Charlie salutes us and pours the champagne into the four glasses. Remembering my manners, I say breathlessly, “I’m Summer and this is my cousin Tracey.”
Maxwell’s lips twitch into a pantie melting smile and I see a spark in his eyes that mesmerizes me. He says softly, “It suits you.”
“What does?”
He reaches out and runs my hair through his fingers. “Summer - your name. You look like sunshine.”
Charlie laughs loudly. “Fucking hell bro, that’s cheesy as fuck.”
Tracey laughs and Maxwell shrugs. “Learned it all from you, brother. At least I didn’t use your favorite one, what was it? Oh yes, you’d look cuter with something in your mouth.”
Charlie laughs. “It always works for me.”
He winks and takes a swig of the champagne and I can’t help but grin. These brothers share something that can’t be broken. Love. It’s obvious by the way they talk, walk and share things. Like a well-oiled machine, they move in sync and it’s quite spectacular to watch.
I don’t miss the surrounding curiosity. I feel the stares and the jealous looks from the girls that watch carefully. They want these guys and that must be a lot to deal with. However, I need to remind myself why I’m here and not fall into the trap being set. Because I know this is a well-executed plan of interest. These brothers must do this all the time. See a girl they like and lay on the charm. If only they knew it wasn’t going to work this time.
Trying to fight the disappointment, I look at Maxwell with interest. “So, you own this club. That must be quite a responsibility.”
He nods. “It is but I don’t do it alone.”
Charlie pipes up. “He’s the lazy one. You’re looking at the one who does all the work.”
Maxwell laughs and shakes his head. “Says the man who gets lost on the way to the office every day.”
He lowers his voice. “For some reason, I keep finding him where he shouldn’t be. Mainly in the women’s changing rooms.”
Charlie rolls his eyes. “Only because I’m looking for you.”
They laugh and my heart settles a little. I can tell they love each other and it makes me happy. Maybe this family isn’t as bad as Aunt Kim painted them to be.
Charlie starts whispering to Tracey and Maxwell leans closer. “So, tell me why Summer has hit London so early in the year?”
A little of the happiness dies inside me and I shake my head sadly. “Circumstances.”
I see the concern in his eyes as he says softly, “Where are you from?”
“California.”
He laughs. “That figures.”
“Why?”
“Because you look like a typical California girl. Before you even speak your body gives it away. You have a golden tan and your hair is more sun-kissed than bleached. Those teeth of yours betray a fine dentist and the fact you don’t dress as a drag queen sets you apart from the rest.”
I cock my head and smile.
“You can tell all that by looking at me. What sort of guy are you, a fortune teller?”
He laughs and grabs my hand and I try to ignore the shivers that run through my body at his touch.
He opens my palm and strokes it gently while looking into my eyes. His voice captivates me as it’s so husky, and rough around the edges. He says, “I can tell you’re going to meet a stranger who will sweep you off your feet. Be afraid though because he will steal something of yours that you can’t live without.”
Laughing, I raise my eyes, “Which is?”
He winks cockily. “Your heart.”
Snatching my hand away, I laugh incredulously. “Your brother’s right. You’re so full of cheese I could throw some pepperoni on you and bake you in the oven.”
He grins and settles back in the chair.
“So, tell me again. What brings you to London?”
An innocent question that promises total devastation. I feel Tracey tense beside me and look afraid and I don’t miss the look that passes between the two men as they sense the unease in the air.
I think I hold my breath as I say slowly. “I’ve come to find my father.”
Maxwell
Something about the way Summer said it makes me on edge. I can tell Charlie feels it too as we share a look. I say carefully, “Do you know where he is?”
She nods but won’t look me in the eye. Her cousin looks uncomfortable and the light atmosphere has changed into one that promises to destroy something even before it’s started.
Leaning back, I take a deep breath and ask the question I know in my heart the answer to.
“What’s his name?”
I see the stricken look on both girl’s faces as Summer appears to steel herself and looks me in the eye bravely as she says, “Joseph Carter.”
I say nothing but her words just tore my heart out. I can tell Charlie feels the same and we just sit staring at the girls with hard expressions.
Tracey, tries to make herself as small as possible but something about the proud, defiant look on Summer’s face calls to me and rather than having them thrown out, I say softly, “How do you know this?”
She sighs heavily. “It’s on my birth certificate.”
Turning to face me, her eyes hold mine and the pain in them makes me lose my mind. “I know you think I’m some sort of crazy person but I’m not. I only found out a couple of weeks ago and my search brought me to London.”
Charlie says softly, “What other information do you have?”
She shrugs. “My mom was born here and lived here most of her life. She lived in this area and dated Joseph. I understand she fell pregnant with me and then he was arrested. Mom met my father and moved to California where I was born and raised.”
Her words are crushing my soul but I don’t show it. Every word that spills from her lips is like a dagger to my fragile heart. Seeing her sitting here so bravely makes me want to wrap her in my arms and never let go. But if what she says is true, how can I?
Charlie senses I’m losing my shit and says loudly, “We can settle this tonight. What’s your mum’s name?”
I see the pain flare in her eyes and she looks like a ghost as she whispers, “Megan Jefferson but he would have known her as Megan Greenford, or maybe Meg.”
I watch Charlie typing and feel compelled to probe deeper.
“What does your mum think about you coming here?”
I watch the tears well in her eyes as she says in a broken voice, “She’s dead. They’re all dead. My mom, dad and little sister. Killed in a car crash just a few months ago.”
Her cousin places an arm around her shoulder as Summer breaks down. She says sadly, “It’s ok, babe. Let it all out. You’re not on your own.”
She pulls Summer to her and fixes me with a defiant look.
“Listen, Summer isn’t some crazy person who’s just walked in off the street. She’s genuine and really believes Joey is her father. She only just found out that Todd isn’t her real one after they buried him. So, cut the poor girl a little slack and give her a minute, will you?”
Her angry stare brings a brief smile to my lips. Thank god, Summer has her because seeing this broken girl weeping at my table is enough to send me feral.