by Susan Ward
Sell the bar? Jade’s delusional.
“Well, don’t get Dad upset suggesting to him first thing what you think he should do. You know how he hates that, Jade.”
Her green eyes flash. “It’s what we should do for all of us. It’s barely making a profit and we work our butts off. Gary says Dad could get a very nice price for the building if he sold it. Enough money to retire somewhere comfortable and warm, and help his daughters for a change. This is about Dad’s health and our futures. It’s a family business and it impacts us all. I vote to sell it.”
“I vote for Dad to do what he wants. There. A tie. Can we not talk about this anymore?”
She rolls her eyes and crosses her arms. “Where’d you and the squatter take off to today?”
“The El Encanto Hotel.”
Jade’s jaw nearly drops to her lap. “Are you nuts, Willow? You took him on a date there? It’s probably twenty dollars for a Coke with a slice of lemon in it.”
“He took me, and it didn’t cost anything. We spent the afternoon on the roof. It was wonderful.”
Jade’s eyes go wide. “You crashed the rooftop garden? Willow! It’s not like gate hopping to use the pool at the Bargain 8. They have cameras and security there. If you’d gotten caught you could have been arrested. It could have ruined your chances at college and ever getting a good job.”
“We didn’t get caught. I’m here without handcuffs on, Jade. Settle down. And how did you know about the garden on the roof? I didn’t until Eric took me there.”
She lifts her chin. “The hotel rents it out at a ridiculous price for private parties. I told you about it. It’s where Margo got married.”
Margo. That’s a blast from the past. I purposely blocked out the memory. Now I remember Jade telling me about her best friend from high school marrying some tech millionaire. My sister came back from the wedding going on and on about every detail until I wanted to scream. Then Margo dropped everyone she knew in Capitol Hill shortly after, even my sister, and I never heard another story out of Jade’s mouth about that wedding.
I shrug. “I must not have been listening.”
“Nothing new there. Two days and the squatter’s got you committing crimes.”
I bust up laughing. “Committing crimes? We went to the top floor of a hotel to look at a famous Japanese garden. We didn’t knock over a 7-11.” I leave out the part about having sex on the lounger and the bottle of wine Eric snaked.
Jade closes her eyes, shaking her head. “Go ahead. Make fun of me. I don’t like how easily he gets you to do things you shouldn’t and how you’re becoming too serious too quickly over him.”
I stare at her, dumbfounded. “He’s not getting me to do bad things. We have fun together. And I’m not getting overly serious about Eric.”
“You shouldn’t. He’s hanging around with us because he’s shit out of luck right now. But once someone sends him some money, no matter how much fun he’s having with you, sis, he’s going to leave. He’s got a life somewhere else. Fuck, I bet you haven’t even asked him if he has a girlfriend at home.”
I shrug. “No, I haven’t asked him. I don’t have to. He would have told me by now if he did.”
“Are you really that dumb? Do you really believe that?”
I hate when she talks superior to me. “I’m not dumb and you don’t know what you’re talking about. He tells me all kinds of deep things. Personal things about how he feels and thinks. We’ve talked more about our private junk than I have with any guy I’ve dated. If he had a girlfriend he’d have told me.”
“Maybe Gary’s right. After we get married we should get a loan from his parents to put down on a house in Charlottesville and live there after we graduate. He can start his company with Dean anywhere. That way you could live with us the entire four years until you graduate.”
My stunned brain bypasses the part about Jade thinking I need supervision for the duration of my college years, and I blurt out, “You and Gary are getting married? Why didn’t you tell me?”
“I’m telling you now. We decided it before we came to Seattle.”
Marry Gary? No, no, no. He’s nice enough but I know Jade doesn’t love him, not in that in love kind of way.
I search her face. “I can’t believe what I’m hearing. You can’t marry him, Jade. You can’t.”
“Thanks a lot, Willow. How about congratulations or I’m so happy for you? Can’t you be happy for me for just once?”
My eyes tear up. “I never want anything but the best for you, Jade. I’d be happy for you if I could. But this is different. Gary won’t make you happy.”
“Gary already makes me happy.”
No, Gary’s the guy you latched onto your freshman year so you could live with him and not work two jobs while at school. That’s all he’s ever been to my sister though she won’t ever admit it. He has no gumption. No fire. Jade is all fire.
The hospital door opens, and the nurse comes out. Jade stands up. “I’m marrying him once we get back to Charlottesville. I know what I want. I want Gary. There’s no reason to wait, and all waiting ever does is cost people everything. That’s why so many girls end up miserable like Mom was. When they see what they want staring them in the face they’re too afraid to go for it. You’ve got to reach for happiness. It doesn’t drop in your lap. And don’t tell Dad tonight that I’m marrying Gary. I want to wait until he’s home to tell him.”
She marches ahead of me into the room and I feel bad. It’s the most passionately I’ve ever heard her speak about Gary. Any guy, for that matter. Maybe she does really love him.
Once we’re done with Dad, I’m going to apologize, give her a hug, and tell Jade I’m happy for her.
“EVERYTHING GOING ALL right at the bar, girls?” Dad asks.
“Fine, Dad,” Jade says.
“You’ve been making the nightly bank drops, right?”
“Every night,” Jade assures him. “I prepare them the second we’re closed, and Willow runs them to the bank lock box. Right, Willow?”
My face heats, but I nod.
“We don’t have that credit line to rely on anymore, girls,” Dad reminds us. “It’s foolish to pay interest on money you don’t have to keep the doors open so you can work your ass off to barely earn a living. Don’t want to have to take out another loan. Not after it took nearly fifteen years to pay off the last one.”
“I know, Dad,” Jade states, a bit brisk. “Things are going well. You don’t need to worry. We’ve turned a good profit this month. Concentrate on getting well.”
My dad’s arm tightens around me. I’m sitting on the bed beside him and Jade’s sitting in the chair. “You’re awfully quiet, cabbage.”
Smiling, I glance up at him. “I’m just happy you’re feeling better, Dad.”
My dad laughs. “More likely you’re up to no good and don’t want me finding out about it.”
He’s only teasing. I roll my eyes.
“She’s got a new boyfriend,” Jade says.
My gaze shoots to her. Thanks a lot, sis.
“Oh, so that’s it,” Dad remarks, hiding a smile. “I thought you were being extra quiet tonight. Keeping a tight lip so I won’t know what’s going on with my girl. Anyone from the neighborhood?”
“No. He’s only in town for a few days. And he’s not my boyfriend. We’re just hanging out while he’s in Seattle. He’s gotta head home to California soon.”
I narrow my eyes at Jade and her lips turn inward. Her not saying a word expression. Good. Dad doesn’t need to know that Eric’s been staying with us.
Jade stands, crosses the room, and puts a kiss on Dad’s cheek. “Come on, Willow. Tell Dad good night. Visiting hours are almost over.”
Careful of the tubes and IV, I give my dad a hug. “We’ll see you tomorrow, Daddy.”
He kisses my forehead. “I’ll be home soon. And I don’t want to hear any more of that nonsense about you not starting college next month. I
know how much you want it, Willow. And we’ve all worked to get you there. No changing the plan now.”
He lifts my chin to meet my gaze and I nod. But I’m not convinced it’s the right thing for me to go to college in Virginia or to leave Dad.
Chapter Twenty-Two
Eric
IN THE CAR, I use Willow’s phone to check for messages. Family still not answering back, not even Mom. Friends ignoring me. Only Tara’s lit up, and no fucking way do I want to read a word she has to say.
I stare out the window. Talking about Ethan today with Willow brought home how much what I did must’ve hurt him and how badly I need to get home quickly.
It’s time for my life spiraling out of control and being stuck in Seattle to end. I’m loving being with Willow, but I need to get to my brother.
The longer I’m gone, the worse everything I need to fix is going to get. I have the Uber drop me at the pawn shop on Willow’s street instead of the bar. The sign in the window says open twenty-four hours. I can’t believe I’m doing this.
I push through the heavy double iron-reinforced doors and the bells tied on the knob jingle a happy welcome in contrast to the guy sitting on the stool just inside. Security. He eyes me severely.
I go to the cage, and the guy behind the counter looks up and beeps me in. Pushing up my sleeve, I stare for a moment at the shiny Rolex on my wrist then sink my teeth into my lower lip, fighting against the twisting in my gut.
It was a high school graduation gift from my grandfather. I’ve always had a special closeness to Jack that none of my siblings have. It tears me apart to be doing this.
After I slip it from my arm, I turn it in the light to read the inscription. Eric, You can be a man or a fuckup. Don’t be a fuckup. Love, Jack. Even as awful as I feel, it makes me laugh. But there’s no help against doing this.
I can feel it. Hugh’s stirring up trouble with the band and we’ve got that meeting next week with the label to officially sign contracts. Hugh will figure out a way to cut me out if I’m not there protecting myself.
I can’t stay in Seattle forever. I’ve got too much to take care of. Working things out with Ethan. Dealing with Tara. And clearing up whatever wrong assumption has got my parents worked up to the point my family won’t answer a text from me.
The continued silence from Pacific Palisades makes it obvious my family is thinking some bad shit about me. Probably that I’m fucking up and using again. I gave my mom my word last year after rehab that I wouldn’t, and I haven’t.
A little blow on the extra-long days, some weed when I’m feeling restless, and a few drinks. But I’ve got it under control. And that old issue, no fucking way. Haven’t touched it.
Christ, I haven’t gotten high since I landed with Willow. One hundred percent drug-free living. Couldn’t do that if I was still an addict, now could I? And fuck, she’s the only high I need these days. I don’t need to numb my mind and body when I’m with her. Everything, even the bad, feels good when I feel it with Willow.
I rake back my hair, waiting for the clerk.
“Pawn or sell?”
I look up to find the man staring at me through the security glass. “Pawn.” The word sticks in my throat as I shove my watch into the metal go-between of the glass.
The guy picks up my watch and studies it with a jeweler’s loupe. His brows lift. Yep, it’s fucking real.
“Five hundred dollar pawn price.”
My jaw drops. “Are you fucking kidding? That’s a twenty thousand dollar watch.”
“We don’t loan for the craftsmanship. We loan on the scrap value. I can give you a grand if you want to sell it.”
That’s what I’m thinking I need to get home by train, but fuck no am I selling the watch Jack gave me. Bus it is. “Pawn and”—my gaze scans the display behind him—“you throw in one of those GoPhones.”
His expression unchanging, he nods for a minute, then reaches for his paperwork. “I’ll toss in a phone. I need your ID.”
ID? “Hey, I don’t have any.”
“Can’t pawn it without ID.” My Rolex is shoved back to my side.
“Wait.” Damn it. I don’t want to do this, but I don’t see any other way to get what I need. “Can you buy it without ID?”
“A hundred dollars.”
A hundred? I’m not even sure I can get a bus ticket home with that. “You just said a thousand,” I snap.
“I’m taking a big risk here if that watch is hot.”
“It’s not stolen. It’s inscribed to me. I’m Eric. That’s my fucking watch.”
“Do you want the phone and the Franklin or not?”
What I want to do is tell this guy to fuck off. “Can you do me one favor, man? Don’t sell the watch. Give me a week to buy it back.”
He studies me for a while and I can see his thoughts about me aren’t kind. No, asswipe, I’m not an addict looking for cash to make a score. “Seven days, kid. Not a day more. And you buy it back for what I’d sell it for. Six grand.”
“Six grand for a watch you’re only giving me a hundred bucks for?”
“Like I said, I’m taking all the risk.”
Fuck. I can’t make myself say it, so I nod.
As I wait for the guy to get me my phone and cash, my jaw clenches. This experience is humiliating. I never want to be in the position again for some asshole to insult and rip me off simultaneously.
One thing for sure, I’m coming back for that watch. No way would I let slip through my fingers forever anything Grandpa Jack ever gave me.
Don’t be a fuckup.
I’m trying, Jack, as hard as I can not to be a fuckup again. I hear a clunk and see that my phone and money are in the tray. I shove the bill and a handwritten claim ticket into my pocket, take my phone, and leave the shop.
It’s a short walk to Willow’s. It’s foggy again and it’s turned the pleasantly warm day into an icebox. Seattle would be a great place to live if not for the weather.
In front of the bar, I spot Joey smoking a cigarette. “You still here?” he asks.
I laugh, grabbing my cigs from my pocket. “Yeah, man, for a couple days more. Then there’s no help for it, I’ve gotta bounce home. Hey, how much do you think a bus ticket to LA’s going to cost?”
He shrugs. “One-fifty. Maybe two. Don’t know for sure.”
Unreal. I didn’t even get enough for the watch to buy a bus ticket. That leaves only one last thing to sell. “Do you think you might know anyone who wants to buy some blow?”
He straightens up, surprised. “How much we talking about?”
I take the vial from my pocket and hold it up to the light. “A couple grams. It’s good coke. And I need the money, man.”
Joey debates then holds out his hand. “I know a guy who might buy this from you. But don’t you fucking tell Ivy I helped you with this.”
“Don’t tell Willow I had it.”
“Oh, the Birch girls. Both a couple of ball breakers in their own way.” He grins. “You’re really stuck on Willow, aren’t you?”
I shrug. “She’s cool. What can I say?”
“Say you’re not going to fuck her over.” He taps my chest hard with an index finger, locking eyes with me. “She’s like a second sister to me.”
“I could never do anything to hurt Willow. That girl’s special.”
He sharply assesses me and nods. “Give me a couple hours. I’ll be back with your money.”
I head up to the apartment and find the key above the door where Willow said it would be. This habit needs to end, leaving a key somewhere it might be found in this neighborhood. Don’t want anyone ever breaking in and harming Willow.
I switch on the lights and Gary jumps on the couch. “Fuck.” Anxiety drips from his voice. His face shoots my way as he slams shut his laptop. “Oh, it’s you.”
It’s hard not to laugh. “Yeah, it’s only me, but you still might want to put your hard-on back in your boxers.”
His face turns a bright red. “It’s not what you think.”
“Don’t sweat it. I’m not thinking anything.”
Well, actually I am.
I’m thinking Gary’s seriously whipped, and that watching porn on his laptop while he’s smacking one off isn’t something that would go over well with Jade. By his reaction and knowing how Jade is, this is a problem issue between them, but what the fuck do I care?
I head to the kitchen to give Gary enough time to pull it together or finish rubbing one off. “You want me to grab you a brew?”
“Yeah. Get me one, too.”
I nod. He’s yanking his sweatpants over his boxers. Didn’t mean to ruin his fun.
“Can I ask you something?”
His voice moved closer as he spoke. Fuck, he’s following me. I rummage through the fridge for a brew. “What do you want, Gary?”
He moves into the kitchen. “I’d appreciate it if you didn’t tell Willow about…you know. Every word she hears goes straight to her sister.”
I choke back a laugh. “I’ve got other things to talk about with my girlfriend besides your dick, Gary. Consider yourself safe.”
Girlfriend. Whoa, where’d that come from? It’s not a status change I’ve made before, not even mentally.
“What’s the deal with you not being able to find anyone willing to help you get home?” By how he asks, I’m pretty sure Jade put him up to this.
“It’s no big deal. Family junk.” I hand him a beer and twist off the cap on mine. “It’s complicated. But that issue’s been fixed. I’m going to head out in a day or two. I’ve got a meeting in LA on Friday I can’t miss.”
Gary looks surprised and pleased. “Does Willow know?”
“I’m going to tell her tonight when she gets home from the hospital.” Fuck, just saying that makes me feel like hell.
“Where’d you get the phone?”
“I bought it. Where do you think?”
He laughs, nervous. “Sorry, Eric. Didn’t mean it that way. Jade’s worried that you might be taking advantage of Willow. Her sister’s got a big heart. It wouldn’t be unlike her to lend money to a guy who’s never going to pay her back. But the girls haven’t got very much. So if she’s doing that you’ve got to stop letting her.”
