When we turn onto Main Street, Rae shifts in her seat. I can’t hear her over the radio, but I think she sniffles. She brings her hand up to her face for the briefest moment, then drops it again.
Is she crying?
I frown, stealing a glance at her. She doesn’t return my gaze.
My heart stutters, and I hate my weakness. Sarah, my sister, knows that I’ll give her anything if she cries. She’s not afraid to use it against me.
I didn’t think Hellspawn Montgomery would have that effect on me too, though.
We don’t speak. The air is so thick, it’s hard to take a full breath.
Rae cracks a window, sticking her head toward it and sucking down a breath of fresh, Woodvale air. I don’t blame her. The air tastes better here than anywhere else in the world.
Rae’s eyes scan the street, and I wonder what she thinks of the small town I call home. By all accounts, it’s a beautiful place. Woodvale is nestled between the ocean and the mountains, with a long coastline of cliffs. Tall, mature trees line Main Street, strung up with fairy lights year-round. It rains a lot here, but on days like today, when the sun is shining, there’s nowhere better.
We pass the little artisan bakery that has the best baguettes in the state. The art supply store. The skydive booking center, where I work part-time as a jump pilot.
Rae doesn’t react.
I don’t know why I want her approval. I want her to look at me, nod, and tell me she likes it here. But she says nothing. Just stares, lost in her own thoughts.
When we get to the Woodvale Hotel, a hundred-year-old building with a modern facelift, I park the car out front and cut the engine.
Rae glances at me, and the mask on her face slips. Her eyes are soft. Lips parted. Cheeks rosy, and for the first time, I notice a smattering of pale freckles across her nose.
“Thank you,” she says, and her voice rattles something loose in my heart. With that look on her face, she finds a chink in my armor and pries at it. I don’t hate her nearly as much as I did an hour ago.
I clear my throat, nodding. “Yeah.”
We both exit the truck, and I move to get her suitcase out of the back. While I’m there, a van pulls up in front of our vehicle and Nadia, the redhead who runs the florist shop in town, jumps out. I pause, staring as Nadia slams the van door.
She looks frazzled.
Nadia rips open the back of the van, yanking a box full of flowers toward her. She pulls it too hard, though—or maybe it was lighter than she expected—because Nadia goes flying backward, stumbling into my front fender. The box of cut flowers goes tumbling across the sidewalk, littering the front lawn of the Woodvale Hotel with long-stem white roses.
Cursing, Nadia pulls herself up to her feet. Rae is beside her in a flash, picking up the cardboard box and gathering up flowers.
“You don’t have to do that,” Nadia says, scrambling to pick up the roses. She curses again. “I’ve ruined half of them. I’m so freaking clumsy all the time. I need these flowers. There won’t be enough for the wedding otherwise.”
“They’re fine,” Rae says, picking up another rose and placing it gently in the box. I frown as I watch her treat the flowers with such care. She smiles at Nadia, saying something I can’t hear. Nadia’s shoulders relax. She shakes her head, her curly red hair bouncing around her face.
“These are gorgeous,” Rae says, bringing a flower to her nose.
“Thanks. I had to get them flown in from South America for this wedding today, and they only arrived an hour ago. It’s been an absolute nightmare getting roses here, but the bride and groom insisted. I don’t even want to think about what would have happened if this was Valentine’s Day. Half the roses are still sitting at the airport depot, and they didn’t have a driver available to bring them. I couldn’t fit them all in the van. I’m already late, and the wedding is supposed to start in less than two hours.” Nadia smacks a hand to her forehead, letting out a breath.
“Just drop the boxes here,” Rae says. “I’ll bring them inside, and you can go get the next load. I’ll get one of those trolley things for suitcases. Do they have a valet here?”
Nadia stares at her, then laughs. “No. No, they don’t have a valet here.”
Rae shrugs. “All right. I’ll carry them by hand, then. Where’s the wedding happening?”
I move out from behind the truck, drawing Nadia’s gaze. She looks tired, but she lifts an arm toward me. “Hey, Benji.”
“Need a hand?”
“Uh.” Nadia glances at Rae, tilting her head. “Maybe, yeah. Looks like I have two guardian angels today.” She sticks her hand out toward Rae. “I’m Nadia, by the way.”
“Rae.”
Nadia smiles. They shake, and Rae nods to the van full of flowers. “Let’s get these unloaded.”
“That would be incredible.” Nadia flashes her a brilliant smile. “I was supposed to have help today, but my one employee is a high school student and she’s not exactly reliable. Between that and the truck drivers, it’s been the worst day I’ve had in a while.”
Rae smiles. “I can imagine. Here. Let me grab a box.”
I frown as I stare at the two women. This isn’t the Rae Montgomery who marched into my garage and told me she owned it. This girl is soft. Kind. Helpful. Not afraid to get her hands dirty.
Is it an act? It must be. What’s her angle, though? What is she trying to get out of Nadia?
I clear my throat, drawing Rae’s gaze. Her eyes drop to her two large Prada suitcases. She lets out a sigh. “Oh. Right.”
“I’ll bring them in. You do the flowers.”
Nadia gives me a soft smile, and Rae starts grabbing boxes of roses. As I wheel the two suitcases inside, I glance over my shoulder to watch the two women working.
My heart tugs.
I would’ve expected Rae to not give Nadia a second look, and maybe wheel her expensive suitcases right over Nadia’s fallen flowers.
But to drop everything to help her?
When I get inside, I explain the situation to the front desk. As I haul the suitcases into a small storage room behind the desk, I notice the frayed edges of the bags, and the long, jagged rip down the front of one of them. These bags may be expensive, but they’re not new.
I frown, glancing over my shoulder at Rae. Who is this girl? I would have expected her to never be caught dead with last season’s bags. That’s what rich folk are like. But to have a ten or twelve-year-old car and worn-out designer luggage? It doesn’t track.
Brushing the thought aside, I grab a luggage trolley near the door. When I get outside, Nadia’s in the van and waving at Rae, who’s standing next to a mountain of boxes of flowers.
The van drives off, and Rae’s gaze shifts to me. Her lips tug into a smile when she sees me wheel the luggage trolley toward her.
“Looks like the hotel has a valet, after all.” She smiles wider, her deep, brown eyes sparkling. Why does she have to be so damn beautiful? She loads a box onto the trolley, flicking her eyes to me. “Thanks for helping.”
I grunt, ignoring her smile and the way it pierces right through my wall. That chink in my armor is growing bigger by the second. I do my best to barricade it closed. “I’m doing this for Nadia. She’s a friend. Not for you.”
Rae’s smile falters, and her lips pinch into a thin line. She gives me a curt nod. “Noted.”
I almost regret my harsh words. Almost. But still, front and center in my mind, are all the things Sawyer has told me about his family. About his exile. About the fact that he never wants to see them again.
Who cares if Rae surprised me by helping someone out in need? Who cares if her car isn’t brand-new? People are multi-faceted. She can still be a terrible person and do a good deed. Just because she picked some flowers up off the ground instead of stomping all over them doesn’t mean she wasn’t a horrible sister to Sawyer.
My loyalty is to Sawyer—no matter how gorgeous his sister happens to be.
When half a dozen hotel employ
ees rush out to help us, clamoring around Rae and practically bowing in reverence, I’m reminded of that fact. She’s not from here. She’s not nice, or kind, or humble.
Rae is royalty—at least in her mind. She comes from another world, where money buys respect, and integrity is a foreign concept. She lets the staff help her load up the boxes, wiping her hands on her jeans when all the flowers are moved inside.
As it turns out, she didn’t even have to lift a finger. Her perfectly manicured nails stay nice and clean, and she leaves the dirty work to us grubby folk.
Figures.
4
Rae
I watch Benji drive away, hating how much it tugs at my chest.
I shouldn’t care that he left without looking back. I shouldn’t care that he gave me the cold shoulder—big and muscular as that shoulder may be. He wasted no time in reminding me how little he thought of me, even when I was going out of my way to help his friend. Not that I was doing it to impress him.
I’ve been in Nadia’s shoes—overwhelmed and under-appreciated, trying to do a mammoth job all on my own. I know how much it means to have someone lend a hand.
Plus, I have a soft spot for flowers. Designing gardens is what I wanted to do before everything fell apart. I still hold out hope that I can pursue it one day. Maybe once Roman is older and Lucy is settled. If Sawyer can run the garage and help Lucy out, I’ll be free to chase my dreams.
For now, though, it’ll be me taking care of the garage and Sawyer avoiding me like the plague. Landscape architecture will have to wait.
Turning when I hear my name, I see Nadia jogging across the hotel lobby toward me. She’s holding half a dozen roses in her hand and when she gets close, she thrusts them toward me.
“Here,” she says, beaming. “For you.”
“What for?”
“For helping me today! We got everything set up on time. I couldn’t have done it without you.”
“It wasn’t just me,” I say. “The staff at the hotel helped.” And Benji, but I refuse to say his name out loud. Asshole.
“It was you.” She smiles. “I’ve done the flowers for a hundred weddings in this hotel, and I’ve never seen any of the staff jump up to help like that.” She tilts her head, searching my face. “Are you some kind of big deal or something?”
I chuckle, shaking my head. “Hardly.”
“Well, either way, the flowers are a thank you. I will admit I gave you the ones that got damaged when I dropped them, so don’t think I’m some kind of saint or anything.” Her laugh is musical, and I can’t help but smile.
“They’re perfect.”
“My friends and I are going out for a drink tonight. You’re welcome to join.”
I shake my head. “Oh, no. I shouldn’t.”
“Come on. Think of it as a welcome party. Woodvale is small, and there’s no better way to get to know the locals than a night at the Blue Cat Bar.”
I’m pretty sure Benji would stab me with a fork if I went out with his friends.
Then, an idea sparks.
Maybe that’s exactly what I should do. Taunt him. Goad him. Make him hate me even more. Who is he to make me feel like I need to stay in a hotel room all night? What power does he have over me?
I’m his boss. I own the garage. And whether he likes it or not, I’ll find Sawyer and talk some sense into him. It can’t be hard to hide in this town.
I’m not here to mess up Benji’s life, and I refuse to hide away and pretend I’m ashamed. I’m here to make a new life for my family. To reconcile with Sawyer. To give Lucy and Roman a fresh start.
Nadia smiles at me. “Well, if you change your mind, we’ll be at the Blue Cat Bar from eight o’clock onward.”
She gives me a wave and walks toward her van. I put my nose to the bouquet of flowers and let out a deep breath before going to check in at the hotel reception. My bags have already been moved into my room, and I’m ushered up the elevator by one of the staff members who helped with the flowers.
I slip a tip into his hand. He thanks me and mercifully leaves the hotel room without delay.
I’m alone. Finally.
Flopping down on the bed, I pull out my cell phone. My little sister answers on the first ring, turning her video on so I can see her.
“Hello, Auntie Rae!” she calls out, angling the camera so I can see my nephew, Roman.
Roman gives me a face-splitting smile, reaching toward the camera. “Rae-Rae!”
My heart eases. Even just the sight of Lucy and Roman makes me feel better.
“What did we learn today, Roman? How old will you be on your next birthday?” Lucy asks, throwing a smile at the camera.
Roman holds up three clumsy fingers for the camera, and I smile. My heart squeezes, and I remind myself I’m here for them. Always.
For the past three and a half years, everything I’ve done has been for Lucy and Roman—and Sawyer, too. My parents might have turned their backs on my siblings, but I won’t. Ever.
Lucy angles the camera to her face, arching her eyebrows.
“How was the drive? You must be exhausted.”
“It was long, but I liked the time alone. A few days with nothing but wide-open roads was a nice change from Houston traffic. And now there’s a car here waiting for you to use.” I don’t mention the fact that my old car is currently out of commission. Hopefully Benji will get over his hatred of me and get it working before Lucy gets here.
Lucy lets out a breath. “I could have bought a cheap car once I got the money together,” she says.
“It’s fine, Lucy.” I smile. “I’d rather you have a vehicle when you get here.”
“But you love that car. I don’t want to take it away from you.”
“It’s just a car.” I smile, even though my heart tugs. “I have a company car in Houston anyway. It’s better for you to have the Aston Martin here.”
She nods. “How’s everything in Woodvale? Have you seen Sawyer?”
I shake my head. “Not yet. He wasn’t at the garage. I’m at a hotel right now, waiting to take possession of our new house. I should get the keys next week, so I’ll start looking for some furniture for us to move in.”
Lucy’s eyes shine. “I can hardly believe it. I can’t wait to get out of this apartment.”
“You won’t have crackheads for doormen anymore.”
“No.” Lucy laughs. “I won’t miss them.”
“Woodvale is nice. You’ll like it here.”
“Have you seen the college?”
I shake my head. “Not yet. I figured we could go together when you get here.”
When the private investigator found Sawyer, I saw an opportunity. Woodvale seemed like the perfect place to come together and start a new life. Have a support system. Get away from Houston and start living the way Sawyer and I had always talked about—but do it together, with Lucy and Roman safe and supported.
Lucy found a program she liked at Woodvale University and applied right away. Education for kids with special needs—because my sister is a saint. She’s always wanted to be a teacher, but our parents said it was beneath her station. Now, she’s disowned from them, but she’s free to do what she wants.
Silver linings.
I found Sawyer six months ago, and every day since then has led up to the move. Lucy will leave her tiny, grimy apartment behind, and she and I will move in together. I’ll stay here for six weeks, and then go back to work and face my parents.
I’m hoping that when I go back to Texas, Lucy will have her feet solidly in her new life, and I’ll be able to talk to my parents about reconciling with her and Sawyer. Eventually, I’ll move up here permanently—if the financial situation works out.
I have to believe Sawyer will come around. He’s ignored all my attempts to contact him, so it’s a risk. Lucy is moving her life to be close to him, and he still refuses to speak to me. I’m hoping when he meets Roman, he’ll understand.
I didn’t abandon him. I stayed behind and worked for
our father in order to help Lucy.
Lucy smiles at me, shaking her head. “I can’t believe everything you’ve done, Rae. You’ve given me so much hope. I can’t wait to see Sawyer.”
I hope he feels the same way.
I force a smile. “I’m sure he can’t wait to see you, too.”
My heart squeezes. Lucy’s eyes grow big and hope floods her face. I don’t have the heart to tell her Sawyer’s hiding from me, and he’s put his big ogre, Benji, on attack mode.
I pinch a smile. “Just over a week now.”
“Give Sawyer a big hug for me.”
“Not sure he’ll want to come anywhere near me.”
“Oh, come on. Of course he will.”
“He still thinks I’m evil, remember?”
“Just tell him about me, Rae. Show him a picture of Roman. Tell him you stayed behind to provide for me when Mom and Dad kicked me out. He’ll understand.”
“I’ll tell him.” I nod. “Did you get the money I sent this week?”
“I did.” Lucy lets out a sigh. “You don’t have to give me so much. We have more than enough to make the move.”
“I made you a promise three years ago, and I’m not going to stop now. I’ll always be there for you, no matter what.”
“You’ve had to do so much for me and Roman, and it’s all my fault. I wish you didn’t have to put your own life on hold for me.”
“Hey,” I say. “None of that. I chose to do this. If I had to go back in time, I’d do it a million times over. I just want to make sure you two are okay.”
“We’re fine, Rae. Stop worrying.”
I nod, trying to hide the emotion clouding my eyes. “I’ll see you soon.”
“Couple of days,” Lucy says, smiling.
When I hang up the phone, I feel better. I can deal with Sawyer ignoring me. I can deal with Benji being rude to me. I can deal with anything, because it means Lucy and Roman will be safe in Woodvale.
That’s why I’m here. It’s why I took a job at my father’s business. It’s why I went back on my promise to Sawyer. It’s why I’ve put up with my narcissistic, money-hungry, oil-and-gas-loving parents, even though I’d rather be designing gardens.
Won't Miss You: A Brother's Best Friend Romance (We Shouldn't Book 4) Page 3