The laugh coming from the other side of the line lightens my mood. This should be interesting, as I’ve never met either one of her brothers before…or any of her family.
Suddenly I remember that I don’t have time to take on new clients and I can’t lose a friendship because my game is off. “Wait, I can’t take on more clients.”
“Yes, you can. Tomorrow, let’s say threeish. Don’t make me hunt you down. Love you.”
The line goes dead, and I want to hop in my car to go over there and tell her she’s crazy and I won’t do it.
Mae sets down the bag and shakes her head, having been listening silently. “Do you think they’ll pay well?
“You can’t do this on your own.” I tilt my chin toward Dad’s bedroom.
“With that money, we can hire a male nurse who won’t run away. If I have to fight my father again, I’m going to cry myself to death.” I toss my head back on the couch, close my eyes, and clear my mind. “Go and just hear her out, then you can decline the job.”
This is a waste of time. I don’t need a new job, but I suck on my lip and smile at my lovely friend who never ceases to amaze me. She has more perseverance than anyone I’ve met before. AJ texted five times today to remind me she’d be waiting for me. My firm isn’t doing great—who am I kidding? It’s sinking and I need a major boost.
The personal accounting I do is dead this time of the year. From mid-January to mid-April I have a steady string of customers, but after I’m done with their taxes, they don’t remember my name until the next year. If only my expenses would operate the same way, I wouldn’t need charity from my friend. Ever since we met, her husband has found me shit to do for his company, and has given Maeve a full-time remote job.
“Look, I can’t live with the anxiety of not being able to do my job because Dad is having a bad day.” I come clean, because I can’t lose her friendship over this. “One thing I hate is to be flaky, and I will be. There’s no guarantee I can show up on time, or send what’s needed to wherever it’s required. Now you’re offering me two more big clients. Can you say crazy?”
“Crazy,” she repeats. “Crazy and perfect, Ana. You’re the answer to bringing him back. If you can go head-to-head with the director of the FBI, and my husband, you can take on any guy.”
While doing a consult job at HIB Securities, I spotted Mason and another guy having a heated conversation in the middle of the hallway. People gathered around, and I pushed them inside Mason’s office where I lectured both for their lack of professionalism. It turned out the guy was some big wig from the CIA; not the director of the FBI. However, I can’t correct that fib.
From that moment on, Mason has been sending any issue that requires extra ironing my way. Now Ainsley is offering me yet another way to fix my problems while I help her with some major issues that her parents are having with one of their companies. Plus some damage control to the image of her brother. On the other hand, AJ requires help with the music school that is about to become a school of arts. It grew so fast that they’re adding a building, more classes and more teachers. She quit her position at the pre-school.
According to her, she needs help with bookkeeping and other management details. But I won’t accept it.
Shut up, we need the money. I chide myself.
Mae would agree with that. We can’t afford me being picky and carrying my pride around. Three nurses had quit in the past month because of Dad being so difficult to handle. If we had the money, we could hire a male nurse to help.
“You’re going to regret this, AJ,” I assure her, because there’s no way I can control the chaos inside my head anymore. I’m about to snap and not in a good way. “But don’t fire me when you do, please.”
Closing my eyes for a few breaths, I channel my motto. “Life is about how you look at it, how you feel, and your attitude toward it.”
I think back one more time as I imagine how different my life would’ve been if a certain person had called years ago. He’d be with me, helping with Dad, and telling me that no matter what, I had his support.
“I’m here for you, Ana, I promise.”
I pull a tissue from my purse and pat dry the tears. Messy makeup isn’t going to make a very good first impression. Meeting one of her brothers for the first time isn’t necessarily important, but making a great impression is always my ultimate goal.
Of course, I then hug her. To this day, I have no idea where Mae and I’d be without her and her husband. Mom promised I wouldn’t be alone. So far I’ve encountered amazing people who have helped us get through. She was right.
“Well, bring me up to date. What is it that your brother does?” I straighten up and gather my wits and my notebook.
“Better yet, let me take you with me to meet him.” She heads out of her office and signals me with her hand to follow.
We walk through the hallways of the school, dodging the children who are walking or skipping to their classes. Then we head outside.
“You want me to drive?” I point to my vintage RAV4 and she shakes her head. “There’s nothing wrong with it.”
“We’re going across the street.” She points to the brick building I avoided looking at when I arrived. Years ago I stood outside of it twice, but to my better judgement I decided to head home. “That’s the place I’m talking about. My father’s record company.”
“No, it can’t be.” I’ve known her for a long time. I consider her a really good friend—best friend—but I’ve never met her family. Only her husband. Maeve joins us sometimes and we do mostly girl stuff. “That’s Decker Records.” I point at the building, making sure we’re talking about the same place. “You’d be…a Decker. The triplets?”
I go mute. She’s a Bradley; not the sister of the Decker’s, who’s always mentioned but never shows her face.
“This won’t work, AJ.” I touch the base of my neck, where the hairline meets the skin, and rub my scar from that backstage experience. “If you had told me who—”
“Hey, Papi.” She yells from where we are at a tall man who is walking toward the same place we’re heading. The same green, mesmerizing eyes as AJ, and a wide smile. He changes direction, and after a few strides reaches us. He hugs my friend, who embraces him back. I’m back inside the Twilight Zone. “I’m glad to see you.”
“Sorry, where are my manners? Chris Decker.” He introduces himself, extending his hand. “You must be the famous Ana.”
“Who?” I swear I heard him say Chris Decker.
That man is a famous musician, with a peculiar family. A husband and three children—including JC Decker. My shallow breathing is making my fingers tingle. I try to control myself. I can’t work for her or either one of her brothers.
“Why didn’t you tell me your parents are famous?” My casual tone comes out as an accusation. “You said your name is AJ Bradley.”
“Married name. Is everything okay?” She studies me, trying to decipher why I’m behaving like a mad woman. “I don’t meet people and say, ‘Hey, AJ Decker-Bradley, child of the famous Gabe and Chris Colthurst-Decker, sister to the spawns of Satan.’ No offense, Father. No one reacts the way I want if I do.”
Yes, I would’ve reacted in a calm and appropriate manner.
By staying miles away from her.
“Later, it never came up during our conversations,” she continues. “Hi, how’s life. By the way, my parents are famous and so are my brothers.”
I can’t believe I didn’t put two and two together. Anyone can be a music teacher and have two brothers, Pria.
My heart is pounding and I want to disappear. Maeve’s words come back to me. “You’re one of a million women who’ve slept with him. If he ever sees you again, he won’t recognize you. It all happened years ago. Eight or nine. Not even I remember.”
I do. It was in September, ten years ago.
“If you’re going
in to see Jacob, then I’ll come back later, baby girl.” Mr. Decker hugs AJ and kisses her forehead. “Nice to meet you, Ana. I’ll see you around.”
No, let’s not go in and see Jacob, please.
Stunned by the revelations of the afternoon, I walk like a zombie. My brain knows what I have to do, so my body continues its way through the sliding doors and climbs the stairs. And as AJ opens the door, I see a perfect male ass as it thrusts toward me, and then the desk. This sight, combined with moans and sound of skin slapping against skin, make me spin around.
My eyes. My teenage heart. What a cruel way to see him for the first time in ten years.
AJ follows suit, placing her hands on top of her eyes and shaking her head.
“He’s disgusting,” she whispers before yelling at him.
After a back-and-forth banter between brother and sister, a petite, skinny girl with colorful strands on her platinum hair walks out of the room, and Ainsley advises her about the STDs she might now carry. I decide I’m leaving. But I don’t, and I hear the entire conversation between them.
“Ana,” AJ whispers. I turn around and arch an eyebrow, and she introduces us.
In my mind, this moment would never happen. Not in a million years. Jacob Christian Decker and I live in different dimensions and the portal to jump from one to the other broke years ago. Adrenaline pumps through my veins. The rush of excitement, panic, and hurt for that girl who never got the call swirls around my body, creating a dizzy spell.
Jacob’s taller than I remember. His hair is still long, but darker. Those formerly vibrant blue eyes of his now hold a hard, cold gaze. They are lost. The friendliness and tenderness they radiated all those years ago is absent. I stare deeper inside them, looking for Jace, but he’s not there. My heart cracks a little more for that lost boy.
In his place, there’s a hot stranger. His broad shoulders, sculpted arms, and ravishing body captivate me. There’s a man I don’t know about. Does he watch the stars when the sky is clear? He retired and stopped pursuing his dream of being the most famous rock star. Now he humps interns against his desk, apparently.
As we stare at each other, a couple of emotions flicker from those blues—pain, hope, rage. A lost Jacob shows his face, but it leaves immediately.
He clears his throat. “Ana.” One cold word that comes out of Jacob’s lips.
My heart beats fast, as fast as he can strum his guitar when he’s playing a solo at a concert. I’m such a groupie. Expectantly, I watch him. My glance lands on his full, delineated lips and wait for him to say something. I’m sorry I didn’t call.
“You remind me of someone.” Jacob tilts his head and scans my entire body, assessing me, or measuring how many words it might take for him to break me and have me crying if he continues using that hurtful tone. “What was her name?” He snaps his fingers and looks around as if he’s recalling a name. “No fucking idea, sure it never mattered.”
He’s upset at me? The guy never called and he’s upset with me. I rub my arm as I search for the emergency exit.
“Thank you, AJ.” I have trouble finding the words to express my gratitude. She has done so much for me. I appreciate everything and how much I love her and will miss her. She’s the best friend I’ve ever had—Mae and I are doomed. “For everything. I think this idea of yours is incredible, but it won’t work. I can find you the right person for it, though. Reliable, discreet and all the great things you expect to fix the bad publicity.” Don’t call me, ever.
Then I bring out my attitude because I have something to say. “Pria. The name was Pria, Jacob. Short for Cypriana. I might’ve changed my nickname, but you…” The rest I want to say doesn’t come out. Ana would never speak that way. “You might want to consider a brand new personality for him, AJ. Rehab might come in handy.”
Pree: The job isn’t going to work.
Mae: What happened?
Pree: Jacob Decker. I’ll be late tonight, want anything from the grocery store?
Mae: Hurray, we’re getting drunk and going into a sugar coma. Bring ice cream cones. Tomorrow is going to be a bitch.
A chuckle escapes me as I pull into the driveway. It was fun to escape from reality and go stargazing for a few hours. An escape from my screwed-up life. One of the hundred thousand ways irony seems to presents itself. Such a ridiculous outlet—watching the stars and wondering if he ever thought about me. Imagining a life where he’d assure me that, no matter how many times life shook my foundation, he’d still be there to support me.
Tonight I took another step toward adulthood and my last trip to Fantasyland. I remind myself that there is no way that a person can fall in love in just three days, which means I never fell in love with him. Well, technically ten. It took me a couple of years to fall for Robbie, and a couple of months to realize the love had died. Grounding myself forever is the only way I’ll handle our situation; Dad and Mae’s health, our expenses, not to mention all of Mom’s medical bills that we still have left.
While climbing out of the car, I glance at the house that needs a coat of paint, a new roof, and so much more. My idea of selling the house and moving into a smaller place disappears right away. I take the grocery bags out of the car and march toward the porch.
“Where have you been?” I look down to where that gruff, husky voice that made me shiver came from. “It’s almost midnight and you’re driving a clunker.”
Jacob’s on the floor, leaning against the wall, looking up to where I stand. Strands of his long hair cover most of the left side of his face. Many say that men are handsome, but this one is beautiful—pretty. He’s changed. I notice now that his arms have scribbles on them, and a leather cuff covering his right wrist.
It dawns on me why I didn’t want to see him; the one thing I was afraid of. That the fantasy would be gone. He’s real, and it’s clear there’s nothing left of the sweet boy I met. Just like the girl he kissed and made love to—she took a hike too long ago to remember. This has woken me from those daydreams, the dreams where those who I know and knew didn’t leave. The ones where he called and a week meant everything to both of us; not only to me.
That’s yesterday. Some stars moved, others died, and most of them remain billions of years away from us—or something like that. Jacob is the one who knows about constellations and stars and can watch them for an entire night while playing music.
Today, today we’re a couple of strangers who coincide for the first time in years. Now is the time for me to be the bigger person and make my way inside the house without behaving like a petulant child. I have to appear strong if I want to be strong. Radiate confidence and power. I lost one job that I wasn’t counting on; not my entire business.
“Goodie, I made it just in time. My carriage is about to become a pumpkin and my engine, a bunch of mice.” Jacob’s jaw sets tight. “I’m glad I kept my own clothes and declined the royal gown, or it too would disappear at the stroke of midnight.”
He pushes himself up, taking the bags from my hold, and scrutinizing my purchases.
“Tequila, vodka, chocolate bars, and ice cream?” He whistles, those blue eyes assessing me. “Some kind of unorthodox way to change my image? Not a good start for that rehab center you’re proposing I should hit.”
I watch him; my lips compress into a tight line, and I wait. There’s a reason he’s here. Not sure what or why.
“My sister and brother-in-law think you can manage to clean the mess we’re in. Not that I care, but my father hates to have his name smeared with shit.” He tilts his head from left to right, places the shopping bags on the floor, and then pulls his hair back, tying it into a quick bun. “Through the years, there have been a lot of ODs linked to our record company and it has to stop. With Pop’s old history, the media is having a fest. Rumor has it that you’re the only tight-ass who can fix it.”
I cross my arms, forcibly repressing the urge to smack him
for calling me a tight-ass.
“You talked to Mae.” She’s the only person who swears that my big, tight behind is what makes me a snob. He gives me a quick nod. “Not sure why you’re here, but—”
“To apologize for my poor manners. I behaved like a stupid child.” His eyes stare at me with an indefinable expression. I wait for him to continue, as I have nothing to say to him; my fingers fidgeting with the hem of my sleeves. “Things are crazy, and as much as I love the spotlight, I hate being portrayed as something I’m not. My family is untouchable and they’re touching them—the media.”
“Apology accepted. Goodbye.” I bend to pick up my bags, but he snatches them faster. “I doubt Mae wants to share any of our indulging supplies with you. Go and buy your own.”
He turns around and knocks on the door. Mae opens it, while he takes out the bottle of tequila and a chocolate bar, and then hands the rest to her.
“Enjoy, Maeve. Promise I’ll loosen her ass up.”
Worry imprints crease into my sister’s forehead, her questioning gaze directed at me. I bow my head slightly and give her a side smile. Mae tips her head back and stares at Jacob, gifting him with one of her warning glares, then slams the door.
“I have the feeling your sister has a misconstrued image of who I am. Maybe you should work your PR magic on her. That’s one of your duties, right?”
I fight against the muscles of my mouth, as a reluctant smile is tilting the corners of my lips upward.
“Look, you need that job, and I need help.” He states the obvious, and I want to know who told him. “A win-win scenario.”
This is like one of those old high school reunion movies, where the girl who never had the hot QB wishes that he were now poor, bald, and had gained a beer belly. But I’m the one who’s poor and, well, I work out when I can, but still have to use Spanx to smooth my curves. If I had the money, I would bet that this guy hasn’t been with a size eight girl since…me. Well, I was more like an eleven back then.
Uncharted (Unexpected Book 3) Page 18