The original plan had been that I would spend the summer in LA at my own place. Continue working. Continue figuring out what I wanted to do with my life.
But the fire had displaced me, so I’d asked to come along. Offered to watch Amelia in exchange for a place to stay.
It wasn’t like Royce would leave me homeless, anyway. But I was tired of him having to rescue me.
A tender smile pulled at the edge of Emily’s mouth, her joy full and real. I inhaled it, held onto the hope of it.
“Then maybe this was exactly the way it was supposed to be.” She reached out so she could squeeze my hand.
Before she had a chance to glimpse at what was on my screen, I flipped my phone over. The last thing I wanted was for her to discover my little obsession with the bassist of her band.
I reached for her and squeezed back. “I think you’re right.”
Royce grunted. “Just stay away from handsy assholes, yeah?”
“You mean that as in one particular asshole?” I pushed.
He shrugged. “If it fits.”
“Says the guy who has his whole wild, unruly band comin’ to record with us in a couple weeks?” Emily asked, a tease lilting her voice.
So A Riot of Roses was known as being exactly that—a riot. Royce’s three oldest friends were untamed and a little unhinged.
But I’d never gotten a malicious vibe from them.
They were good guys who’d done some dumb things.
“Awesome. Now you’re really tryin’ to give me a heart attack,” he said with a feigned scowl.
“Just tellin’ it like it is.”
“And let’s not forget that I’m not twelve,” I told him, not sure if I wanted to laugh or if I was actually annoyed.
But that was the thing when you were twenty and had never even been kissed.
Your naivety and vulnerability showed.
My heart lurched as the memory assaulted me. Rhys so close. Those big, big hands on my body. His mouth a breath away. His spirit surrounding me. His need palpable.
I’d been sure.
So sure.
I swallowed the lump in my throat.
Royce smirked. “You might not be twelve anymore, but you’ll always be my baby sister.”
“You know, I will meet a man one day.” No harm in taunting my overprotective big brother a little.
“And he’ll meet all the criteria.” Royce lifted a hand in the air and started ticking off his fingers. “One, he’s gotta be a nerd. The awkward type. Pose no threat. Two…he needs to be smart. A professor or a doctor or some shit like that. Three…he’s never been in trouble—not even a ticket. Slow and safe. Four…he has to love his mama.” He lifted his thumb on the last. “Oh…and a virgin. Let’s not forget that.”
I rolled my eyes. “I am quite sure that man does not exist.”
Besides, he wasn’t the man. The man who made me shiver and shake. The one who currently had my insides twisted in a fist. At least he had one thing going for him—there was no question he loved his mama.
“Fine by me.”
Emily swatted him on the side of the arm. “You stop it. And would you watch your mouth. Our Amelia here has sensitive ears.”
His brow lifted toward the sky. “She’s six weeks old.”
“And you think she doesn’t hear you? Look at her little mouth twisting every time she hears your voice.”
“Fine. I’ll find better things to do with my mouth.” He leaned over and started running kisses along Emily’s neck.
I ducked my gaze and tried not to blush when I felt the roll of need and love billow through the air.
It was beautiful, but I definitely didn’t need to bear witness to it.
Emily giggled and Royce rumbled something I couldn’t make out before he pulled away, still angled to the side but twisting his attention so he was facing me.
Any playfulness had been wiped from his face. “I respect you, Maggie. Know you’re grown and you’ve got to do your own thing. But promise me one thing…promise you’ll keep your distance from Rhys. He’s trouble…the kind of trouble you don’t need.”
Worry heaved from his spirit.
And I knew he was right.
Rhys was trouble.
A danger to my soul. A threat to my heart that was barely mending. The scars so deep.
“I promise,” I forced out, not sure if it was a lie.
Royce nodded. “Good.”
He sat back in his seat, and Emily sent me a covert glance.
Her green eyes full of knowing concern.
Like she held a secret of mine.
Meeting her gaze, I attempted an indifferent smile. The one she returned was sympathetic.
Royce shifted around and sat forward.
Emily’s voice was soft though running with an undercurrent of fortitude. “And I need you to remember something, too, Royce…Rhys is one of my best friends. Like a brother to me. I know up until a few months ago, you’d come to feel the same way.”
Royce sighed. “I know that, Emily. But my sister will always be my first concern. You gotta respect that.”
“I do. I’m just askin’ you to respect mine and Rhys’ relationship, too. I truly believe he would never want to put her in danger. Sure, he’s made mistakes, but he is a good man.”
His nod was tight.
The two of them settled as we continued down the highway.
I stared at the back of his head.
The man was so rough and fiercely protective.
I knew it would take time for him to let go of all that had happened to me. What had happened to him. His single drive for so many years had been taking out the ones who had hurt us.
Now that they were gone, I sometimes wondered if he weren’t a little lost.
Floundering.
Like he was no longer quite sure of his purpose.
Thing was, I was sure there would always be a piece of me who would cling to him, too.
The part that would never forget what he’d sacrificed.
What he’d done.
I would forever be grateful.
Indebted.
I turned to gaze out the window at the passing marshlands that flashed by with each mile that brought us closer to the sea.
It suddenly felt like the moment was fluid.
Liquid.
A shaken concoction from the normal as we raced for the house that would be our home for the summer.
It felt as far away from Los Angeles as could be.
Our driver slowed as we got into town.
A town that whispered of peace and quiet and faith.
Like Dalton.
Warmth spread through my veins and my spirit shivered in anticipation.
The stampeding of my heart only intensified when the ocean suddenly came into view.
Crisp, blue waters fronted by white, smooth sand.
High grasses grew along the dunes, and the road curved so that we were following along rows of houses, condos, and apartments that faced the beach.
The houses here seemed older, not close to boasting of riches and luxury, but more a testament to that slowed, relaxed pace. Downtown, people strolled the sidewalks fronting bars, restaurants, and hotels in their beach attire.
Casually.
Relaxed and without a care.
We made it from one end to the other in what seemed a blip since the town was so tiny.
The driver made a left and started to inch down a narrow road.
Hurt and confusion fluttered and pulled at my insides, all mixed up with a flurry of excitement that had my breaths going short and shallow.