Steele Family Romance Collection

by Cami Checketts

  “Stop! Pull over!” Mae screamed before he could enter the highway that led to the bridge.

  The man yanked the car to the side of the road and glared back at her. “What’s wrong?”

  “Mae?” Kit’s voice was full of understanding and concern. “You’ve got this.”

  Mae didn’t have this. What was she doing? She stared at the orange towers of the bridge. She hated that bridge and all it had taken from her. Could she truly just sit here as they motored across? Pulling the second Valium pill out of her purse, she shoved it in and swallowed it dry.

  “Mae?” Kit sounded so apprehensive.

  “I can’t do this,” she muttered. Slade had said he’d come to her. Next week wasn’t that long to wait.

  “You can. Do it for Slade, but also do it for you. You’re stronger than some stupid bridge.”

  Mae focused on her friend.

  Kit nodded encouragingly. “I believe in you.”

  Mae swallowed hard and pushed out a breath.

  “Can we go now?” the driver asked impatiently.

  “Mae?”

  Mae said a prayer and squeezed her eyes shut. “Let’s go.”

  That was all the encouragement the driver needed as he darted onto the road that led to the bridge.

  Kit squeezed her hand and murmured, “You’re doing great.”

  “Those pills aren’t working.” Mae clung to Kit’s hand. “I’m going to puke.”

  The driver glanced sharply back at her. “What?”

  “Look at the road!” Mae yelled.

  He whipped back around but said, “Don’t puke in my car. I can’t pull over on the bridge.”

  “She’s fine,” Kit insisted. “Please unlock our windows.” The guy complied, and Kit rolled both rear windows down, gingerly leaning over Mae to reach hers. “Look out at the ocean. Take some deep breaths. You’re going to be all right.”

  Mae tried to comply, but her deep breaths felt a lot more like hyperventilating. She obeyed Kit’s instructions and watched the ocean, focusing on ignoring the bridge completely. A suffocating fear pressed down on her, though, and her hands were so clammy she could hardly hold on to Kit.

  This was where she’d lost her family. Her parents and sisters had been her everything. Besides Kit. Guilt swept over her afresh. She’d chosen to stay with Kit that fateful day and go on a bike ride to Mill Valley instead of supporting her sisters at their dance competition in San Francisco. How many times had she wished she’d gone to heaven with them? Yet if that was true, why was she so afraid of this bridge? She could die on it and be with them. That was a morbid thought. Look at the ocean. Look at the ocean. She felt cold and slimy all over. Horns beeped, and the sound of tires rumbling over the bridge and the smell of exhaust made her stomach churn even more.

  Suddenly the final orange metal beams appeared, and then they were off the bridge.

  “You did it!” Kit wrapped her arm around her and squeezed. “I’m so proud.”

  Mae blinked and looked around. She had done it. Glancing back at the bridge, a sense of awe overcame her. She’d done it! She’d come off the victor with her biggest fear. The bridge hadn’t taken her down. She’d made it across—for Slade.

  Next step was to fly across the country and then to walk into Slade’s arms. She could do this. Her stomach settled, and she looked around at the city and the different green spaces they drove past. When they drove into the airport, the Uber driver had to give Mae’s name to get clearance. They pulled up to a sleek white jet with a pilot and a stewardess all crisply dressed and waiting for them with large smiles. She wondered about that alternate reality again.

  “Can I really pull this off?” she asked Kit, doubts creeping back in. “I’m just Mae.”

  “You are the amazing and fabulous Mae Delaney, and you are going to rock Slade Steele’s world.”

  “Thanks.” But she knew the depths of Kit’s loyalty. Of course she had to say that.

  They climbed out of the Uber, and the stewardess and pilot were all things gracious as they shook their hands, took their luggage, and gestured for them to climb aboard the beautiful plane. The inside was tan leather and wood accents. It was luscious.

  “I guess if you’ve gotta fly …” Kit quipped.

  “Right?” Mae laughed, but that queasiness was back in her stomach. This was Slade’s plane. The man had his own plane. Saying he was out of Mae’s league didn’t even come close to describing the discrepancy between them.

  They got settled in, and the pilot informed them they’d take off in the next few minutes. The stewardess got them both a bottled water, and they assured her they didn’t need anything else. She made sure their seat belts were fastened, then disappeared into a back room.

  “Wowzers,” Kit muttered. “I am so jealous of you right now.”

  “Jealous? Of the fact that I’m going to puke all over Slade’s beautiful airplane?”

  “No more puke talk. You’re going to meet your dream man. He sent this piece of luxury for you. You’re going to marry Slade Steele and be a billionairess. Don’t forget your best friend when that happens.”

  “Marry?” Mae said faintly. “Please stop. I don’t want to throw up.”

  “Then don’t. If you mess up your breath and lipstick with vomit, I will beat you.”

  “Are you even going to let me eat before I meet him?”

  “I’ll think about it.”

  Mae rolled her eyes and pulled her phone out of her purse. “I told Slade I’d text him when we took off.” She sent a picture of the plane and a quick text, trying for confident and funny. This rocks! Thank you for sending the Batplane. See you soon.

  He texted back. It’s my favorite jet. Can’t wait.

  His favorite jet? She wanted to tease about it, but the idea that he had multiple jets was throwing her back into the thoughts of him being way out of her league. Slade Steele. Who was she to think she could secure Slade Steele’s affection?

  Crazily enough, her stomach was actually settling, and she was starting to feel relaxed and kind of sleepy. Exhaustion crept in sneakily, but she was in an almost euphoric state. Maybe it was the thought of seeing Slade’s smile, touching him, possibly kissing him. Maybe it was taking two Valium pills. Had Dr. Gray only suggested one? Kit had handed her two. Who cared? She felt amazing.

  She leaned her head back and grinned like a fool. “Marry Slade,” she murmured.

  She didn’t remember much else past that. The plane lifted into the air and she whooped when it did. Her eyelids got unbearably heavy, and she must’ve fallen asleep. The next thing she knew was Kit shaking her shoulder and begging her to wake up.

  Mae managed to climb to her feet. Leaning heavily on Kit, she stumbled out of the airplane, gushing thanks to the pilot and stewardess, and then they were in the back of a nice car—she had no clue what kind it was. The lights of the freeway were flying past them, and she was so tired. She closed her eyes again.

  Seconds later, Kit was shaking her and muttering all manner of things—Slade couldn’t meet her like this, the dosage must’ve been too high, and asking her over and over again where her phone was.

  Mae had no clue why Slade couldn’t meet her or where her phone was. She nodded off again, and then she was clinging to Kit and they were waddling through a hotel lobby. Somehow they made it to an elevator, and finally she was stretched out on a soft bed.

  “Ah, so soft. So tired. Can I see Slade soon?”

  “Oh, Mae, I messed this all up.”

  “No. You’re the best friend anyone could ever have.”

  “Not so sure about that.” Kit sighed. “We’ve got to get that shirt off of you.”

  Mae tried to help out as Kit worked her T-shirt and shoes off, then slid her into the covers. “I love you, Kit.” She rolled over and blessedly fell asleep again.

  Slade had everything ready by seven p.m., and then he had nothing to do but wander his apartment, glancing at the clock every other minute as the delicious aroma of steak, pork, a
nd chicken tacos floated to him. He finally got a notice from the pilot at eight-fifteen that they’d landed. His stomach rumbled with hunger but also with anticipation. Mae was very different, understated compared to Josie’s incredible beauty, but they shared the same internal light. He hoped he was doing the right thing tonight and not leading Mae on. If there weren’t any sparks or connection when he touched her like he’d felt with Josie, he would have to be honest and explain to her about the magical moments he’d shared with Josie. Maybe hire that private investigator. Please let there be at least embers with Mae, he prayed. Josie was incredible, but nobody was as funny and appealing to him as Mae—on video chat and text, that is. Maybe in person they’d be awkward and have no lasting connection.

  He paced the apartment some more, grateful the food was all on warmers and would be fine. What would it be like when he finally met Mae? Would she hug him, or be shy until they got comfortable? Nerves made his empty stomach even more upset. Minutes ticked slowly by, and he started worrying. She should’ve been here by now. He thought she’d text him when they landed like she had when they took off, but nothing.

  He sent a picture of the food and said, Tacos are ready because I am your type. Pushing send, he waited and stewed and finally let himself eat a few chips to get something in his sick stomach.

  His phone rang, and he jumped. Glancing at it, he saw it was his driver, John. “How’s it going?” he greeted him with, fighting the disappointment it wasn’t Mae.

  “Well, sir, I don’t know how to tell you this, but the girls I picked up from your airplane—”

  “Girls?”

  “Yes. A blonde and a brunette. Very beautiful, classy-looking ladies.”

  Did his driver pick up the wrong women? Why would Mae bring someone with her? Although Slade thought Mae was attractive, he doubted someone else would call her “very beautiful,” and with the casual way she dressed, classy-looking didn’t fit either.

  “I brought them to your building, but the brunette was … maybe drunk? I don’t know. She couldn’t stay awake and was slurring her words. The blonde was beside herself muttering about you and how she’d messed this all up, and finally she asked me to take them to their hotel.”

  “What hotel?”

  “Taj Boston.”

  The Taj was close to his building, right on Boston Commons. It was a nice hotel. “Thanks for letting me know.”

  “Yes, sir.” John hung up.

  Slade glanced at his texts. No response from Mae. What was going on with her? When he’d gone to Sausalito, she’d ditched him and didn’t respond. Was it happening again? He pushed the call button on her number and waited as it rang five times, then went to voicemail. His jaw clenched and he didn’t leave a message. He’d been so excited to meet her, and now she was ditching him again.

  Rushing out of his penthouse apartment, he waited impatiently for the elevator, hardly able to force a smile at the flirtatious lady who lived two floors below him. He waited for her to exit; the gentlemanly behavior had been drilled into him from his mother, or else he would’ve pushed ahead. Then he hurried out a side door, and as he started across the Commons, he ran.

  He burst through the entrance to the Taj and beelined to the front desk. Thankfully, the lobby was empty besides him and the attendant.

  The blonde grinned at him. “Hello, sir, may I help you?”

  “Did Mae Delaney check in here? About half an hour ago?”

  “Well, sir, I can’t give out guest information.”

  “I know. I’m sorry.” He shoved a hand through his hair. “Did you ever see Sleepless in Seattle?”

  She looked taken aback, but then a soft smile lit her blue eyes. “Yeah, I did. When I was a little girl.”

  “My little sister claims it’s like that. This woman means a lot to me, and we keep … missing each other.” That wasn’t completely true. Lottie had said that about Josie, not Mae, and he suspected Mae was ditching him, but he didn’t know why. Confidence wasn’t something he was short on, and he suspected it was more Mae dealing with some demons that he didn’t understand, but he wanted to learn all about her and help her conquer them. “Can you please just tell me if she checked in?”

  The lady hesitated, then tapped into her computer. Finally, she said, “I’m sorry, sir. Nobody under that name is registered.”

  Slade pushed out a frustrated breath. Why hadn’t he forced the issue when she said she’d get her own hotel? Then he’d know exactly where she was. But he didn’t want to be too pushy, and he couldn’t have foreseen that she’d ditch him again. “Did two women come in about half an hour ago? A brunette and a blonde? The brunette maybe looked like she was drunk?”

  The woman nodded slightly. “Yes.”

  Maybe someone who’d hijacked his plane was here. No, Mae had sent him that text from his plane. He was confused, tired, hungry, and frustrated. Had Mae just used him for a free flight on a private plane to Boston? Did she not care about him enough to even send him a text or call and say she couldn’t make it tonight? Maybe she wasn’t feeling well, maybe she was drunk. He didn’t care; he just wanted to know what was going on. Why couldn’t they ever match up?

  He didn’t think he should push this woman any more. “Thank you for the help,” he murmured.

  “Of course, sir.”

  Slade walked out of the Taj deflated and defeated. He pulled out his phone again but saw no return text and no return phone call. He stood outside in the muggy summer night and tried one more time. The call went to voicemail, but this time he left a short message, “Mae. I don’t know why you didn’t come to me … again. But I really want to meet you. Please call me back.”

  He hung up, feeling like the biggest sap on the planet. He was begging Mae to call him, and he didn’t even know if they would go anywhere as a couple when they finally did meet. If there were no sparks or thrills when he touched Mae and he was forever caught up in how it felt to touch and kiss Josie, it wouldn’t be fair to Mae to try to pursue a relationship simply because she was so funny and she grounded him.

  He walked slowly across the Commons toward his building. His phone rang, and he almost dropped it in his excitement. An unknown number. Maybe it was Mae’s friend. Maybe Mae had dropped her phone or something crazy like that.

  “Hello,” he rushed out.

  “Sir. My name is Julie. I clean your plane.”

  Slade swallowed down the bitter disappointment. He was never going to find Mae, or Josie. At this point Mae was his complete focus and his brain scrambled with ideas to find her. Maybe he could camp out in the lobby of Taj Boston in the morning, but that wasn’t his style. He was almost that desperate, though. Why wouldn’t she come to him or call him?

  “Yes, Julie,” he said. “What can I do for you?”

  “I found a phone on the floor, sir. It’s got a floral case; I believe it’s an iPhone. Would you like me to bring it to you?”

  Could it be Mae’s phone? Hope surged again. Maybe that was why she hadn’t called him back. “Yes, please. I can drop you a pin with my location. Please bill me for the extra time.” He’d give her a fat tip when she came as well.

  “I’ll be there soon, sir.”

  Slade hung up, relief washing over him. Maybe Mae hadn’t completely ditched him. Maybe she’d gotten … drunk on the plane? He didn’t stock alcohol on his plane. At least there was a reason she wasn’t responding to him if she didn’t have her phone.

  Now if only he could find her, get to the bottom of her issues, and kiss her until he knew if they should be together. Despite all the failed attempts, the lies he used to tell himself that he wasn’t ready for a relationship, and who knew what fears or insecurities she was dealing with, he knew he wanted Mae.

  Chapter Twelve

  Slade spent a restless night and skipped his morning workout. He didn’t wait in the lobby of the Taj like he wanted to, but he waited outside on Boston Commons—pacing, watching, waiting. He couldn’t unlock Mae’s phone to call someone, but he prayed tha
t maybe her friend would call it. He’d tried to do a video chat or send an email to her computer last night and gotten no response on either. He tried to convince himself that Mae had maybe taken something or gotten sick on the plane and that’s why she hadn’t come last night. It was most likely not the answer to the riddle of where Mae was, but it was the only way to keep himself from going insane.

  As the early morning hours wore on and Mae didn’t step through the doors of the Taj, his enthusiasm and hopes waned as well. Finally, he had no choice but to walk to his building, a few blocks away in the Financial District. He had a nine a.m. meeting he couldn’t miss. If he knew for certain that Mae hadn’t ditched him again, or used him for a girls’ trip to Boston … If he only knew she wanted him here waiting like some pathetic girl movie that Lottie would love, he would’ve missed any meeting. As it was, he had no clue where her intentions or thoughts were.

  He called Lottie as he walked, needing a boost this morning.

  “Hi, handsome bro,” she called out. “How are you?”

  “I’m not doing very well, Lottie. Mae ditched me.”

  “Who’s Mae? You love Josie.”

  Slade pushed out a breath. “It’s a mess, sis.”

  “Tell me all about it,” she said, all mature and adorable.

  Slade smiled, and as he walked, he proceeded to tell her the entire story. Lottie was uncharacteristically quiet when he finished. He was almost to his building and only had a few minutes to spare before his meeting, but he wanted to hear Lottie’s thoughts.

  “Why aren’t you saying anything?” he asked.

  “I’m trying to think what movie this is.”

  Slade chuckled. This was why he needed Lottie. It’d felt good to get it all off his chest, and only Lottie would be concerned about which of her chick movies his failed love life was like.

  “Hmm. Princess Diaries or Cinderella,” she declared.

  Slade wasn’t sure how she’d gotten there. “Why?”

  “I think your Mae is … dumpy? Is that right? But she’s beautiful inside and she’s going to transform into a princess.”