Seasons in the Sun Read Online Free PDF Page B

impossibly high heels.
    “I love your hair.” He added.
    “Thanks. Keisha did it for me.”
    The girls had already climbed in the backseat, so I had no choice but to ride shotgun.
    Keisha commandeered the lively conversation on the short trip into town. She told us all about Ray and their night out earlier in the week. He sounded like a really funny guy who had traveled a lot for work.
    I didn’t understand why it was acceptable for Keisha to date someone who was so much older than her. I wasn’t sure how old he was, but to have done that much military work, he sounded like he was well into his twenties. Maybe she was just better at not getting caught than I was.
    Tristan took my hand as we walked across the gravel parking lot. My arm absorbed the electricity I felt from the warmth of his hand in mine. I smiled at him and headed to the tavern. Taryn wobbled on her heels and dramatically clung to Keisha as the two of them dissolved into a fit of giggles.
    “I don’t know why she insists on wearing shoes like that around here.” Tristan mumbled under his breath so only I could hear him as we passed them.
    As we rounded the corner to enter the restaurant, I pulled away from Tristan. I didn’t look back at him to give him any explanation. I didn’t know how my dad would react to me walking in hand in hand with some guy he hadn’t met. My gut feeling was he wouldn’t like it very much.
    Dad reserved a big round table for us near the stage with a circular booth. The band sound checked as we entered. I stopped at the door for a moment to let Keisha and Taryn catch up with us before I approached him. When the band was done with the song, I headed over to the stage area. It was really just a part of the dining room floor sectioned off with amplifiers, microphone stands, and instruments. The other three trailed behind me.
    “Hey, Daddy.” I hardly had the words out before he wrapped me in a hug.
    “Hey, Sweetheart,” he responded, giving me a kiss on the forehead.
    “Have you met the twins yet?”
    “Just Taryn,” he nodded to her.
    “This is Tristan,” I stepped out of the way so they could get acquainted. My dad took Tristan’s hand, pumped it once to shake it, but didn’t let go right away. The tension thickened the air. I held my breath.
    “Nice to meet you, sir.” Tristan took it in stride. I’m sure my overprotective dad wasn’t the first one he’d ever come in contact with.
    “I’ve heard so much about you,” Dad responded, looking Tristan straight in the eye. Knowing the source, I cringed. This needed to stop.
    “We’re all going to sit down, Daddy. Have a good show.” I ushered everyone over to our table.
    Tristan and I scooted into the middle and the girls flanked us on either side. Ray arrived first. He was Keisha’s perfect man: tall and muscular, military short hair, and his body accentuated by his tight black T shirt and black dress pants. He ordered a drink and starting talking right away, needing no time to settle. He was just as funny in person as he was in Keisha’s stories.
    Matthew slid into the booth next to Taryn shortly afterwards with much less fanfare. He looked even more shabby than usual now that Taryn was all dolled up for the night. He didn’t say much to anyone but to her. I don’t know if he bothered me because he was such a thorn in my mother’s side or if it was something else, but I just didn’t like him.
    “Your dad seems cool,” Tristan turned to me in a lull in the conversation. I guess he wasn’t fazed by my dad’s stare down. Ray had just finished telling us a story about some of the outrageous prisoners at Guantanamo Bay.
    “Thanks. He is really cool.”
    “What kind of stuff does the band play?
    “What do you mean?”
    “Originals? Covers?”
    “Oh. Covers. They do Stevie Ray Vaughn, Allman Brothers, Kenny Wayne Shephard, Black Crowes.”
    “Nice.”
    “Yeah. They’re good.”
    “You know, I play a little guitar.” Tristan looked down at his