“Not lucky.” She frowned, rejecting the idea that any kid should feel grateful to have someone who loved and cared for them. The thought had her stomach twisting. “Every kid should have someone who puts them first.”
“But not every kid does.” Brave rubbed her arms, and kissed her hair. “Shiori, if you’re worried about him I’ll tell Reese not to add more dates. We can hold off on the European tour. I can get in touch with some lawyers and—”
“No.” Shiori smiled to soften her words, sliding off his lap and turning to face him. “I’ll accept your help if it comes to that, but it hasn’t yet. I need to prove to myself I can do this. Part of me imagined your parents would be better for Hiro than me, but if they’re not I’ll do whatever it takes to give him what he needs.”
“I respect that.” Brave rested his hands on his thighs. “So…do you want to tell Alder, or should I?”
She laughed and shook her head. “You can tell him.”
Brave grinned and reached for the door. He paused halfway. “You have enough on your plate, so I don’t want to add to it. But I need you to know…I’m waiting for you. Waiting for when you have the life you’re working so hard for.” He squared his shoulders and glanced back at her. “I won’t claim you. I won’t get in your way. But when you want me to step up to your side, when it’s our time.” He held her gaze, his words a gentle promise. “I’ll be there.”
Her heart stuttered at the intensity in his eyes and it took all her strength not to tell him she wanted him there now. Had Valor said such sweet things to her sister? Kyoko had been so young, so desperate for love and support, he wouldn’t have had to try very hard to win her over. Shiori wanted to believe she was less vulnerable, but she didn’t trust how easy it would be to accept everything Brave offered.
But if he was still around when she reached her goal?
Well, if he was tempting today, he’d be irresistible by then. Or even tomorrow.
As he stepped onto the pavement, she slid over and grabbed his hand. “Brave…”
“Don’t say anything. I’ve already proved I suck at keeping my distance.” His lips quirked at the edges. “I’m trying to avoid doing anything else I need to apologize for.”
“I just wanted to say thank you.” She bit her bottom lip, stuffing her hands into the pocket of her borrowed hoodie. The material was heavy and warm and his scent surrounded her. She was tempted to keep it. She took a deep breath. “For understanding.”
“No problem. Just don’t friend zone me. That’s Malakai’s thing.”
“Malakai?”
“Forget I said that.” Brave shook his head and started for the bus. “Let’s go tell my baby brother the good news.”
Half running to keep up with his long strides, Shiori climbed onto the bus a step behind him, blushing as their entrance drew every eye in the room. Danica had her laptop out on the table in the kitchenette, and Jesse was beside her, with a brush in his hand, looking like he’d been brushing her hair while she worked.
Alder was sitting on the sofa, holding his guitar, the last chord he’d played still hanging in the air.
Connor and Tate were on the loveseat, playing a videogame. Their characters died as their attention shifted to her.
Malakai wasn’t there. She wasn’t sure where he’d gone, but she missed him. Brave’s comment about him being in the ‘friend zone’ bothered her for some reason. Yes, he was her friend. But putting it like that sounded wrong. He’d become so important to her, so quickly, she couldn’t put a label on how much he meant to her.
Don’t make it complicated. Things are messed up enough already.
Stopping in the middle of the room, Brave flashed a broad smile and cleared his throat. “I’m not sure how to say this. I’ve got some awesome news.” He paused, and spread his arms wide. “It’s a boy!”
Alder almost dropped his guitar as he shot to his feet. He stared at Shiori. “There’s no fucking way you’d know this soon. And…” He pulled off his guitar and handed it to Tate. “Damn it, Brave! What the fuck is wrong with you?”
Shiori groaned, slipping past the brothers to sit beside Danica. “I may have to kill him.”
“I may help you.” Danica’s brow lifted. “What’s going on?”
Before Shiori could answer, Brave pulled his brother into a headlock. “We’re uncles. Valor actually left something good in this world. But thank you, now I know what you really think of me.”
“What the hell are you talking about?” Alder wrestled free from Brave, turning to Shiori again. “You knew Valor?” He paled and shook his head. Glared at Brave. “Dude, this isn’t funny. Even if he messed with her right before he died she would have been…what, thirteen? Fourteen?”
“I never met Valor.” Shiori wanted to throw something at Brave. His happy ‘announcement’ had made everything awkward and confusing. “But my sister was fifteen when she did. I doubt he asked how old she was. The point is, you have a six-year-old nephew.”
Alder sank onto the loveseat, almost sitting in Tate’s lap. “Valor has a son?”
“Yes.”
“Are you sure?”
Shiori’s lips parted. “What?”
Tate groaned and smacked Alder upside the head.
Alder winced. “What the fuck?”
“You hit me when I say stupid shit.” Tate scowled at him. “You totally deserved that.”
“I really did.” Alder rose, stepping up to Shiori and taking a knee, looking so torn she couldn’t be too mad. “I’m sorry. This is just… Your sister deserved better. Valor should have left her alone.”
“He should have, but they had a beautiful son and that’s all that matters.” She needed to focus on Hiro. Talking about her sister with Brave had already left her raw. “I had a lot of reasons to take this job. One of them was to meet you and Brave. All I know of your family is that your brother used and abandoned my sister. I wasn’t sure you’d even care that you have a nephew, but it didn’t take long to see otherwise.”
“Did your sister ask you to…?” Alder exchanged a look with Brave and went still. He bowed his head. “She’s gone.”
“She died right after he was born.” Saying that never got any easier, but Shiori quickly explained her plans to support Hiro herself. Not revealing all she had to Brave, but hopefully saying enough so the band would understand why she was here. She hadn’t meant to keep secrets from them. She still intended to do the job she’d signed on for.
Danica hugged her from behind and rested her chin on Shiori’s shoulder. “One way or another I was going to help you establish yourself, but it’s even more important now. Reese is sending us to New York in three days. We’re headlining for Horizon and they pull in a huge crowd. You’re going to put on a performance no one will ever forget. Offers will come in like crazy.”
“I hope so.” She had to face that her plan had been naïve. Coming on tour with the band had seemed so perfect. Fine, she hadn’t assumed anything, but she wouldn’t lie to herself. There’d been this perfect scenario in her head where Brave and Alder would tell her how amazing their parents were. Real grownups who’d have all the answers. Who would take over and give Hiro safety and stability and everything she didn’t have the slightest clue how to provide.
Instead, it had become very clear that while the men would do what they could, Hiro’s future was on her shoulders. Family wasn’t a puzzle piece that would suddenly fit into place.
She’d been scared. Overwhelmed. Alone.
That she wasn’t anymore was something, but not everything. She still had a lot of work to do.
But the path was clearer. Probably the most important lesson she’d learned.
All her hard work would pay off. She’d needed a job and she had one. She’d needed support and she’d found it.
“Shiori, I’m sure Brave told you this, but please know you have me. You have the band.” Alder took her hands in his, his tone solid and clear. “You’ve dealt with a lot on your own and I admire your stren
gth. And you’ll need that going forward. But my nephew will have what neither me or my brothers did. I get that you have a lot to prove. What happened between Valor and your sister…damn it, nothing I can say or do can make that right. But that little boy is loved. We’ve all got our issues, but he won’t suffer for them. You’re in charge here. You tell us what to do and we’re on it.”
She nodded and smiled, excited for Hiro to get to know these men. Even if she’d been wrong about them being able to swoop in and make everything right, she hadn’t been wrong about how important they’d be in his life. He’d have good men to look up to. Love that wouldn’t cost him a thing.
“I’m glad I could finally tell you.” She sighed and turned next to Danica, setting her phone on the table. “I should get started on the social media thing. Or…” She unlocked her phone, glancing over at Brave and Alder. “Would you like to meet him? He loves video-calls. It’s not the same as meeting him in person, but it’s a start.”
“We’d love to.” Brave stepped up to her side, jostling a little with Alder when his younger brother squeezed in, both trying to fit into the small space between the table and the bench.
Snickering, she face-timed Wendy, who started saying hello, then froze, lips parted when she spotted the guys behind her. They must have waved or something, because Wendy squealed and the screen turned the color of her red sofa cushions.
“Wendy!” Shiori rolled her eyes as the screen changed to show a hand. “What are you doing?”
“Sitting here in my PJs with bedhead and no makeup!” Wendy let out a mortified groan. “Why didn’t you warn me? I thought you loved me?”
“I do love you.”
“You let the lead singer of Winter’s Wrath see me like…like this. I’m revoking your best friend card.”
“I’ll bring you something cool when I come home.” Speaking to Wendy’s hand, while on speaker phone in front of the whole band was weird. Her cheeks heated as she sensed their eyes on her. They probably thought she and Wendy were nuts. “I’m going to New York in a few days. Tell me what you want and it’s yours.”
“Dude, she’s a fan. How about I give her some drumsticks?” Tate popped up on the table in front of Shiori, tipping his head to look down at the phone. “I’m still in my PJs too if that helps. Very manly panda ones.”
“Is that Tate Maddox?” Wendy peeked through her fingers. “Would it be weird to ask for the PJs?”
All the guys burst out laughing. Beside her, Danica’s cheeks reddened as though experiencing vicarious humiliation.
“Very!” Shiori ducked her head when Brave squeezed her arm. His sympathy made the embarrassment even worse. “Is Hiro nearby? I wanted him to meet his uncles.”
“You told them?” Wendy moved her hand, her green eyes wide. “That’s awesome! One sec, I’ll get him. He was playing with Raccoon before.” The red material filled the screen again with a soft Plunk, as though Wendy had tossed the phone aside. “Hiro!”
Brave crouched down, frowning at the phone. “He’s playing with a raccoon?”
“No, Raccoon is her kitten.” The heat covering her cheeks spread over the rest of her as she met Brave’s eyes. Having him this close wreaked havoc on her senses. How he’d thought she could ever stick him in the friend zone was beyond her.
Little footsteps and laughter sounded, bringing her attention back to the screen. Hiro’s adorable little face appeared. “Auntie!”
“Hey, baby.” God, she wished she could hold him. They’d never spent this much time apart. Keeping busy made the time pass faster, but the separation hit her hard the second she looked into his big, golden-brown eyes. “Remember how I told you I’d be dancing for Winter’s Wrath?”
“Like the lady in the video?” Hiro’s overgrown black hair fell over his forehead. “Did you get to dress all scary?”
“Not yet, but maybe soon.”
“Cool!” Hiro bounced on the sofa, giggling when Wendy shouted for him to be careful. Then he peered at Shiori, looking past her and whispering. “Are those guys in the band?”
“Yes. And there’s something else I need to tell you about them.” Shiori cleared her throat. “This is Brave.” She turned the phone slightly. Brave waved. “And Alder.”
“Hey, buddy.” Alder crouched down beside his brother.
“They’re your uncles.” Shiori caught Hiro’s confusion right away and smiled at him. “You know how Mommy was my sister?”
Hiro nodded.
“Brave and Alder were your Daddy’s brothers.”
“Oh.” Hiro’s tiny nose wrinkled. He cocked his head, as though taking in the information. He was a smart kid, she had no doubt he’d catch on quick. Pushing his tongue into the space where he’d lost his tooth, he eyed the men. “Is my daddy there too?”
Oh no. Shiori schooled her features, hoping the men wouldn’t react badly to the question. Hiro knew his father had died, but sometimes asked when he’d come back. He didn’t seem to understand death was permanent.
“He’s not here, sweetie.” She inhaled slowly. “But just like Mommy, he’s always watching over you.”
“From heaven.” Hiro sighed and plunked back on the sofa, holding the phone above him. “I want to go to the park, but Wendy says it’s too cold. Will my uncles bring me to the park?”
“Do you want to ask them?”
“Yes!” Hiro brought the phone close to his face. “Jeffrey says his uncles bring him to baseball games and camping and fishing and all kinds of things. And they let him eat ice cream for breakfast.”
Brave grinned as Shiori held the phone facing him. “We’ll do tons of fun things, sport. Don’t tell you auntie, but I’ll get all kinds of ice cream for when you come visit.”
Alder squished in, a huge smile on his lips. “Do you like cake? Cookies? I’ll get all your favorites. And I love baseball.”
“He really doesn’t. You’ll have to teach him.” Brave slung an arm around Alder’s neck. “But camping we can all do together. You can come hang out on the tour bus. Maybe Uncle Alder can teach you how to play guitar.”
Sitting back, Shiori relaxed and watched the Trousseau brothers answer a million questions from their nephew with so much enthusiasm she couldn’t wait until Hiro got to meet them in person. All three grumbled when Jesse gently reminded them that the band had to hit the road.
Wendy saved them from a long goodbye when she grabbed Hiro and flung him over her shoulder, stealing the phone away as he giggled. “We’re about to make pancakes, so we’ve got to go. I’m taking Hiro home around six, but you can call a bit later if you want.”
“I will. Thank you, Wendy.” Shiori blew her best friend a kiss and ended the call. Blinking fast, she slid off the bench as Brave and Alder rose. Homesickness hit her like a battering ram straight to the chest. If Hiro hadn’t looked so happy, she’d have a hard time not packing her bags and heading home.
Big arms surrounded her, pulling her against a solid chest. “He’s doing good, little moon. Your friend, Wendy, is great with him.”
“I think she’s totally earned my PJs.” Tate chimed in as he unbuttoned his pajama top. Dark blue, with panda heads all over it, which matched the pants. “They’re super comfy.”
“I second Wendy getting those fucking goofy PJs.” Connor made a face. “I’m tired of seeing them.”
“Which is why I have three sets!” Tate smirked as he folded the top. He hooked his thumbs to the bottoms.
“Tate!” Every single person in the room yelled at him at once.
He shot them an innocent smile. “What? I’m just getting Wendy’s present ready for her.”
Shaking her head, Shiori glanced up at Brave. His expression shifted, eyes troubled. He moved away from her, staring down at the blank screen of her phone as though still seeing Hiro there.
His throat worked as he swallowed. “He looks like Valor.”
She grabbed her phone, holding it to her chest. Brave’s feelings for his brother were pretty obvious. All the joy from him
having spoken to his nephew faded as he lifted a hand to rub the back of his neck, frowning at the floor.
Alder stepped up to her side. “So what? He also looks like you and me. And our father.”
“Yes, but…” Brave let his hand fall to his side. “He’ll ask us about Valor. We can’t tell him the man was an asshole. That he was a violent drug addict.”
“No fucking kidding.” Alder glared at him. “What are you getting at?”
Brave’s lips thinned. “I’m going to have to think of something positive to tell our nephew. Shouldn’t be hard for you, you thought Valor was a goddamn saint for most of your life.” His jaw ticked. “I’ll have to either make something up or…” He groaned. “I don’t know, all right? I’ve got nothing.”
Backing up, Brave held up a hand when she moved to follow, then spun around and quickly left the bus. Everyone went still. Silent. As if unsure how to react.
Nails gouging her palms, she started for the door. Danica caught her hand, slipping out of the booth quickly. “You can’t go after him. The press is hanging around, doing last minute interviews and digging for dirt.”
This was getting ridiculous. Shiori gently twisted free. “I won’t give them any. I know what I stand to lose. But part of the reason I’m here is so Hiro has family. This is his family, which makes it mine too. I take care of my family and if the damn tabloids want to make something of that, then let them.”
Without wasting another second, Shiori made her way off the bus. Her whole body shook as she searched the throng of musicians and roadies and press for Brave, not sure ignoring Dania’s advice had been the best idea. Danica was only trying to help, and Shiori was grateful, but she drew the line at not even being able to talk to Brave in public.
If the media could make a story out of any interaction they’d find a way, no matter how careful she was. A career that couldn’t survive manufactured drama wouldn’t get her very far.
I have to stop being afraid of what people will think of me.
A camera flashed and she glanced over, giving the man with the camera a sweet smile. He grinned at her and took a few more pictures.
Diminished (Winter's Wrath Book 2) Page 22