better with Livi around. She’s good people, Hendrix.”

“Yeah, she is.” I smile as I feel contentment wash over me. Acceptance.

“And she’s hot as fuck. Don’t screw it up, man, ‘cause you won’t have a chance to tag out, I’ll tap that sh—”

“Fuck you.” I push him and laugh. “Now get to work.”

When I get home, Floyd isn’t at the door waiting for me. Truth be told, she hasn’t been all week. I kick off my shoes and walk up the stairs. I can’t take my clothes off any quicker. All I want is to slide into bed, pull Livi next to me, smell her hair, and hold her all night long. So, that’s just what I do.

Friday night, Livi is running late. Well, not late, but not early, and she’s always early. When she finally walks in, I feel a calm come over me. It’s the same feeling I always got when I saw Momma wasn’t banged up from Pops.

“Hey, Livi.” Jagger smiles and wraps his arm around her. “How’s our girl?”

She looks at him and then me. “Gooood?”

“Perfect.” He kisses the top of her head, and she looks at me.

Morrison is walking out of the back, zipping up his pants as he gives her a wink. “Hey, Liiiivi.” He snakes his arm around her waist and pulls her into a hug.

He holds her head against his chest and covers her eyes with his hand. Then, two girls come out of the back room, and when he nods his head to the door, they scamper out.

I laugh to myself, even he wants to shield her. The words, ‘Leave a legacy of good in a world of bad’ sound in my head. Acceptance, definitely acceptance.

I glare at Jagger, knowing he told Morrison, and that is why he is acting like a fool.

“Morrison?” I hear Livi’s voice muffled against his chest.