Drum's heartbeat

Respect

Storm POV:

Since we’re finished with the album and have done all the prep for it we decided it would be a great idea to go back to Nevada where all of us are from and visit our families.

I hate to admit that it’s been about a year since I’ve visited my family despite having the opportunity to many times. I’ve just been dreading the, “where’s the wife? When are you going to finish college? Why don’t we see you at church anymore? Questions that I hated to answer.

Hell, my family doesn’t even know that I’m bisexual and fell in love with a man who died of cancer. I’m not the best at sharing my feelings with them.

Once we’re at the airport and wait for our taxi to pick us up I see Zoe gets a text message and she frowns as she reads it while sitting next to me. A frown should never be on her pretty face.

“Something wrong, curls?” She blinks and shakes her head as if trying to compose herself before shutting off her phone.

“It’s my dad. He texted me. It’s been a while since he’s done that.” She says with a sigh.

“I’m guessing it wasn’t a good message?”

She shakes her head no and I brush hair out of her face and offer her a supportive smile.

“I know what will make you feel better. It always makes me feel better.”

“What’s that?” She asks and I stand up and hold out my hand which she takes, then I pull her up.

“Dipping dots, of course,” I tell her as I lead her towards a dipping dots ice cream booth and order vanilla for me.

“What flavor do you want?”

“Are you an option?” She asks and I smirk at her. Oh, my devious curls.

“She’ll have a mixture of chocolate and vanilla,” I tell the lady who nods and prepares it. Just like me, my mom is black and my dad is white. Chocolate and vanilla.

She smiles as I hand her the ice cream and takes a small bite of it.

“Mmm. You taste great.” She moans and the sound sparks something inside of me, and something below.

“Have a nice day.” The lady says as she hands me my ice cream, then Zoe and I get called by Jax telling us our cab is here.

Our cab drops us off at our family’s houses one by one, starting off with Jax who’s Jamaican grandmother who has the same luxurious dreadlocks except hers are gray on top, practically cries in excitement when she sees him, Then Grayson is next and he groans as the cab stops at his house.

“I guess this is where we say goodbye for a week. I have to deal with my moody brother now. Wish me, luck guys.” Grayson says as he unloads his suitcase and we wave and yell “good luck.” He’s going to need it dealing with keal.

Steel looks between Zoe and me as a calm silence takes over in the cab. Steel’s mom’s house is next.

“You two know where to find me if you need me. I love you both. And stay the f**k out of trouble Storm.” Steel says as he hugs us both in the back seat of the van tightly.

“We’ll only be gone for a week you sentimental son of a gun,” I tell him and he laughs deeply.

“We love you too, Steel,” Zoe says, and Steel smiles.

“You take good care of each other because I’m sure you both will be hanging out a lot during this week.” He tells us and I nod.

“You got it, now go find a nice a d**k to sit on, Steel.” I joke and he nods with a smirk.

“You read my mind bestie. That’s if my mom doesn’t hold me hostage in the guest room. Bye!” He says as he heads out and I notice Zoe trembling as we now head towards her house. Her foot taps the ground of the van.

“Are you okay Zoe?”

“Um... Uh... I just don’t want to see my father right now. I’m hoping he’s not at Mom’s house.” She admits and my brows scrunch in confusion.

“What did your dad’s message say?” I ask her and she sighs deeply.

“That he’s disappointed that I joined a band and that I would probably end up like him. Addicted to drugs and alcohol and suicidal.”

“Zoe, you are nothing like that and it’s time you told him that and stood up for yourself,” I tell her the hard cold truth and she nods looking sad.

“He’s going to yell at me when I get home. I Just know it. My father is not a bad guy he just... he thinks he’s helping me by keeping me away from this lifestyle.” She explains and I hold her hand in mine tightly and kiss her cold fingertips.

“Do you have your car at your mother’s house?” I ask her and she nods.

“Then what I want you to do if things get ugly, is get in your car and drive to my house that isn’t too far from your mom’s actually, and my family will welcome you in with open arms. If you’re not comfortable with that, I do have my own house that hasn’t been lived in a while but you could meet me there if you’d like. It’s up to you Zoe.” She smiles appreciatively.

“Thank you Gavin but I think I’ll be okay.” I smile back at her.

“Gavin? You’re using my real name more often now?” I ask her and she shrugs.

“I Like your real name too. Well, this is me.” She says as the cab pulls to a stop at a nice-looking house that is bigger than I expected.

“I don’t want to let you go,” I admit and she bites her lip before leaning towards me and kissing me so softly that it makes me melt in her arms.

“I’ll see you soon enough.” She tells me as he gets out of the car.

“Wait! Let me at least help you with your bags.” I say as I get out to unload her suitcase and her backpack from the trunk.

Then I walk it up to her front door.

“Thank you, Gavin.” She says right as the front door opens abruptly and I see Kevin freaking Kilmer there. I would be excited to meet him if it wasn’t for the fact that he looked upset. I really don’t want to leave Zoe here.

“Hey, dad.” She says as she hugs him and it takes him a while to hug her back, and his eyes dart to mine and I can tell he recognizes me.

“Hey, baby girl. Your mother is inside asking for you, and we have a lot to talk about soon.” He tells her in a firm tone. Where’s the love? I know it’s in there somewhere but he seems like a hard-headed man. With an apologetic smile, Zoe waves goodbye to me and walks into the house.

“I’ll be leaving now,” I say as I start to walk away but I don’t get far.

“Storm! Wait a minute.” Kevin calls out to me and I turn to face him. He walks outside and stands in front of me with a hand held towards me. Oh, I didn’t expect that.

I take his hand and he shakes it once before yanking me closer to him sort of roughly and whispers.

“You need to promise me to not let her go down the wrong path, and I’ll be damned if you took her down the wrong path yourself. I’ll come after you.” He says in a deadly way and I snatch my arm back and glare at him.

“You should have more faith in your daughter Kevin. She’s the best, most brave, and strongest person I’ve ever met, and you, as her father should see that too. Don’t ever threaten me again.” I warn him with a tone just as deadly as I get back to the cab.

I can’t believe I used to look up to that guy.

In the cab, I shoot Zoe a message.

Storm: [ I’m worried about you. Let me know how the conversation with your father goes.]

After twelve minutes go by she texts me back.

Zoe: [ The lecture wasn’t too bad and I think my father has just gained respect for you. He told me that you are Alright in his book after I admitted to like you.]

My heart dances and a sense of relief consumes me.

Storm: [ Like me huh? You gonna start drawing hearts around my name?]

Zoe: [ Are you going to deny not liking me after all the mindblowing s*x we had?]

Strom: [Absolutely not sweetheart. As a matter of fact, I would like to ask you out to dinner tomorrow.]

Zoe: [You’re taking me out on an actual date?]

Storm: [That’s what guys who like beautiful women do. 7 pm, I’ll pick you up, okay?]

Zoe: [Okay. :) ]

God, Liking that woman is such an understatement. I personally don’t believe you chose who you want to be with, your heart does, and you have no word in it, not that I would ever argue with my heart.