by R. G. Angel
Antoine shrugged before grabbing Taylor’s hand and looking out of the window. I let my eyes wander to their hands and watched him gently brushed her knuckles with his thumb. They might not be in love in the common sense of the word, but they did love each other. It was cute.
The rest of the drive was much calmer with Archie questioning me about Ben and Antoine telling us about all the material he had gotten from his father's stash.
“Where are we meeting again?” Archie asked as he parked the car at the waterfront.
“Oceanview,” I whispered.
Being here again brought a wave of feelings I hadn’t really expected. I looked toward the Ferris wheel and couldn’t stop my heart tightening in my chest at the memory of Caleb and I up there. I took a couple of steps and stopped again. I looked around at the closed drink cart and the iron trash can. This was the exact spot where he’d kissed me sweetly, tasting the hot chocolate on my lips.
“Are you okay?” Taylor asked, taking my hand.
I turned toward her, blinking away the memories. “I - Yes, sure.” I forced a smile, but I could see she didn’t buy it.
I looked over her shoulder. Archie was eyeing us both with concern. I smiled at him and he sighed with a small shake of his head. He hated seeing me troubled just as much as I hated it when it was him.
“We still have some time, don’t we?” Taylor asked looking around.
I looked at my watch. We were an hour early. Most shops were still closed, including Oceanview.
She pointed to a few shops, including a coffee shop that was open on the other side. “Why don’t we go browse for a while? Just to see what’s out there.”
I nodded, grateful that the coffee kiosk and the jewelry store were closed.
She followed my eyes to the locked storefront. “Want some bling?” She nudged me playfully. “Don’t bother with this here. This is my family business. Let me hook you up, dawg.”
I laughed, turning toward her, the weight of the memory on my chest finally easing up. “Did you just call me dawg?”
She grinned. “Maybe?”
I pulled her into a hug. “I love you, Taylor Oppenheimer. I really do.”
Archie looked at us with a small smile, longing in his eyes. He could not hide in this moment how heartbroken and mournful he was. My eyes slid to Antoine who was also looking at my brother, his eyes reflecting some of the pain. No matter what he said, no matter how much he cared for Taylor, he didn't like to see Archie hurting either.
“We’re going to check the stores,” Taylor said, turning to both Archie and Antoine. “Do you guys want to join us?”
Archie and Antoine looked at each other. “Hard pass.”
I chuckled. “Yeah, thought so. Let’s just meet in front of Oceanview in forty minutes. Deal?” I pointed at the store where Alice worked.
“Okay, but here,” Archie came closer and extended me $300. “Just use this okay? Don’t use his card.”
I looked down at the money in my hands. I knew we were rich, but he’d just handed over $300 like Luke would have handed me a fiver.
I nodded. “Okay, thank you.”
“You know you’ll have to tell the truth eventually,” I told Taylor as we entered the antique and second-hand shop.
She shrugged, looking at some old coins in a case as if they were the most fascinating thing she’d ever seen. “I have a plan. It won’t be forever, only until graduation.”
“Why?”
She shrugged again. “I’m going away to college.”
“Uh huh…” I trailed off, knowing there was something more. “One way or another you’ll have to ‘break-up’.”
“Yeah, we’ve not yet figured out that part. Why is it so important?”
It was my turn to shrug and walk around the small, stuffy store. It smelled like mothballs, making my nose itch. “I know I’m a source of trouble for their group, but this relationship is tearing them apart and it’s hurting my brother. I know you probably have every reason to do that and frankly, based on how he treated me when I first got here, I know he’s no saint, but I’m just very conflicted at being in the middle, knowing that one word from me could make it hurt less for him.”
She stopped walking and turned toward me. “I understand that and it makes me feel guilty. Believe it or not, I don't enjoy seeing him suffer, not at all. I just need him to stay away, but I am not as strong as I thought I was. I sunk back while you were away and he was trying to get back into my life and, just for a minute, I was that girl again, standing on the edge of a bridge looking down at the dark water, contemplating…” She shook her head as she picked up a creepy-looking doll from the counter.
“Tay, did you try to–” I couldn’t imagine my friend in such a state of despair that she would contemplate ending her life.
“I really don't want to talk about it, any of it. Not now and probably not ever. I’m sorry it leaves you in the dark for a part of my life and maybe Archie will grow balls and tell you himself, but I won’t.”
I nodded. “Okay.” Her voice had been even, but her mouth was tight and her back straight. She was poised, trying to avoid making a scene.
I pulled her into a side hug and kissed the side of her face. “It’s okay. Do what you need to do to protect yourself. I understand.” And boy did I understand. Every day I was fighting my growing feelings for the wannabe sociopath sharing my life.
“What do you think of those wigs?” I pointed to the horrendous synthetic pieces on the plastic mannequin's head. “Do you think we need these for our disguises?”
She snorted. “I’ll be caught dead before trying these flea-infested head rugs. No offence,” she added when she met the eyes of the glaring clerk.
I gave the woman a sheepish smile. Parting from Taylor, I looked more closely around the store for something to buy. I felt guilty now for insulting her store so I was going to find something, anything really, to restore some karma points.
I picked up a couple of random items before stopping dead in front of a small velvety box that was holding a pair of angel-wings cufflinks. They seemed to be silver and vintage. They were small enough to not look too ostentatious. What shook me was that I didn't want to buy them for my brother, but the icy young man I was engaged to.
I turned to look for Taylor and found her going through vinyl records, too engrossed to notice my stupid weakness.
“Excuse me. How much for those?” I pointed at the cufflinks through the glass casing.
The woman walked toward me, her scowl still quite present on her face. I couldn't really blame her. We had just insulted her store.
“These are 1920s vintage sterling silver gothic wing cufflinks.”
“Yes.” I leaned down. The details were perfect. The wings were open in flight, giving them a steampunk vibe. “I love them. How much?”
The woman looked at me, trying to figure how much she could milk from me. “$100.”
I sighed, looking at the cufflinks again before turning to Taylor. She had four vinyls under her arm and was going through the last rack. I had minutes before she came to join me and question the very masculine gift which was not destined for my brother.
“Fine,'' I told the woman, resting the few other items on the display case. “I’ll take them and these too.”
I was just getting my $22.95 change from the $200 I gave the woman, when Taylor appeared with her pile of vinyls.
“I didn't know you were into classics,” I admitted, looking at the woman ringing each one. “Queen, Abba, Lionel Richie... Quite eclectic.”
She smiled, running her hand over the cover of Queen’s ‘News Of The World’ album. “They’re not for me; they’re for my dad. It’s our thing. I know I’m quite into modern stuff, but dad is a crazy music buff and he passed it on to me. We went through his vinyl collection together. He had more than eight hundred, you know? All in the basement music room. I’ll show it to you sometime. So now when I go out, I look to get some more. We will probably listen to them tonight together in the
music room.”
All the sorrow from before had escaped her when she talked about her father. The genuinely bright smile she usually sported was back in place. I’d known she loved her father. It was obvious, but I hadn’t known it ran that deep. He was her hero and that tightened my heart because I’d never had that, not even with Luke who I loved very deeply. I’d never really managed to lean on him, not with his alcohol problems and sorrow from losing my mother. I was the one who had stepped up much younger than I should have. Maybe it was why I was the way I was. Maybe not being able to rely on anyone made me too pragmatic.
I shook my head. “That’s lovely.”
She nodded, paying for her purchases, oblivious to my internal debate which I was grateful for.
We stopped at a clothes store where I indulged in a new oversized hoodie, much to her despair, before getting some coffees to go and meeting the guys in front of Oceanview.
“How was the shopping spree?” Archie asked, extending his hand to take my bags.
I shrugged. “It was okay.” I gave him my bags before looking into my handbag. “I’ve got some change for you–”
“Don’t insult me, Esme. Keep it.” He pointed at the store window. “I believe this is the cousin you mentioned?”
I looked up to see a glaring Alice. She was obviously not thrilled to have us here and I couldn’t blame her. Secret meetings in the back of her store were not something that the girl probably wanted. And you do?
I gave her a tentative smile. Her scowl softened a little, but her stance was still quite unwelcoming.
“Maybe we should have met somewhere else,” Antoine commented.
I shrugged. “It was the safest place. Let’s get this over with.”
I decided to play the friendly card as soon as we walked in to prevent my haughty brother from making even more of a mess of things.
“Hi, Alice. It’s very nice of you to let us use your–”
“He is waiting in the kitchenette in the back,” Alice interjected, cutting me off.
“Okay then…” Antoine muttered as we walked in a perfect line to the kitchen.
“Right on time.” I heard Ben’s voice, but Archie’s back was blocking my view. Stupid giant!
Antoine chuckled as we fanned out. “I feel like we’re in a James Bond movie. It’s so cool.” He grinned, cocking an eyebrow. “I’m quite dashing enough to be James Bond.”
Archie snorted, pointing at the bag Antoine was holding. “Not even in your dreams, French boy. You’re literally the goodies’ guy. You’re Q at best.”
“Q?” Antoine rested his hand on his heart. “How dare you? I dress way better and who would you be, Forbes? Bond himself?”
Archie looked smug, crossing his arms on his chest. “I’m tall, handsome, athletic, and with class. Obviously, I’m Bond!”
I rolled my eyes and dodged my brother when they started to argue about the European charm that Antoine had, but Archie was lacking.
I finally met Ben's dark orbs and his frown immediately changed into a beautiful smile.
“Hi, beautiful!” He opened his arms invitingly.
I stepped into his bone-crushing hug as he wrapped himself around me. I realized how much I’d changed. My heart still ached with longing, missing my friend and the life I had, but it was not the same. The crush… It wasn't there anymore.
“Are they always like that?” Ben asked once he let me go.
“So you’re the secondary love interest?” Archie asked.
Taylor chuckled at that. Archie beamed at her and she sobered straight away, pretending to look at the crochet blankets on the shelves.
“Yeah, and you’re the miserable SOB of a brother who used to make Esme suffer?”
Archie’s face paled before reddening with anger. “You listen–”
“And I’m the comic relief!” Antoine blurted, stepping in front of Archie.
“You don’t say…” Ben trailed off, eyeing Antoine up and down.
I never thought of Ben as judgmental, but right now I was not particularly keen on how he was looking at my new friend.
“Listen, Ben,” I said. “If you don’t want to, it’s okay. I understand, really. I’m not comfortable either with letting you do this.”
“No, Esme, that’s not it. Really.” He let out a sigh. “It’s fine. I’m going to New York anyway.”
“Okay.” I was still not convinced.
He smiled at me. “I have a present for you in the storeroom though. Come. I’ll show you.”
“Is it your penis?” Antoine asked seriously. “Because I’ve tried that tactic before and the success rate is pretty low.”
Archie snorted and looked at Antoine, sharing a smile of connivance with him. Ah, the friendship was still there. It just needed a common enemy to bring it back. Too bad that had to be sweet Ben Deluca.
I rolled my eyes at them. “Whatever it is, Ben, you can show them. They are my friends.”
He stood up. “One thing for sure, is that I’m pleased you came back to your senses and didn’t bring the sociopath.”
Archie nodded. “Ah, he does know your fiancé pretty well. It’s impressive.”
“Shut up, Archibald,” I snapped.
He raised a questioning eyebrow at me. Didn’t he know I cared for Caleb? He must do.
“We’re not here to talk about Caleb. We’re here to solve a murder. I think it’s time to keep our priorities straight!”
The room turned silent as everyone looked toward me as if I'd grown an extra head. It was the first time I’d really lost my temper, so everyone was giving me varying degrees of wariness. Well, except for Antoine who had a little side smile, seemingly saying, ‘I can see right through you’.
Archie nodded. “You’re right. I’m sorry.”
Ben sighed. “Sure.” He pointed to the storage door again. “Why don’t you go see your surprise while these guys show me the things I need.”
“Okay…” I trailed off.
“I’m coming with you,” Archie stated in a tone which left no place for argument.
Antoine stepped forward with a cheeky grin promising pain. “I’ll take care of your little boy toy. Go see your surprise.”
My worries vanished as soon as I saw Luke sitting on a stool.
“Esme!” He stood up.
“Dad!” I gasped, running into his arms and holding him tight.
He kissed the top of my head. “Oh, I missed you.”
“I missed you too,” I mumbled, my face still buried in his chest. It was just so good to see him after eight months.
I stayed in his arms a few more minutes just reeling in his warmth, his smell of cheap soap and cologne that even now, after everything, still gave me a sense of security like it had when I was a little girl.
When I finally stepped out of his arms, he turned to Archie with a small smile.
“Archibald, I’m so happy to meet you.” Luke took a step toward him, but Archie took a step back throwing him a chilly look.
“I’d like to say likewise, but…”
“Archie!”
Luke raised his hand. “No, it’s alright, Esme. I understand.”
“Do you?” Archie asked, crossing his arms on his chest. “You lost your sister. Did you even imagine the agony I was in for not having mine?”
“It was much more complicated than that and I know you know that now.” Luke pointed at my engagement ring. “We both know there was a fate we wanted her to avoid. You tried to help her leave. I can imagine quite well how making this choice ripped you apart.”
Archie stood closer to me and wrapped an arm around my waist. “It was a painful and yet easy choice to make.”
I leaned against him, resting my head on his chest. “I love you, brother.”
Luke took the scene in with a small smile on his face. “But I'm happy she has you. I really am. At least I know that even in the midst of all of this, she has someone who loves her unconditionally and who will sacrifice everything for her. It helps me
stay away knowing that I have you to protect her even in her crazy plan to find out who killed Victoria.”
Archie stood straighter. “I’ll do everything I have to do to keep her safe. There is no stopping her when she wants something.” He looked down at me with a fondness that made my heart ache. “I rather be by her side every step of the way than to have her do stupid things behind my back.”
Luke laughed at that. “Yes, our Esme always had a mind of her own.”
I looked at Luke. He looked much better now – even better than before I'd left. “You look good.”
He nodded. “Thank you, yes. I took this detox as a fresh start. I have a new steady job, you know. It’s turned my life around. The lawyer your friend Taylor sent said that in another six months William will not be able to bring any action against me. You’ll be able to come home then.”
Archie’s hand tightened almost painfully on my back, tension radiating from him.
“I see.” I nodded. It was something that I was sure William knew himself. This was probably why he set the wedding just after graduation, still within the six months where he still had a pressure point. “But it doesn’t really matter,” I said. “I’m not leaving Archie.”
Luke took a step back, rejection flashing on his face.
“I’m sorry. You know I love you, and no matter what DNA says, you are and always will be my father. I hope that if one day I truly marry I will have you walking me down the aisle, but Archie is my brother and I won’t leave him behind no matter what – even if he begs me to.”
“What are you saying?”
I shrugged. “I’m saying that, well, we haven’t discussed it yet, so it’s a little awkward, but I’m planning to move with him to Providence and do my thing. Study there.”
Archie’s face lightened so much I knew it was the right choice. “Of course, you’ll move in with me! And I have enough pull. I’ll get you in Brown too.”
Luke's look was full of sorrow and I was sad, but I knew he understood. He had loved Victoria deeply. He’d chosen her too when he’d taken me in, breaking the law.
He nodded. “I’m reassured you’re okay, but if you need anything...both of you...I’m only a call away.”
Archie nodded. “Thank you,” he offered and I knew it was a genuine gesture from him. I knew him enough to know his answer would normally have been ‘we don't need anyone’.
