I braced on the ribbed floor as she took another turn on two wheels. Every time Eric, the dogs, Beau, and I slid, she had an evil grin.
Muffy dug his nails into my thighs. Even his weight on my legs wasn’t enough to keep us from moving.
This was why I should’ve driven.
I would’ve been conscious of their comfort.
She was determined to make this the car ride from hell.
But as I looked around, everyone else was happy. That only amplified my misery. It was like a spotlight beaming on my unhappiness. They could have fun even in the simplest situations.
I couldn’t remember what the word meant.
Sure, I enjoyed basketball games with my friend Daniel Elliott and beers with my brother and dinner with my sister. But it wasn’t this.
Singing my head off to an awful song like it was the best thing I’d ever done.
Beau elbowed me. “It wouldn’t kill you to loosen up.”
She resumed screeching and clapping to the music.
I wasn’t a loose kind of guy even before all the responsibility fell on me.
Even as a kid, I was serious. My mother had helped me to let go sometimes, but she’d been gone a lot of years. I had fractions of memories like the day she and Teague had danced to Cher in the front yard.
I’d been worried about my baby sister. And when they’d gotten me to join in, I still hadn’t had as good a time as they had.
To this day, I hated every single note of any Cher song. Whenever my brother’s phone rang with the tune the firefighters at his station had programmed, it was like a thousand pinpricks of pain.
Perhaps “Me and Bobby McGee” on repeat wasn’t so bad after all. But the words that were ringing in my head loudest were still Agent Walker’s. You’re under arrest for securities fraud and tax evasion.
How had those charges been levied against me? Who had instigated that? I doubted it would simply go away . . . he would be back. Then what?
Lexie maneuvered the van down the ramp to the underground parking at Daniel’s building at far too high a rate of speed, though I was the only one who seemed aware.
My words to slow down were swallowed up by the screech of tires as we came to a stop.
She turned off the ignition and blessed silence followed.
Finally, I can hear myself think. Maybe even make heads or tails of these ridiculous charges.
How had Dad known?
I rubbed my temples.
Eric grinned and held up his fist. “Awesome ride!”
I bumped it, though my movement was stilted. Beau would say I had a broomstick up my ass. But I had to if I was going to keep her and Teague happy.
Eric threw open the sliding door. Three dogs popped up and no one had their leashes. If they escaped, my brother would be devastated.
Ash gently nudged Eric as if reminding him to take her leash. Muffy barreled out, then looked back at me guiltily like he’d forgotten to wait for permission. Sadie stood at the edge of the van and stared down at the ground as if she wasn’t sure she wanted to jump that far.
Beau joined all of them in the garage and suddenly Sadie and I were the only ones left in the van. She glanced at me, almost in a daring you get out first way.
The overhead garage light illuminated the fact that my suit was coated in dog hair. I resisted the urge to brush it off, though I couldn’t stand to be unkempt.
“You wouldn’t get in and now you’re afraid to get out.” Lexie poked her head through the door.
Her taunt spurred me to action despite that I was over forty, a grown man, a successful business person, and should be beyond allowing anyone to intimidate me. I did as I pleased on my own timetable.
Except when it came to Lexie Logan apparently.
I scooted across the van floor and got to my feet. Sadie blinked at me, and I groaned but lifted her out of the van and set her on the concrete floor.
“She is so spoiled,” Miss Adeline said affectionately as she grabbed her leash.
And I was obviously a sucker for dogs, women who drove VW buses, and guys who wore outrageously colored bow ties that coordinated with their sister’s clothing.
Muffy pawed at my leg.
He’s a dog. He wants something. He’s not intentionally trying to maul your suit.
I inhaled a lungful of air through my nostrils and willed patience to infuse me. The entire car ride had been a test, one I wasn’t sure I was going to pass.
He pawed again. I caught his foot and set it back on the ground. He wagged his tail, seemingly happy with my attention.
“Take his leash,” Miss Adeline whispered.
I thought that was the signal for a treat . . . of which I had none.
Reluctantly I picked up the lead. He bolted forward, and I stumbled. Lexie and Beau snickered.
I scowled, though that wasn’t enough to quiet either of them, and followed Miss Adeline and Eric on the familiar path to the elevator.
My only friend, Daniel, and his wife owned most of the building. I’d been to their apartment a few times, but we mostly met to play basketball or tennis. As of late, I’d come here to see my brother.
After the fire at Grey Paws, Daniel had graciously offered Teague, Pepper, and Miss Adeline an apartment and the entire bottom floor for the dog rescue.
While I would have preferred they stay with me, these accommodations worked better for the dogs. I understood that and while grateful to the Elliotts for their kindness to my family, I didn’t like not being the one to take care of them. I’d failed my family once by not being able to protect my mother. I wouldn’t fail them again.
Teague, and by extension Pepper, Miss Adeline, and the dogs, were my responsibility. It didn’t matter he was only a few years younger than I was and more than capable of seeing after himself.
I couldn’t change the habit of a lifetime.
That habit included Beau too.
“You didn’t come home last night,” I said quietly when she caught up to me.
Lexie sped ahead to walk with her brother.
Beau’s face turned red, though I wasn’t sure if it was guilt at being caught or anger that I was prying in her personal life.
“Not that it’s any of your business, but it was late. You’d already gone to bed.”
Both. That was what the red shade of her cheeks meant.
“What my sister does is absolutely my business. Especially under my roof.”
She yanked on the chain around her neck. “I can find a new roof to sleep under,” she huffed. “And you sound like Dad.”
She might as well have punched me in the chest. Twice.
I hated that she lived on the other side of the world where I couldn’t watch over her. Beau back in the city, living with me, meant that I could breathe easier. I didn’t want her to find somewhere else to stay.
And the knockout blow: I sounded like our father.
There was nothing I wanted less, though if I were being honest, she was right.
Teague and Beau had thankfully taken after our mother. They had her kindness and spirit even if they’d both been too young to remember that before she died.
Unfortunately, I was my father’s son down to mannerisms, thought patterns, and style of dress.
I was too old to change.
I was who I was.
I’d accepted the ugly truth a long time ago.
But because I was so like him, I could shield my brother and sister from him. That was my place in life. Nothing would change that. Not even their fierce independence.
Unless you go to prison.
I wouldn’t let that stop me either.
“You weren’t working.”
Beau had been behaving strangely, disappearing at odd times and seeming a bit . . . off-balance.
Her eyes rounded. “Are you watching me too?”
I pressed my lips together. Not in real time. But when she hadn’t been home at two in the morning, I’d checked the cameras at the office. To make sure she
was safe.
If I wanted an answer for her whereabouts, I’d probably have more success speaking to our father.
“The city isn’t safe at those hours.”
“You were nearly arrested, yet you’re grilling me. I don’t think so, Lincoln.”
Damn it. We were not talking about that. And once we were alone back at home, there’d be no escaping her.
“You do everything by the book. Why would you even be on the feds’ radar?” she pressed.
I gripped the leash more tightly. Muffy glanced back as if he sensed my tension. At least he couldn’t ask me any questions.
“It’s none of your concern.”
“The hell it’s not,” she shouted, garnering the attention of Lexie, Eric, and Miss Adeline.
“I’d appreciate your discretion,” I said quietly.
“Did you know that was coming?”
I halted and drilled her in place with my gaze. “I would never intentionally disrupt Teague’s important moment.” And no, I hadn’t known I was under investigation, let alone they’d found enough to attempt to arrest me.
“I—” She clutched the gold chain, looking contrite. “I know that. I’m just . . . worried.”
“Don’t be.”
Eric held the elevator open for us.
“We’re not done talking about this,” Beau said through gritted teeth as she marched forward.
I pressed my lips together.
Talking to her would be worse than federal agents.
Chapter Eight
Lexie
“We have ice cream at our place. Homemade strawberry. Want to come?”
Was Eric determined to torture me?
No. My brother didn’t have a malicious bone in his body.
He’d made a new friend in Lincoln. More like he’d adopted Lincoln as his friend. I wasn’t so sure the feeling was reciprocated.
Discreetly, I shook my head behind my brother’s back. Lincoln would say no anyway, but I wanted to make sure he knew he wasn’t welcome.
Even if I’d wanted his company—which I definitely didn’t—he couldn’t come over. The apartment was a disaster. I hadn’t had time to do laundry in over a week and the sink was overflowing with dishes.
We kept our outside appearance impeccable. Inside the walls of our home . . . I did the best I could. We did the best we could.
Eric may have Down syndrome, but he was a huge help. Much more so than a burden. I couldn’t imagine my life without him. He brought joy and sunshine and kept things interesting.
Like inviting virtual strangers to our home on a whim.
The beautiful and frightening thing about Eric was that he didn’t have that exterior wall most people did. The one to protect us and make us wary of others. He treated everyone exactly the same.
Though he seemed to be taking to a certain someone I wanted to stay far away from.
“I’ve never had strawberry ice cream.”
The admission was quiet, so low I almost missed it.
Our lives hadn’t been glamorous, nothing like his. The most luxurious thing we had was the van, and it was by no means fancy.
Ice cream was simple. Something everyone could relate to.
Maybe that was why he’d never had strawberry.
The incredulousness on Eric’s face matched the expression I tried to veil. “You’ve never had strawberry ice cream?” he repeated as if that were impossible.
“No.”
I wanted an explanation. Like he was lactose intolerant or hated strawberries or didn’t eat dairy.
No. You don’t need an explanation. He hasn’t had strawberry ice cream. End of story, Lexie.
“But you’ve had ice cream, right?” I snapped my mouth closed, embarrassed the question had escaped.
“Yes.”
That was good. I guessed. Why do I care?
“Then you have to come over. Ours is the best strawberry ice cream in the universe.” My lips tugged upward at the big heart my brother had.
“Okay.”
What? No. We could bring him some or . . . shouldn’t Beau be the one to experience that with him? Not us.
“I notice I wasn’t invited.” Beau slung an arm around Eric good-naturedly.
“You know you can come,” he said, as if she were part of our family.
She might’ve been gone for a long time, but she was always welcome without invitation to our home.
“How about next week? I have some work I need to finish up,” she said.
“Promise?”
She held out her pinkie, and Eric twisted his with hers. “Promise.”
Oh, thank goodness. Lincoln wouldn’t come without his sister, so I was safe for a week.
“Thanks for the lift,” Miss Adeline said. “We’ll see you tomorrow.” She grinned. “Enjoy your ice cream.” She spoke the word as if it were naughty.
“Well, I’m sure we’ll wait until Beau and Lincoln come next week, won’t we—”
“I’m free now,” Lincoln blurted.
Oh crud. You have got to be kidding.
“Oh good,” Eric said, excitedly.
Miss Adeline laughed as I hugged her. “Behave.”
“Never,” she whispered back.
“I know you’re going over there to avoid me.” Beau spoke in her brother’s ear, but I was close enough to hear.
“Can I expect you home this evening?” He glossed over her assessment like he avoided uncomfortable topics on a routine basis.
“Can I expect you?” She mocked him in a deep voice that matched his and waved goodbye as she floated out of the rescue.
“Since Lincoln is coming over, we can have ice cream before dinner, right?” Eric linked his arm through mine while we moved to the elevator.
I rarely allowed ice cream before dinner. Sometimes ice cream was dinner, but it was important to me to keep some sort of healthy structure for Eric.
“Why not?”
That meant Lincoln would have one scoop of ice cream and go.
Eric fist-pumped. “Lincoln, you’re coming over for ice cream tomorrow too.”
Chapter Nine
Lincoln
Beau was right.
I was avoiding her interrogation by accepting the invitation for ice cream.
But she was wrong too.
Because I didn’t want to disappoint Eric. And this was an opportunity to make Lexie even more uncomfortable. Something I found I liked doing.
She circled the same block six times before she found a parking spot and maneuvered the van into it.
I’d lived in New York my entire life and had never been in this neighborhood. It was rundown, littered with trash and people hanging out on the street.
We passed an occasional BMW or Mercedes, but Lexie’s VW stuck out as the nicest vehicle in the area. A beacon to be stolen or vandalized.
Lexie and Eric didn’t seem to notice the less than optimal surroundings. I catalogued every building, wondering why I’d never looked at property here and what the potential was for revitalizing the area. Though a lot of times that meant making housing that was once affordable out of reach for the current residents.
I shoved my hands in my pockets.
I never wanted to take away anyone’s home. Ultimately, I wanted to make it better, although I wasn’t sure I had succeeded in that endeavor. Years ago, I’d driven by a building we'd purchased and seen a woman carrying an overflowing box out. Her child had been right behind her with a little blue suitcase in tow. Once we'd renovated, I never remembered seeing them again. At odd times, I wondered what had become of them.
What had I accomplished? Besides making an exorbitant amount of money?
Lexie and Eric waved at a couple of the young people hanging out in front of a building.
“Let me help you, Mrs. Brooks.” Eric rushed to grab a shopping bag from an elderly woman’s hands.
“Thank you, dear,” she said shakily as she ambled toward a dimly lit doorway.
Lexie hurried to unlock
the door and held it for Mrs. Brooks and Eric to pass. I followed, dismayed at the state of disrepair.
Did Beau know they lived here?
They stopped at a first-floor apartment, and Eric followed Mrs. Brooks inside before quickly emerging. The two of them tromped up three more flights of stairs. The wood was worn, probably here before any of us were born.
They didn’t seem to notice the stained walls or the missing stair rails. In fact, they happily chatted as if this were perfectly normal and fine.
I thought about the private elevator to my penthouse. How it was cleaned multiple times a day. Spotless. Shiny. In tip-top condition.
I had a basketball court, for goodness’ sake. And yet, I often found reasons to complain about my apartment building, block, and other tenants. But had I ever stopped to help a neighbor? Noticed someone in need?
For the first time in my life I was embarrassed by my wealth. My ignorance.
The feeling was foreign.
I didn’t flaunt what I had. Far from it. Because none of it mattered. I had the court because I enjoyed the game and had the ability to have one. It wasn’t to impress others or make me feel like I was someone. There were only a handful of people who knew I had it.
And even if I had wanted it to show off, wasn’t that my prerogative? I’d earned it.
There were scrapes around the doorknob where Lexie’s keys had knocked the wood. The letter D was missing a nail and hung crooked.
They didn’t invite me inside, simply expecting me to follow, which I did.
I froze just inside the doorway.
The sofa had cookbooks and magazines scattered around two open spots where Lexie and Eric probably sat. There was a TV that looked to be at least fifteen years old. Rabbit ears sat on top of the VCR.
The coffee table had two half-full glasses of water on it along with some mail and an apron.
I swung my gaze to the right.
Dishes overflowed from the kitchen sink. Every stove eye had a pot on it. There were boxes with the Dog Love logo on it stacked on the floor.
Colorful dresses and tops and bow ties hung over the barstools.
Rise: Rise & Fall Duet Book 1 (Shaken 3) Page 4
