“What the fuck did you two do while you were travelling? Fall into a tattoo gun and mainline steroids?” The words fall out of my mouth, my filter’s never been great but what the hell. The two men in front of me are not the ones who left. They both look like they’ve grown about six inches and packed on about two hundred pounds of muscle which they decided to then cover in ink. “Who even are you?”
“Don’t do me like that, little bit. I’m hot!” Colt waggles his eyebrows at me, making me realize his fucking eyebrow is pierced too, and I can’t help but laugh at his stupid ass. Apparently while he’s changed completely, he hasn’t really changed at all. He wraps me up in a hug and I groan, but despite my anger at him full on ditching me, I’m so happy he’s back. I’m just not going to let him know that, that would be too easy.
“Come on, Hulk. A girl needs to breath.” I laugh and he releases me with a sheepish look before slinging his arm over my shoulder.
“Hey Remy,” Creek says quietly when I push Colts arm off and come face to face with him. It takes every ounce of will power I possess not to fucking drool over the man-god in front of me. Holy. Fucking. Hell. His long dark hair is up in a man-bun, his beard is long but hot as fuck, even though beards have never really done it for me, and every inch of beautifully muscled skin is covered in ink of some form. Think about Jack, you love Jack. This guy is a huge dick bag. Remember he’s a dick bag.
“Creek. I see you decided to join my brother’s steroid and ink marathon. I guess that’s why it’s been radio silence, huh. Let’s go, I’ve got things to do.” He runs his hand down his face, and his eyes plead with me not to give him shit, but he was my best friend. He’s the guy who didn’t leave my side for two weeks when my mom died so I didn’t feel alone, and then he dropped me thirteen months ago like I was nothing but trash and I haven’t heard from him since.
I shove my cell back in my jacket and head toward the exit without looking back. I hate being a bitch to them, but also, fuck them. I’m here, I didn’t have to be. They’re the ones that left. Ugh, I hate being so conflicted. These guys are my family, but also, like, who just ups and leaves without so much as a god damn goodbye, and then ghosts you for just over a year. Yes, I’m sore about it, but then, neither of them has given me an explanation as to why they both left either. Colt at least reached out since Creek disappeared and let me know Creek was with him, so I wasn’t just worrying he was dead somewhere, which I legit was for the first week he went MIA. Like I said, dick bag.
I climb in the front seat of my baby, my eighty-seven mustang, that Bauer has been helping me modernize a little. He might be a pain in the ass, and like eight years older than me, but the guy is a genius under the hood of a machine. Colt lets out a whistle when he sees her. “Damn, Bauer really has been helping you make this beauty shine. He always did love machines more than humans.”
“Will you guys get your asses in here already?” I sigh, I have a dance class this afternoon and if they don’t get a move on, I’m going to miss it. I take them both in, and eye up my back seat, trying not to laugh too much. Creek sighs as Colt laughs, before folding himself in two and climbing into the back of the car, his knees by his ears because there is no space for someone his size back there.
“If I’d known you two had like, tripled in size, I’d have asked Bauer for his truck.”
“You and I both know our big brother would never let you drive his truck.” Colt rolls his eyes as he gets into the passenger side and slams the door shut.
“If you hurt Betty with your ridiculous meat head muscles, I’m going to break you,” I growl at him and pat the dashboard. Betty was my mom’s car, and I always loved it. Dad gave it to me when I got my license and she’s been a pet project of mine since then, well with Bauer’s help.
“I’m not going to hurt the damn car, and the ladies love these meathead muscles.” He wags his eyebrows again and I can’t help but laugh at his ridiculousness. I spot Creek in the rearview mirror watching me but decide to not pay attention to it.
“I’m sure they do, buddy. Let’s get this show on the road. I need to drop you guys off and head out.”
“You’re not hanging out?” Creek asks quietly, and it’s almost like I can feel his relief. It stings and I bite my lip.
“No,” I tell him sharply and put the car into gear, ending the conversation.
Three
“Babe, are you about ready?” Jack shouts from downstairs as I finish setting my long hair into curls.
It’s my birthday tomorrow, but tonight is giving me so much freaking anxiety. It’s meant to be for me to celebrate turning twenty-one, but really, it’s just going to be one big macho bullshit fest between my family and Jack. I just hope Maddie and Fallon help me keep the testosterone in check. I shudder even thinking about my engagement party, but let’s not go there.
“I’ll be down in a minute,” I shout back from his bathroom and straighten out the dress I’m wearing. Touching up my eyeliner, I give myself a once over before grabbing my shoes and heading down to where Jack’s impatiently waiting.
“You look hot, babe! You sure we have to go?” he says with a playful laugh, but the tension around his eyes confirms it’s not really a joke.
“Come on, it won’t be that bad, and we just won’t stay too late okay?” I tell him, hoping to placate him while guilt eats at my stomach for dragging him with me when he obviously doesn’t want to go. I bite my lip and contemplate telling him he doesn’t have to come with me, but I just know that if I show alone, I won’t hear the end of it.
He rolls his eyes at me, handing me my purse as I slip my heels on. “Let’s just get this done, shall we?”
I swallow the lump in my throat. If it wasn’t my birthday, we wouldn’t be doing this. I love Jack, and I love my family, but having everyone in one room is just a nightmare. I swear I feel more stress with this than I did with my exams to get into med school. Jack opens the door for me and gestures for me to head out, so I smile at him and place a chaste kiss on his cheek before heading out to the car.
The drive to the restaurant is tense and despite trying to make conversation, it ends up being a quiet ride. We pull into the parking lot behind the restaurant and Jack’s even more wound up now than he was when we left and my stomach flips. Maybe I should’ve come alone.
He climbs out and slams the door as I unbuckle, making me flinch. What a night this is going to be. I slip out, round the car to join him and reach out to take his hand in mine and he rewards me with a small smile. We walk into the restaurant and I can’t help the big smile on my face, we’ve come here for my birthday for the last eight years, and I have so many happy memories here.
The hostess waves us to the private room in the back we always book and I lead Jack through the restaurant. I feel him take a deep breath as I push the door open to the room and noise explodes around us.
“Happy birthday!” voices shout and I can’t help but laugh. Bauer is closest to me and picks me up in a bear hug that is signature Bauer.
“Happy birthday baby sister. Welcome to the grown-up table,” he says in my ear before placing my feet back on the ground and Maddie, Creeks mom, wraps me in her arms, with tears in her eyes.
“I can’t believe how quickly you grew up!” I sink into her arms, soaking up the love from her, the woman who became everything I ever needed after my mom passed. I squeeze her tight before she releases me and takes my face in her hands, shaking her head. “Too quick.”
I laugh at her and turn to find the rest of our small group, my dad, Colt, Creek, Fallon, my other bestie, and her little sister, Rebel. Jack stands off to the side, excluded from the group, as if trying to keep himself from catching their crazy as he so delightfully calls it. I roll my eyes and finish saying hello to the group before taking my seat at the table, with Dad to my right, and Jack to my left. The noise dies down as our server comes in and takes everyone’s drink orders.
Jack squeezes my hand under the table and I gift him a small smile. I take a deep breath, because
so far so good.
“So, Colt, how long are you guys back for?” Fallon asks, with a wicked smile on her face as I groan internally.
“Well, since you asked so nicely, I think me and the man bun are done on our adventures for now. It’s time to come back home,” he says at her and winks at me. My gaze drifts to Creek next to him at the table, and I notice he’s tense, looking to Jack at my side, who is equally as tense.
Awesome.
“Are you guys really sticking around?” I ask, my gaze bouncing between Creek and Colt as the table turns silent. “We are,” Creek says, taking his gaze from Jack and hitting me with those bright green eyes of his. There’s so much emotion in his eyes, it’s always been the same way.
“I guess you guys should take the next few weeks spending as much time together as you can then, since we’ll be moving after the wedding in a few months,” Jack says and the table explodes. I drop my head into my hands, because this is not how tonight was meant to go. Happy Birthday to me.
“Over my dead body,” Colt says, while Bauer pins Jack with a look that could be classed as deadly.
“Now then, boys, I’m sure they’re not going far, right?” Maddie, ever the diplomat speaks up, trying to calm my thunderous father.
“Well, erm…” I sigh.
“We’re heading over to the west coast. I have a one in a lifetime opportunity with a fellowship,” Jack tells the table and I can almost feel the rage coming from my dad.
“I forbid it,” he says, his voice booming across the room. Fallon sends me an apologetic look, while Rebel sits next to her wide eyed.
“Dad, come on… You can’t do that.” I take his hand and he snatches it away.
“The hell I can’t! And you, boy wonder with a giant stick up your ass, if you think differently, you’ve got a lot to learn.”
“This. This right here is part of why we’re moving. Your family have no idea about real life or boundaries. Remy and I are engaged. We’re going to be married. There isn’t anything you can do to stop it.” Jack levels my dad with his stare, a battle of two titans in a look alone.
“Watch me,” Bauer says, his voice lethal as he pulls a gun and lays it on the table.
“You see! You’re all fucking crazy. Who the hell brings a gun to dinner!” Jack shouts and stands, yanking me up with him. “Come on, babe. We’re leaving. This is ridiculous.”
“You let go of her right the fuck now,” Creek growls as Jacks fingers press into my upper arm. I try not to wince at his grip, but I’m pretty sure that’s going to leave a mark.
“You don’t get to speak to me like that,” Jack says pulling me towards the door, which becomes blocked just as quickly by Colt and Creek.
“You guys, its fine. We should just go,” I say, tearing my arm from Jacks grip. He looks at me like I’ve lost my mind, but I lift my chin and look him in the eye. “You started this. You couldn’t just let me have one nice night with everyone I love.
“As for you two, I appreciate the sentiment, but standing up for me now after ditching and ghosting me for a year, it’s too little too late. Maddie, Fallon, guys, I’m sorry. I’ll be over for dinner in a few days, but we’re just going to go.”
“Okay sweetheart, you take care, and happy birthday,” Maddie says from her chair, her hand on my dad’s shoulder, I’m pretty sure keeping him in his chair.
“Love you girl,” Fallon blows me a kiss and Rebel gives me a little wave. I turn back to the door but Colt and Creek haven’t moved.
“Please you guys,” I say quietly and their faces drop. I can’t quite read them, but the disappointment streaming at me from the room is overwhelming. They separate, framing the door and Jack storms out as soon as there’s space.
“I love you, little bit,” Colt whispers and kisses my cheek as I leave, trying not to let the tears in my eyes stream down my face.
I drag the covers up over my head and sink into my pillows, ignoring this shitty week. It’s my twentieth birthday, which means it’s also a week to the day before the seventh anniversary of my mom’s death. A senseless, stupid moment of time, which spun my entire life out of control.
I remember the day the week after my thirteenth birthday like it was yesterday. We were meant to go shopping, go get our hair done. A rite of passage she said. She just had to pop out grocery shopping first. She and Maddie had a weekly date, though I know it’s because my stupid brothers ruined my cake. I heard her yell at them last night when she thought I was asleep. So, she said she’d go shopping and then she’d be back. That’s what she told me, at least...
I remember baking in the kitchen, Bauer and Colt were outside playing football with Creek, while Fallon and I were eating more of the cookie dough than we were baking, while my dad was out in the shed, doing whatever the hell it was he did out there. The kitchen phone rang, and I answered the phone laughing. Maddie’s voice sounded strained, but I didn’t think anything of it when she asked for my dad.
I yelled for him to come to the phone, and he ran in from the shed, his face pale. It was like he knew. He picked the phone up off the counter and I went to the oven to pull the cookies out. His cry rang out around us as he fell to his knees, and the guys all came running in. My father doesn’t cry. Ever. But it was the noise he made, like a wounded animal close to death. His hands shook as Bauer took the phone from him and raised it to his ear. He listened before mumbling his acknowledgement and hung the phone back on the hook.
Bauer grabbed the keys to his truck, his twenty-first birthday present from Mom and Dad earlier this year and lifted my dad off the floor. Colt took Dad’s other side without any word.
“There’s been an accident, we need to get to the hospital,” Bauer said calmly, and my dad just stood there like he was numb. I remember putting the cookie tray down and burning my hand, but not thinking much of it because it was obvious something really fucking bad was happening.
The ride to the hospital took what felt like forever, cramped in the back with Fallon, Creek, and Colt while Dad sat up front as Bauer drove. I don’t remember seeing anything of significance until we got to the hospital. Bauer led the charge while my dad was completely spaced. Creek and Colt walked with him until we saw Maddie and it was like Dad came back to life. She strode right up to him, and he hugged her tight.
“She’s in surgery, but Denny, it’s not good,” she said, her voice breaking on the words. A nurse led us all to a waiting area, and I sat there, one hand in Creek’s, the other in Fallon’s, just waiting. No one said it, but it was obvious.
I felt a tug at my heart, and tears fell from my eyes. I knew right then, without anyone even telling me. A few minutes later a doctor arrived and took my dad and Maddie aside. That was the only time I’ve ever seen my dad cry, but I already knew.
My mom was gone. I’d felt it.
Maddie came back into the room and crouched down in front of me, calling Colt over, while Bauer went to my dad.
“I am so sorry,” her voice cracked, and the tears ran faster down my face.
So today, on my twentieth birthday, I’m sitting in bed, like I do most birthdays until my family dinner tonight. I do the same each year, it’s how my birthday dinner tradition started, even if Colt and Creek had disappeared off the face of the earth this year. This year could go eat shit. The only good thing about it so far has been Jack. He’s been my rock, especially since those two split. Colt’s been gone thirteen months, and Creek, well he up and disappeared just after his birthday a month ago. I’ve not heard shit from either of them, but I know they’re together from Maddie and Dad.
Asshats.
“Babe? You up?” Jack’s voice rings out through my apartment. I grumble incoherently back, but I hear his laugh as his footsteps get louder. “Come on, it’s your birthday, and I made breakfast.”
The comforter is ripped away from me and I groan at the sudden onslaught of light. I guess he opened the damn blinds too.
“Happy birthday, beautiful.” He leans down and kisses me and despit
e me hating my morning breath, he doesn’t seem to care. He pulls away and grabs a mug from my dresser and hands it to me, full of the bitter black nectar that is the way to my heart.
“Thank you,” I sigh and smile.
“You’re welcome. Now come eat breakfast, I hate that I have to work today, but tomorrow, we celebrate. I know it’s not a good time of year for you, but we should try to make some good memories. Your mom wouldn’t want you to be sad forever.” I shrug noncommittally. This entire week is my most hated time every year.
The next day, he packed my suitcase into his car along with his and drove us for hours out to his parents’ cabin on the lake, surrounded by mountains. Its beauty, almost indescribable, and yet I feel nothing but hollow. Jacks smiles and laughter ring out around me as we pull up to the cabin, and I paint a smile on my face, but I can’t feel it.
“Come on babe, this is going to be amazing. Just you, me and the lake. There’s even a hot tub out back.” He winks before climbing out of the car. I take a deep breath and will myself to feel something. Anything. For Jack’s sake more than mine. I know he’s trying to do something nice for me, but this just isn’t me. I’m not a luxury cabin in the woods kinda girl. Especially not this week. I pull myself together and climb out of the car to join him as he opens up the cabin. Though, I’m not sure cabin is the right word for this place. Lake house maybe? It’s all wood and glass, open spaces, and so freaking modern.
My cell pings in my pocket and Jack is in front of me in a heartbeat, his hand out. “No cell phones while we’re here babe. This is us time.”
I hand over my phone, trying not to roll my eyes, because phone or not, I’m probably not going to be great company this week.
We spend the week hiking, going out on the lake, having picnics, and just trying to enjoy the time together, and while I’m not exactly party central, I do lose myself to it all a little. But today is the day, and it’s the day we’re going home. I have dinner with my dad tonight, same as every year.
A Crown of Blood and Bone: Paranormal Romance (The Shadow Walkers Saga Book 1) Page 2
