Domino

 Thirteen-year-old Dominic Parker had better things to do than watch his father pack the plane for another trip across the states. Another tour and one Dominic would gladly pass on. It had been fun when he had been younger but not anymore. He had friends this year and he wanted to keep them. He planned to keep them unless his father grew another wild hair and moved once more. Dominic hated moving more than he hated touring.

 He smirked as he watched his brother walk up toward the gateway. Conner had just turned fourteen and had the same wild blond locks their father had. All three had his sky blue eyes. Dominic had been stuck with his mom’s brown hair. Not that he minded having brown hair, he liked it just fine. 

 Conner glanced at the plane before smiling at Dominic.

 “All packed and ready to fly,” Dominic murmured watching as the last of the trunks were loaded. They wouldn’t see their father for six months. He would be missing both of their birthdays and of the winter holidays.

 “He might remember us one day,” Conner remarked crossing his arms.

 Dominic didn’t think so. It would take something bad to put them in their father’s mind. His mind didn’t go beyond his music and their brother. Corey had went straight to the top by accident. Now, he was opening for their father.

 “Not that I’m complaining. I’m glad he left before people around here figured out who he is.” Conner shook his head.

 Dominic understood what his brother meant. It was nice to be able to go to the park and nobody caring who they were. That would change once they found out. For now, they would be content pretending their bodyguard was their dad. Paddy made a much better dad.

 Conner pulled Dominic away from the gate and then headed back outside. They found Paddy by the car with his arms crossed. They glanced around and noticed Blake was the one trailing them. Blake was new and neither one liked the guy much.

 Blake was weird and dressed more as if he was protecting the king. Paddy wore jeans and tee shirts. They had never seen him in anything else. Blake wore black suits and managed to keep his shoes shined. They planned to fix that.

 Paddy opened the door and the two boys slid into the back of the car. Paddy got in with them and left Blake to drive.

 “Can’t you fire him?” Conner asked watching Blake walk up to the car.

 “For doing what? He is just doing his job,” Paddy pointed out.

 “Then, we’ll see to it that he quits.” Dominic muttered eyeing the black suit and wondering how he had managed not to have sunstroke.

 “Where to?” Blake asked as he turned on the car.

 “I heard the lake is nice,” Conner piped out.

 Dominic watched Blake frown. That had to be good, didn’t it? Unless Blake did the unthinkable and change his clothes. Maybe he didn’t know any better.

 “The only place you boys are heading is home. I know for a fact that homework is missing from both of you.” Paddy pointed out.

 Dominic made a face when he saw Conner firmly place a pout on his face. Pouting wouldn’t work with Paddy. It didn’t work with their father either. That was another thing Dominic didn’t like, homeschooling.

 “Can’t we make it up tomorrow,” Conner asked.

 “I have math,” Dominic murmured to himself. He was even sure that he was only missing one page and it wasn’t even due. It didn’t surprise him at all that Conner had work missing. Conner wouldn’t do it unless he was firmly planted in the schoolroom and his phone locked up.