Down and Dirty (3 page)

“Yup,” Takumijo said. “I think she’s a keeper.”

“What time are we meeting Yori?” Ichiro asked.

“Noon,” Takumijo answered.

“Good,” Ichiro said. “I want to call and check on the boys. I have to let them know that Daddy loves them.”

“They’re just a little over a month old,” Satoshi said. “They don’t know you from a grapefruit.”

Takumijo and Amaterasu laughed at Satoshi’s joke.

“You’re not helping,” Ichiro said to Satoshi.

“I’m just trying to be honest,” Satoshi said. “Now, me, they know.”

Ichiro scowled at him. “Why?”

“Because I’m supercute and hard to forget.”

“Yeah, right,” Ichiro said. “You better practice changing diapers because I’m assigning you permanent diaper duty when they move back into the farmhouse.”

“Is Shaundra moving back?” Amaterasu asked.

“I don’t know,” Ichiro answered. “Maybe, but if not, this is where my boys will be with or without her.”

Satoshi raised an eyebrow.
How is Ich going to swing this
? He changed the subject. “I think we need to get a little rehearsing in the afternoon when we return from lunch if we want to sound good for the christening.”

“What christening?” Amaterasu asked. “You guys are christening the twins?”

Satoshi glared at Takumijo. Apparently, the big lummox neglected to tell his girl about the upcoming family event.

“Yes; Shaundra and Ichiro are christening the twins this weekend in Kagawa, and Aomori is scheduled to perform.”

“I’ve never heard of a group performing at a small christening,” she said.

“It won’t be small,” Ichiro said. “My brother has arranged a festival in the town where we were born. It’s going to be a big celebration. I’m surprised Takumijo hasn’t mentioned it.”

Amaterasu looked at Takumijo, who stared daggers at him and Ichiro for letting the cat out the bag. “Sorry, babe. I thought I mentioned it. I guess I forgot.” He sighed. “I’d really like for you to be there, but I guess you have other plans.”

Satoshi smirked. Takumijo was trying to dig himself out of a bad situation and failing badly.

“No, I don’t have anything planned. I’d love to go with you to Kagawa.”

Takumijo smiled, but the look in his eyes threatened to kill both him and Ichiro. Knowing Takumijo, he probably had some other scheming plan for the trip and they had foiled it.

“Good,” Ichiro said. “Now we’re going to be one big happy family.” He paused. “Or we will be if Cristal is going.”

Takumijo and Ichiro laughed.

Amaterasu just looked puzzled, apparently not getting the joke, which unfortunately was on him since the others knew their publicist wasn’t speaking to him.

****

Shaundra’s home phone rang several times. Ichiro was just about to hang up when someone finally answered.

“Hello,” a deep male voice said. “This is the Morrison residence. How may I help you?”

Ichiro frowned, recognizing Dae-Hyun’s voice.

“Yes, this is her husband, Ichiro. May I speak to Shaundra?”

“I’m sorry, Mr. Yoshida. Ms. Morrison is showering at the moment. Would you like to leave her a message?”

“First of all, her name is Mrs. Yoshida, and yes, have her call me the moment she steps out the shower.”

“I’ll make sure she gets your message,” Dae-Hyun said. He hung up.

Ichiro glared at the receiver.
Arrogant bastard
. Ichiro still hadn’t forgotten their first meeting and had the intention for paying Dae-Hyun back for whipping and embarrassing him in front of Shaundra and Satoshi. True, it had been his own fault for underestimating the other man’s strength, but he’d be prepared next time. Being bigger did not make Dae-Hyun the better fighter. He’d just been caught off guard. The next time they met, Ichiro planned to be on the defense. If Dae-Hyun got a kick out of what he’d done, Ichiro planned to wipe the smile from his face.

Ichiro’s phone rang fifteen minutes later. He recognized the number on the display as Shaundra’s new home phone number. He quickly picked up the receiver. “Hello?”

“Hello, Ich, this is Shaundra. I’m just returning your call. Is something wrong?”

“No, does anything have to be wrong for me to call my wife?”

Shaundra didn’t respond. Apparently, she was still mad at him. In all his life, he had never met anyone who could carry a grudge longer than Shaundra.

“I’m just calling to check on my sons.”

“They’re fine,” Shaundra said. “They have a pediatrician visit this morning.”

“What for?” Ichiro asked. They’d looked perfectly healthy to him the last time he saw them.

“It’s just a routine visit, and afterward I’m picking up their christening outfits. Daichi said they’re ready.”

“How are you going to manage all that? Do you want me to accompany you?”

“No,” Shaundra answered quickly. “Dae-Hyun will help me with the boys. That’s why I hired him.”

“I’m their father, Shaundra. I should be the one helping you.”

“It takes more than a sperm deposit to be a father, Ich.”

“What do you mean by that?” He hated when she treated him like a child.

“Nothing, listen. I have to get ready. I’ll bring the boys over to see you this evening.”

“Will you stay for dinner?”

“Sure,” Shaundra said.

“Great,” Ichiro said. “I’ll see you around six.” He hung up, a little pissed off for being dismissed like a child and for her insult of his parental skills. He’d be a better father than Dae-Hyun ever could be. He’d show Shaundra. If she wanted to go there, he’d go there with her. He didn’t have any concert plans coming up and he planned to spend time with his boys whether Shaundra liked it or not. He looked at his watch. He still had some time before they were scheduled to meet with Yori. Ichiro grabbed his keys and headed downstairs, passing Satoshi along the way.

“Where are you going?” Satoshi asked.

“To the gym,” Ichiro said. “I need to blow off some steam.”

“Don’t forget we’re meeting Yori at noon.”

“I’ll be back by eleven,” Ichiro said. He left the house.

Chapter Two

Yori removed his coat and handed it to the waitress assigned to the private room at the Japanese restaurant he’d chosen to share lunch with his fellow members of Aomori. It was still bitterly cold outside, and it had been snowing most of the morning. In some areas, the snow was so deep the roads were near impassable, but he was sure the others would have no problem getting there. He hadn’t seen any of them for at least a week, and for some insane reason, he missed them.

Life had returned back to normal, and Amaya had gone off to work, leaving him alone to tend for himself. A task, believe it or not, he excelled in since he hadn’t actually transitioned into married life well. True, he took care of his husbandly duties and paid the bills, but emotionally, he still felt single and free. He’d expected things would get better between him and Amaya as they grew older. But since Amaya’s suicide attempt, Yori doubted their marriage would make it past their second anniversary. Amaya seemed happier now since they’d had that long talk about Shaundra. Amaya went to work every day, and she was doing well with her clothing designs. He, on the other hand, just went through the motions. He didn’t want to hurt Amaya or send her over the edge again, but he didn’t think he could go on much longer pretending to be in love with her. He loved her as a friend, but his heart did not belong to her and never had. That’s why he needed to meet with his friends for lunch. He was at his happiest hanging out with them when he didn’t have to think about his personal life.

Yori looked down at his watch. It was nearly noon. The door to the room opened. Takumijo sauntered in first, followed by Satoshi and Ichiro.

Yori rose and slapped hands with them. “Glad you idiots could make it. Where’s Kenshin?”

“In the studio,” Satoshi said as he got out of his coat. “Masaaki has him working on a solo album.”

Kenshin, or Kenny as they called him, had just joined Aomori on the road in Hong Kong to replace Ichiro temporarily while Ichiro returned to Osaka to search for Shaundra, who had disappeared. And Kenny had joined them for the tour in Europe, but Aomori had always been a four-member group, not five, so Masaaki and their boss, Mr. Niigata, decided Kenny would do better as a solo act to establish his identity.

“So, where’s Cristal?” Yori asked as the others got out their coats and hung them on some hooks next to his.

“She’s not coming,” Takumijo answered.

“And why not?” Yori asked. He was used to their female publicist hanging out like one of the fellows.

“Because she’s still mad at Satoshi,” Ichiro answered. “I don’t know what he did to her, but he needs to apologize.”

“How’s the Mrs.?” Yori asked Ichiro.

Ichiro scowled at him. “Fine.”

“Has she moved back into the farmhouse?”

Ichiro shook his head. “Is Amaya still sane?”

“Oh, low blow, Ich,” Yori said. “I think we’ve had enough discussing of our women. Let’s just sit down, eat, and just be us like we used to be.” Apparently, Cristal and Shaundra were still touchy subjects with his friends. They sat down on the floor by a large short-legged table.

The waitress returned to take their orders and then left to give them to the chef.

“What have you guys been up to? I haven’t seen you since we’ve returned to Korea.”

“I’ve been working on some new songs,” Ichiro said. “And Satoshi’s working on the music for them.”

“What about you, Tak?” Yori asked his taller friend.

“I’ve just been chilling,” Takumijo answered.

“He brought a girl home last night,” Ichiro told Yori.

Yori smirked. “He did? Who?”

“Amaterasu,” Satoshi answered. “They woke me and Ich out of a peaceful sleep.”

“I hope you don’t mean that you and Ichiro were sleeping together,” Yori teased. “Because that’s how that sounded.”

“No,” Satoshi said. “We were in separate rooms.”

“I remembered when we had the same conversation about Shaundra and Ichiro,” Yori said.

Takumijo nodded. “They’re just jealous because I know how to make a woman happy.”

Ichiro chucked. “Oh, Tak!” he said imitating Amaterasu. “Give it to me, Daddy.”

Satoshi rolled over on the floor with laughter.

“Just say the word, Ich, and I can make you scream the same way.” He poked his tongue at Ichiro and wiggled it around suggestively.

“No way, dude. I think we’ve had this conversation before. I don’t like guys.”

Yori laughed. “You might as well give up, Ich, and let him bed you. Then Takumijo can go to his grave happy.”

Takumijo agreed with Yori.

Ichiro looked confused. “No.”

Yori and Takumijo laughed.

“It’s not funny. My ass is off-limits.”

The conversation ended just as the waitress retuned with their drinks and the appetizers.

“Ooh, those look good,” Satoshi said. They’d ordered one of the large appetizer platters so they could sample while they waited for their main dishes. “What is this?” He picked up one of skewered meats.

“Mini-shish kabob,” Ichiro answered. “Sirloin beef marinated in red wine.” He turned the tray around so each of them could sample. The good-natured teasing went on through the course of the main meal until Satoshi brought up the upcoming christening.

“How many songs are we scheduled to perform?” Yori asked.

“Three,” Satoshi answered. “Well, two and Ichiro’s lullaby.”

Yori pulled a small tablet and pen out of his pocket and wrote the information down. “Costume or casual dress?”

“Something warm,” Takumijo said. “Its winter, and it’s bound to be colder there.”

“Casual chic then,” Yori said, continuing to write. “Who is going?”

“Amaterasu,” Satoshi said.

“Wow, that’s a first,” Yori said. “Are things getting serious between you two?”

“I don’t know. I like her, and she loves me up right in the bed, but I don’t know if I’m in love with her yet.”

“He didn’t even invite her,” Ichiro said. “Satoshi and I had to blow the whistle at the breakfast table this morning.”

Takumijo turned to Ich. “Remind me that I owe you one for that.”

“Anytime, big boy,” Ichiro said bravely.

Yori smirked. Takumijo used to scare the shit out of Ichiro, but now Ichiro looked like he could hold his own against Tak. “Who else is coming?”

“Masaaki and his date, Kenshin, Shaundra, and the boys,” Satoshi said.

“Don’t forget Dae-Hyun,” Takumijo added.

“Who is Dae-Hyun?” Yori asked. He lifted his cup of tea.

“Nobody,” Ichiro answered.

“Oh, that’s right, you don’t know about him, Yori,” Takumijo said. “He’s the new man in Shaundra’s life.”

Yori spat tea.

“He is not,” both Satoshi and Ichiro said.

“What man?” Yori asked. Had that idiot Ichiro let someone slip in on his wife?

“He’s the twin’s new nanny and Shaundra’s new bodyguard,” Satoshi explained.

“Shaundra hired a male nanny?”

All three men nodded.

“Why did you guys let her do a damn fool thing like that? Don’t we have enough guys sniffing around her already?”

All three stared at him.

“It’s not like we let her,” Satoshi said. “She did it before we came back from Europe. They’re living in a house not too far from the farmhouse.”

Yori nearly dropped his cup of tea. “Shaundra has moved into the farmhouse with a guy? Why didn’t any of you tell me?” He glared at Ichiro. “I knew this would happen. Why in the hell didn’t you drag her screaming and kicking back home?”

“I tried to,” Ichiro said in his own defense. “But…”

“But what?” Yori asked.

“But Dae-Hyun stopped him,” Takumijo said.

“What do you mean, Dae-Hyun stopped him? Ichiro is a martial artist. Nothing can stop him when he’s angry.”

“Nothing except another bigger martial artist,” Takumijo said. He laughed. “He kicked Ichiro’s ass.”

Ichiro glared. “He caught me off guard.”

“And you three idiots just let that happen? How big is this dude?”

“Pretty big,” Satoshi said. “But not too fat. He’s taller than us with more muscle.”

“It was like hitting a brick wall,” Ichiro mumbled.