“Sure.”
“Did something happen at the studio yesterday? Jake was in a foul mood last night. Yelled at the kids. Really scared poor Jesse.”
“Not as far as I know,” replied Paul, not wanting to be the one to confess about the running repairs on Jake’s Mz Hyde custom guitar. “We’ve not really found our rhythm with recording this one. Jake probably headed out early to work on something that came to him overnight.”
“Perhaps,” mused Lori as the school bell rang behind them. “Any word from Grey?”
“He messaged earlier. All good. Kola and the baby should be home later today.”
“Any names for her yet?”
Paul shook his head, “Not that he said.”
Giggling, Lori said, “They must be just about out of girl’s names.”
“You might be right,” laughed Silver Lake’s drummer.
Spotting Melody running across the yard, Lori said, “I’ve promised this young lady and her brother some dolphin watching. Keep your fingers crossed that we see some.”
“You should be good for that. Walk down towards the inlet. Usually some down there around five. I’ve seen them when I’ve been out on the boat.”
“Not a bad idea. Thanks,” said Lori as Melody reached her. “Good day, angel?”
“The best,” declared Melody, dancing round. “Is Daddy home?”
“He wasn’t when we left,” replied Lori evasively. “Come on though. Jesse is desperate to get to the beach. Say goodbye to Uncle Paul.”
“Bye, Uncle Paul,” called Melody as she ran towards Lori’s silver SUV. “We’re going dolphin hunting. Want to come?”
“Another time, Miss M,” called back Paul before adding, “See you later, Lori. Don’t worry about Jake. I’m sure he’s ok.”
“I hope so,” sighed Lori. “Get Maddy to call when she gets back.”
During the drive back to the beach house, Melody chattered on nineteen to the dozen about her day. The little girl barely paused for breath as she relayed the day’s events to her mother and brother. Eventually, she paused and asked Jesse how daycare had been.
“Good,” replied the little boy simply as Lori pulled into the driveway.
There was no sign of Jake’s truck. With a sigh, Lori switched off the engine then helped the kids out of their car seats. As the three of them walked round to the back door, she heard her phone buzz in her purse, indicating a message alert. Having unlocked the door and ushered the kids inside, Lori reached into the bag to retrieve her phone, hoping it was a message from Jake.
It wasn’t.
Her hands trembled as she read the text message. “I’ve sucked your husband’s dick.”
Tears stung in her eyes as she read the cell number that the message had been sent from. It wasn’t a number in her contacts. Swiftly, she blocked the number but decided not to delete the message.
“How has someone managed to get my cell number?” she wondered as she followed the kids down the hallway.
The house was empty when Jake arrived home late in the afternoon. He guessed that Lori and the kids must be down on the beach. Without pausing to change, he set off in search for them.
Despite the fact it was late September, the temperature was still in the high seventies. Feeling the sun’s warmth on his tanned skin, he crossed the soft sand, scanning the beach for any signs of his family. Once down on the wet sand, Jake spotted the tell-tale circular marks and spike holes from Lori’s canes. They were heading south down the beach away from town. Keeping his pace leisurely, he wandered along the water’s edge, dodging the lines from the occasional fisherman. Eventually, he spotted his family sitting on a beach towel watching the waves. Not surprisingly, Melody was the first to spot him approaching. The little girl scrambled to her feet and came running up the beach towards him, soft sand flying behind her.
“Daddy!” she yelled excitedly. “There’s a baby dolphin!”
“Where?” asked Jake, scooping her up into his arms.
“Straight out from Mommy and Jesse.”
Scanning the ocean, Jake soon spotted the family of dolphins and, as he squinted into the sun, saw the baby dolphin swimming in their midst.
“There’s two babies,” corrected Jake, noting a second dolphin calf near the back of the family group.
“Two!” shrieked Melody shrilly.
“Come on, let’s go tell your brother and your Mommy,” suggested Jake.
As they approached Lori and Jesse, Melody wriggled down from her father’s arms and ran towards the others shouting, “There’s two baby dolphins! Two!”
Taking her little brother by the hand, Melody led him down to the water’s edge pointing to the second baby dolphin.
“Hey,” said Jake to his wife as he crouched down beside the towel.
“Hey yourself, rock star,” replied Lori, smiling up at him, relieved to see the anger was long gone from his hazel eyes.
“Sorry,” apologised Jake as he sat down. “I was out of line.”
“You were,” sighed Lori softly. “Want to talk about it?”
“Not really,” admitted Jake, truly not knowing where to start.
“I talked to Paul earlier. He said things have been tough out at JJL. Said you guys are struggling a bit.”
“I’ve recorded easier albums that’s for sure,” Jake agreed, running his hands through his hair. “Guess I let it all get to me last night. Took it out on you guys. I was out of order.”
“As long as it’s a one-off,” cautioned Lori, her tone firm but oddly calm. “Jesse was so scared. Miss M was distraught.”
“I know,” whispered Jake, struggling with the guilt that was crashing down on him. “It won’t happen again. Promise.”
With a smile, Lori reached out to take his hand, “Was today a better day?”
“Long story there, li’l lady. I’ll tell you later. Laid a few ghosts
