Advice from a Jilted Bride

by Rayne, Piper

  Rome holds his hands up. “We didn’t do anything. You’re speculating. I’m pretty sure we’re not his only enemies.”

  “I’m also pretty sure your sister is the only woman he’s left at the altar recently.”

  The whole bar sighs and instinctively, my hand ventures under the table and grabs Brooklyn’s thigh. She’s not mine, but someone has to tell her it’s okay. This will pass.

  The twins’ chairs fall forward to four legs and their elbows rest on the table.

  “You want to know where we were…” Rome starts.

  “Yes,” the Sheriff answers.

  “Don’t answer anything. I’m calling Uncle Brian.” Savannah steps toward us to grab her purse, but Brooklyn can’t get it before Liam interrupts.

  “They were with me.”

  The Sheriff’s eyes shift to Liam, leaned back and relaxed like his best friends.

  “You’re not a very good alibi. You’re probably the one who took the tires and the engine.”

  Liam smirks but says nothing. “There you go, jumping to conclusions again.”

  The Sheriff does not look amused at their run around. “That’s it. All three of you, you’re coming back to the station with me.” He crooks his finger.

  The three men stand willing to go, but I’m sure not even torture would get them to talk.

  “I’m going, too,” Savannah says.

  “I’ll call my lawyer. We’re good, Savannah.” Liam touches her arm and she flings it back.

  “Yeah, you probably have a great criminal attorney on call, right?”

  Liam narrows his eyes at her. “It’s a shame. So damn gorgeous and smart but you can’t unwind and see what’s right in front of you.”

  She blows out a breath and shakes her head but never answers.

  “Oh Jesus, look at the circus Jeff has caused. I might as well send in selfies for Buzz Wheel to use because I’ll be in it forever.” Brooklyn’s hand grips my bicep.

  “No. No. It’ll blow over,” Juno assures her.

  “They were with me.” The words tumble from my mouth before my brain can wrap around the reality of the consequences of what I’m doing. It means me giving the Sheriff my real name with the hopes he doesn’t tell anyone. Or maybe he won’t ask for an official statement.

  Everyone stops and turns in our direction.

  The Sheriff looks at me skeptically. “Who are you?”

  “I’m the new manager at Glacier Point. Wyatt Moore.”

  “Where were you with the boys exactly?” he asks.

  Rome and Denver’s eyebrows scrunch over at us.

  Shit. Where were we?

  Rome gives the smallest of nods over to Liam behind the Sheriff’s back.

  “We were at Liam’s tattoo place. I keep forgetting the name of it, but this town is new to me.”

  “Smokin’ Guns,” Liam says, a smile playing on his lips.

  I snap my fingers. “I promise man, I’ll remember one day.”

  “Were you getting a tattoo?” the Sheriff asks, gaze narrowed.

  “Me? No. But…”

  “I got one.” Rome steps forward.

  The Sheriff’s attention falls to him. “Let’s see it.”

  “Sir, it’s covered up,” Liam says.

  “Uncover it. You’re the professional.”

  Liam looks around. “This is hardly a sanitary place.”

  Sheriff Miller loses the last ounce of his patience. “Fine, let’s go to your tattoo shop.”

  Denver raises his hand to the bartender. “We’ll be back.”

  “Oh, and you can come, too.” The Sheriff points to me.

  Brooklyn slides out of the booth and slides her arm through mine, as though we’re a united front.

  “Dumbasses, I swear,” Savannah mumbles. “Though, if they go to jail for this, I wish they’d have really beaten the shit out of him. He got off easy.”

  “Feel free to throw a mug his way,” Juno teases while she climbs out of the booth.

  Savannah rolls her eyes in response.

  All of us leave Lucky’s and head three doors down, walking into Liam’s tattoo shop. There’s a big guy cleaning some equipment and he follows us over to another bench.

  Rome strips off his shirt and leans down so his back faces us showing off a large bandage. Liam washes his hands, puts on a pair of gloves, staring at Savannah as he snaps the gloves into place.

  She rolls her eyes.

  He peels back the bandage and there sits a blackbird with two lines of script.

  “It’s beautiful,” Brooklyn coos next to me.

  “As you can see Sheriff, it’s still healing and fairly fresh,” Liam says.

  The Sheriff nods his head. “Go ahead and cover it up.” The tough-ass act morphing into exasperation.

  “Wait,” Brooklyn says, stepping forward to read the script. She smiles and looks to Juno who steps up beside her.

  “Oh Rome.” Juno swipes a tear from her eye.

  “Cover it, Liam,” he says, but Liam can’t move fast enough because Savannah comes over and then she looks to Liam. They share a look I can’t describe, like they’re having a conversation with their eyes. Liam nods and his gaze veers to Savannah’s waist before concentrating back on the bandage.

  “For Mom and Dad?” Brooklyn asks after Rome puts his shirt back on.

  “Obviously.”

  “‘I will carry you with me. ‘Til I see you again.’ It’s beautiful, Rome.” Brooklyn sits next to him on the bench.

  “Fine.” Sheriff Miller looks to me. “You were with them the entire time?”

  “Yeah. We were here.”

  “Okay. I’ll let this go, but I hope this puts an end to everything, do you understand?” Sheriff shoots them all a warning glare, like a father disciplining his child.

  “Yes,” Denver says, a serious look on his face.

  It’s the oddest thing. Rome and Denver have lost their tough, screw-society-and-their-rules mentality. The Sheriff is looking at them like lost boys more than men who broke the law. Juno has tears slipping down her cheeks. Even the chip on Savannah’s shoulder has disappeared. And Brooklyn, she’s taking off her shirt and pushing up off her seat.

  Whoa. What the hell?

  “Come on Liam. Give me the same thing but with a feminine touch.”

  “Um… Brooklyn.” Rome stands over her. “What are you doing?”

  “I’m copying you. I’m assuming you don’t mind.” She turns to Liam. “I don’t want the big wings like he has but oh… maybe a few smaller birds flying.”

  Liam looks over to Savannah who blushes.

  Seriously, are they screwing behind everyone’s back?

  “I mean the fact you just stripped naked in front of everyone,” Rome grinds out.

  Brooklyn’s forehead scrunches. “A bra is just like a swimsuit.”

  If I were Rome, I’d argue that there isn’t lace on a swimsuit and I’d also mention that she looks way too hot to do what she did without expecting a reaction. Shit. I shake that thought away. Rome is her brother. Of course, he wouldn’t think the same way I would. The same way that’s causing my dick to grow in my pants.

  I really need to get laid to get her out of my mind. She’s not even close to my type of woman—the kind who doesn’t expect breakfast the next morning. Then add on the fact she’s mourning over a relationship… usually I wouldn’t care because it works for the kind of sex I prefer, but for some reason this girl… this woman has me caring.

  “You have Colt and Wyatt here,” Rome says like she’s not getting it.

  “And me.” Liam raises his hand, although I have to think he thinks of her as more of a sister. Then again, with the looks he’s been giving Savannah all night who knows?

  “What happened to ‘she’s my sister too’, asshole,” Denver repeats the words Liam must have said before they enacted their revenge on Jeff.

  “I like revenge.” He laughs and looks to Brooklyn, applying an antiseptic wipe on the back of her shoulder.
>
  “What are you doing?” Rome asks.

  “Last I checked, Brooklyn is older than you dipshits and can make her own decisions. And you know I think ink is good for the soul.” He picks ups a book and flips the pages before holding it out to Brooklyn. “What do you think of this?”

  “I need a beer.” Rome storms into the back, Denver following.

  “Get me one while you’re back there.” Liam laughs, knocking Brooklyn with his fist because he’s joking.

  “Are you sure, Brook?” Savannah asks, her eyes once again finding Liam. “Blackbirds?” Her eyes fall to the picture, turning a scathing look toward Liam.

  He smiles.

  “Oh, this is gorgeous, Liam. Did you do this?” she asks, pointing to the picture.

  He nods, a proud smile on his lips.

  “Let me see,” Juno rushes over. “Oh, I want one.”

  “Just when you thought you were off shift,” the guy next to me says, laughing and then looks at me. “Sorry, we haven’t met yet. I’m Colton Stone. Juno’s friend.”

  “Wyatt.”

  “I heard already.” He smiles. Seems nice enough. Dark hair, clean cut, muscular.

  “Small town. Right.” I nod and lean back on my heels, hands in my pockets.

  “Do we get a special?” Juno asks.

  “Both of you, stop,” Savannah says. “Why are you getting tattoos?”

  Brooklyn looks to Savannah. “It’s fun. Come on. Join in for once.”

  Liam places the transfer on her shoulder.

  Savannah grabs her purse. “I have work to do.”

  “You work too hard,” Liam calls out after her.

  “See you all tomorrow.” She waves her hand without looking back and the door chimes with her departure.

  Brooklyn’s eyes find mine after her sister leaves and Liam’s needle buzzes. Rome and Denver bring beers for everyone and we all congregate in the lobby as Brooklyn takes her pain like a champ. Not wincing once.

  This woman, she surprises me every damn day.

  Twenty

  Wyatt

  Once Liam finishes tattooing Juno and Brooklyn, everyone stands to leave. The boys are definitely half lit. Juno and Colton the soberest of any. Well, other than Liam. Brooklyn’s eyes are a little glazed, but I started counting her drinks after her tattoo. She hasn’t had that much.

  “Want a ride?” Colton asks us.

  “Su—”

  “Nope. We’re good,” Brooklyn interjects.

  “You sure?” he asks a second time because he’s probably thinking what I am—you’ll never make it back on both feet.

  The hell if I want to carry anyone home tonight.

  “It’s too nice to drive. Come and I’ll show you Lake Starlight.” She hooks her arm through mine.

  We say our goodbyes to the guys and Juno and Colton.

  “I have a bad feeling I’ll be carrying you half the way,” I say with a chuckle.

  “Nope.” She grabs a light pole and swings around it like we’re in a musical.

  She’s happy and I find myself smiling at seeing her without the worry of a wedding that didn’t happen and the success or failure of her business hanging over her head. Since I started helping her with the business, it’s evident she has a lot riding on the essential oil business. Not just money but self-worth.

  We turn away from downtown to head toward the lake where we can follow it around to our apartment complex.

  “Does the tattoo hurt?” I ask.

  She looks at me over her shoulder. “No, but I sleep on my back so I’m a little worried how I’ll manage that.”

  Great, now all I can picture is her in bed.

  She continues to walk ahead of me, the moonlight glowing down on her as she picks up small pebbles at the side of the path and tosses them into the lake. “Do you think every kid thinks their parents had a perfect relationship?”

  I want to answer God no, just look at my parents. My mom is neglected most of the time because my dad is working, though I don’t think she resents it, just thinks that’s the way it is. The last time I saw them kiss was forever ago.

  With my silence, she continues, “I was sixteen when my parents died. In a way I was lucky. Phoenix and Sedona probably don’t remember anything about them. You know what kills me the most about this whole Jeff thing?” She sits down on the lake’s edge, the moonlight giving her an ethereal quality.

  “What?” I join her.

  “I used to see my parents kiss and hug and hold hands when no one was looking. I’d go to the kitchen for a snack or my mom would bring something to the grill for my dad. It was in the most unlikely of places and times that I’d find them in an embrace or a kiss. Their love was so strong. I wanted that, but I think I forced it. Yeah, I’m pissed at Jeff, but maybe he did me a favor.” She throws a rock into the lake and it plops in, sending small ripples circling out.

  “I think a lot of girls grow up wanting that fairy tale.”

  “That’s just it. I did want the husband and the family, but what I wanted most was that kind of love. Walking up to the man I love because I need his arms around me like my next breath. Thinking I can’t go a moment longer without his lips on mine.” She looks over at me, meeting my gaze. “You probably think it sounds stupid.”

  I pick up a few of my own rocks. “Not at all. I think as much as you’ve wanted to find love, I’ve found a way of dodging it.”

  She glances over to me, her head tilted. “Why?”

  “We should get going.” I stand, toss the pebbles into the water then hold my hand out for her. She accepts it and I pull her up.

  “I’ll take your silence to mean you don’t want to tell me?”

  “Why does there have to be a reason?”

  She looks at me as though my skin is paper thin, and she can see right through me. She knows there’s a reason for me feeling that way and I can’t deny she’s right, so I’ll plead the fifth.

  “I forgot to thank you,” she interrupts the silence between us and takes a few steps back. “For helping out my brothers. I know they did it and the car thing has Liam written all over it.”

  “I’m not sure if it was me or the tattoo that made the Sheriff give them a break.”

  She huffs. “Sheriff Miller and my dad went to school together. I think he forgets why Rome and Denver are the way they are sometimes. They were fourteen when my parents died and don’t get me wrong, they weren’t angels before the accident, but after they just didn’t give one shit about authority. Austin went rounds and rounds with them during high school. Rome ran away from Lake Starlight to work in Europe for a while and Denver picked a dangerous job. I guess my parents’ dying affected all of us in different ways. But you’re right. Rome’s tattoo reminded the Sherriff what they’ve lost.”

  Her matter of fact way of talking about her parents’ death surprises me. They seem to all be able to talk about it fairly easily.

  “What made you step up and get one?” I take her hand, leading her around a mud puddle.

  “I just saw it on Rome and thought that I wanted to tribute them, too. You’re going to think I’m stupid, but I wanted to be someone else for a change—someone who takes chances and lives for the moment. My eyes were on the fairy tale since I met Jeff and I’m exhausted by it all. I wanted a change. Maybe I don’t need a man to be happy.” She smiles over at me and my feet slow, wanting only to taste her lips. To tell her she’s going to knock some guy on his ass one day. Hell, she’s already done a number on me. I’m not the lucky guy, but he’s out there. One day she’ll get her happy ever after.

  “I think that’s a great plan.”

  We reach our apartment complex parking lot, the lights casting aside the moonlight.

  “You need to trust a woman not to hurt you, too, Wyatt.”

  I say nothing and she stops us under a light post.

  “I’m serious. I get that something happened to mess up your belief in love, but you have to let someone in at some point.”

  “
You sound like my mom.”

  She laughs. “Well, you’ve done so much for me and you barely know me.”

  I feel like I’ve known her forever.

  “I’ll consider it.”

  She shakes her head and abandons me by the light pole, walking to the door of the building.

  How bad would it be if I kissed her?

  Really bad, I remind myself.

  She’s finding herself and doesn’t need to go missing again by investing herself in a guy whose real name she doesn’t even know and who has a real life thousands of miles away.

  Instead of running to catch her off guard and taking her head in my hands, planting a long and languid kiss on her lips, I settle for admiring her from a distance.

  She’s a mirage, because there’s no way she can be as good as she appears.

  Twenty-One

  Brooklyn

  The day couldn’t be better for my first appearance at the Farmer’s Market. It’s sunny and warm and people are already milling around waiting for it to open.

  “Thanks for helping me, Juno,” I say as she puts up the tent over our table with the banner Wyatt surprised me with last night.

  “I love this, Brooklyn.” Juno holds out a business card with my logo and company name. He also had labels, business cards and postcards made up. “How did you come up with Earth’s Potions?”

  I continue stocking the table, putting together some of my specialty packages. “Wyatt kept calling them my potions and the idea snowballed from there.”

  We sit down on the folding chairs and I organize the money and the card reader thingy Wyatt suggested would be helpful so I could accept debit and credit cards. I kind of wished he could be here with me, but my brothers wanted to thank him for being their alibi by inviting him out to an axe throwing competition. Men.

  “Did Colton go with them?” I ask.

  “Of course. I swear sometimes I think he’s our fifth brother.”

  “That’s why he’d make a great addition to the family.” I raise my eyebrows and she rolls her eyes.

  “We’re friends. Look, you and Wyatt are friends. Men and women are capable of having platonic relationships.” Juno crosses her legs and sips her iced coffee. “Though I still say there’s something there…”