Strangely Normal - By Tess Oliver Page 0,90

the diner to get hers.

Megan walked past me with her arms crossed tightly around herself. Then surprisingly, she stopped and looked up at me. “Thanks.”

I nodded. “No problem.”

The three guys were cuffed and put into the back of the police car, but Nicky wasn’t certain they would press charges. He didn’t want the hassle or publicity of a trial. I returned to the limo. Jude was inside holding a bag of ice on his eye. Finley was tucked in next to him holding a cold can of beer against his lips.

I leaned into the car. “Maybe he could just sit in the little refrigerator.”

Finley laughed but Jude seemed less amused. Nicky returned to the car. “Let’s get him home. My personal physician is meeting us at the house.” He motioned me to get inside, but I stopped.

“I can’t leave the diner. The owner is a really nice guy, and he’s expecting me to open up in the morning. Otherwise he’ll lose business.” I didn’t want to stay behind in the lonely little room upstairs, but I’d made a promise to Billy.

“Do you have the owner’s number?” Nicky asked.

“It’s by the phone in the diner.”

“Great,” he didn’t say another word but walked toward the diner and disappeared inside.

I looked questioningly at Finley and she shrugged. “You never know with my dad.” She patted the seat next to her and I climbed inside.

The long night had taken its toll, and I rested my head against her shoulder. “Jude,” I said quietly, “thanks.”

“So you forgive me?”

Finley and I laughed. “We’ll see,” I answered.

Finley lowered the beer can from his face. “I would not let him off that easily.”

I leaned forward and looked at him. “I don’t know. He looks pretty miserable.”

“I am miserable.”

Nicky returned and leaned in. “All taken care of. The bloke didn’t believe me at first, so I had to sing a few lines of Oblivious. Then he decided it was really me. Anyhow, he’s going to open up tomorrow and look for a new waitress. I left a couple of hundreds on his counter to compensate him for his troubles.” He looked over at Jude. “We better get Sugar Ray home. Let’s go collect up your things, Eden.” Nicky King looked at me, and for once he didn’t look like a wealthy, famous rock star who barely took notice of people around him. He looked like a dad, a dad who was grateful that his kids were safe and that I was their friend. “I’m glad you’re coming back, Eden.”

***

Finley walked around without a care in the world, but I was on the edge of a complete freak out. She smiled back at me as we headed down the stairs. She took time to tap the banisters because her doctor assured her there was no real harm in it.

A wide grin split her face. “I think you’re the one who is going to need the tranquilizers. Not your dad.”

“You don’t understand the depth of his craziness when it comes to Nicky King and Black Thunder. There is no telling how he’ll react when he meets your dad. I can’t even describe the monstrously embarrassing scenarios that keep running through me head. I’ve been having nightmares about it, Fin, nightmares.”

“Jude said your parents were really cool, and I, for one, cannot wait to have a long girl chat with Sophie.”

“Yes, my parents are cool . . . most of the time, but this is too big for my dad. I don’t think he’ll be able to handle himself, so be prepared.” We reached the massive entry and my family was standing there with the same dropped jaw reaction I’d had when I’d first seen the sea of marble. Sophie and Janie ran toward me, but Sophie veered off immediately into Finley’s arms. “Nice to see you too, Sophie,” I said.

The sound of tiny hooves clattered behind us, and both sisters squealed in unison. “Some Pig, Some Pig,” Sophie hopped up and down and clapped but Janie stood a safe distance back to admire him from afar.

Finley walked over to my parents who were still getting over the shock of the mansion’s grandeur. “I’m Finley King and I’m so glad to meet you. I’m absolutely crazy about your daughter.”

A huge smile spread across my mom’s face as she looked at me. “We’re pretty crazy about her too.”

Footsteps tapped the marble floor behind me, and I froze wondering if this was the moment I was dreading.

“Hey, Jude,” Dad called and then laughed at the greeting. “I really didn’t try for that. It just happened. But I suppose I could have said hello, Jude. But it is sort of funny.”

“Dad, relax and take some deep breaths, so you don’t have to spend the afternoon with a paper bag over your face.”

He looked at me and sucked in a long breath and held it as if he were attending a yoga class. He released it. “You know, Eden, that helped.”

“Finley, are you going to keep the guests in the bloody entryway?”

Dad’s eyes widened, and I could hear him gasp in one more breath and then he pushed it out.

“How are you doing? I’m Nicky King.” Nicky reached out and took his hand. And never could I have predicted my Dad’s reaction.

“How are you doing? Jack Saxon and this is my wife Rebecca and our daughters, Sophie and Janie. I’m a big fan,” he said calmly as if he were introducing his family to the mailman.

“Let’s all go into the living room. The chef whipped us up some snacks, Then I can take you on a tour of the grounds,” Nicky said.

My parents walked with Nicky. Their heads bobbed back and forth like in a tennis match as they took in all the splendor. Finley had Sophie’s and Janie’s hands, and Some Pig trotted behind them. Janie kept looking back over her shoulder at the pig as if she wasn’t completely sure about him yet. Jude and I followed the crowd.

He took hold of my hand. “See, and you were sure your dad wouldn’t be able to handle it.”

I shook my head. “I don’t get it. I was sure he would need a straight jacket. I guess he’s more together than I thought.”

“Have you told your parents that you’re staying here to attend college in the fall?” he asked.

“Not yet. I don’t want to spoil this day at all for my dad.” I looked over at him. His face still had some light yellow bruising, but for the most part, it had healed up to its original state of heartbreaking perfection. “Have you and your dad come to an agreement about art school?”

A small grin curled the side of his mouth. “I think he’s come to grips with the reality that my passion is for painting and not music.” He grabbed my hand suddenly and pulled me around a corner and out of view of everyone else. He pressed me up against the wall and his arm snaked around my waist as he drew me against him. His mouth lowered near mine. “And speaking of passion,” his breath floated over my lips, “I’ve found one that has nothing to do with paints and canvas.” His lips grazed mine. “Eden.”

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Other titles by Tess Oliver:

Camille

Heart of the Huntress

Blackpool Cove

Safe Landing

Bitterroot Crossing

Cowboy Dark

Angel Beach

Home is Where the Heartbreak Is

Distraction

Unbreakable

A Little Less Girl

Table of Contents

TitlePage

Chapter1

Chapter2

Chapter3

Chapter4

Chapter5

Chapter6

Chapter7

Chapter8

Chapter9

Chapter10

Chapter11

Chapter12

Chapter13

Chapter14

Chapter15

Chapter16

Chapter17

Chapter18

Chapter19

Chapter20

Chapter21

Chapter22

Chapter23

Chapter24

Chapter25

Tess Oliver