McKenzie Cousins Box Set One: Books One, Two, Three

by Lexi Buchanan

  It feels like it takes forever for her to get herself together and when she does she drops on my sofa, so I pass her the box of tissues. “Here, you need to mop up.”

  “Thanks,” she winces. “God, I didn’t know that was going to happen,” she says, embarrassed.

  “Charlotte, I’m your twin, if you can’t cry in front of me, then who can you cry in front of? You obviously needed it.”

  “I do feel a bit better.”

  “There you go then, Michael’s shoulder to the rescue again.” I say and am rewarded with her smile.

  “I can’t get away just yet, but I’ll go soon…maybe.”

  “I know you’re afraid of being rejected, but if you don’t try then you’ll never know…and what if he gets married before you get your butt in gear and go?”

  Her face goes white. “I never thought of that. Oh my God, what if he’s already married and that’s why he stopped answering my messages?”

  “Okay, look. I’ll ask Sirena if she’s heard anything. Garrett’s best friends with his dad, right? So if there has been a wedding, then wouldn’t they have been invited to it? And so far they haven’t been to one, otherwise, one of us would have known about it.”

  She nods. “You’re making sense.”

  I roll my eyes. “I always do!”

  “God, I feel drained now. I have a meeting in ten minutes as well.” She checks her phone. “I’m going to go and clean up.” At the door, she turns around and says, “Don’t forget that dinner we’ve all been invited to tomorrow night.”

  I look at her, not having a clue. “The one I told you about when the invite came and you said you’d go. The one I also emailed you the details about. The one I asked your secretary to add to your calendar.”

  “Oh that one!” I comment still not having a clue.

  She shakes her head. “You’re ridiculous. You have no idea what I’m talking about…just make sure you’re there.” And after a shake of her finger in my direction, she disappears out the door.

  I sag into the sofa feeling relief that she calmed down. I may be her twin, but my sister having a man in her life makes me feel weird.

  Shuddering, I move back to my desk and notice a message from Brooke, so, smiling, I swipe the screen and see what she’s sent me.

  Brooke: Meeting my dad at 8 tomorrow evening to talk about Carrie. R U free to come with me?

  I quickly open my calendar on my computer and curse. No way can I be in two places at once.

  Me: Charlotte has reminded me that I’m at a function tomorrow evening, was going to ask you to go with me.

  Brooke: I could meet you there afterwards? I’m hoping it won’t take long.

  Me: That’s a date. Wish I could be there with you though.

  Brooke: Please, don’t worry. We’ll talk when you come home. Love you xx

  Me: Love you more xx

  Brooke: Not as much as me xx

  Me: :)

  Still looking at her messages, I find that I can’t wipe the smile off my face. I don’t want to either.

  53

  Brooke

  My surprise had been apparent when I’d called my father about the visit from Carrie, and he’d told me he would come to town and talk to me, face-to-face. The entire time I waited, my nerves had eaten at me, even now, as I wait at the bar in Garrett’s signature hotel, I find myself conjuring up a million different scenarios of why Carrie has been acting this way.

  Unlike his usual punctuality, he’s running thirty minutes late so I quickly message Michael to let him know because I know he’ll worry, wondering where I am. I’d rather be with him but I also need to know what is going on. It will also be nice to see my father.

  I glance around and avoid catching anyone’s eye while I sip my cosmopolitan. I’m not sure what he’s going to be telling me, but I have a feeling I’m not going to like it so I’m hoping the alcohol will hopefully numb whatever I’m about to find out.

  I’m on my fifth by the time my father arrives, an hour later.

  He groans. “Please tell me you’re not drunk?”

  “I’m not drunk, but I think I’m on the way,” I reply and smirk. “You should have arrived on time.”

  He ignores my comment and orders some strong coffee, which I’m not going to refuse.

  “Can you also bring me a bottle of still water please?” I add.

  The waiter smiles. “Yes, ma’am.”

  Dad chuckles because he knows how much I hate being called ma’am. “He’s only being polite, honey.”

  “I think he was more amused than polite.” I watch my father and realize he’s avoiding the important conversation. “What’s really going on?” I ask.

  He runs his hands through his hair. “You’re sister has gotten herself into a spot of trouble,” he starts, “but it’s being taken care of.”

  “Dad,” I moan, “I want to know what exactly, so please stop putting off telling me?”

  He pauses and I know he’s about to lie to me.

  “I want the truth and if you don’t give me that, I’m walking out of here, and I won’t see or talk to you or Mom until you’ve apologized and told me the truth. I’ve had enough.” I sit back in my seat and wait, I’ve never been this forceful but it’s clear that I wanted to know.

  He drops his head and keeps his gaze on me. He isn’t the businessman he is without having a few tricks up his sleeve, but I’m not falling for that. Not now.

  “Damn it, Brooke, your mother doesn’t want you to know.”

  “Dad, I thought I was part of this family.”

  “You’re my baby and it’s up to a father to protect her. I failed your sister, but I don’t want to fail you. I can’t.” His anguish is now apparent, but I know he’s going to tell me. “But, as much as I don’t want to, I don’t think I have a choice, and you do have the right to know.”

  He pauses and waits for the waiter to bring our coffee.

  “Your sister,” he whispers, “got in with the wrong crowd. I’m talking drugs. She also has a weakness for nice things. Her money is gone—credit cards maxed out, and she can’t afford to live on the money she was getting from the shares.” He sighs. “I thought I was helping by changing her payments from monthly to weekly, thinking that she wouldn’t spend as much. But that isn’t the case.”

  He runs his hands through his hair. “I think when she visited you, she was desperate,” he winces.

  “It’s okay Dad, I figured that one out for myself.”

  He nods. “To cut a long story short, she’s in Canada, which you can’t tell anyone, and she’s in rehab there. They’re going to take good care of her. I’ve covered everything she owes so I know she’s going to be safe when she’s home.”

  “I don’t understand how I never knew she was using. How is that possible?”

  “None of us saw her on drugs, I don’t think. I’m sure we’d have noticed. She lived alone in the city and only spent family time when she needed money or, as I realize now, when she needed somewhere to hide. I shouldn’t have let it go on for as long as it did, and that’s on me.”

  I reach out and grab my dad’s hand. “You’re getting her help, which is all that matters.” I offer him a wry smile. “You also know if it hadn’t gotten so bad, she wouldn’t be getting the help that she needs.”

  “You’re right. You always are.” He smiles and, squeezing my hand, he lets me go. “You’re just like your mother.”

  “I’ll take that as the highest compliment then.” I grin.

  “You do that.” He clears his throat. “You look happy, Brooke.”

  “I am Dad. I love Michael, and I’m going to be staying in Lexington.” I sit forward. “My editor says that as long as I can be there for the monthly meetings, then she doesn’t see why I can’t work from here. I mean, in New York, I worked from home most of the time.”

  “I’m happy for you Brooke, so is your mother. The McKenzie’s have a good reputation, which is why I went to them for the resort.”

 
“Michael and Alexander are really excited for that. They’ve had a few meetings in the evening at our house and their ideas are going to blow you away.”

  He sits back and laughs. “I already love their work, no need to sell them, honey.”

  Chuckling, I add, “I’m sorry. I can’t help it.”

  “I’ll be in town again in a week or two and your mother will be with me. We’ll all get together for dinner,” he suggests.

  “Just let me know and we’ll have dinner at our house so that you can see where we live.”

  “You’re excited?”

  “Yes.”

  “I haven’t seen you this animated for years. It’s nice…and now, I’m going to leave and let you get to Michael and this party you’re missing.” He stands and tugs me into his arms. Hugging me really tight, he tells me, “I love you, Brooke, and I’m so damn proud of you.”

  Tears pop into my eyes at his words.

  He cups my face. “I know I haven’t told you that in a long time.” He kisses my forehead and pulling away, he has a cocky smirk on his face. “Give Michael a message for me, will you?”

  “Of course.”

  “Tell him that he’s ended up with the daughter I’d intended him to be with all along.” Dad laughs and leaves me standing with my mouth open, wondering what the heck he was on about.

  “Was the coffee okay?” the waiter asks, smiling.

  I roll my eyes. “It’s certainly sobered me up.”

  “Good,” he laughs.

  He hovers, so with a smile in his direction, I head out and call a cab.

  The cab takes forever to get me to the hotel where Michael is. I’ve tried calling him but he hasn’t answered, or read his messages from me. I know the party is going to busy and with live music, loud. Nevertheless, I’m disappointed that I haven’t been able to hear his voice…to know he’s waiting for me.

  He’d actually promised to come out and meet me so that I wasn’t walking in alone, but that isn’t going to happen now.

  Paying the fare, I step out and smile at the doorman. He opens the doors for me and once inside, I follow the signs to the event Michael is attending. Just outside of the ballroom, I spot the restrooms so I quickly dive inside. I feel all rushed and need a few minutes to catch my breath.

  Glancing in the mirror, I sigh in relief that my hair is still in place and so is my makeup, although I reapply my lipstick while hoping I can keep my thoughts at bay about Carrie.

  She’s my sister and I do love her, I just wish she hadn’t pushed me away for the past few years. Perhaps I could have helped her more.

  Feeling my lips start to quiver and tears spring into my eyes, I quickly grab my purse and fight for composure, when a woman comes rushing into the restroom and quickly enters a stall.

  She has me curious, especially with how she ran in the heels she’s wearing. I’m in heels and I’m struggling to walk let alone run in them. I’d love to be one of these confident women who stride across a room in high heels without missing a step or falling flat on their face. That’s where I’d end up.

  She rushes back out, washes her hands and then loudly exhales. “I have no idea why I’m rushing,” she says smiling at me.

  “I’m the same. I decided to step in here to take a minute before I head into the ballroom.”

  “There’s some handsome single men in the room, but I keep telling the man I’m with that he’s the most handsome. He thinks I’m talking bullshit,” she mumbles and laughs. “I’m not, but I love to tease him.”

  “It sounds like you love him a lot,” I add, thinking about Michael.

  She chuckles. “I haven’t seen him for a while, but I do love him. I always have. Even when he's annoying and giving me advice that I’d rather not listen to.” She dries her hands. “I’ll see you around.” And off she disappears.

  I smile and, after one last look in the mirror, I exit and head toward the ballroom and the loud music, wincing when it gets louder the closer I get.

  Standing at the door, I glance around and see that the party really is underway. I’ve no idea what it’s for and I realize I should have asked. Michael had just told me it was to celebrate something, and that a lot of businesses within Lexington had been invited. Hence why he couldn’t miss it.

  At first, I don’t spot him but I do see the woman who was in the restroom with me. Her face is alight with pleasure as she dashes toward someone. I follow her gaze and find Michael. My Michael.

  I watch his face split into a huge grin as he quickly puts his drink down onto a table just in time to catch the woman.

  They wrap their arms around each other and stay in the embrace for a while before the woman intertwines her fingers with Michael and tugs him onto the dance floor.

  He wraps her up in his arms and she rests her head on his shoulder. All I can think is that they make a beautiful couple.

  “Hey,” an elderly man asks, “are you okay, honey?”

  I blink and realize my face is wet as tears run from my eyes. I shake my head, and with one last glance at Michael, I turn and walk as fast as I can from the hotel.

  I’m lucky and climb into the first cab I see. I have no clue as to what address to give him and, in the end, I settle on a hotel. I manage to keep myself together until I’m locked into the suite.

  Then I stand in the middle of the room and my sobs come, loud, and racking my body as I drop to the floor and curl into myself.

  I wish I hadn’t made it to the event tonight, that I hadn’t seen what I’d seen. My heart finds it difficult to comprehend. How could Michael do that to me? I live with him. He said he couldn’t wait until all my things were in his home and that I no longer had anywhere else to live.

  Perhaps you misunderstood what you’d seen!

  I want to believe that, but what if I hadn’t? I never would have believed it of Michael, but he clung to her.

  You should have stayed and asked.

  Letting my tears run freely, I don’t know what the hell to think, but I do know I’m not going to be able to ask Michael tonight. I need to think and clear my head and the only way to do that is if I’m alone.

  Reaching for my purse, I sit up and rummage through it. Finding my phone, I switch it off and toss it back inside. Rolling to my hands and knees, I clamber to my feet and enter the bathroom. I avoid the mirror as I strip my clothes from my body, remember all the times Michael had removed them for me. Climbing into the shower, I let the water mix with my tears.

  54

  Michael

  Frowning, I glance at my watch for the umpteenth time, but still no Brooke. I hunt my cell out of my pocket and curse when I notice four missed calls and a couple of text messages from her. Why the hell didn’t I hear them? I laugh, annoyed with myself. How would I hear anything other than the music from the live band in this room?

  “What’s wrong?” Olivia, my cousin, and Alexander’s sister, asks.

  “Brooke should be here by now.”

  “Maybe she got held up.”

  “I missed her calls and text. She messaged me over an hour ago saying she was nearly at the hotel.” I run my hand through my short hair. “What if she’s had an accident?”

  “Don’t worry until you know there’s something to worry about,” Olivia suggests. “I’m sure she’ll be here soon.”

  I was surprised to arrive and be greeted by my cousin the minute I walked into the room. Olivia works at McKenzies but she’s been out of town for a while on a project in Texas. I’m glad that I’ve gotten to spend time with her tonight with her only being home for a few days.

  As I watch her now, I realize that she’s distracted as she looks around the ballroom.

  “Looking for someone?”

  “Yeah…I met a woman in the restroom and thought I’d go and say hello to her, as the majority of people I know here are drunk…I don’t see her though.”

  “Perhaps she’s had enough and left,” I suggest, trying to call Brooke except her cell keeps going straight to voicemail.<
br />
  “No, I don’t think so. She’d only just arrived when I talked to her.”

  Then I have a thought and my heart starts to sink. “Have a look at a picture of Brooke.” I open my photos and find a close up and show it Olivia.

  Her eyes widen. “That’s her.” She laughs and then it turns into a groan and she curses.

  “Tell me?”

  “I never told her my name, and I told her that I’d been teasing the man I’m with. Telling him he was the most handsomest man in the room, and that I loved him very much.” She reaches for my arm. “I had no idea I was talking to Brooke. I mean, I wasn’t lying, I love you but we’re related.”

  “Which means if she followed you into the ballroom then she’d have seen you in my arms. She’d have seen me hugging you back and grinning like an idiot at you.” The bottom drops out of my stomach.

  “Surely she wouldn’t believe that you’d be unfaithful to her, especially at a party that you expected her to show up at.”

  “I don’t know what she’d think, but I’m going to go out on a stretch and believe that she thinks I have been.” I don’t know how to feel about her jumping to conclusions without asking.

  Perhaps that isn’t fair considering what she witnessed looked pretty damning, but hell, she should have stayed and talked to me.

  “What are you going to do?”

  “Her phone goes straight to voice mail.” I slam my cell against my leg. “I need to find her and talk to her.”

  “Hey,” she wraps herself into my arms, “for what it’s worth, I’m really sorry.”

  I shake my head. “It isn’t your fault Olivia. You had no clue that you were talking to her, and, as far as I know, she hasn’t seen a picture of you. Well, without a mask.”

  She gasps. “Oh God, that picture from the twenties fancy dress party your parents had.” She laughs. “I’d forgotten about that. I had blonde hair then.”

  “Hmm, nothing like the red you have now, huh?”