The Right Wish

by Mankin, Michelle

Rush leaned against the kitchen counter and raised a sardonic brow.

  “He’s self-aware,” Sierra said. “He knows he’s high maintenance.”

  “Tell the pigtailed pain in the ass I said hi,” Rush said with a wry look.

  He knew he was temperamental, but I was aware a lot of his temperament sprang from discontent. That had all changed recently. He was happy with Jewel, happier than I could ever remember him being.

  “A return hey back to your best friend. But please remind him that I haven’t worn pigtails since high school.” Sierra sighed again.

  High school wasn’t a good memory for her, or it hadn’t been after the captain of the football team had gotten her pregnant and then walked away, refusing to have anything to do with her or his son.

  “This time I’m fired for real. It sucks because I came out here with V for an event, and now I can’t get a flight back home until tomorrow. And to add insult to injury, I just put a deposit down on a postage-stamp-sized apartment that I love back in New York, but I can’t afford it now since I don’t have a job. Would you mind too much if Dylan and I spent the night with you? I’d get a hotel room, but money’s going to be tight for a while until I can get another job.”

  “I insist you stay with me.”

  “But Bree doesn’t like kids.”

  “Bree and I are over.”

  “Finally,” Sierra said immediately.

  “No condolences? No, ‘I’m so sorry it didn’t work out,’ or ‘Are you okay, Bradley?’”

  Sierra scoffed. “You’re okay. You were never emotionally invested in her, and she didn’t treat you right. You’re better off without her.”

  She sounded almost exactly like Rush. I turned away from him and lowered my voice.

  “I don’t know, Sierra. Maybe I didn’t make her the priority I should have.” I threw that out there, wanting a woman’s opinion. Needing her opinion.

  “She wanted to be the only priority. Bree Cable is a conceited, self-absorbed woman-child. She was all wrong for you. I’m glad it’s done. Finally. The only person who’s going to be upset is Mom. She’s been hoping for a wedding since way back when I got pregnant. She’s had a venue picked out and wedding invitations selected since Bree moved in with you.”

  “Yeah, I know. She’s a romantic.”

  “Peas in a pod, you and her. Well, you were before you rearranged everything you were truly passionate about in your life because of me.”

  “Don’t, Sierra. We’re family. I would do it again. And it’s not like I’m suffering for the choices I made.”

  “Hmm.”

  I frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

  “It means I love you. And I wish I didn’t have to come to you for another bail-out. It hurts my pride, but with Dylan, pride is a luxury I can’t afford.”

  “Where are you?”

  “LAX.”

  “I’m at Rush’s. I’ll come get you.”

  “I can just take a Lyft to your place.”

  “Don’t be ridiculous. The airport’s on my way home.”

  “I appreciate it.”

  “I’ll head over now, and we can swing by the store after. My refrigerator’s pretty empty, and I know how my nephew likes to eat.”

  “Thanks, Brad.”

  “Anything for you and Dylan. That boy needs all the chocolate he can eat, and he needs lots of Uncle Brad time.”

  “He’ll be bouncing off the walls if you feed him sugar.”

  “Uncle’s prerogative.”

  “Then his uncle can deal with him all night when he can’t sleep.”

  “I’m looking forward to it. He deserves spoiling.”

  “He thinks so too, the little monster.”

  “Love you, Sierra. See you and the monster soon.”

  I hung up after she did and turned to find Rush was no longer behind me. He’d returned to the living room. and now stood beside Camaro and Jewel with his arms crossed. His fiancée looked determined, and her best friend was upset. In fact, Camaro had a crease the size of the Grand Canyon between her brows.

  “What’s going on?” I asked, rejoining them.

  Frowning, Rush hit me with a hard look. “There’s been a unilateral change in plans while we were in the kitchen.”

  “About what?” I asked, his obvious tension becoming mine.

  “Jewel’s not coming on the tour.”

  I instantly knew why. She was staying to look after Camaro. It was the right thing to do because Camaro needed looking after. But it was a sacrifice that wasn’t good for Rush and Jewel as a couple.

  “This is kind of last minute,” I said carefully.

  “I’m sorry,” Jewel said to me, but I wondered how much of her apology was meant for Rush too.

  “It’s not a big deal.” I shrugged. “It’s a rock tour. I’m used to last-minute changes. It’s the way rock rolls.”

  “Thanks, Brad.” She gave me a tight smile.

  “No worries on my part, Jewel.”

  Her lips flat, she nodded. Beside her, Rush’s creased brow mirrored Camaro’s.

  “Hey, Rush, I’ll handle this. But right now, I gotta go.” I hooked a thumb toward the door. “Once I get Sierra situated, I’ll call you and we’ll get it all sorted out.”

  “Do it.” Rush lifted his chin. “No matter how late.”

  I nodded. This was a huge issue to resolve.

  Chapter 12

  * * *

  Camaro

  “Bradley! Wait!” I shouted, slamming the front door closed as I sprinted from the condo.

  Already in the parking lot several yards away, he stopped. I reached him as he turned, going from an awkward dash in my flip-flops to a sudden complete stop.

  “I thought we agreed to no more formality between us.” He shook his head at me, but for once my gaze shifted to something more noteworthy than him.

  “This is yours?” I pointed. “You drive a 3.7-liter V6 350-horsepower Nissan Nismo 370Z?”

  “You know cars?” His brows lifted, disappearing beneath his golden hair.

  “My father does,” I replied. It was a priority to stay familiar with all the makes, models, and specs on the tiny chance that the information might prove useful, should I ever speak to him again. “Two hundred seventy-six pounds of torque.” I whistled low while staring wide eyed at the sleek coupe with the light pearl-white tri-coat finish. “That’s some precision performance vehicle.”

  “You never mentioned your father before. What does he do?”

  “Um, I . . .” My heart hammering, I turned back to him. “You never mentioned your sister before.”

  “I guess not.”

  Blue eyes like high beams focused on me. With nowhere to hide from that intense glow, I blinked hard as my pulse revved.

  Redirect, Cam. Redirect him.

  “That sure is a sweet ride.” I planted a hand on my hip and arched my back.

  “There are sweeter ones.” His eyes hooded, he gave me a wandering look that lingered on my tits but made all of me tingle.

  “I can’t think of many with the same specs as the Z.”

  “It’s all right.” He shrugged. “It made sense to me. Same equipment for a lot less cash than Rush’s Porsche.”

  “Of course. Being sensible is important to you.” I had given him the perfect setup for sexual innuendo, and he’d basically passed on it. “So, the Nismo was a practical choice for you.”

  He nodded, slamming the hood on continuing with the innuendo with me, or anything else. I wasn’t a temptation for him. I wished I could remember that.

  Shaking my head in disbelief, I said, “I never pictured you in a sports coupe.”

  “So, you pictured me in something?”

  “Yeah.” I nodded, remembering a few of my fantasies. I had an active imagination, and had pictured him in plenty of different ways. My skin prickled as his focus on me intensified, and I yanked myself out of my daydreams. “Um, I mean, no.”

  Give it up, Cam. Just get to the point w
ith him, and quickly.

  “Y-you forgot your jacket.” I extended it.

  His gaze dipped, then lifted. “Thanks.” He closed the distance between us to take it. His movements were smooth and enticing, as if he moved to a soundtrack only he could hear.

  “Look at me, Camaro.” His voice was low and seductive, but it wasn’t a request.

  “You said no formality.” I gave him attitude, yet lifted my gaze in response to his command.

  “I did. I think we’re past it. I certainly am.”

  His eyes were no longer headlamps to illuminate but a mirror that captivated me, my reflection set within a glittering sapphire frame. For a single hushed moment, it seemed that he approved of me, that I was right where I was always meant to be, that all that had been lost was found. My hopes, my dreams, maybe even myself.

  “I could have retrieved my jacket tomorrow,” he said softly, and the spell was broken.

  “Yes, I guess you could have.”

  His eyes narrowed. “Is that the real reason you stopped me?”

  “No, I wanted to ask—” I gasped as the light we stood under suddenly went out.

  “Brad.” Without thinking, I instinctively reached for him as fear clawed at me. It had been dark in the alley where the men had assaulted me. “Don’t let them get me.”

  His arms came up, and he wrapped his strength around me, his jacket crushed between us. “It’s okay, Cam. No need to panic. No one’s going to get you. I have you,” he murmured softly as he stroked my back.

  The back-and-forth motion warmed me, removing the chill from my skin, but what soothed me was being in his arms. My rapid heartbeats slowing, I sagged into him, absorbing his heat and the comfort he offered. If I could, I would have borrowed his strength and used it to rewrite my life story. But no amount of strength or editing could erase the past to make me a woman worthy of him.

  “I’m okay.” I retracted the fear, rolling it up like a rug and stuffing it deep down inside me. My fear was mine alone, and I was on my own to deal with it.

  “I’m not so sure about that.”

  “Let go of me, please,” I whispered. He was right to doubt my claim.

  “If that’s what you truly want.”

  “Yes.” A lie, but he granted my wish, releasing me.

  Released from his embrace, I gasped as cold reality rushed over me. The contrast between his heat and the chilly night air was stark, stealing my breath.

  “Cam?” He made my name a question in the darkness. He stood nearby, but no longer held me.

  “Here.” I thrust his jacket toward him again, and after a long moment, he took it. “I came outside to ask for your help.”

  Finding my voice, I remembered what I needed to do.

  “Jewel can’t stay with me.” Sure, I wanted her to stay, but I wanted what was best for her more. “She needs to go with Rush, and he needs her beside him. They’re arguing inside right now because of me.”

  Tears stung my eyes. I hated feeling helpless to the whims of fate. I craved the power of choice, and this was one I had.

  “What makes you think I can change her mind?” His voice seemed deeper and more compelling in the darkness.

  “I’ve seen you use your management skills on nearly everyone in the group. And Jewel is Rush’s fiancée. She’s part of that group now.”

  His cell suddenly dinged like it had earlier inside.

  “That’s my sister. Hold on. Hey, sis,” he said after a pause.

  “Are you driving the Z or the Land Rover?” she asked.

  He’d apparently put his phone on speaker mode. Her voice was soft, feminine, and melodic, much like his.

  “The Z.”

  In the bluish glow from his phone, I could see his brows pull together.

  “It doesn’t have a back seat,” she said.

  “Shit. I didn’t think of that.”

  I angled my head. It wasn’t like him to forget any detail.

  “Dylan’s getting restless. How about I catch a Lyft and you head home? We’ll probably arrive at your place at the same time.”

  “Okay.” He nodded as if she could see him. It was cute, and nice to see him in a different role. “I’ll make a quick stop at the store. Text me what you need.”

  “Okay. Love you, Brad.”

  “Love you too, Sierra. See you soon.” He ended the call and refocused on me. “I have to go.”

  My lips were parted. Seeing Brad in not just a different role, a totally divergent one, had surprised me.

  “Okay.” I nodded, but he didn’t move. It almost seemed as if he were reluctant to go. Wistfulness from my earlier illusion lingered. “I just wanted to ask for your help. I didn’t mean to keep you from your responsibilities.”

  “You’re not keeping me. Not really. Sierra’s totally capable.” He angled his head. “I’ll do what I can to help. Would you consider coming on the tour?”

  “No way.” I shook my head. I would be even more out of place in cramped quarters on the road with the band than I was here. “Rush is paying me to housesit. I plan to save all I earn—I need to save everything. It’s all I have to make a fresh start.”

  “Jewel doesn’t want to leave you behind.”

  I lifted my chin. “I’m not a child. I don’t need a babysitter.”

  His phone dinged again, lighting up the space between us with an incoming text, but he didn’t glance away from me. Something that seemed like admiration sparked within his gaze again.

  “That’s probably your grocery list,” I said. “You’re busy. I’ve tied you up long enough. You’d better go.” I turned in the direction of the condo but stumbled on the uneven asphalt in the dark.

  “I’m never too busy to help a friend.” His fingers curled warmth around my upper arm, but his words unfurled warmth deeper inside me.

  “I can manage.”

  “I’m sure you can, but you don’t have to. Not when I’m right here beside you.”

  His grip steady, he gently guided me to the front door. When the motion light over it kicked on, Brad gave me a long assessing look.

  “You’re brave to insist on staying here alone when the dark triggers panic. But it might take more courage to accept the help I offer.”

  I put my hands on my hips. “I came out here to ask you, didn’t I?”

  “You did that much, at least.”

  “What does that mean?” My brows snapped together.

  “It means you’re stubborn, Cam.” He narrowed his eyes. “You asked for my help, so let me give it. Part of me helping is giving advice. I’ll see what else I can do to remedy the situation. But you need to do your part and be open to a solution that might not be exactly what you wished for.”

  Chapter 13

  * * *

  Bradley

  On my second-story deck, I stood in the darkness with the roar of the ocean in my ears as a steady wind rippled the white tee I’d put on shortly after arriving home. The faded denim of my jeans didn’t move. They were impervious to motion. Camaro on my mind, I used a big vocabulary word for a descriptor while wondering if she and the rest of the players involved would be as resistant to my solution to her problem as she would likely be.

  “Thought I might find you out here,” Sierra said, stepping over the track for the sliding glass doors that separated my living room from the deck. Crossing it to join me, she stopped beside me, peering at me through her lashes. “You seem deep in thought.”

  “Just passing time until Dylan’s ready to be tucked in.” Turning, I leaned onto the wood railing and faced the ocean.

  Sierra did the same, and the wind buffeted both of us. She lifted her pretty face into it, the blond tendrils that had escaped her ponytail trailing behind her like a streamer.

  I saw an analogy there, a common one.

  The wind represented the rough stuff we’d all gone through as a family when she got pregnant and the farm took a severe downturn. Marshalls stuck together, and we did what was necessary. We didn’t shy away from
adversity.

  “You ready to give me some details about this plan of yours?” She turned to look at me. “You’ve been on your phone quite a bit this evening.”

  “You sure you don’t want to go inside to talk? It’s pretty windy out here.”

  “It’s invigorating. I like it. I miss the ocean.” She turned her gaze to the great expanse. “I miss the West Coast every time I leave it, and miss standing beside you. Most of all, I miss you, big brother.”

  “You and Dylan. That sentiment is double for me.” I covered her hand with mine and squeezed it gently. “My plan involves you and Dylan. It would be a big change for you both, but on the upside, it involves bringing you here. To the West Coast as your home base. Closer to me.”

  “How close?” She narrowed her eyes.

  “Interesting that’s your question, and not a request for more information about the big change.”

  She sighed. “I’m ready for a change.”

  “Why is that?” Straightening, I went on big-brother high-alert status.

  “A lot of reasons that are my own.” She withdrew her hand and met my gaze. “I love you, Brad, but I don’t need you fighting my battles for me anymore. I’m all grown up. Remember?”

  “I know you are.”

  “Then you need to allow me to stumble and fall. Even though I don’t like being there, a lot of learning goes on when I hit the ground. It builds strength, character, and confidence each time I get back up again on my own.”

  “Sure.” I thought of all that Camaro had been through, and her defensiveness about her capability, and understood it a little better. “I believe in you, but can I still give you advice?”

  “Can I stop you?” she asked.

  Grinning, I shook my head.

  “So this plan of yours, it’s work related, huh?”

  “I want to hire you for Marshall Enterprises.”

  Her eyes widened. “You what?”

  “You heard me,” I said.

  As we stood on the windy deck in the darkness, I outlined my plan, giving her the details she needed to make a decision.

  “It would be on a trial basis,” I told her when I was done. “You’ll have a year to try it out before you have to make a formal commitment. But if you say yes, I need you to start right away.”