Storm

by Mankin, Michelle

  I kept one of my arms around his waist, and he draped his arm over my shoulder. I didn’t want to let him go. It seemed he didn’t want to let me go anytime soon either.

  “Sure, I could eat. But I didn’t know we were due in the studio again.” Cork’s brow scrunched. “I thought Ash was happy with the single the way it is.”

  “Apparently, he liked it and our performance so much, he put OB Hardy in the lineup at a concert next week, right before the Dirt Dogs.”

  “Surf Fest in Huntington Beach?” my brother asked, his eyes bright.

  “He didn’t say specifically,” Journey said. “But the Huntington Beach part sounds right.”

  “That’s at the fairgrounds.” Cork stood, but he looked a little shaky. “Six thousand tickets were sold.”

  “Wow,” I said. “That’s a big audience. Was Saber the one who called you this morning?” I asked Journey.

  “Yeah,” Journey said. “And he knows now that we’re together.”

  “Okay.” I made a face. “I’m sorry. He’s probably going to give you a hard time.”

  “Not any more than he already does.” He squeezed my shoulder reassuringly. “I know how he is, and he knows where I stand. I think that’s as good as things are going to get between him and me.”

  Journey released me to grab his wallet and keys from a side table that was another new addition to his apartment. Watching him, I almost shared about my bestie hooking up with Saber. But though I wanted to, I couldn’t. Not yet. Not until she and I talked.

  Claiming a hangover headache, she’d waved off my interrogation until later today. We were meeting at the pier. A lot had happened since we’d last talked, and she wasn’t the only one with a new development to share.

  “So, that photo over the couch,” I said as Journey and I moved toward the door. “It’s the spot at the cliffs, right? Where we surfed the other day?”

  “It is.” Journey placed his hand on my lower back.

  “It’s a great shot. Who took it?”

  “Tess.”

  “Oh.” I tripped, stumbling on a jealousy speed bump that appeared out of nowhere.

  “She mentioned photography being a hobby of hers.” Journey’s eyes twinkled knowingly. “I mentioned having a lot of blank walls in the apartment, so she came up to measure the other night, and she left right afterward. Despite your matchmaking efforts, there’s nothing but friendship between us.”

  “Oh.” I smiled. His explanation made me happy. “Do you like the photo because she took it, or because you like the cliffs a lot?”

  “I bought it from her because it reminds me of you.” His gaze glistened with a sudden intensity that made my skin sizzle. “I like you a lot.”

  Storm

  UNDER THE AWNING outside the diner, Cork patted his stomach. “I’m so stuffed, I can’t walk.”

  Lotus nodded with a sigh. “I weigh at least three pounds more than before we ate.”

  Giving her a long glance, I doubted it. She had amazing curves beneath her denim shorts overalls, but she was on the thin side of slender. I worried about her, and how hard she worked.

  “The food was so good.”

  “Yeah,” Cork said. “The eggs were perfect. The platters are as big as a feeding trough.”

  She shook her head at him. “You drowned your trough in sriracha.”

  “Eggs need sauce.” He waggled his brows. “Just like ice cream.”

  I grinned, watching them tease each other. Siblings, yet their relationship was nothing like mine with my brothers. Though Saber and Shield were tight and always had been, I’d only been tight with one person, a girl who was now the beautiful woman next to me.

  “Yuck. Hot fudge, yes, but not spicy sriracha sauce.”

  Lotus’s head shake seemed to clear the disgust at her brother’s topping choice from her face. Her expression was soft as she turned to me.

  “Thank you.” Touching my arm, she smiled.

  Her touch sparked a pure adrenaline rush, like riding my surfboard into a good barrel or finding the perfect chord for a new song. She was beautiful, sweet, and always thankful, whether I bought her a convenience store sandwich or an inexpensive breakfast.

  “You’re welcome,” I said gruffly, covering her hand with mine. I wanted to keep that skin-to-skin connection. “I was happy for the company. I hate eating alone.”

  “We enjoyed your company. It was interesting hearing about the places you’ve been and who you’ve met in your travels.” She withdrew her hand from mine.

  A gust of wind threw a wisp of Lotus’s hair across her face. Capturing it, she tucked it behind her ear. The pads of my fingers tingling, I found myself disappointed, wishing I’d had the privilege.

  “You’ve done a lot,” she said. “Accomplished a lot with your talent.”

  “You’ve done a lot with yours too.”

  She shrugged. “I don’t have any talent.”

  “You’re wrong. You’re sweet, kind, and an attentive listener, traits that make you a great bartender. You’re creative too. You’ve developed a unique side business of salvaging, reclaiming, and packaging your plants and poems. Your dad would be proud knowing you’ve found a way to incorporate poetry and gardening. And that’s not even mentioning your most important role, being Cork’s sister and his guardian.”

  “I guess you’re right.” Her eyes gleaming, Lotus slipped her arm around Cork’s waist. “I love my life, just the way it is. I love OB. I’m where I want to be, with the people I care about most.” She looked back to me. “I have no regrets, except maybe one.”

  “Your friend,” I said, taking a guess. “Storm.”

  “Yes.” She nodded, and Cork gave me a sharp look.

  I got it. His concerns about keeping my identity secret were my concerns, but he didn’t get all the nuances.

  He’d had Lotus all his life. She was a beacon, her faith in you a light, an irrepressible one. He probably believed in a happy ending for his sister and me if I told her everything right now. I wasn’t so sure of that outcome.

  “First chance I get,” Lotus said, “I’m going to go on YouTube and do a search to see if someone put up video of your guitar solo with Tempest.”

  “Doubtful,” I said with a short laugh. “It was a very brief cameo performance.”

  Cork shook his head. “I can’t believe you know Bryan Jackson from Tempest.”

  Lotus narrowed her gaze on me. “What’s wrong?”

  “What do you mean?” I asked.

  “Your eyes are unfocused. You look distracted.”

  “I thought of some lyrics just now.” I had an idea I wanted to try with the beacon imagery. “You inspired me.”

  “I don’t know about that,” she said teasingly. “But go on.” She lifted her chin, pointing down the street. “Don’t let me hold you up. I understand about the muse. How she comes on a whim and can go quickly if you don’t get right on a thought or an idea. I used to have more regular visits from her when I wasn’t so busy.”

  Lotus bit down on her plump bottom lip. Unsurprisingly, my gaze was drawn to her mouth.

  “I’ll go,” I said low. “But I want a kiss first.” I curled my fingers around her upper arms and reeled her into me.

  “But Cork—”

  “Don’t worry about your brother. He’s otherwise occupied.”

  I tilted my head, and she turned hers.

  Beneath another awning, a couple of businesses away from where we were, Cork was with a girl, the blonde from the Deck Bar. They were standing close together. While we watched, Cork reached out and took her hand.

  “Oh,” Lotus said, her lips parting.

  That was an invitation I couldn’t resist. Sliding my hands into her silky hair, I lowered my head. Her eyes fluttered closed as I touched my lips to hers, and her breathy sigh spilled inside my mouth.

  My cock went hard as I thrust my tongue between her lips. Sucking it, she gripped my arms tight. I backed her into the nearest wall and started to get really serio
us.

  “Dudes!” Cork said loudly our way, and we broke apart.

  Breathing heavily, Lotus blushed. I was breathing just as hard as she was, but I only shrugged. Cork rolled his eyes.

  “I’d better go,” Lotus said, but she looked like she wanted to stay.

  “We’ll walk you the rest of the way.” I placed my hand on her back, not ready to let her go just yet.

  “I don’t want to hold you up.” Her expression was soft. She might not want to inconvenience me, but she liked me touching her.

  “You’re not holding anyone up. We’re heading the same way. Ash’s apartment is in the same building as Outside, right?”

  “Yeah.” She nodded.

  I took her hand, threading my larger fingers between her smaller ones. “Great. I get a little more time with you.”

  Heat surged up my arm while desire and something deeper blazed inside my chest. I didn’t pause to identify it. I had her. We were together, on a shared path for now.

  I focused on the visible, tangible things. Lotus’s unblemished golden skin, and how it contrasted yet blended with my colorful ink. Her fingers were feminine, mine were masculine, but the pads of hers were rough like mine—hers from gardening, and mine from guitar strings.

  We had differences and similarities. We shared chemistry, and a history, though she didn’t know it yet. I loved spending time with her. I craved her companionship and her body. She liked me and desired me too, but it was me as Journey.

  Once she knew who I really was, would we be able to mesh the past and the present into a shared future?

  Lotus

  AFTER BREAKFAST, I went one way, and my brother and Journey went the other.

  The sun was high in the bright blue sky, its rays glistening invitingly on the tops of the waves. The backdrop was pretty, but it wasn’t what moved me. It was watching my brother with a guy I cared about walking side by side. Their heads together, they were in their own world, a better world for my brother, one with hope for him. They were talking about Journey’s idea for a song.

  I watched them until they disappeared around the corner of the building. Then I turned and went inside the entrance next to me.

  “Morning, Miss Irving,” the security guard said.

  “Morning, Fred. How’s your little girl?”

  “All better and back in school. Thanks for asking.” His friendly voice echoed between the walls in the small foyer that contained only his desk and chair.

  “Glad to hear that. Food poisoning can make you feel bad. Tell her hi from me.”

  Going to the elevator, I pushed the button and stepped inside when the door slid open. I waved to Fred, and he waved back. Before the door closed all the way, I saw him retrieve his Car and Driver magazine. With the days of missing Hollywood heiresses in hiding now over, being the security guard in Ash’s building wasn’t as exciting for Fred anymore.

  In a few short moments, I arrived on Ash’s floor and knocked on the only door in the hallway. Fanny didn’t open it this time, so I used my key.

  The palatial living room with floor-to-ceiling windows that framed a killer view of the ocean was empty. Turning to the right, I went to the interior staircase and took the steps up to the rooftop deck two at a time. At the top, I threw open the door. Outside, the breeze picked up and tossed around my hair. I inhaled deeply. Salt, sea, plants, and blue sky. If Journey had a signature scent, it would contain those elements. I loved it up here.

  So did someone else, and he was seated at the outdoor sectional.

  “Hey, Ash,” I said, and he looked up from his laptop, casual today in board shorts and an Offshore tank. “Do you need me to come back another time, or is it okay for me to take care of the plants today?”

  “Do your thing. Don’t mind me. I’m just reading through monthly expense reports. Fanny made herself scarce. She knows this isn’t my favorite thing to do.”

  “Ah. I totally get that. I hate looking at my monthly statements.”

  I never made any progress to put anything in savings. Trim this. Forgo that. It had been six months since I’d bought a new outfit, and longer than that since I’d had a haircut. Penny’s offer to do my hair for a batch of my pineapple margaritas would be a real treat for me.

  Miming zipping my lips to Ash, I went to the outdoor closet where I stored all my equipment. I popped my earbuds in and got to work. My lips curled as I started near where Ash was sitting. I felt my father’s presence when I gardened, imagining the warmth of the sun was him smiling at me.

  At a low wall behind where Ash was sitting was a container garden I’d designed. I misted the succulents that provided a textural element, pinched the fuchsias that gave the space a pop of bright pink color, and watered the heucheras that added lushness. They were all shade-loving plants that thrived in this far corner of the roof that only got the early morning sun.

  After taking care of that section of the garden, I checked on Ash’s fruit plants, which were grouped together near the canopy where his drum set was. He had Improved Meyer lemons, Valencia oranges, and a Gold Nugget mandarin tree, which I’d potted in wine barrels.

  I watered and fertilized them, pleased to note the increasingly dense foliage. The minor pruning I’d done had yielded great results. I also noticed that the lemon tree was doing especially well in its new position. Humming to the Tempest ballad “Beauty,” I put away the equipment I’d used and was about to slip away quietly when Ash called me.

  “Lotus, can you come sit and visit with me a moment?”

  “Sure.”

  I crossed to him quickly and took a seat beside him. He set his laptop on the concrete coffee table and pinched the bridge of his nose.

  “You okay?” I asked.

  “I’m fine. Just a little business stress.” His mouth curved. “I was about to ask you that same question.”

  “Why?” My brows drew together.

  “You’re always working.”

  “So are you.”

  “I love what I do, but I’m not so sure about you. I certainly didn’t like watching Mr. Macari giving you a hard time at the bar.”

  “He’s not so bad.” I shrugged. “My coworkers are pretty awesome, and the tips are really great.”

  “I suppose.” Ash didn’t look convinced.

  “Is that what you wanted to talk to me about?”

  “Not exactly.” He glanced at his computer before refocusing on me. “I was looking over the expense projections for OB Hardy.”

  “Oh.” I tilted my head. “Good or bad?”

  “On paper, not so good.” He tapped his chin. “I always liked the individual components of OB Hardy, but I never really loved them. Not until last night.”

  “Cork is really excited about being in the band.”

  “I’m excited for him. He’s highly skilled. So are the rest of them. That’s important, but it’s the chemistry that brings it all together. With Cork and Journey plugged in, I’m starting to get a better idea how to market the group.”

  “That sounds promising.”

  “Promising is a good word. Only it doesn’t factor prominently in the projection formula the way it should. I’ve invested a lot in OB Hardy. It’s time now to get them out in front of people.”

  “I heard they’re going on before the Dogs at Surf Fest next week.”

  “News travels fast.” Ash raised a blond brow that disappeared beneath the backward-facing ball cap on his head. “I forget sometimes how small your community of friends is.”

  “Yeah, I was dating Saber,” I said sheepishly. “Now I’m with Journey, and my brother’s the bassist in the band. Pretty small, for sure.”

  “You and Journey, huh?” Ash asked, his eyes widening. “That’s interesting.”

  “Yeah, we spent some time together in LA. I like him. I thought you liked him too. You invited him to join the group.”

  “I do like him.” He nodded thoughtfully and gave me a searching look. Something in his eyes made me wonder if he knew Journey’s se
cret. “He’s been around in the same music circles as I’ve been for a while, but always in the periphery. Never really settling down and investing in anything. I hoped he would click with OB Hardy. It seems he has clicked, and more so than just with the band.”

  I blushed. “There was some confusion for us at the beginning, but we talked, and I think we’re on the same page now.”

  “If you give him and you the space to get things straight in his mind, he’s going to make the right decision.”

  “What right decision?” I asked.

  “The right one relationally.” He rubbed the back of his neck. “It took me a while to figure out what I wanted and needed most in life.”

  “Fanny, you mean?” I knew most of his story with her.

  “Yes.” Ash’s eyes took on a faraway glow. “Actions often tell you more about a person than their words do. Fanny saw the potential in me, in us, before I did. What do Journey’s actions say to you?”

  “He loves music. He’s steady and certain about it, about a lot of things. He cares about me and gives insightful advice. Actually,” I narrowed my eyes on Ash, “he reminds me of you in a lot of ways.”

  “I’ll take that as a compliment.”

  “It was meant to be one.”

  “Thank you, Lotus. I do care about the artists I sign and the people who work for me.” His features firm, he pulled in a breath and let it out. “On to band business. Do you want to have a lawyer look over the contract I sent your brother?”

  “I can’t afford a lawyer,” I said.

  “I could provide one for you.”

  “I trust you, Ash. I know you’ll do the right thing for me and my brother.”

  “I promise I will always look out for both of you.” He gave me a soft smile. “Does this mean you’re prepared to sign the paperwork to make Cork an official member of OB Hardy?”

  “Prepared? No.” I shook my head. “But I’ll sign because it’s what’s best for him. Music and surfing are his passion.”

  Just like they had been Storm’s all those years ago. If you loved someone, really loved someone, you had to give them the freedom to pursue their dreams.