Sharpening His Broken Talon (Living Art Book 2)

by River Mitchell

  “All I require from you, melon head, is a yes or no answer.”

  “Yes, Mum, I called and confirmed with all the vendors on the list. The only one that I am waiting to hear back from is the band that you booked. When I called, it went straight to voicemail. I left two messages and yours, mine, and Ben’s numbers. I am on top of it. I am not going to let Tristan down.”

  “I know that, baby boy; this is going to be great. I can’t wait to see little Tristan’s face when he sees everything that we have arranged for him.”

  “What exactly have you arranged for tomorrow night?” I asked.

  “Well, we have the band, the food and drinks that are all designed and based around Tristan’s favorites. The theme is football, and we have his number and colors for some of the decorations. We have the video message from some of the players Dane told me were his favorites. Alfie designed and is going to paint on a full-sleeve tattoo that he designed especially for him. We invited all the boys from his team along with some the girls and kids that his best friend Austin said were the ones that he would want there.”

  “Sounds awesome.” It truly did. I wished I’d had something like that when I was his age. But, when I was about to turn seventeen, I’d felt as if I was thirty-five. Dane, Molly, and Talon have managed to shield him so much that he wasn’t all hardened like we all were at that age.

  I just hoped that the kid liked the party and was not made fun of because people thought it was a kiddy party. My thoughts were obviously clear on my face when Alfie spoke up next.

  “It’s not at all what it sounds like.”

  “I don’t mean anything.”

  “The party is split into to two: us old fogies on one side and the young’uns on the other. The decorations aren’t balloons and streamers like mummy dearest made out. She got him signed football jerseys that we had framed. The colors in the room are two banners that match the team. The messages we got are for him to watch in private and the food is a BBQ, fries, and stuff. The drinks are all non-alcoholic but are served at the bar. He’s basically got a nightclub for the night. I reined her in.” I could only imagine what it would’ve been like if Alfie had just let Mama go. Probably jelly and ice cream with a bounce house.

  “What band did you get?” I hoped it wasn’t some dopey boy band crap.

  “Mum said it is a local group. They are mini celebrities according to the hype Mum kept going on about. Combined Dysfunctions, I think they’re called.”

  “I’ve heard of them. Everything seems to be perfect for him,” I said.

  “Only one thing that can make tomorrow an epic night and has nothing to do with the band or the decorations. Do you know if he is going to come?” Alfie asked.

  I wished that I could say with certainty that Talon was going to turn up. But I couldn’t. We had been writing back and forth, and I now have quite the collection of Talon’s correspondences. Each of them allowed me a little deeper look into who he was. I felt I knew him inside out at this point, and what I knew, I craved. It was a strange feeling. I saw so much of Fear in Talon that it should probably give me the heebie-jeebies that my feelings have turned from brotherly to friendly to so much more. I have never, not ever, wanted Fear in any other way than as a friend and brother. But I saw all the good that was Fear in Talon. His strength, even if he thought he was weak; I knew he wasn’t. His capacity to love and protect; that was the same as his big brother, too.

  There were parts, though, that were just Talon, and those were the parts that called to me. Those were the parts that had me feeling things that had nothing to do with brotherly love. I didn’t remember what letter it was that made me acknowledge the feelings I had for him. I wasn’t even sure if I wanted to admit what I was feeling to myself.

  I wouldn’t do anything about it, though. I was sure there was some sort of guy code about pursuing your brother’s brother. It might even be written down somewhere. Somewhere that was bronzed or kept in a fireproof box. So no matter how much I might want to ignore the fact that when I thought of Talon, something in me settled, I knew that nothing was ever that easy. But hey, I was nothing if not determined to live in denial. Avoidance was my friend, and I was a great friend. And I would be just that for Talon. Friend, fucking fantastic.

  Today was the day that I had been both looking forward to and dreading. What if Talon didn’t show up? According to Dane and Molly, he had still not communicated with either of them since they’d shared his past. I knew both had sent him text messages to remind him, but they didn’t want to push him too far, and banging down his door would definitely do that.

  Fear was pissed off; he didn’t understand why both Dane and Molly were not forcing Talon to talk to them (not literally, of course.) He didn’t like the thought of his little brother being alone with the thoughts and demons that broke him in the first place. Dane tried to explain: when it came to Talon, you couldn’t force him to do something; it only made him retreat and shut down. Fear didn’t get it; being more used to the bull in the china shop approach, he never would. I understood, though, having spent the last few weeks writing and getting to know Talon. I got it. He’d had his power stripped from him for so long that choices were very important to him. I knew Dane and Molly both realized what telling us his past would do to him; it was why they’d had such a hard time sharing it in the first place.

  Mama Sheri was running around with her head cut off, and it looked like Alfie was the one who cut it off. He was getting more manic by the second. Poor guy, he was always running around after his mother, cleaning up the chaos she made. Unfortunately, Alfie was the only one who didn’t realize he was a force all of his own. It was like what I imagined a tornado and whirlwind meeting would look like. They only managed to make the other wilder. It was definitely a sight to see.

  “Where is Fear?” I asked. I knew that I should’ve been asking if there was anything that I could do to help, but to be honest, I was enjoying watching Alfie lose it.

  Turning to me, Alfie looked like he was going to punch me in the face for asking him a question. This really was fun. “I don’t know, but when you find him, can you tell him that I am going to kick his arse? He has been hiding ever since we got here. I mean, really. How can something that big disappear? It was like poof, gone.” Shaking his head, he continued. “I am going to need help hanging some of this stuff soon, so can you please find him for me and then you both can fucking help me before I turn prematurely gray or turn to mum-icide?”

  “I am on it.” I was no fool. He was closer to blowing than I’d thought, so I made the wise choice and quickly retreated and headed off in my quest to find Fear, the magical disappearing man. Turned out he was not so magical at hiding. He was simply helping the catering company unload their truck.

  “I have been sent to find you. Alfie is about five minutes away from erupting and he needs your help hanging shit. I didn’t ask what, I just got out of there fast. Your mother-in-law is also about to lose it, but that is nothing new for Mama Sheri.”

  “Why do you think I am out here? When those two go at it, it is best just to get out of dodge and stay that way until one of them gives in,” Fear shared his wisdom.

  “Where are the nuggets tonight?” I asked, changing the conversation. We both knew that Alfie and Sheri were never going to change; nothing they did now should surprise us.

  “They are staying with Yvonne tonight; she is taking them to the swim park tomorrow. We did have to promise them that we would throw a little party next week so that they could join in the celebrations. Griff especially was not happy about missing the party. I swear that kid thinks he is 25.”

  “He is going to be a party animal just like his Uncle Tate,” I said with a smile on my face.

  “Have you heard from him?” I knew who he is asking me about. He also knew that I was the only person he’d been speaking to, well, writing to. I thought at first that he would get pissed that Talon had chosen me to communicate with instead of him. I shouldn’t have worried about that,
though. Fear was just happy that he was talking to someone. He even said that there wasn’t a better man out there for his brother lean on. I’m not going to lie; when he told me that I had to admit it felt pretty fucking good. But then again, he was my BFF, so he loved me and was probably just trying to give me a verbal hug.

  “I haven’t heard from him since the last letter. He knows what today is though, man, and he would never let Tristan down. He’ll show, just wait and see,” I told him with a lot more confidence than I felt. I really fucking hoped he turned up.

  Fear nodded and walked back into the club. I followed along behind, only much slower. I was going to let him deal with the onslaught, and I would arrive when the danger was over. See, I told you I was no fool.

  It didn’t take long to hang everything that we were asked to. The food was all prepped, the band had shown up and were setting up, and we had gotten word from Austin—Tristan’s best friend—and the kids in charge of getting the birthday boy here that everything was on schedule and that their ETA was in about an hour.

  “Okay, my lovelies, everything is ready, I think. Can anyone think of anything that we are missing or need to change?” Sheri asked all of us.

  The whole family was here waiting for the first of the guests to arrive. Well, everyone except Talon. It was like a huge hole waiting for him to fill it, and if I was honest with myself, I was starting to really worry that he wouldn’t. Not that I would admit that out loud.

  “Nope, I think that we pretty much have everything covered. There is still alcohol in the VIP, right?” Carter asked.

  “Of course, honey, but there will be no getting sloshed tonight. This party is for Tristan. It has to be perfect. It’s his first one since we have all been a family, and we have to do it right,” Sheri explained. We all understood what she wanted; it was impossible for her to heal everyone, but that didn’t stop her from trying in any way that she could.

  The hour flew by what with the arrival of guests and both Alfie and Sheri fussing. I had no idea how all these kids got invited, but according to Alfie, Austin was a big help. He asked all the right people, which incidentally included Tristan’s girlfriend, Penelope. None of us have had the pleasure of meeting her. I didn’t think that any of us even knew the little Romeo had a girlfriend.

  The club was packed, and all the lights were dimmed. I thought Alfie said that it was for maximum effect. Alfie had received a text letting us know that Tristan and Austin were about to walk in the club and was trying to shush everyone. Nobody told him it was a lost cause; we all just let him do his thing. Fear looked over to me and shook his head but did it with a small smile on his lips. It was so clear that he loved all that was Alfie, even with his ample amounts of crazy, or more than likely, because of it. I, however, wasn’t thinking about the kids that wouldn’t shut up. Or the fact that Alfie was indeed a fruit loop.

  All I was concerned with was that I still hadn’t seen Talon. I had broken down and texted him about a half an hour ago, but there had been no reply. The hope that I had carried around all day had now diminished to nothing, and I couldn’t help feeling both disappointed and utterly gutted that he wasn’t here and was going to miss his brother’s birthday.

  The door opening was the one thing that finally quieted everyone down enough that when Tristan walked in and surprise was shouted, he almost ran straight back out the door. His face was priceless. It morphed from fear to shock and finally to happy and smiles. I saw the moment he saw Fear and his dad; he quickly moved over to us oldies. I could see his eyes darting from person to person. He greeted us all with hugs and thanks, but it was clear he was looking for Talon.

  “Dad said that this was thanks to you and your mom,” Tristan said, hugging Alfie. “Thank you so much. This is awesome. I had no idea.”

  “Anything for family, little one. I am just glad that you like it. There’s food and drinks and soon, music. Enjoy!”

  Tristan was chatting happily with all of us when something flew by my head and hit him on the shoulder. Looking down, I saw that it was a piece up wadded up paper. Tristan bent down, picked it up, and read it; the smile that followed was so huge I thought that his face was going to split in half. He then started to twist and turn, looking for something. It took me a lot longer than it should to figure out what it was. When I did, I was doing the same thing as Tristan. We must have looked like a pair of mad men, flip-flopping around.

  “Talon, you came!” Tristan shouted and ran to the corner of the room where the gorgeous man was waiting to greet his little brother. Did I really just think that? I mean, yes, he is gorgeous, but I am not supposed to be thinking about him like that and definitely not around these people. Pull yourself together, Tate. Even as I told myself this, all I wanted to do was copy Tristan and run over to Talon and hug him. I was so proud of him for coming; I knew how hard this had to be for him. Not only did he hate to be the center of attention, but he hated it when people looked at him with pity or something equally unhelpful.

  “Oh, thank fuck,” I heard Dane whisper to himself. I knew how much all this had hurt him. It made me so mad that this whole family was in limbo because of the past actions of one evil she-monster who had no idea, and didn’t care, about the pain and devastation that she’d caused. If I ever met this woman, I would make her feel every ounce of pain she’d inflicted on my family. Every single ounce and every single second.

  Talon

  I thought I was going to throw up. I really didn’t want to be here. However, not coming was never really an option. I would never let Tristan down like that. I just had to work up the courage to face everybody. Easier said than done, sadly.

  I must have stood outside for almost two hours. The only reason I finally went inside was because I saw Austin pull up with Tris, and I knew I had run out of time. I watched as everyone yelled “Surprise!” and I watched Tristan run up to Dad and everyone. I saw him looking around for me, and still, I couldn’t make myself known. I could feel myself shaking. I was sure if someone had been standing next to me, they would be vibrating just from standing close to me.

  Writing ‘Happy birthday, little brother’ on a page from my notebook, I ripped it out and balled it up. I couldn’t quite face everyone yet, but nothing was going to stop me from letting Tristan know that I hadn’t failed him again.

  If nothing else, I was impressed with my aim. I hit him directly on the shoulder. The moment his eyes found me, and I could see the happiness in them, I let go of my own discomfort and enjoyed the fact that my little brother was glad I was here.

  “Thank you. Love you, big bro,” Tristan whispered to me while giving me a tight hug. I held him back and nodded into his neck.

  “Tris, man, come get a drink,” one of his friends shouted out to him. Nodding and tipping my chin, letting him know that he should go join his friends was all the encouragement he needed. He smiled one last time at me and walked off. I couldn’t help the dread that settled in my stomach with every step he took.

  “I am really glad that you’re here,” I heard from behind me. I couldn’t believe the relief I felt at the voice belonging to the only other person that I was looking forward to seeing. “You had me worried there for a second, though. I thought you might be late and miss the big surprise.”

  I had no idea what to say to that, so I didn’t bother to reach for my notebook.

  “How are you doing? Do you want a drink or anything? I am going to grab something to eat, if you fancy joining me,” Tate asked. I looked over his shoulder and saw that everyone else had moved off to somewhere else; all I saw were kids in varying sizes. “Fear moved everyone along. I think they went into the VIP room. He may look like he isn’t very insightful, but he is often underestimated. Never challenge him at a hide and seek; I learned that lesson the hard way.

  “Fear, Alfie, the nuggets, and I were in a battle of all battles. It was Alfie and Fear against the nuggets and me. Everything was going as planned, seek and destroy. We had it all figured out. Do you think that we cou
ld find that big fucker?” I knew he was babbling so I would not feel uncomfortable, and I appreciated the effort. And the thought of Fear playing hide and seek was enough to bring a smile to my face. Or maybe it was just watching Tate explain what happened that I liked. Whatever it was, I didn’t want him to stop; I liked hearing his voice.

  “We still don’t know where he went. He is one slippery sucker.” Tate snorted at his own words. It was funny.

  We were just about to head over to the food area of the club when the shouting started, causing us to change our direction. Tate and I were some of the last people to arrive at the scene before us. Everyone had created a circle around those involved. That unfortunately included my baby brother. I looked around, trying to gauge if anyone knew what was going on, but from the blank and shocked expressions, no one had a clue.

  “You are so pathetic,” some girl shouted at my brother. What the fuck?

  “Are you for real? If he is so pathetic, Pen, why are you here? Why did you even come? You are nothing but drama. Just leave. You won’t be missed.” It was Austin who shouted.

  “This has nothing to do with you, Austin. Keep out of it. Oh, and by the way, you were the one who invited me.”

  “I invited Tris’s girlfriend. I’m guessing that since you brought some other dude with you, you are not that anymore. So get gone!” Austin shouted back. Was this bitch for real? Yes, I knew I shouldn’t be thinking a sixteen-year-old girl was a bitch, but come on! This bitch was a BITCH. Who goes to their boyfriend’s party and takes another guy? And then when she was called out on it, she starts this mess? I looked over at Tristan and he seemed totally embarrassed and humiliated. I never wanted him to feel that way and especially not at his birthday party in front of all the kids from his school.

  Fear, surprisingly, or maybe not so surprisingly after hearing more and more about him, was the first to move. He went directly to Tristan and took hold of his shoulder, forcing him to make eye contact. I couldn’t hear what was being said, only that whatever it was, Tristan was listening and nodding.