by Megan Ryder
“Yeah, well, I guess family is one way of putting it. The most dysfunctional, sorry group of people ever.”
Brigid laughed and struggled to a more upright position, leaning toward Delaney. “I’m sorry about Anna. I should have stuck up for you.”
Delaney shrugged. “She’s like a bully on the schoolyard. She’ll push and push until you push back. It’s her edge.”
“She’s a bitch,” Brigid flatly replied.
Delaney pursed her lips but had nothing to say. The moments dragged on, then Brigid sighed.
“She’s not a bitch. She was always jealous of you. Hell, she still is, judging by her nasty attitude earlier.” Brigid’s voice was quiet but Delaney caught the meaning.
“She never used to be this edgy, this mean. What happened?”
“We all changed. But you, Delaney? I almost didn’t recognize you. You seem almost lost. And, at the shower, you just stood there when Anna spilled the punch on your beautiful cream dress. What happened to you?”
“You said it. We all changed.”
“So why did you do it? Why did you walk away from everyone?”
Delaney settled back and stared at the night sky. So bright out here, so many stars. She wished she was one of them, anonymous, private, one of many. How could she explain this to Brigid, to everyone? They were all going to ask. What could she say to make them understand the fear, the anger, the overwhelming sense of responsibility?
Brigid was the least likely to understand, the one of them who faced everything head-on. She never hesitated to tackle any problem, never shied away from conflict, unlike Delaney who preferred to keep the peace. No, Brigid was perfectly suited to her chosen profession of the law. She had been the one girl in their quad who brought all their issues to the forefront and wouldn’t allow them to fester until they exploded into wars, acting as mediator and conflict resolution for the group, while Delaney would have been happy hiding her problems away and smiling to cover it all up. Brigid was driven and had no time for pussyfooting around feelings or anything that got in the way of her goals, or, as Grady had implied, her family’s goals for her. Brigid’s father had made it very clear from the one visit Delaney had had with him that Brigid was expected to focus on her studies not play house with silly women with more money than sense. He had hated that they were all going to the island for the summer, insisting that Brigid take summer classes and work toward her goals. Somehow, they had convinced him of the value of their connections and Brigid worked on the island and took online summer classes. Despite the difficult schedule, the girls were able to convince her to relax some of the time, away from family pressures. But, time, it seemed, had only increased the pressure and not provided Brigid with enough support to break the chains.
But it was exactly those qualities that made Brigid uniquely qualified to understand the family pressures that Delaney had been under.
“Brigid, I was going through a really rough time. I was barely keeping it together, never mind dealing with my mother, then my father’s death. You have no idea what it was like.”
“We were your friends,” Brigid stated quietly. “We would have been there for you, even Anna.”
“You had enough to deal with, getting ready for law school, your internship, and your own family issues.”
“Don’t put this on me. I would have been there.” Brigid straightened in her chair, staring intently at Delaney.
“It’s not that, Brigid. I know you would have. All of you would have. But it was so overwhelming. The criminal details. The financial details. The newspapers. The people, oh, the people.” The words flowed out of her like a fountain, spewing all the stress and tension that she barely knew she had retained. “You should have seen the letters, the phone calls, the e-mails. It was horrible. And right in the middle of it, my father had a heart attack, leaving my mother traumatized, everyone calling me for decisions, and I had to keep it all together. I had no idea what I was doing, but I did the best I could. Someone had to.”
Brigid laid a soft hand on her arm and gripped it. “We could have helped you, if only to listen. If you would have let us in. But you never allowed us in. Instead, we were all on the outside, banging our heads against the wall of ice you put up, the wall we’d melted three years before. Delaney, you became a stranger to us, just like freshman year when we wondered how the hell we could all live together. You threw our friendship back in our faces.” She leaned back. “Life happens, but you blew us all apart.”
She unfolded herself from her chair and stood, staring at Delaney, wind blowing her red hair around her face. “That hurt the most, the rejection. It was like we didn’t matter. And Ethan took the brunt of it. Please, for all our sakes, but especially for Ethan, don’t play with him this week, with his emotions. The rest of us can walk away, but he’s had to live with it.”
A spurt of anger darted through Delaney, heat flaming her face. “I wasn’t exactly having a goddamn garden party. I suffered too.”
“I have no doubt about that. But none of us had any closure. I know Caroline wants us all to be good friends again, like we were years ago. I don’t think that’s possible. Too much has happened. So, don’t be offended if we get snarky with you. You deserve every bit of it.”
Brigid turned to walk away then paused, a glint of humor in her eyes. “However, if you can find that old ice princess deep inside, I’d love to see you bring her out and put Anna in her place. I won’t interfere next time. Just be nice to Ethan, okay? Don’t play with him.”
Delaney stood, back ramrod straight. “I wasn’t aware you’d been appointed his keeper, his guardian.”
Brigid smirked. “There’s the old Delaney. Good. You’ll need her to survive this week. And I’m not his guardian. I just saw the aftermath, from a distance, but it wasn’t pretty. You bring destruction wherever you go. Don’t bring it here.”
She walked off to the house, staggering a little in the uneven grass.
Delaney watched her go and looked past her to the house. Ethan stood on the patio, framed by the flames of the fire pit. The flames cast an orange-yellow glow around him, and she felt herself drawn to him like the stereotypical moth to the flame. Ethan always drew her, no matter where he was. He was magnetic and she was helpless to resist. Brigid didn’t know the whole story, and Delaney couldn’t tell her, couldn’t tell anyone, why she’d left. No one would understand her desperate need to protect her friends, ensure they weren’t tainted by her influence.
Brigid had been going to law school in Austin, interning at Caroline’s father’s firm, the same firm where Matthew worked. Standing by Delaney could have derailed all their futures. That was why she chose not to have Caroline’s father act as their lawyer. Not only had her father taken money from him, which would have made it a conflict of interest, but the vitriol against anyone associated with her family had been white hot.
Kira Van Owen made sure to fan those flames as often as she could, reminding Delaney of how she could destroy everyone, how the taint of crime, especially a financial investment crime, could tear apart the fabric of their society. She had had to separate herself. Ethan’s father had understood, encouraging the breaking of the engagement, even as he was sorry for her. She didn’t need their pity, any more than she wanted their money or charity. She had pulled herself and her family out of the morass her father left them in, and she was succeeding.
She glanced at Ethan again, who waited for her. It was only a matter of time before she had to explain the breakup. What could she say that wouldn’t destroy his family ties?
Chapter Seven
On Monday morning, Delaney woke as the sun peeked over the horizon, streaming into her bedroom. Truth be told, she’d been awake for hours, tossing and turning. Not even the smooth sound of the waves or the several glasses of wine she’d consumed at dinner could lull her to sleep. She wrapped herself in a sweatshirt and blanket and curled up in a chair on the balcony. The sun rose over the water, the cool ocean breeze a nice relief after the heat
of the city. On the island, the temperature was much cooler than in Houston, and she needed a wrap in the morning. The calls of the birds and the sound of the wind through the grass soothed her soul, provided a balm she hadn’t known she needed. Or hadn’t wanted to admit.
After the world had dropped out beneath her, she’d been focused on helping her family, being strong for her mother, acting as the main contact for the lawyers, trying to be her father’s strong, little girl, when all she wanted to do was crawl under the bedcovers and hide. Then, once life appeared to have settled down into obscurity, she was so intent on getting back on her feet and keeping her mother safe that she’d forgotten about the one person who needed her. Herself. Being able to sit with no demands was a luxury she had never appreciated when she was younger. It was true when they said naps were wasted on the young. A nap sounded good. Having the luxury to take one sounded good.
Too bad she couldn’t sleep worth a damn.
But she knew one way to send her into dreamland. And he was sleeping across the hall from her.
He was too much temptation. They were already dancing too close to the edge, and Delaney couldn’t risk that next step, even for the week. She had to do her best to avoid Ethan as much as possible, although, Caroline was making it very difficult with her plans. Delaney inhaled deeply, imagining more than really smelling Ethan on the old sweatshirt. It was a risk bringing it with her, especially now she had a reminder of how amazing he smelled, tasted, felt in reality. The shirt had always brought her comfort, and she needed it this week, along with a shot of courage.
Rather than lingering on the porch, she quickly dressed and made her way downstairs. No one was up yet and she didn’t feel up to idle chitchat. The little bakery, Rise and Shine, was still on the island. She’d seen it when they drove through town yesterday. Maybe they still made those famous bear claws.
Instead of borrowing one of the cars, she grabbed a bike from the shed and headed for town. A half hour later, she sat on a bench overlooking the marina, enjoying a gooey bear claw and a cup of rich dark roast.
“So, this is where you disappeared to so early. I might have known.”
Ethan’s deep voice spoke from behind her. He was wearing shorts and a tank top, plastered with sweat, showcasing his solid frame. Her fingers itched to slide under his shirt and lick the drop of sweat glistening on his neck. Instead, she took a bite of her bear claw, hoping the cinnamon would appease her hunger. Damn, not even close to putting out this slow burn.
He slid onto the bench and eyed her bag and second bear claw. Delaney snatched it and placed on the other side of her. “Mine.”
“You never did like to share your sweets. How you can eat those disgusting things is beyond me.”
She took another bite and moaned. “This is nirvana, heaven on earth.”
“I thought you women loved chocolate.” He stretched out next to her and rested his arm on the back of the bench.
“We do.” She shrugged. “That’s its own food group. But a Rise and Shine bear claw is beyond food.”
He laughed, a deep rumble of sound that made her insides flip-flop. “I just don’t see it.”
“You don’t see pastry. You taste it, savor it, enjoy it.” She took a deep bite and closed her eyes, letting the cinnamon, apple, and pecans slide over her tongue.
He made a strangled groan and she opened her eyes. His eyes had darkened and he studied her with an intensity she hadn’t seen in a long time, maybe never. “Maybe I should try one.”
She smothered a grin and gestured to the small shop across the green. “Over there. But be quick. She sells out fast.”
He glanced over his shoulder and saw the line out the door. He leaned toward her, eying the bag on her other side. “But you have two. Maybe I could persuade you to share.”
She eyed him up and down. “I don’t think this is what you need after a run. It would ruin all of your work.”
“Or make it worthwhile.” He stretched and leaned back against the wooden bench, closing his eyes and letting the sun shine on him. “Maybe you’re right. Maybe that paw print isn’t worth it. I have a very refined palette, you know. But I’m so tired from my run. I might even pass out from hunger.”
She snorted and he glanced sideways at her. “Fine. But only because Caroline would be furious if you passed out.” She held out the bag to him, but he dropped his head and arms on the bench.
“I just can’t.”
“Pathetic.” But she broke a piece off and held it out to him. He grabbed her hand, before she could withdraw it, and brought it to his mouth. He closed his teeth gently over her fingers, lips tightening and pulling the pastry. His tongue licked over her fingers, between, around, tugging and savoring. She shivered, mesmerized by the sight, the slow burn igniting to a flash flame that threatened to burn her from the inside. She lifted her gaze and met his, intense, dark, smoldering, compelling her to focus on him, while he sucked and licked her fingers clean.
Finally, he released her with a pop, and she drew the trembling hand to her stomach, pressing hard, willing her body to stay still and not launch herself across the bench into his arms. She looked at him and saw the answering heat in his eyes, the clenched jaw, the heaving breaths that had nothing to do with the run he’d just completed. His hand reached out and stroked her bare arm lightly, sending goose bumps up and down her body.
“Delaney,” he began.
She flung the bag at him and fled the bench, echoes of his mocking laughter following her.
Ethan adjusted his seat, trying to get more comfortable. He wouldn’t be walking anywhere right away, not with his light running shorts revealing the very hard evidence of his desire. He was completely uninterested in the bear claw now that Delaney had left and would no longer be feeding him. But he needed an excuse to stay seated longer and something to cover his lap. The bear claw was big, but even the bag wasn’t quite enough to protect him from curious eyes. It was best to stay seated for a little while longer.
Delaney was a mystery to him. She burned up in his arms, hotter than before, but professed to want distance between them. The scandal was in the past and couldn’t hurt them any longer. But what did he want? Did he want to try again, have a relationship with her in Houston and him on the vineyard? He wasn’t that far away from Houston, only an hour or so down the coast but what was their future? The old Delaney would never be caught dead working on a vineyard, only drinking the wine at an exclusive wine tasting. But the new Delaney? What would she do? Would she accept living away from Houston? Could she see herself ever moving away or was she hoping to get back in and regain her old position? Was he jumping the gun, thinking of a future that was never going to happen?
He could give her that. He could return to the family business, take up the role his father wanted him to assume, and raise Delaney up again, prove to her she could trust him. Did he want to work in an office again, now that he’d had a taste of freedom? Or would he give up the vineyard for time with Delaney?
He balled up the paper bag and tossed it in the garbage. He stood and stretched, confident thoughts of his father had cooled his ardor. Something in his pocket rubbed against his skin. He reached in and pulled out a piece of sea glass, smoothed by the roughened seas, polished to a deep blue green. It had been thrown out, tossed about for who knew how long, buffeted by waves, water, other rocks and flotsam, to land back on the beach, hardened, tough, smooth and solid. Beautiful.
Just like Delaney.
When they first started coming to the island, he used to find pieces of sea glass for her collection. On his run that morning, it was automatic to stop and pick up the piece glinting in the early morning sun. He rubbed his thumb over it absently, never realizing how closely it resembled the woman he found it for. He shoved it back into his pocket and stared at the water, contemplating his run back to the house.
He had to work off that damn bear claw and he needed time to think about next steps.
A voice hailed him from the parking lot.
He turned as Wyatt trotted over from the coffee shop, a cup and bag in his hands.
“You’re getting an early start.”
Wyatt shrugged. “I needed a break.”
“We just got here. If you’re feeling that way already, it’s going to be a long week.” Sensing the brittleness beneath Wyatt’s tension, he changed the subject. “How’s UT look this season? Thank goodness we have a bye-week this week.”
Wyatt grinned. “No kidding. Matthew and Caroline really helped out having the wedding on the week without a game. Otherwise, there’d be no way I could come down. Team looks strong. We have a solid sophomore for quarterback to replace Romero when he graduates. Pretty excited about this kid.”
Ethan sat back down and stretched his legs out. Wyatt settled next to him on the bench, pulling out an egg sandwich from the bag. They sat there chatting football and players while Wyatt ate. Finally, he crumpled the bag and tossed it at the garbage bin, missing completely.
“Nice job, ace. You still have the arm.”
Wyatt scowled but got up and scooped the bag into the receptacle. “Whatever. Too bad my knee is shot.” He sat back down and took a deep breath. “So, you and Delaney, huh?”
Ethan growled deep in his throat. “There is no me and Delaney.”
“Didn’t look like that to me, or anyone else, last night or even ten minutes ago. Sure looked like you were thinking of starting up again. Are you sure that’s wise?” Wyatt’s tone was casual, but he studied Ethan with too much intensity to be believed.
Ethan sighed. “I don’t know. A lot of time has passed. We’ve both changed, grown. Maybe things will be different.”
“Look, I like Delaney. Always have. But she ripped your heart out and stomped on it until it was a bloody mess. I was there. I saw you after. Are you so sure she won’t do that again?”