I couldn’t avoid this meeting forever, might as well get it over with.
Ignoring my missed calls, I stepped back out onto the sidewalk, only to be blocked by two burly men carrying a diner booth out the front door nearby.
A middle aged, dark-skinned woman followed them, smiling at me as she drew near.
“Getting an update?” I asked, gesturing to the ripped booth and then looking back at the building where the name “Boathouse” hung. There weren’t any boats nearby, but it was Florida so I guessed the name sort of made sense.
“Vacating,” she explained. “My brother owned the place, but decided to move north. Too hard to make a go of it when the town is dead half the year.”
“I hear you.” I remembered how hard it had been to hear that Mom’s diner was going under. “My family had a place around here about ten years ago, but season stopped being able to carry us through the summer.”
“Ahhh.” She laughed. “It’s good to meet another person who’s actually from here. Other people don’t get it.”
“If it’s your brother’s place, why are you here?”
“Supervising.” She grinned. “He had an appointment and promised I wouldn’t have to lift a finger.”
I liked the woman. “I wonder what it’d take to do a good business year-round in this town.”
She leaned in. “As a businesswoman myself, I hate to admit this. You need a gimmick. Daquiri Deck across town seems to do well. Then you have the places further south that are former haunts of famous dead people. You need something that’ll get you in the tour books.”
I must have looked lost in concentration because she spoke loudly. “Wanna see the place?”
I agreed without a second thought.
I felt a surge of energy walking through the door, a surge of remembrance. Ally’s had meant a lot to me growing up. It’d meant even more to my mom.
The interior was warm with wooden plank floors and Caribbean blue walls. The blue booths that were being taken out were old and torn, but the wooden tables were nice. Nautical paintings hung on the walls and a wooden boat hung from the ceiling.
The bar was oak and smooth with only a few imperfections in it.
“This place is gorgeous.” I stepped out of the way as two workmen bustled by.
“I’m sad to see him close up.”
I stepped around the bar and went back into the kitchen. It needed a thorough cleaning, but seemed to be in fine order.
An idea formed in my mind.
“I assume he doesn’t own the building.”
“Oh no,” she said. “He rents, but the landlord is great. Are you in the market for a storefront?”
“I’m not sure.” It was honest at least.
She laughed and shuffled through papers around the register, plucking a business card out of the mess. “This is the real estate company that rents this place.” She pulled a second card out of her purse. “I own a printing and design company. If you do decide to go for it, I’ll give you a deal on menus, flyers, and the like. I’d like to see this place succeed.”
I looked down at her card then back up at her and smiled. “Nice to meet you, Ana. I’m California.”
“What a cool name.” She laughed. “I’m assuming you have a gimmick in mind?”
“I just might.”
By the time I got home, I was late for my meeting with Nicole. Ignoring her phone call, I powered up my computer and pulled up the video chat. Her irritated expression filled my screen seconds later.
“Oh, you know you love me,” I said.
Her face softened. “Whatever Callie.” Nicole was just what you’d expect a trust fund L.A. woman to be like, and I loved her for it. She was the one true friend I’d made in all my years out there, no matter how much we disagreed on business matters. In a way, I think it was because she reminded me of Morgan.
“A and P is offering more than Hendrick’s at the moment,” she said.
“That’s because my father’s offer isn’t exactly serious. His acquisitions department wanted Emma, and he let them try. If he thought for a moment that I’d sell the rights, he’d outbid everyone. There’s no way he’d let anyone else make that movie, and there’s no way I’d let anyone but him.”
“Then sell to him.”
I sighed.
“Tell me, Cal, why is it exactly that you’re so against this?”
“I don’t know if I can explain it.”
“Try.”
I pursed my lips together, clicking my tongue. “I don’t know, okay. Every time someone mentions this story being on screen, I freak out a little. Eventually, I know that I will agree. I’m just not ready.”
I slapped my hand over my mouth, unable to believe I just told her that. Nicole might be a friend, but she was also a businesswoman. Now that I’d said I was going to sell, the vultures would start swooping in even lower.
A satisfied smile spread across her face. “I knew you’d see it our way, eventually.”
“Our way?”
“Dylan stopped by the office yesterday.”
The usual longing or sadness at the mention of his name didn’t come. This time it was anger. How dare he come anywhere near my book? It was my family’s story. He could go screw himself.
And I said exactly that to Nicole.
She squished her face, looking at me with the disapproval she never even tried to hide. “This does involve him, Callie.”
“Emma is mine,” I growled.
“Not according to the courts.” Her defense of him added to my fury.
“Nicole, you find a way to get him to bug off, or I won’t even show you the new book that’s nearly finished.” If you could call five chapters finished. “I have a feeling I’d have my pick of agents.”
She jerked back as if I’d slapped her, but I didn’t give her the chance to respond before slamming the lid of my computer closed. Realistically, I knew there was nothing she could do, but she talked about him as if she was okay with that fact.
The rumble of a bus coming down the street sounded outside, so I put my computer away, stowed my anger, and went from Callie to mom as I opened the door and waited for Jackson to come running.
Kids were a great weapon against best friends who insist on grieving alone.
Amber invited us over for dinner. I didn’t know her that well, but I did know she was a fabulous cook. She’d been keeping both Jay and Colby fed since getting married.
Jackson idolized Jay and Colby, picking up on their mannerisms and phrases. It was a big reason for moving here. After leaving Dylan, the boys needed men in their lives they could look up to.
“Callie,” Amber said in relief, opening the door. “I’m so glad you guys came.”
“Of course.” Noticing the tension in her shoulders, I handed her Declan who was in a particularly huggy mood. She smiled, squeezing him close. “Where is he?”
“The living room. He isn’t drinking tonight because the boys were coming.”
“Well, at least he has enough sense to not make me hurt him. Has it been every night?”
She nodded. “I just don’t understand why he’s reacting like this. His father always seemed more like a business partner than family.”
“There’s a lot of history with this family,” I said. “I’m sure it’ll be explained to you when he snaps out of it, because he will.”
She nodded and looked to the boys. “You go in first. I’ll watch these three. I want you to talk to him before Colby and Jamie get here.”
That surprised me. “I’m assuming you didn’t tell him his brother was coming?”
“If I did, do you think even the boys’ presence would keep him from drinking?”
Running a hand down my long sleeved black sweater dress, I put on my calmest face. This was Jay. I knew how to deal with him. He’d been the one person I’d always understood growing up, and it’d worked both ways. I didn’t know what the last few years were like between him and his father, but I knew what the younger
years were like. It’d been good between them. Even when Jamie was on the opposing end of their father’s fist, Jay never got the brunt of it. And that cut to the heart of Jay’s problem with his brother, especially in light of their father’s death.
Guilt.
Jay sat in a suede chair facing the fake fireplace, his elbows on his knees. A glass swung in his hands filled with clear liquid.
“Don’t get your panties in a bunch.” He didn’t bother to look up. “It’s water.”
I smiled. There was the Jay I knew. The couch was empty, but I went to him instead and sat on the arm of his chair.
“Hello, old chap,” I said in my terrible British accent. It was a thing we did.
“Would you like a wee bit of the dram?”
A laugh burst out of me. “I thought that was water. A dram is whiskey.”
“One can always dream.”
I smacked the side of his head. “I’m glad you’re at least joking a little.”
He shrugged. “Are my nephews here?”
I played with his dark hair, combing my fingers through the soft locks. “Are you going to be a jerk?”
“I don’t want to be.”
“Not even when your brother shows up?”
“Dammit Amber! When will she stop trying to meddle?” He ripped the glass back from me and threw back the rest of the water.
“She loves you.”
He grunted.
“So does Jamie, by the way.”
“Don’t tell me you’re falling for his crap again.” He fixed me with a glare.
“He’s different.”
“Callie, he dropped us. Get that? We meant nothing to him. You’d do well to remember that. My dad did.”
I bit back the retort I wanted to make about what Jamie’s dad thought of him. It’d only make things worse.
“I’m only going to say this once.” I lowered my voice. “If you start something in front of my kids, I’ll have to rethink your relationship with them. Show them their uncle Jay’s worst attributes, and that is all they will remember. And Jay, the worst thing about you has always been how you see your brother.”
I stood and straightened my dress before leaving him to think about what I’d said. I let the boys go in to see him while I followed Amber to the kitchen.
As she was pulling the roast out of the oven, the doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it,” I told her.
Jamie and Colby stood side by side, laughing at something they’d been discussing as if it was the funniest thing in the world. Seeing the two of them together made me smile.
“You boys look good.” I eyed Jamie’s khakis and button up and Colby’s sport coat and slacks.
“And you are the most beautiful creature I have ever laid eyes on.” Jamie stepped closer, his breath warming my skin before grazing my cheek with his lips. He stepped back and winked, knowing exactly what he was doing to me. Colby steadied me in a big hug.
“Breathe, sis.” He laughed.
I finally found my voice. “Glad you had the night off.”
“I wouldn’t miss this. It’s been ten years since we’ve all been together.”
“Um, we were all at the funeral.”
“No.” He looked sideways at Jamie who met his grin. “I mean all of us.”
I didn’t get a chance to question it because Morgan came running up the driveway, her long blond hair blowing out behind her like she was some beach babe in a movie.
My feet caught up before my brain, and I pushed past the boys, meeting Morgan on the front porch. We collided into a crushing hug.
“I thought you weren’t coming home until Christmas,” I yelled.
“Nothing was keeping me there, and when you told me you were back, I couldn’t wait.”
We were joined on the front porch by my three boys who were yelling in excitement along with us, although they didn’t know the reason why.
“Oh my gosh, I haven’t seen Jacks and Liam in years.” Morgan bent down to look at each of them. “You boys are so tall.”
“And you’ve never met Declan,” I said.
She snatched him from Amber’s arms, and he hugged her. Yep, she was a goner. “What’d you say?” she asked. Declan had whispered something to her.
He raised his voice. “Eat shit.”
“Oh my Gosh.” I covered my face in my hands as Jamie suppressed a laugh beside me and the others stared in surprise.
“I think what he means,” Jamie said, knowing full well that was Declan’s new favorite phrase. “Is eat roast. It smells delicious.”
“Come on.” Amber waved them in. “It’s ready.”
12
Jamie
It should’ve been exciting, should’ve been fun. Instead, it was awkward as hell. Morgan and Callie chatted excitedly, but the rest of us stared down at our food and ate in silence, waiting. What we were waiting for, I couldn’t say. Maybe for Jay to explode; for this entire nightmare to come to a head.
I glanced up at him as he picked at his food. My father’s death hit him hard. I tried to form some kind of sympathy. I wanted to be as sad as him. The truth was, a relief was beginning to settle in me, and I hated that I felt that way. No wonder my brother wouldn’t speak to me.
Callie smiled across at me, lifting my mood. When Morgan called Colby and told him she’d just gotten back to town and wanted to surprise Cal, I wasn’t sure it was a good idea. Now I had no doubts. Callie had never been exactly carefree, but the years had worn her down even more. She deserved to be happy.
I swallowed a bite of potato, continuing to watch her.
“Well...” Morgan’s eyes scanned the faces around the table. “This is sufficiently awkward.”
“Morgan.” Callie shook her head, but Morgan had never been one to hold anything back.
“No, seriously. It’s the first time in ages that we’ve all been back together. Jamie looks like he’s scared to say anything. Jay looks like he wants to punch someone. His wife looks like she doesn’t have a clue what to do. And Colby, well you just look sexy as ever.” She winked at him.
I chuckled. “Leave it to Morgan to make things even worse.”
“It’s what I do.” She shrugged. “Okay, children. I haven’t kept up with some of you so we’re going back to kindergarten since we obviously need an ice breaker. Go around the table and tell us what you’ve been up to since the day we all got out of this Gosh forsaken town. Man, I can’t believe we’re back.” She shivered. “Anyway, Colby can start.”
“Being that I’ve kept in touch with almost all of you -” he started.
“Just do it,” Morgan snapped.
He flashed her a grin. “Fine. The past ten years have been all about school and my residency.”
“Girlfriend?” Morgan asked.
He laughed. “Jay and Amber keep trying to set me up with people, but I’ve been too busy.”
“Colby.” She stared at him. “You’re boring. Next.”
“You see what I’ve been up to.” Callie gestured to the boys who were squirming in their seats looking bored.
“And the book,” Morgan said.
Callie looked down, a blush rising in her cheeks. Man, that girl was still as cute as ever. She still couldn’t stand attention.
“I’m writing another one,” she admitted.
“Really? You didn’t tell me that.” Colby leaned forward.
Callie breathed in deeply. I knew that look on her face. She was about to tell us something we weren’t going to like.
“It’s about that night.”
Silence.
We all knew which night she was referring to. The same night that haunted us all these years later. My initial thought was that maybe this would be good for Callie, to get it out. I’d let those demons go a long time ago, replaced by others. She never had.
A few days ago, I tried to help her, but I never thought that one moment in the locker room was enough. It was the most real moment I’d had in years and also the most vulnerable. For
both of us. I wondered if she was thinking about that.
Morgan’s face had gone white beside Callie. Morgan’s brother, Troy, had been the only casualty in the shooting other than the shooter himself. It’d almost destroyed her family.
“Morgan,” Callie said tentatively.
“No.” Morgan stood. “You can’t do it.” She walked out and moments later we heard the front door slam.
Callie sat stunned for just a second before following her out.
“Some game,” Colby murmured.
“I want to finish it,” Jay said, his voice low.
“Boys.” Amber stood and picked up Declan out of his chair. “Why don’t we go put on some TV in the basement.”
When they were gone, it was just the three of us. Colby might have forgiven me, but I’d hurt him all the same.
“Come on, brother.” Jay’s last word was said like a curse. “You’re the one no one has talked to. Tell us. What was so important over the years that made you disappear?”
When I didn’t respond, he spoke again. “Maybe you just didn’t care.”
He was goading me. It was a favorite tactic of my dad’s. Be a jerk until he could make me act like an even bigger jerk, thereby justifying any consequences.
I was well versed in this type of warfare, but it still worked on me. Anger buzzed through my veins.
“It was easier,” I growled.
“And Jamie Daniels always takes the easy road.”
“Is that what you really think?” I yelled. “Do you even know what I’ve been doing?”
“Dad always said the army wasn’t exactly the best of the best.”
I barked out a laugh. “Of course he did! I was in one of the most elite forces in the world, and he still found ways to be disappointed in me. Classic.”
“Don’t you dare talk about him.”
“Okay, I’ll tell you what you want to know. But you’ve been warned. What I have to say is going to change how you see me. Always does.”
“Couldn’t get any worse,” he scoffed.
“It can always get worse.” I looked sideways at Colby, wishing he wasn’t there, but Jay was asking for it. I leaned forward, hands flat on the table. “I’ve been killing people. Usually with my rifle, sometimes with my bare hands, but the result is always the same. Most of them deserved it, some were an accident.” I was exaggerating for his benefit. “And I’m good at it.”
Invincible- The Complete Set Page 27
