Freeing Destiny (Fate #2)

by Faith Andrews

  Before I could consider it any longer, I marched back into the kitchen with my balls in check.

  “Aubrey, you have to go!” I was stern and to the point. No lines to read between. Nothing to be confused about. I didn’t want her here and now she knew.

  “Are you seriously choosing her over me?”

  I knew that was coming.

  “Why do you have to see it that way? It’s not about sides. It’s just the way it has to be.”

  “I can’t believe I was this naïve. I thought I could rely on you, my only brother, to give me a chance to prove myself. To make up for lost time.” Her tears flowed as if from a faucet. A piece of me wondered if they were part of her drama-on-command act, but there was a slight touch of remorse that fueled me to take her hand and offer her a seat on the couch.

  “Come. Sit down a second. Don’t be upset.”

  She withdrew her hand and crossed her arms over her chest like a sullen child. “Why should I?” she dared.

  “Because we’re adults. Stop with the theatrics, Aubrey. Can’t you just be normal long enough to let me speak?” Trying to get through to her was one of the most frustrating feats known to man. It was usually a lost cause, but this would be the true test. Had she really changed, or was she full of shit the way Stella believed she was?

  I let out a long huff when Aubrey remained stoic and perturbed.

  Sensing my irritation, she dumped herself next to me on the couch and expelled her own exaggerated sigh. “Fine! I’ll sit here and let you humiliate me until you’re ready to shove me out the door.”

  I wanted to cut to the chase, but I also didn’t want to risk leaving her with a reason to seek vengeance on Stella. This had to be a clean break. Anything messy would be, well . . . messy.

  “Aubrey, I know this may be hard for you to hear, but . . . I love her.”

  My sister’s body stiffened and her lids clenched shut over her cat-like eyes. “Wow.”

  “Wow? Is that a wow, great for you, bro? Or a wow, time for me to cause more mayhem?”

  She faced me and narrowed her eyes with disdain. “Nice to know you think the best of me.”

  “What do you expect me to think?” I laughed.

  “Why can’t you believe that I’ve changed? Why won’t you give me a chance?” Her lips trembled as she pleaded; her eyes turning glassy with more tears. She had a point, but it was hard to see it when she’d done so much wrong in the past.

  It was time to be honest and to dangle the bait. It was the only thing I could offer up at this time, anyway. I wouldn’t compromise my time with Stella. Not now. Not when it was dwindling away so quickly. I hadn’t expected Aubrey to come back and make waves. It was supposed to be smooth sailing until Thanksgiving. Was that too much to ask? I didn’t think so. I deserved happiness and maybe my sister did too.

  “I’ll tell you what,” I started, relaxing into the couch cushions and speaking with sincerity. “Stella’s moving in a few weeks.”

  I couldn’t ignore the glimmer in Aubrey’s eyes. It burned a hole in my gut. I didn’t like it. She was supposed to be happy that I’d found someone, not gloat at the idea of the woman I loved moving two thousand miles away.

  Even so, and against my better judgment, I still decided to give her the benefit of the doubt, given the circumstances. I’d bide my time until the last possible second just to get rid of her now and make Stella confident that she was out of the picture.

  “Once she’s gone—from the apartment, that is—you and I can hang out and see how things go. I don’t like having to keep you at arm’s length. I really hope you have changed. You’re my sister. I do love you, even if you’re a royal pain in the ass and a little off kilter.”

  “Hey!” she whined. “Jesus, Jack. I’m sitting right here.”

  “Oh, don’t I know it. You’re the reason my girlfriend is holed up in our bedroom and won’t come out. It’s too soon, Aubrey. You have to know that. Maybe in time things will be different, but for now . . . I can only offer you what I’ve said. You want more time with me, Emma, maybe even Mom and Dad, then it will have to be on our terms. My current condition stands . . . after Thanksgiving. Take it or leave it.”

  She thought long and hard. Her pink lips remained straight and unwavering. The lids of her eyes fluttered as if her brain was on a mile a minute marathon track. The old Aubrey would make a scene, storm out of here, and throw a fit on social media.

  Was there a new Aubrey? It was pop quiz time. Pass or fail? What was it gonna be?

  “This is going to take a lot of time for me to swallow, Jack. I mean, of all the girls in the world—it had to be her?”

  I shrugged my shoulders and nodded. “Yup. The heart wants what the heart wants. Mine wants and adores Stella Edwards. You cool with that?” That was the million dollar question.

  She cracked her knuckles and threw her head back to rest on the couch. “I guess I don’t have a choice,” she relented. “This world is one crazy fucking place, isn’t it?”

  “Oh, that it is, and gals like you keep the crazy running right on schedule.”

  “Asshole!”

  “Bitch.”

  “God, you’re still so immature sometimes. I don’t know what anyone sees in you.”

  I flashed a cocky smile, and stood. “I don’t care what anyone else sees in me, just that girl in there.” I pointed to the bedroom and raised my brows. “So, we good? Will you be okay?”

  Aubrey hoisted herself off the couch, coming toe to toe with me. “Yeah, I think I will. I told you, I’ve changed. I’ll make you proud and then one day we can all be one big happy family again.”

  “Whoa, don’t go getting carried away. Toleration. That’s one thing the Davis family is famous for. I don’t foresee any large holiday gatherings with the Edwards and the Davis families coexisting and breaking bread, but I do think there’s hope in letting go of the past and moving forward. You just have to be patient and prove that you really have switched from wicked bitch to good witch.”

  Aubrey tilted her head and threw a hand on her hip. It was a mild reaction to the insults I’d just managed to throw her way. This could have gone down a lot worse. I had to give her credit where it was due.

  “After Thanksgiving.” She nodded, her breathing at a steady and calculated pace. “I think I can do that.”

  “Good.” I signaled with a thumbs up. “I’m glad we could work this out. I think it’s for the best; I hope you agree.”

  “I do.” She smiled. “Thank you for giving me a chance, Jack. I won’t disappoint you. And tell Stella I’m sorry—for everything.”

  Holy shit! An apology from the queen of pride herself? Maybe she really was singing a different tune. Fingers crossed. She better not make a fool of me for being a nice guy.

  Aubrey grabbed her bag and slung it over her shoulder before she kissed her hand and blew it in my direction.

  When she was gone, I had to wonder if what happened this morning was real, or if I just witnessed Aubrey’s first ever Academy Award winning performance.

  Stella

  “Guess who showed up today and turned my whole happy-go-lucky mood into sour grapes?” I waited until Jack left for work to call my sister.

  “I have no clue, who?” She really didn’t, because if she had any inkling I was talking about Aubrey she wouldn’t be as calm and uninterested as she seemed.

  “Ready for this one?’ I goaded. I shouldn’t have made light of the subject, but if I didn’t laugh it off, I might cry.

  “Spit it out already, Stella. I have a class in an hour and I need to get ready.”

  “Okay, okay, Bitchy Face.” I huffed and then took a deep breath. Anything that had to do with Aubrey stole the air from my lungs. Wrapping my head around everything about her was like being knocked down in the ring and blacking out. I hated that I even gave her that power, but what choice did I have? She was manipulative, and even though Jack was convinced she came here to make amends, I wasn’t sold.

  With one last
gulp for good measure, I blurted her name. “None other than Princess Psycho herself. The infamous Aubrey Davis.”

  “No freaking way! Are you serious? Why? What would ever possess her to show her face again?”

  “I don’t know. Well, I do know, but I’m not sure I believe anything that came out of her wicked little mouth.” I kept my hands busy cleaning dishes in the sink. I couldn’t sit still or relax with Aubrey on the brain.

  “Did you tell her to tuck her tail behind her knobby knees and get the hell out of Dodge?”

  I shook my head. If only it were that simple. “That was my first reaction. Jack’s too, but—”

  Nina’s voice reached a higher octave as she cut in. “Oh, don’t tell me you went soft, Stells. Do you need a reminder of all the trouble she caused Mom and Caleb? Not to mention us? She’s no good. Once a bitch always a bitch. She can do no right in my eyes.” This was true.

  “You’re right.” I wasn’t sure what else to say to that. I called to fill her in. This was exactly how I pictured the conversation going.

  “So, did she have a meltdown when she saw you there? She must’ve freaked out when she realized you and Jack are together.” Nina let out a malicious laugh. I imagined the mischievous glimmer in her pretty brown eyes that sparked whenever she got the best of someone.

  Had I got the best of Aubrey by being with her brother? It had to sting. Another Edwards woman staking claim on someone she cared for.

  “Surprisingly, no. There was no meltdown, freak-out, or cat fight. She left when Jack told her to without a tantrum or so much as a snide remark. I don’t know, Neen, maybe she has changed. Maybe she wants a second chance? Jack is her brother. I would hate to get between that. I wouldn’t want anyone coming between you and me.” I hadn’t thought about it that way until this very moment. Don’t get me wrong, I was majorly skeptical about the whole thing. Aubrey was theatrical. Nothing about today represented her usual ostentatious self, but that was the red flag right there. Even if she’d come back to apologize and start fresh, I would expect more of a reaction from her when she was rejected by her own flesh and blood.

  “No, no, no, and double no!” Nina shouted. “I don’t buy it. Not for one second. You need to watch your back and just play nice in front of Jack. Have you told him how you feel?”

  “Nina, he knows I’m not exactly Aubrey’s number one fan. He’s not stupid. He was actually the one who asked her to leave before I even told him I couldn’t stand to be around her. He knows where I stand on this. I don’t want her in our lives right now. If she is back for good reason, I need time to mull it over. What he does with her once I’m in New York is a different story, but while I’m living here, I want nothing to do with her.” That’s what I told Jack and what we agreed on. He didn’t give me an ounce of grief, but I still felt like shit for giving him that kind of an ultimatum.

  “So, then, what’s the problem? Out of sight, out of mind, right?”

  Unfortunately, it wasn’t that easy. I did have a heart. I cared about Jack’s feelings, and I didn’t like that he had to choose between me and Aubrey. Even if I was thrilled that I was his top pick. “It’s not that simple. I don’t like being in the middle of this.”

  Nina razzed loudly and then laughed. “You shoulda thought about that before you started sleeping with our arch nemesis’ brother!”

  “Oh, don’t give me that crap. I know it’s not ideal, but she has nothing to do with my relationship with Jack.”

  “Yeah, if she stays away. But if she meddles—you’re in for it, Stella. Think about how obsessive she was over Caleb. Remember the things Mom told us about the lengths she went to just to get close to him. And now she’s a woman scorned. We basically forced her to run away. If you ask me, she’s holding a pretty hefty grudge and it won’t be long before she seeks some form of revenge.”

  Damn it! Why did my sister always have to see things with such a harsh scope of cynicism? Thank God I didn’t share her pessimistic genes. I was happy to be warned about the bad guys and scolded for letting people take advantage of my kind nature if it meant I didn’t have to live with her negative view of the world. “Well, thanks for that. You made me feel so much better about this lovely situation. I’m so happy I called. Maybe I should dial Mom and Caleb and have my ass chewed out by them, too.”

  “Hey, I’m not trying to be a bitch. I love you and I don’t want you to get hurt. Especially not by her. If I can give you one bit of advice, it’s to tread lightly and don’t you dare be upset that he chose you over her. He made the right decision.” She summed it up with a firm tone.

  “Okay,” I conceded. What more was there to say? I didn’t want to argue, and I knew she had my best interest at heart.

  We chatted a little longer about how she was adjusting to the move and what Mom and Aunt Gina were up to now that they’d been reunited. I was happy to hear that everyone was getting on so well and things were falling into place. With each day that passed with Jack, the dread of leaving grew deeper, but there was a profound part of me that felt I was being called home every time I spoke to my family.

  My brain was on overload. I needed a hug. Or coffee. Or a shot of vodka. I’m finally in love and my life is a mess of confusion! I missed my family, but didn’t want to leave. I loved Jack, but didn’t want to screw it up. I hated Aubrey, but didn’t want to be responsible for keeping her from her brother. Even though I believed everything my sister said over the phone, doubt about the whole situation burrowed dense roots within my entire body. I had to let Jack know that I was uncomfortable being the wedge between him and his family. I didn’t want to rock a boat that was sailing smoothly, but I also didn’t want to hold anything back from him. We needed to talk.

  Our talk over dinner turned into a screaming match. It was impossible to get my point across because Jack was so stubborn. It was time to pull out the big guns. My biggest fear.

  “Maybe we’re moving too fast. We changed everything on a whim. It’s reckless and scary. Maybe I should go to New York now. I just feel like—”

  “Like you’re overreacting?” Jack grabbed my face in his strong hands and stared into my tear brimmed eyes. “First of all, don’t talk like that. I won’t let you second guess any of this. Second of all, why are you doing this to yourself? I told you I’m not mad or upset. I’m just happy you’re here, so please don’t suggest leaving earlier than we decided ever again.”

  Only once in the last month—after a sappy phone call from Mom—had I mentioned moving back early. Jack lost his shit. It was his trigger, his soft spot. Time was of the essence for us and he was adamant about me staying put as long as I could. But it still didn’t quell my uncertainty over the Aubrey situation.

  “But she’s your sister, Jack. She needs you, especially now that she’s come to her senses. She’ll need all the love and support she can get, and from what I know, there aren’t many people willing to give that to her. She should be able to rely on you.”Jack’s eyes roamed my face. His gaze painted soft strokes of admiration and worship over my worried features. “My sweet, sweet Sunshine. Why are you so good? My sister did nothing but fuck around with you and your family like checker pieces.”

  “Don’t you mean chess?” I tried to smile through the tears.

  His lips curled up in a defeated but adorable grin. “Yes, wiseass, I meant chess, and my point is that you guys were her little pawns. Powerless. Vulnerable. She screwed with you and now you’re worried about her? God, woman, I didn’t think I could love you any more than I already do, but you are incredible.” He kissed the tip of my nose and then traveled lower to my lips to lick away the tears that coated my frown.

  “It still doesn’t make me feel any better about making you choose.”

  Pulling back, he held my hands and rubbed reassuring circles over my flesh with his thumbs. “Would you listen to yourself? You are too selfless. Be a spoiled brat for a change and just enjoy that you, my wonderful girl, are the only choice I will ever make over anyone and anything
. I love you, Stella. I’ve never been happier, and I have enough room in my heart for you and my crazy sister. But her character is flawed. She’s done a lot over the years to taint her credibility—not just with your family. You, on the other hand, are nothing but pure, innocent, perfection. There was no choice to make, Sunshine. It was a no brainer. Stop worrying about it. Please, baby.”

  His words quieted the turmoil that ran amuck through my head. I was comforted by his genuine feelings and relieved by his assurance that he chose me out of love. It was time to put the Aubrey thing to rest and just let it go. Jack didn’t seem to think she’d be an issue so why should I? Nina was right—out of sight, out of mind. “Thank you for putting up with me,” I moaned, collapsing into Jack’s arms and melting into his soothing touch.

  “I’m not putting up with anything. I’m doing exactly what I want to do. Nothing and no one is going to change that. Okay?” He kissed the ends of my fingers, nipping the plump pad of flesh at the tip of my pinky.

  I cupped his bristly cheek with my free hand and lost myself in his mesmerizing blue eyes. “Okay. I’m done overthinking. Promise.”

  “Good. Now, dinner was delicious, but I’m in the mood for dessert.”

  “Ice cream?” I asked, starting for the freezer to get the tub of mint chocolate chip.

  Before I could fully stand, Jack pulled me onto his lap and toyed with the waistline of my pants. “No ice cream. You. Here. Now.”

  I succumbed to his request and let my worry fade away. I didn’t know why I let Aubrey’s return scare me, or why I allowed Nina to get in my head. Nothing else mattered as long as I had Jack. From the first moment I accepted him as a part of my life, I was safe. He was my protector of worry. My mind easer. My sanity.

  Jack

  If that fucking doorbell rings one more time! Where was Stella anyway? She was supposed to be the one handing out the candy to all these grubby, sugar-high monsters.