Invincible- The Complete Set

by Michelle MacQueen

  “He’s working for the team he interviewed for, but asked for one of the posts in Tampa.”

  “Why would he do that?” I whispered. “All he wanted was to go back to his base.”

  “That’s not all he wanted.”

  I didn’t know if Jamie was sending me a sign, or just realized he didn’t want to go back to base as a civilian, but I felt hopeful for the first time since Dylan showed up.

  This wasn’t over.

  “Mommy has to make a phone call,” I told the boys as we pulled away from Jay’s. I dialed the number and was relieved when someone answered. “Scott,” I said.

  “California, hi. I’ve been waiting for your call.”

  “I know what show I want to go on. Think we can book Riley King?”

  “Callie, we can book just about anyone you’d like now that Emma is becoming a movie. You’re a big story.”

  “Great. Let me know the details when you have them.”

  Monday morning I got an email. Riley King had a cancellation for the following week and needed to fill a spot. They’d already booked my plane ticket to New York and would send me the questions in advance. Now I just needed to come up with a plan.

  I was in love with a stubborn, foolish, control-freak of a man, and he was going to forgive me, because it was always meant to be us.

  New York City was much bigger than I’d imagined. I’d seen the movies, and the immensity couldn’t be felt through the screen.

  But nothing felt quite so important to me as Jamie and the family we were going to be. It was going to be big and public, but I was out of apologies. They’d all fallen on deaf ears. Now it was time to make a fool of myself. The boy I knew would get a kick out of it. He’d once yelled at a gaggle of reporters at a campaign press conference for his father. That night, I’d told him I loved him for the first time.

  How had it gone so wrong? Those two kids had so much hope, so much faith - even after everything they’d been through. Life beat you down and it was finally time to get back up.

  My phone buzzed in my pocket, and I ducked into a coffee shop to answer it. “Hi, baby.”

  “Mom,” Jackson said. “When do you go on?”

  “Not for a little while.”

  “Moooom…”

  “Are you behaving for your Aunt Kat and Uncle Noah?”

  “Duh.”

  “Jackson, a yes or no will do.” I was glad he couldn’t see my silent laughter.

  “I’m always good.”

  I rolled my eyes. “Then tell Kat I said you can watch.”

  “Good because she already said we’re going out to a late dinner and will watch it there.”

  “She spoils you. I expect you in bed straight after you get home.”

  “Fine. I’ve got to go, Mom.”

  “Okay-” He hung up before I was finished, and I just shook my head.

  The coffee shop buzzed around me. The door chimed as I pulled my coat tighter when a gust of cold air was allowed to enter. I walked up to the long counter, eyeing the pastries underneath the smudged glass.

  “What can I get you?” a young man behind the counter asked.

  I didn’t take my eyes from the glass case. “A vanilla steamer please. And I’ll have a blueberry scone.”

  I took it to go as I was expected soon at the studio for the taping of the Riley King show. I’d declined a car, instead opting for the walk in the brisk winter air to work out my nerves. Yep, they weren’t worked out. My hand shook as I shifted my scone so I could open the door.

  Two women greeted me, one of which I knew.

  “Nicole.” I nodded toward her.

  She smiled as if she wasn’t engaged to my ex-husband. We had been friends back in L.A.. “California.” She hugged me, trying her best not to spill my steamer. “This is Amelia. She works for the show. She’ll show us to the dressing room.”

  “Us?” I raised an eyebrow.

  “There are things to discuss.”

  I nodded and turned to Amelia. “It’s nice to meet you. I’m Callie.”

  She smiled and pushed a perfectly straight lock of black hair from her shoulder. “I’m a big fan, Ms. Bay. Your mother was an icon.”

  I returned her smile. “She sure was to me. Lead the way.”

  The formalities reminded me that I wasn’t only here for Jamie. C. Bay, my pen name, had never given a video interview. Readers knew very little about me, only that I was the long-lost daughter of Emma Bay. Tonight was my coming out party, and I decided I wanted to enjoy it.

  Not even Nicole could ruin this.

  My life of obscurity was ending, but it needed to. My new book was being published under the name Callie McCoy, because that was who went through those events. But I wanted people to read it, I needed them to know our story. The only way for that to happen was for them to connect C. Bay and Callie McCoy. My two lives were merging, and I only hoped I’d always remember which one of them I was.

  Amelia left us in a dressing room that was stocked with food. She promised that hair and makeup would be there soon. An outfit hung on the back of the door in a garment bag.

  A thick silence descended upon us as I filled a plate.

  “Okay,” Nicole finally started. “We need to talk about some things.”

  “You’re fired,” I said impulsively, shoving a cookie into my mouth.

  She sputtered. “Excuse me?”

  I waved a finger, asking her to wait until my mouth was empty. “It’s not about all that crap with the movie rights or even Dylan. If he makes you happy, go for it.”

  “Really?”

  “Yep. Dylan and I should have never been married, but he gave me my boys, so I can’t say I regret it.”

  “Then why am I fired?” She twisted her low blond ponytail around her finger.

  “Oh, that. I’m quitting. I’m not a writer.”

  “What are you talking about? You’re fantastic.”

  “But I don’t love doing it.”

  “Wait, really? Your words are so passionate.”

  “Because I was passionate about the stories, not the act. I’ve said everything I needed to say. Writing was more therapy to me than anything else. It’s time I just get on with my normal life.”

  “But what about movie rights for the new book? You’ll need me for those.”

  “No movie.”

  “You said that last time.”

  “Would you want the worst day of your life on screen? No movie.”

  Someone came in then to help me get ready and Nicole grew quiet. It didn’t take long and when I stood up to leave, Nicole said, “I’ve enjoyed helping you tell your stories.”

  My lips curved up, and I walked out and toward the sound stage. Nothing could stop me today.

  My heart thudded in my ears as a producer directed me to the stage. It felt like it was miles from my entrance to the desk that Riley King was now standing behind. He leaned forward and shook my sweat coated palm.

  “California Bay, ladies and gentlemen.” He waved his hand toward a chair for me to sit.

  A beat passed before I realized I should probably say something. “It’s great to be here, Riley.”

  His palm smacked the desk. “It is wonderful to have you here. Look, I’m a huge fan. I grew up watching your mother and had the biggest crush on her. When your book came out, I devoured it. She really was an amazing woman, wasn’t she?”

  “She…” I cleared my throat nervously. “She was incredible.”

  “In your book, you describe her flight from Hollywood and her life after, but today you’re going to reveal something to us, correct?”

  I flashed him a smile. “I am.” The nerves seemed to be swept away the longer I talked about my mom. “My mother’s real name was Allison McCoy.”

  He feigned shock - he’d already been told. “You mean you wrote an entire book about her and didn’t reveal it?”

  “That would have involved changing my life, Riley. And that of my brother.”

  “Then why te
ll us now?”

  “It’s time.” I looked into the camera. “My name is Callie McCoy.” Looking back at Riley, I began to explain. “I have a new book coming out. It’s one that I hope everyone reads, but it is being published under my real name.”

  “The rumblings are that this book is about the Gulf City School shooting that happened about a decade ago.”

  I nodded. “I was there.”

  Gasps in the crowd.

  “That story is still a little far off, but can I ask you a question, Riley?” I leaned in conspiratorially.

  “Aren’t I supposed to be the one asking questions?”

  The crowd chuckled. Now or never.

  I shook my head. “Do you like romance?”

  26

  Jamie

  Dinner went longer than I’d planned. I was missing the Riley King show. That didn’t seem like a big deal, in fact it probably made me look a bit pathetic, but it reminded me of the guys. I’d been thinking about them a lot ever since I requested to stay in Tampa instead of going to Fort Benning.

  I’d received a lot of calls from the boys when they’d heard. They asked me why I stayed, and I didn’t have an answer. Ok, that was a lie. I stayed for her. She’d called me a coward, and that word sank in deep, rooting itself in my psyche. I wasn’t a coward, but I didn’t have the courage to face her yet either.

  My team sat around the table, finishing their burgers. Lance was a burly fellow who’d been in special forces like me. He was heading up to Georgia tomorrow. Mindy was a wisp of a girl with a biting attitude. Will was taller than just about anyone else I’d ever met. I was the youngest on the team by far and the least experienced and they treated me like it.

  Will and Lance left first, leaving me and Mindy to pay with one of our company cards. I stood up from the table and helped her with her coat when I caught the eye of a young boy who was sending daggers my way.

  “I’ll be right back,” I said to Mindy. I’d driven her directly from the office, so she couldn’t leave without me.

  Jackson’s eyes narrowed as I got closer. “Soldier,” he said.

  “Hi Jacks.” I moved to ruffle his hair, but he ducked out of my reach. Liam, Declan, and Noah were seated around the table, but none of them spoke.

  “Don’t touch me.”

  “Jackson.”

  “Stop saying my name,” he yelled.

  Noah put a hand on his arm to calm him down as we’d gained some onlookers.

  “What’s wrong?” I directed that to Noah.

  “You left.” Jackson’s voice grew small.

  “Where’d you go?” little Liam asked.

  “Boys…” Noah started, but even he didn’t know what to say.

  “I told you not to make Mom sad, and you did. You did.” Jackson was crying now, but trying to hide it.

  My feet were rooted to the spot and only two words passed my dry lips. “I’m sorry.”

  “No, you’re not.” Jackson stood up. “Grown-ups only say that when they’re trying to make you not mad anymore. You don’t mean it. You don’t care.”

  “Of course I care.”

  “I thought you were my friend. I thought you loved me.”

  My eyes glassed over as Mindy walked up. “Are you ready to go?”

  Jackson slumped back into his chair as tears continued to roll down his cheeks. Liam started crying with his brother.

  I looked to Mindy, wanting to get out of there as quickly as possible, but knowing I couldn’t. Not now.

  Kat appeared, looking around at the sobbing boys in confusion.

  “Jamie, what did you do?” She’d always had an affection in her voice for me, but it was gone now.

  I spread my hands wide, unable to speak.

  She waved it off and looked to the kids. “The bar tender is putting the show on now.”

  This seemed to cheer them up. “Show?” I asked.

  “Callie is on Riley King tonight.”

  I walked toward the bar in a daze with Mindy following close behind. She seemed to be enjoying the drama. Kat followed us, and I didn’t miss the glare she threw Mindy’s way, but it didn’t bother me. I just needed to see Callie.

  The bartender switched the overhead screen to the Riley King show, and at the end of the commercial break, Callie walked onto the stage. She was breathtaking, and I felt a catch in my throat.

  I was so mesmerized, I barely heard her as she talked about her books. Her leg bounced nervously, but other than that she looked like she belonged.

  She leaned forward with the sexiest smile on her lips and asked Riley a simple question. “Do you like romance?”

  The broad-shouldered man chuckled. “Ms. McCoy,” he said. “Is that a proposition?”

  I clenched my fists.

  She winked. “Sorry, this girl is taken. You see, there’s this man who loves your show. He was a Ranger, like you.”

  “Smart man.”

  “Very smart. And also the biggest idiot you’ll ever meet.”

  “I think I like this guy.”

  “I do too.” Her voice grew sad. “We’ve known each other forever. We know all the good and especially all the bad. But I did something horrible.”

  The crowd let out an “awww” and I breathed heavily. A hand slipped into mine, and I looked over to see Kat before returning my eyes to the screen.

  “I won’t go into specifics, but I hope you don’t mind if I use your show for my own means.” She winked at Riley, and the crowd laughed again. They were eating up every word and so was the host.

  I watched the beautiful, confident woman on the screen and saw the young, teenage outsider I’d known and loved. It was still the same girl, never playing by the rules. Riley King didn’t seem to mind that she’d hijacked the interview. It’d be ratings heaven.

  “Use away.” Riley waved her on with a laugh. “I’ll just sit here and look pretty.”

  Callie flashed him a grin before taking her lip in between her teeth. I saw the moment the nerves tried to take over, but she straightened her back and seemed to push them away. That’s my girl, I thought. Strong. Tough.

  Cal released a breath, and Kat squeezed my hand again.

  “This Ranger of mine,” Callie said. “I betrayed him, kept something from him, and he has every right to hate me. I’d never forgive me if I was him. But he isn’t me. He’s always been better than me, even if he doesn’t see it. He thinks he’s a coward, but I’m the coward.”

  She seemed to forget she was talking in front of basically the entire country at the moment, because she looked into the camera and started speaking directly to me.

  “Jamie, I didn’t choose him because I loved him more. It was because I loved you so much it terrified me. Because you were already gone. We’d said our goodbyes, and I couldn’t handle another one.” She stood up, and the camera followed her to the center of the stage.

  Glancing back at Riley, she shrugged. “I had to get him to listen to me.”

  Riley smiled indulgently. He was enjoying this as much as his audience. It was a real-life drama playing out right on his stage.

  “I’m not scared anymore. You were very wrong about something. It will always be you. It always has been.” She turned to walk back toward her seat and looked over her shoulder at the camera. “And I want to marry the heck out of you too.”

  When she sat back down, Riley King mimed wiping a tear from under his eye and sent the show to commercial.

  I leaned forward against the bar, unable to hold my own weight up any longer. Kat released my hand, and all three boys were staring at me.

  “Well,” Mindy said. “That was odd.” I looked into her eyes, realizing she didn’t know the enormity of what just happened. To her, as to most people watching, that was just some author declaring their love for a nameless man.

  To me, it was everything.

  27

  Callie

  “Mom.”

  “Momma.”

  “Mom!”

  “California.”
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  I jolted awake when I heard my name. Colby stood at the foot of my bed with all three boys.

  “Crap, what time is it?” I asked.

  “Crap, crap, crap,” Declan mimicked.

  “That’s not nice, Dec,” Jacks chided.

  “Good thing I stopped by.” Colby laughed as he lifted Declan onto the bed.

  Declan immediately crawled up to snuggle against me.

  “Time?” I asked.

  “Seven-thirty.”

  I groaned. “I thought I’d left the late gene behind years ago.”

  “And the messy gene.” He looked around at my not-so-clean room.

  “It’s been a rough week.”

  He nodded. “Still no word from Jamie?”

  Shaking my head, I kicked off the covers. “It’s been almost a week. I’ve given up thinking he’ll call.”

  “Maybe he didn’t see it.”

  “We know he did.” I gather Declan into my arms and stood up. “Kat said he watched it with them.”

  “I’m sorry, sis.”

  “Yeah, me too.” I sighed. “But life goes on, and I have three boys to get ready for school in record time.”

  “I’ll take breakfast duty.” He saluted and hurried to the kitchen. I didn’t know what I’d do without my brother.

  I threw on a pair of khaki pants and a sweater before tying my hair into a bun and heading into Declan and Liam’s room to get them dressed.

  Jackson already had himself ready, and all three ate quick bowls of cereal while I finished getting ready.

  “Jackson.” I handed him his backpack. “You have your homework?”

  “Duh, Mom.”

  I let that slide as he ran out to catch the bus.

  “You coming to Emma’s for breakfast?” I asked my brother.

  “Why else would I come by here in the morning?”

  “Because you love your nephews.”

  He grinned, and I punched his arm before shepherding the younger boys out. “I’ll meet you there after dropping the boys off.”

  We took off in our separate cars, and once the boys were safely ensconced in their classrooms, I went to meet him. On the drive, I couldn’t help wondering if that was going to be my life from now on. I loved my kids with everything I had, but it was hard doing it on my own. One day, Colby would have his own family and wouldn’t be able to help raise mine. I couldn’t even manage to get up on time this morning.