Gun Games - Faye Kellerman [56]
“It’s a good start. There must be some contracts involved.”
“Yeah, I got a bunch of papers. You’re still my legal guardian, right?”
“Unless you know something that I don’t, I’m still your father. Send me the contracts. I’ll have my lawyers look them over.”
“Okay. Thanks.”
“Need anything else?”
“No, I’m okay.”
“Who’s the girl?”
Gabe was stunned into silence. Then he managed, “What?”
“Don’t give me that stupid teenager what? You bought something for one hundred and twenty-eight bucks at Sterling Silver Jewelry Exchange. You don’t wear jewelry except my mother’s cross. And you’re not gay so you didn’t buy something for a guy. So who’s the girl?”
Gabe tried to come up with a decent lie, but his mind was a blank. He was just too tired for invention. Besides, he couldn’t bullshit his father on anything. “Just someone.”
“I know she’s someone, Gabriel. I didn’t assume she was a fucking apparition. Start with a name.”
“Yasmine.”
“You like her?”
“Yeah.”
“A lot?”
“Yeah.”
“Don’t knock her up.”
“We’re not having sex.”
“Then you’re an idiot.”
Gabe got irked. “You know, you waited over a year before you had sex with Mom.”
“Who said I wasn’t an idiot. Look where it got me. And since when have I been your fucking role model?”
At this point, Gabe felt his best option was to say nothing.
“How old is she?”
“Fourteen.”
“Jesus, no wonder you’re not screwing her. She’s one step above a toddler. Has she even gone through puberty?”
“I’ve never asked.”
“You can’t fucking tell?”
Again, Gabe was silent.
“So you like them young,” Donatti said. “None of my business.”
“First of all, in case you’re not aware of my age, I’m only a year older than she is. Second, I don’t like them young per se, Dad, I just happen to like her.”
“No need to get defensive. You wouldn’t believe the shit I cater to.”
“I’m just saying it’s not weird, okay?”
“If you wind up in jail, I got your back.”
“That’s not funny.” Especially because they were sneaking around. “I’ll talk to you later.”
“Don’t you dare hang up on me.”
“Fine. You hang up on me.”
“Whoa there, stallion, I’m on your side.” His father laughed out loud. “Gabriel, I’m glad you found someone who can keep your interest. And she must be okay because you don’t suffer fools. Just make sure that she doesn’t interfere with your music. That’s a deal breaker.”
“She gets me. Besides, she’s an opera buff. That’s how we met.”
“Good to hear. Just watch yourself. You think you’ve got it under control, but take it from me. You’re all hormones.”
It wasn’t like that at all. Well, maybe a little. “Duly noted, okay.”
“Send me the contracts. I’ll have my lawyers contact your agent. And don’t worry. I won’t piss him off.”
“He’s kinda hard-nosed, Chris. If anything, he’ll piss you off.”
“Fine with me. I like a good pissing contest.” His father hung up.
Not a bad conversation actually. For years, Gabe had felt that the only reason Chris tolerated him was because of Mom, that he and his mother came as a package. Now Mom was out of the picture and he and Chris had talked more in the past six months than they had in previous fourteen years. Sometimes his dad even sounded like he gave a shit.
He knew he should get back to Nick and Jeff, but talking to his father made him feel even more anxious. He texted Yasmine. r u busy?
He didn’t hear anything for a moment. He put his phone back in his pocket and headed back to the auditorium, but then it beeped.
everything ok?
can I call u?
i’ll call u.
He waited a minute. Finally, his phone rang. “Hi.”
“What’s wrong?”
“Nothing.” A pause. “ I just wanted to hear your voice.”
“Where are you?”
“I’m still at SC.”
“How’d the audition go?”
“It went really well. How’d your test go?”
“It was hard! Everyone thought so.”
“I’m sure you did great.”
“I hope so.” A beat. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah. Everything’s fine.”
“Really?”
“Yeah. I’ve got to get back soon. My teacher and this