He’d been that for Jay. Whatever problems I’d had with the man, or with Jay’s relationship with him, I had to realize that my brother just lost a father he’d loved in a sudden and tragic way.
I sighed, waiting for him to be ready.
“He went to see you, you know?” Jay folded his hands together on the table.
“When?” Sergeant Carlson’s words came to me then, and I didn’t have to wait for an answer to know. “After I was shot.”
Jay nodded, bringing his mug to his lips. “It was the first I’d heard of you in years, but dad had been keeping track of your career through a friend of his. We thought you were going to die.”
I choked down a sip of coffee. “Just another disappointment, I’m sure.”
Jay, ever the calm brother, studied me, not rising to the bait. “We’d lost you long before that.”
His words were meant to make me feel some of the pain I’d caused, but they rang hollow instead. “Sometimes the past should stay in the past.”
“We weren’t your past, Jamie. We were your family.”
“Then maybe you should have acted like it,” I growled.
The tension between us held taut while our waitress returned and placed food in front of us.
“Can I get you anything else?” she asked.
“No,” we answered in unison, still staring at each other.
She practically ran from our presence.
Neither of us touched our food, and our stand-off was suddenly ended when Jay looked away. “You said you were just a kid.” He met my eyes once again. “But so was I, Jamie.”
We began to eat in silence. The food was bland, but I suspected anything would taste bad during that conversation.
When he’d finished eating, Jay pushed his plate away, took a sip of coffee, and looked up at me for the first time since shoveling the first bite into his mouth.
“I never saw him hit you,” he said. “But I knew it was happening. I didn’t know how bad it was, but when I left for college, I could pretend it didn’t exist. I could pretend I didn’t see the vulnerability in your eyes every time I came home. I could pretend I didn’t know that you hated me. I was scared, Jamie, and it was easier to just close my eyes.”
I opened my mouth to say something, but he put up a hand to stop me.
“I need to get this out. When you left, not much changed. I was still away at school so not hearing from you didn’t seem very strange. Then before I knew it, I was graduating and hadn’t spoken to my brother in three years. So I tried to get in touch with you, but Colby and Callie told me the same thing - you’d truly broken away from your past. I don’t think I’d ever been both proud and sad at the same time before.”
“I had to do it, Jay.”
“I know. But I couldn’t let it go.” He smiled to himself. “I told dad that if he wanted me to take over the firm, he had to make things right with you.”
“I haven’t seen him since I left, but you’re still running the firm.”
“Well, he tried quite a few times. Each time he went to Fort Benning, you were out of the country.”
I relaxed back into my seat as the new information crashed over me. If I’d been there, would I have been able to forgive him?
I looked across at my brother, realizing there was one person I could forgive.
“I’m sorry,” I said, knowing he wasn’t the only person who deserved those words.
“Yeah, me too.” He sighed. “This is only the start to my apology tour. My wife tells me I’ve been quite intolerable.”
I shrugged. “If you hadn’t been, I’d have missed the chance to pummel you.”
One side of his mouth quirked up. “I seem to recall getting in a few punches myself.”
As if remembering, I touched the cut on my face and laughed. “Yeah, well I let you have that one.”
“I really am glad you’re back,” he said.
“Me too.” I thought of my army career ending prematurely to bring me here. It still hurt, but the loss was getting easier with each passing day.
“So,” Jay turned serious. “You and Callie together again.”
I lifted one shoulder in a shrug.
“She’s been through a lot.”
“So have I. We’re a little more damaged than we were before, but through everything, I never stopped loving her.”
“Has she told you… you know what, never mind.”
“Told me what?” I asked.
“I’m sure she will in time.”
“Jay.” I leaned forward, meeting his eyes.
He shook his head. “I shouldn’t have said anything. I have to get to work.” He stood, dropping a twenty on the table. “Thanks for talking. Sorry about your face.”
“Still looks better than yours.”
He walked away, shaking his head. I threw some bills on the table and followed him out, remembering what he’d said. Callie had something she hadn’t told me.
15
Callie
Aunt Kat met me outside the now empty building with a warm hug.
“Hi sweetie,” she said.
“Thanks for coming with me. This is kind of big.”
“You have no idea how happy your phone call made me.” She smiled. “Your mom would be so proud.”
I matched her smile and led her into the building where an older, portly man with a balding head was waiting. He wore jean shorts and a Hawaiian shirt and met us with a broad grin.
The restaurant looked different than it had before. All signs of boats or nautical themes had been removed and pure potential sat in its place.
“This place is great,” Kat exclaimed.
“I know.” I grinned.
“Welcome, welcome,” the man said. “My name is Frank. You must be California.” He extended his hand toward Kat.
“Uh,” I started. “I’m California. We spoke on the phone.”
He looked from Kat to me and back again. “Aren’t you a little young?”
“Didn’t you see my age on the paperwork I sent over?”
Kat jumped in. “I’ll have you know, my niece will make this a success.”
“The last two restaurants at this location did not last more than a couple years. What makes you think yours will be different?”
His question was fair.
“Because.” I grinned, looking to Kat. “We have a plan.”
I proceeded to outline what we wanted to do. His eyes widened as he scratched his chin. “You think that Gulf City is the place for such a restaurant?”
“Of course it is. Gulf City is where it all began.”
“Okay, then the place is yours.” He walked back toward the counter, and the contract that sat there. “I just need one final signature.”
I signed the papers, handed over the security deposit, and was given the keys to my very own kingdom.
My new landlord left, and Kat wrapped me in a gigantic hug.
“Ever since my book came out, I’ve been wondering what to do next.” I squeezed her back. “I’m not a writer. I think I know that now. I have one more story to tell, but it isn’t who I am. This feels right.”
“Ally’s diner should’ve been yours. I still feel the sting of that closing.”
“No, Kat. Ally’s was Mom’s place, her dream. If there’s one thing I learned writing about her, it’s that I need to forge my own path. She can be a part of it, but she can’t be the reason for it anymore.”
Tears hung at the corners of her eyes, threatening to fall.
“No,” I said. “Today isn’t sad. Come on. Let me show you what I have planned. The work crews start tomorrow, but it shouldn’t take long.”
Kat and I stayed all morning, pouring over drawings I’d done and making purchase lists. We were sitting at the counter when Ana walked in. She waved and grinned. “Hi, fellow Florida native.”
“Hey, Ana.” I laughed. “Surprised to see you here since this officially isn’t your brother’s place anymore.”
“I h
ad a feeling you’d go for it.” She slapped a folder down on the counter.
“What’s this?” Kat asked.
“Ana.” I motioned to my aunt. “This is Kat.”
“Since my brother is heading North, he has a ton of stuff we just cleared out of here that he needs to get rid of. I told him we were friends, so I’d bring it.”
I grinned at her presumption, finding myself wanting to be friends with her.
Kat scanned the lists, comparing it to the ones we’d been making to see what we could use.
“He’ll offer the best price you can get,” Ana said. “It’s all high end, relatively new kitchen gear, and you have an entire kitchen you need to stock.”
“This sure makes things easier,” I said.
“We’ll want to see it to check the quality before handing over any money.” Kat looked up.
“Of course,” Ana agreed. “I can meet you at the storage container around three.”
“That won’t work for me.” I looked to Kat. “I have to get the boys.”
“I’ll do it.”
“Thanks.”
“Do you have a chef yet?” Ana asked.
“That’s high on my agenda.”
“The boathouse had an excellent chef who is now looking for work. I’ll send him to cook you lunch here tomorrow, and if you hire him, he’ll help with hiring the rest of the kitchen staff.”
“Ana,” I said. “You’re a godsend.”
She shrugged. “I want to see this place succeed. Plus, I’m expecting all your printing business.”
“You’ve got it.”
“Good. I’ll tell Jasper to be here tomorrow at eleven.” She turned to Kat. “Meet me at Space Saving Storage at three. Unit 909.”
“Well,” Kat said after she left. “I guess we’re full steam ahead.”
“Here we go.”
I spent the afternoon with my nose in my computer, writing away. The story came easier than Emma had because I’d lived it, rather than just heard about it. I wasn’t writing about my mom this time. I was writing about me.
It wasn’t as painful as I’d been expecting. I was making great progress. It’d taken me years to write my first book, and my second would be done in about six weeks.
The door opened, and an instant smile came to my face as Jamie walked in. He bounded across the room and bent to kiss me.
“Missed you today,” he whispered.
A few weeks ago, I’d have thought it crazy if someone told me that Jamie Daniels was saying that to me, let alone that it was making me happy.
“You have a good day?” he asked.
“The best.”
“It’s all in how you wake up.” He arched a brow, and I laughed.
Making room for him on the couch, I set my computer aside. “How’d things go with Jay?”
“Better than expected.” He settled in next to me. “I think it’s going to be okay.”
A weight lifted off my chest at his words, and I leaned in to him.
“Is this real life?” I whispered.
His breath was warm on top of my head. “Probably not.”
“Pessimist.”
He chuckled. “That’s ironic coming from you. Does this new version shoot sunshine out of her butt or something?”
The rumbling of an oncoming bus shook the walls like an earthquake foretelling of doom. I couldn’t help but laugh. “Jacks is home.”
“Before he comes in, I have a question.”
“Yeah?”
“Jay seemed to imply there was something you had to tell me. Something big.”
My blood ran cold as I started shaking my head vigorously.
“Cal?”
“No.” I pushed up from the couch. “Jay was wrong.”
“Are you sure?”
“Leave this alone, Jamie.”
Saved by the kid. Jacks burst into the house.
“Hey, kiddo.” I moved in to hug him, trying to block out Jamie’s inquisitive stare.
“Mom,” Jacks stopped me. “You don’t need to hug me every time I get home. I’m nine.”
I smiled indulgently, even as my eyes met Jamie’s, willing him not to put it together. I wasn’t ready for that.
“Of course you are.” I ruffled his hair and took his backpack from him to set it aside.
Jacks ran into the living room, launching himself at Jamie for the hug he’d chastised me for. They sat side by side on the couch, and I couldn’t see it. Sometimes I thought there were unmistakable similarities, other times I figured I saw them only, because I was looking for them. A trick.
“Do you want a snack?” I asked.
“Yes,” both boys answered together.
I shook my head as I stepped into the kitchen to fix them something. Rejoining them, I looked to Jamie. “You mind hanging with him for a while? I have to go pick up Liam and Declan.”
But they were ignoring me as they argued about who would win a fight against Captain America.
No one, that was my answer. He was a soldier, and over the years, I’d made myself believe soldiers were unbeatable. It was stupid, but it was better than the worry that would eat me alive. Jamie had to be unbeatable. He just had to.
“Jasper, this is incredible.” I took another bite of the burger in front of me. That was the most important thing. Every restaurant needed to have a fantastic burger, or they weren’t worth going to.
It wasn’t the only thing Jasper made. Along the counter sat plates of various dishes he’d cooked up for his tryout. When he’d arrived, he helped the work crew unload the kitchen gear that’d been delivered this morning. Ana had been right. Her brother’s stuff was good quality and a fraction of the price we’d pay elsewhere. Kat had arranged for it to be delivered ASAP.
The smell of paint hit my nostrils, and I tried to block it out as I bit into a bite of pancake. The restaurant was getting a face-lift. Gone were the vibrant Caribbean blues in favor of softer ones. The floors were good, large plank fake wood. The new booths would be delivered next week.
It was Saturday, so on top of having my three boys with me, Kat and Noah were hanging around. Everyone had been slightly surprised when I finally revealed my plans, Colby most of all. He too had grown up at Ally’s diner. But he got it. What I was doing made me happy.
It was going to take a lot of hard work, but that didn’t scare me.
Jamie breezed in, eyeing the food.
“Go ahead.” I laughed.
He took a bite of the burger. “Oh my Gosh.”
“Right!” I turned to Jasper. “You’re hired. When can you start?”
He ran a hand through his bright red hair, thinking. “As soon as you need me, I guess.”
“Perfect. You start today. As you can see, we’re a mess here. I could use some help.”
“What do you need, boss?” He flashed me a boyish grin. He couldn’t be much older than me.
“The kitchen is your domain. We still have quite a few things to buy, but I need you to get it set up how you like it. Word will be out soon that we’re opening, so applications will be coming in. I’ll want your help with those.”
He wiped his hands on his apron. “All I did at the Boathouse was cook.”
“Then, it’s high time you step up.” I winked.
An adorable blush rose in his cheeks, and he ducked back into the kitchen.
“Careful, California,” Jamie whispered, his lips near my ear. “You’ll make the poor guy fall in love with you.”
I stepped away from him, too aware of the eyes surrounding us. One night didn’t exactly make us a couple, and I wasn’t ready to explain him to my boys. It was easier to tell them he was a friend.
Which was true.
“Hey, Callie.”
I turned to Noah who stood holding a squirming Declan. “Mind if I take the boys down the street to the park?”
I looked around at the paint preparations and laughed. “That’s probably a good idea.”
The crew worked quickly, everything s
tarting to come together. It was a whirlwind and I suddenly couldn’t imagine doing anything else. My days became full. I worked every day at the diner, taking a couple hours off every afternoon to write. Then evenings were spent with my boys or Jamie. We fell easily back into our pattern of bickering and laughing. It was comfortable. No, it was more than comfortable. It was right.
Morgan stuck around town, having brought her work with her. She was an accountant, if anyone could believe that, but I knew London would call her back soon.
Colby still worked more than anyone I knew, but he always made time for his nephews.
And Jay. Well, Jay was coming back to us, his uncharacteristic anger fading away.
It wasn’t quite like it used to be. We were all very different from those kids who had found their separate paths, but we were finding our way back.
16
Jamie
My finger hovered over one of the links in the email. It was from Sergeant Carlson.
Fort Benning is retooling our weapons training, and you’re the best weapons expert I’ve ever seen. The contractor who has the contract is looking to hire ex-special forces for the job. The guy leading the project was a Ranger himself. I sent them your name.
I could go back. The job was at Fort Benning. I’d live there for the duration - probably a year or so. I’d be around the guys again, my unit. Only, they weren’t my unit anymore.
Carlson sent me the link to C-corp, a government contractor who was handling the project. He’d also sent me a few other job opportunities.
Looking around Colby’s apartment, I was very aware the place wasn’t mine. I’d been here for over a month and didn’t want to wear out my welcome.
Could I leave?
My eye caught a picture of Callie on the end table, her hair blowing in the wind as she stood next to her board on the beach with Colby next to her.
That was my answer. Ten years ago, I’d made a decision. I’d left for the army. It was right at the time. We were kids, and I needed to figure out a lot about myself. This time it was different.
Invincible- The Complete Set Page 29
