Love Me Always (The Invisibles)

by Michelle Lynn

  I park the Camaro and see Maura’s BMW truck parked in the first row. She better be teaching at Wright Hall today and not waiting for me inside my office.

  Pulling my computer bag out of the backseat, I hear a door slam shut. Great, she’s waiting in her car.

  “Answer your damn phone,” she screams across the parking lot, storming toward me.

  Those matching caramel eyes determined to get me to do whatever she thinks we should. That’s the problem when your sister is years older than you. She forever feels like she can boss you around.

  “What are you going to say? I should talk to her? Side with Sadie,” I say and nudge past her. There’s five minutes before I need be behind my desk and working before Mr. Friar actually does fire me.

  “Don’t be all closed off.” She does this waving thing with her hand and I look at her from the corner of my eye.

  “You do know Sadie isn’t related to you until we say I do, right? That I am your flesh and blood. You should be siding with me.” She stays in step with me. “Don’t you have a class to teach?” I try to shake her, but she follows me through the doors.

  We stand in the lobby of Wright Hall and stare at each other. Like we’re in a stand-off and waiting for the other one to draw their gun. Except this will just be with words.

  “Just stop.” She rolls her eyes and I huff.

  “I’m not going to talk to her. She hasn’t ruined enough of my life, now she wants to come back and ruin my wedding. The day that should be the happiest of my life.”

  “To tell you the truth, when your kids are born that gets replaced.” She shrugs and I roll my eyes. “I’m just saying, it won’t be the happiest day for long.”

  I shake my head in annoyance. Of course, Maura has to put some twisted spin on it.

  “I was clear with Sadie last night and since I’d bet my inheritance that she called you last night, I’ll reiterate it to you. I’m not talking to her ever. She doesn’t exist in my world. End of discussion.”

  Maura’s eyes cast down and I’m guessing it’s because I brought up the inheritance. She got hers when she married Brandon and now I get mine, but with my mom showing up she’s wondering the same thing I am. Is she wanting something more than my love?

  “Why do you think I’m meeting with her for lunch?”

  “You are?” I ask incredulously. “Traitor,” I murmur.

  “Can I ask you a question?” She tries to lead me over to the bench that sits inside the building. I eye my watch and realize I’m already late.

  “I have to get to work.” She sits and I stand.

  “Does Sadie know?” We don’t have to be specific to know exactly what she’s asking. My eyes cast down and she leans back. “Brady,” she sighs.

  “I couldn’t, okay?” My fight is weak. I know I should have told her years ago that once I say I do, an account opens that will make the two of us comfortable, more than comfortable.

  “You’re hiding things from her. That’s not right.” Maura leans against the glass wall and crosses her legs, getting comfortable as though we’re about to have some long and drawn out conversation.

  “I have to go to work.” I turn around, but her hand grips my wrist.

  “Sadie’s coming to lunch with me at noon, with mom. I suggest you be there, or her not be.” Her eyebrows rise.

  “Fuck. Thanks, Maura. My day just got shittier.”

  She shrugs in indifference. “You should have told your soon-to-be-wife that after Saturday you’ll be a millionaire.”

  She twists on her high heels and clicks away down the steps.

  “Wait, what?” I catch up to her on the fourth step and pull her arm to turn her around.

  She smiles and nods. “The money appreciated over the years. What can I say, Grandma and Grandpa were smart with their money.” She raises her perfectly arched eyebrows again, crossing her arms and standing there in front of me.

  “Million?” I question and she nods, her lips creasing into another smile.

  “Yep, little brother.”

  My shoulders slouch and I stare down at my feet. “Fuck me.”

  “That’s a first. You tell someone they’re going to be rich and they look like they could cry.”

  “I thought it was a couple hundred grand. Do you have any idea what Sadie’s going to do?”

  “Not give a shit how much her dress costs? You should have seen her at the bridal shop last year, she was so worried about spending too much. Sent back this perfect dress for her because she said it was too much.”

  That makes me come out of my stunned self. I shake my head. “What? She doesn’t like her dress?”

  “I didn’t say that. I’m sure she likes it fine. I told her I’d buy the other dress, but she wouldn’t hear it.” Maura was never an everything has to be perfect girl, but my Sadie, she is. And if she’s about to walk down the aisle in a dress she doesn’t love one hundred percent, that’s a problem.

  “I’m in shock.” I glance at my watch. “I’m going to be late.” I take two steps up, still absorbing the fact that my inheritance from my grandparents has appreciated over the years since their death.

  “Just think, you don’t really even have to work.” She laughs on her way down the stairs.

  It was all a blur, me walking up the two flights of stairs, setting my computer bag on my desk and booting up my computer. I’m doing well until Mr. Friar’s narrowed, small eyes cast down on me.

  “Mr. Carsen, you’re late . . . again.” His melancholy voice trying to enforce some sort of authority both of us know he has but has no idea how to use.

  “I’m very sorry, Mr. Friar. I promise it won’t happen again.”

  He takes a seat at the side of my desk and crosses one leg over the other. Staring at me for too long, it begins to unnerve me. Maybe today’s the day I’ll get fired and start this horrible streak in my life.

  “Are you okay, Brady?” He turns his body toward me and I lean back in my chair, following his mannerisms.

  “Just the wedding, sir. So much to do.” Not that I wouldn’t rather be here, though.

  “I’d like you take the week off.” He pats my arm. “Harrison can take over in your absence.”

  Fuck that, Harrison is a kiss ass and he’ll twist and flip things to be my fault before I ever return.

  “Thank you, sir, but not necessary.”

  He sets his eyes on me. I fidget with the zipper of my coat, having his beady eyes on me does nothing to ease my apprehension.

  “This isn’t up for negotiation. You’re a hard worker Brady and you have nothing to worry about. Your job is safe.” He stands to his feet and I examine the scuffs on the tip of his brown loafers. “Now pack up your computer and take time off to be with your bride.” He smiles. “I’ll see you Saturday.”

  I nod. “Thank you, sir.” He strolls down the hallway to his own office.

  I’ve worked for the university since graduation and although I’m making strides, I want more with my engineering degree. I want to put it to use more than just education and helping the school. But the jobs I was offered weren’t around here, so that was impossible a year ago. Sadie was more important and that hasn’t changed. She has to finish her Master’s degree before we think about going anywhere.

  Walking out of Wright Hall, the sun peers through the gray clouds, sprinkling rays of sunshine along the leaves of the trees. I slide into my car and sit for a moment, still absorbing the fact about the money Maura told me. I hadn’t thought much of my inheritance since my grandparents never acted well off. Not like Sadie’s parents. Millions though, I swear Maura’s wrong. But then again, she knows what she got after she married. I spy the clock and see it’s only 8:30 and I should really talk to Sadie before she meets my money-grubbing mom. Now that I know how much the check will be for, I guarantee that’s why dear ole mom has paid a visit. Fuck me.

  I drive slower home, mostly from the embarrassment of me speeding by a kids zone earlier. When I pull into our driveway, I notice
Sadie’s car is gone. I release a breath of frustration that I missed her already.

  I pull out my phone in hopes I can catch her before her first client.

  Me: Where are you?

  Sadie: I’m at the dress shop. My last fitting and showing my mom and grandma.

  I guess that takes me out of the equation.

  Me: Call me when you’re done.

  Sadie: Shouldn’t be long.

  Me: Take your time. Love you.

  Sadie: Love you.

  I sit in the driveway, my car idling trying to figure out a nice way to tell my future wife I hid another secret from her. After my dad, I promised her there was nothing else I was keeping to myself. Jesus, who am I turning into? In my mind it all made sense. I’d inherit the money, put it into an account for us. Then we’d have some money to go on vacation or if anything should happen to either one of our jobs, we’d be okay. I hadn’t thought about what it’s going to sound like now. If my mom tells her first. I shake my head. “No.” It won’t happen. Never.

  Before I realize what I’m doing, I throw my car in reverse and pull out of the driveway. The house to my left having no sign of movement. “Lucky Bastards,” I mumble at my friends who are most likely still sleeping. I drive as fast as I can without being reckless to the dress shop.

  I parallel park outside, directly behind Sadie’s Honda. Downtown Western is completely vacant, and I wonder how Sadie is in the store before opening hours. The sign to Vera’s Bridal reads closed, but I try the doors and like magic they work.

  A nice middle-aged lady tries to stop me, but if I don’t tell Sadie about the inheritance right now, it might ruin everything.

  “Sorry, ma’am. I’m here to see my fiancée.” I weave past her, peering over her head of salt and pepper hair, seeking out Sadie.

  “You know it’s bad luck to see the dress.” Her hand plants on my chest.

  “Sadie!” I call out and a snort releases from the woman.

  “Really, honey. Give her time. You’ll spoil your wedding day.” She attempts to fight me, but Sadie walks out of the fitting room at the exact moment she says spoil.

  Spoil nothing. My girl is drop-dead gorgeous. I’m speechless, and honestly my throat burns and my eyes well up.

  “Brady.” She scurries back to the dressing room.

  Maggie and Ida stand and meet my eyes.

  “You’re beautiful.” I call out to her, but she doesn’t come out. “I need to talk to you.” I’m trying to be polite and make this lady feel as though she has a chance of keeping me at bay, whereas I could easily dodge past her. “Baby, I need to talk to you.”

  “Brady, what are you doing here? It’s bad—”

  “Luck. Nothing is bad luck, Ida. Not with Sadie and I.” I finally swivel around the woman’s hand glued to my chest.

  She groans but thankfully doesn’t follow me.

  I knock on the white door, leaning my forehead on the wood.

  “Brady. Why is this so important?” she says from the other side of the door.

  “I have to tell you something.” I jiggle the doorknob, but it’s locked.

  “You can’t see my dress. You know that.” She fights me, but I see the swish of the dress peeking under the door. She wants to give in to me.

  “That’s not the dress you’re wearing to the wedding anyway,” I whisper, remembering Maura’s divulgence from earlier.

  She opens the door and again, I’m struck at how beautiful my girl is. The dress is tight around those breasts I love so much, and flares out just past her waist. Mostly a shiny material and thank goodness not lace. Her kissable skin on display across her shoulders and damn I’m already hoping she wears her hair up so my lips can tease her during the wedding reception.

  “What are you talking about?” Her voice stutters and tears fill her eyes. “Do you not want to marry me?”

  “No!” I rush out, unable to see her so upset. “Maura told me there was another dress you liked more but it was too expensive.”

  Her eyes cast down and her hips swish back and forth, making the dress ring like a bell. Extremely innocent and adorable.

  “It’s way too much Brady. I mean it’s one day. It would be ridiculous.” She shakes her head.

  “Where is it?” I ask, breaking from her and going over to the dresses.

  I hear the friction of her dress whooshing behind me. “Brady, stop. It doesn’t matter what I wear as long as it’s you I’m marrying.”

  She grabs a hold of my arm and swings me around. A scowl plastered on her gentle features contradicts her. She’s trying to be serious, but I refuse to listen.

  She’s cute when she’s determined.

  “Yes it does and we’re buying it. You don’t have to show it to me, but I’m going to give that woman my credit card and she’ll bill it.”

  “How do you like it?” Vera ventures over and Sadie gives her a weak smile. Politely asking her to go away.

  “We don’t. There’s another dress she’d like.” I talk first and Sadie’s head shakes so hard I think it might detach and spin off.

  “No, we’re fine. Thank you, Vera,” she says and Vera stares at me with a glimmer in her eyes. She knows the dress. Does it cost that much money that this woman is happy to oblige me now?

  “Why don’t you just try it on one more time, dear.” She urges Sadie and she hmm and haws.

  “I’m happy with this one.” Sadie fights and I take her in my arms. Then I draw back and hold her head in my palms.

  “Do it for me?” I ask and another weak smile creases her lips.

  “Brady, it’s extravagant. Way too much. I can’t put us in that position.” Her green eyes drop a tear that I quickly swipe with my thumb.

  “For me?” I ask and she dips her head to my chest and I smell the coconut of her shampoo.

  Her head moves back and forth on my button down and I grip her tighter, finding Vera’s eyes over the mass of blonde hair.

  I signal for her to find the dress and she does. Maggie and Ida are staring curiously at us and I realize it’s now or never. “I need to talk to you,” I whisper and her head bolts up almost knocking my chin.

  “What’s the matter? What’s going on?” She hammers questions, her eyes filled with alarm.

  How do I say, we’re millionaires. Especially after Sadie’s history with money. She came from a family with millions once before and it didn’t turn out so well. Fuck, maybe I should just donate it all to charity.

  Sadie

  MY HEART IS pounding, my palms are sweating. Why is Brady acting like a lunatic right now? That dress is so absurdly priced, I can’t allow him to buy it. It’s one day and I’ll never wear that dress again.

  He leads me to another dressing room. Vera hangs “the” dress up in my room, keeping it shielded in a bag.

  “Do you mind?” Brady asks Vera, signaling to an empty fitting room.

  “Take your time.” She holds her hand out in the open space giving us permission. Then I hear her walk over to my mom and grandma talking about the day I was trying on the dress and the gleam in my eyes before I saw the price. You have the sale Vera, you can stop selling now.

  Brady’s hand is tight in mine as he opens the door and waits for me to enter first. I sit on the bench and he moves a chair over to sit in front of me. He takes my hands in his and my throat closes up. Why do I have this horrible feeling inside of me?

  “I didn’t tell you something.” He starts and my head falls back, an alarm in my head screaming to flee. His eyes are bright and free¸ nothing to worry about what he’s about to tell me.

  “Okay.” He squeezes his hold on my hands again. I don’t squeeze back, suddenly all my energy is concentrating on remaining upright. “Just tell me.” Rip off the Band-Aid.

  “My mom’s parents, my grandparents, died when I was young. Let’s see.” He studies the ceiling. “I was seven. Yeah, it was right before my seventh birthday.”

  “Okay.”

  “They died in a plane crash.”


  “I’m sorry.”

  “Thank you,” he smiles. “Their Will was very specific. Trusts would be put in place for all their grandkids. The parents couldn’t touch them, but they got their own divide of the money.” That shallow part of my lungs constricts more and I fear I might actually pass out.

  “Brady.” I place my finger to his lips as though it would silence him. “I don’t need to know, it’s fine.”

  “Yes, you do.” He grips my hands harder for me to give him attention again. “The money is let go as soon as I marry you.”

  “I’ll sign a pre-nup.” I rush to my feet, my hand on the doorknob, needing to escape this conversation. He grabs a hold of me, his hands tightening around my waist.

  “No, you won’t,” he whispers in my ear and shivers run up my spine. Tears prick behind my eyes and I push them back.

  “I don’t want your money,” I say softly back and he chuckles.

  “I know you don’t, but I want you to have it.”

  Is he insane? Money will ruin us, just like my parents. It changes people, makes them expect things, irrational things. I saw my dad transform before my eyes from a kind male who loved his children to a man that only saw the bottom line of his bank account. He looked down at others who didn’t meet his status quo.

  I turn around and pierce my eyes at Brady. He cocks his head and backs up with his hands up in the air.

  “How much are we talking?” I ask, knowing the higher the figure, the worse my future holds.

  “That’s the funny thing.” His head pushes through his hair. “I thought it was only a few thousand, maybe a hundred at most.”

  He already acts like a hundred grand is something to sneeze at.

  “How much?” I grit my teeth, my throat hallowing at the thought.

  “Maura said she got more around a million.”

  Bile slowly stirs and rapidly rises up my throat. No. This can’t be happening.

  “Baby, are you okay?” He grabs a hold of my elbows and suddenly the room begins to spin until complete darkness fills my vision.

  “Baby!” Brady’s panicked voice pulls me from wherever I just was. My eyes blink and focus on the four faces peering down at me.