Epic Sins (Epic Fail #1)(43)

His man-whore ways have been the talk of the tabloids for a while now, and I hope his bad behavior doesn’t someday influence his son. Kai’s going to have an uphill battle as it is with the constant worry of addiction hanging over his head. His long-term caregiver, who theoretically is going to be Garrett, will need to keep a close eye on Kai to be sure he doesn’t display addictive behavior early on.

I brew a large pot of water for tea and slide onto one of the barstools. I look out the window and the sun is shining bright. What a gorgeous day. I’m suddenly jealous of all of the people enjoying their time outside. I wish I could get to the park or something, but I hesitate bringing Kai out in such bright sunlight. His eyes are very sensitive.

The doorbell rings, and I look to see if anyone is going to answer it. It rings again, and I realize that I’m the only one who can. I’m in leggings and a tank top, and I look like I just rolled out of bed.

I open the door and Cassie comes bounding in. “Happy Birthday!” she squeals and hugs me tight.

“Thanks,” I say and turn back toward the sound of the water boiling in the kitchen. “Do you want some tea?” I yawn and take out two mugs from the cabinet.

“No thank you,” she replies, and I slide one back in place.

“Okay.”

“Good thing you’re getting caffeinated because we’re going out tonight!”

I shake my head. “Yeah, right.” I haven’t left Garrett’s house in over a month. The only down time I have, I use it to swim. My aunt helps out as much as she can, but this is my job, not hers. “I can’t go anywhere, Cass. I have a job to do, remember? Kai is asleep with my aunt right now, but I’m his nurse. I can’t leave.” I pour the hot water over two large tea bags and let them steep.

“Peggy is staying the night so you can go out and enjoy yourself for a change!” she exclaims and claps her hands together.

“What?” Aunt Peggy didn’t mention this to me, and I don’t really think it’s a good idea.

“Yes. I called her on Monday, and she said she couldn’t think of a better way for you to celebrate your birthday than by going out with me. So drink that double-sized tea and get yourself in the shower. We’re going out.”

I sigh. I honestly don’t have it in me to be social with anyone.

“Can’t we just stay here?” I whine.

“Absolutely not.”

The door opens that leads to the garage and Garrett walks in. He looks disheveled, and I wonder where he’s been. I’ve been wondering about him a lot lately.

Cassie’s eyes light up and she blushes. She’s only met him once or twice since he’s usually never here. I know she’s star struck and can’t help herself. “Hi, Garrett!” she exclaims. I wrap both of my hands around the hot mug and slowly sip the tea. It’s black and strong with a tiny twist of lemon. Perfect.

“Hi, Cassie,” he says, and she’s twitching in her seat. I know she’s thrilled that he remembered her name.

“Hey, Sam,” he addresses me, and guilt sweeps across his face. “I’m sorry I wasn’t around to help out last night. I had something to do. How’s Kai?”

I tense a little, wondering what that ‘something’ was. A groupie, no doubt. I overheard a conversation the other day that Garrett was having on speakerphone in the library. The band’s publicist was lecturing him on maintaining good behavior. The tabloids and local news have been very nosy around his property, trying to figure out what’s been going on. After Sadie’s overdose, he’s been under a microscope. Miraculously, nobody has gotten wind that he has a baby. The social worker handled things discreetly, and since Sadie had no other family and few friends who knew what was going on with her, things were kept very quiet about Kai. Which is another reason I can’t be seen leaving the house with him. When we take him to his doctor and therapy appointments, we’re usually in one of the large SUVs with dark tinted windows. We always leave from the garage and don’t get out until the doors are closed. Miraculously, no one has tried to follow us because it’s Peggy who’s usually driving. I think the paparazzi assume that it’s just the housekeeper coming and going.

“He’s good. Aunt Peggy’s upstairs with him now.”

“Sam’s going out tonight,” Cassie interrupts. “It’s her birthday!”

His eyes flicker for a moment, and he walks towards me. “Happy birthday,” he says genuinely and reaches out to softly touch my arm. His touch feels nice and I sigh.

Cassie looks between us and the startled look on her face is hard to miss.

“Want to come?” she asks.

Garrett smiles. “No, thank you though.” He reaches into the refrigerator and takes out a large jug of Gatorade. He opens the top and starts to chug it right from the bottle. He must be hung-over or something.

“You totally should come,” Cassie insists, and it makes me uncomfortable.

“Sorry, I have other plans,” he says and places the Gatorade back into the refrigerator.

“Of course you do,” she stammers, embarrassed that she pressed him.

“So you’re going out tonight?” he asks me, and I flush a little.

“I keep telling her no, but she’s insisting.”

He smiles. “It is your birthday, after all. You should go out and enjoy yourself. When was the last time you even left here when it wasn’t a trip to the doctor or pharmacy?”