JAKE
I’m surprised it’s taken one of Mac’s brothers this long to pay a visit. The Valentines are not only resourceful, they’re smart, and their contacts stretch to all four corners of the globe. I’m sure they’ve been keeping tabs on me since the fateful phone call I had with Mitch two years ago.
I click the lock in place and Jared turns.
I fold my arms. “I’ve been expecting you.”
Mac’s brother nods, absorbing that piece of information. That’s right, bud. I’m not stupid either. I know how you all operate.
“Then you’ll know why I’m here.”
I manage not to roll my eyes. “Yeah, I have a fair idea.”
“Good.” His eyes scan the apartment, taking in the cheap furniture and open textbooks strewn across every surface. We actually do try and study once in a while. The next words from his mouth have my brows soaring in surprise. “Got any beer?”
My phone buzzes as I’m reaching for two bottles from the fridge. I hand one to Jared and keep one for myself. Whatever he has to say will go down a damn sight easier with a beer in hand.
Collecting my phone from the breakfast table, I read the message as I tilt my head back and swallow the beer.
Princess: Tell Jared we’re having lunch with Evie and to get his ass over here
Jake: Tell him urself
“So …” Jared leans himself against the kitchen counter behind him and twists the lid off his bottle. “Do you really think being in this band is a good idea?”
My nostrils flare. “Because Mac manages it? You know, this band was formed before she came in and started taking over. I’ve been here for two years. She’s been here three months.” I hold up three fingers to emphasise my point. “Three! So if you think this happy little reunion is anything but coincidental, then you’re all idiots.”
My phone buzzes again.
Princess: Asshole
Jake: Bitch
“Oh, we know it’s coincidental.” Jared cocks his head, his expression smug. “We know everything, in case you forgot that.”
I return his smug expression. “So if you know everything, then you’d know why Mac is here.”
His brow wrinkles in puzzlement. “Because of the scholarship, of course. Transferring in her final year was last minute, but this university has the best business program in the country.”
“That’s what she told you,” I mutter.
“Sorry?”
“She came here to get away from all of you,” I flat out tell him.
“Rubbish. She—”
I cut him off, done with the conversation already. “Look, it doesn’t matter. You’re here to deliver the warning to stay away from Mac so get it done and leave.”
“Actually that’s not why I’m here, but since you mention it…” his green eyes turn hard “…stay away from Mac.”
My phone buzzes once again. Ignoring his threat, I flick the message open.
Princess: I’m going to throw a brick through your bass drum while you’re sleeping
She will too. Mac doesn’t deal in empty threats.
Jake: Fine. I’ll tell him
I put my phone down and look at Jared. “So why are you here then?”
“Because of Jamieson. You’ll get recognised.”
A snort escapes me. “Hardly. We’ve played one gig.”
“Two things, Romero. The first is that I saw the YouTube videos Mac’s been posting. The band is beyond good. The second is that I know my sister. She’s determined and she’s not afraid of getting her hands dirty. She’ll have you bigger than U2 in less than a year.”
“You’re getting ahead of yourself, Valentine. Besides, even if we did make it big, no one recognises the drummer. Sitting behind a set of drums, I don’t get seen.”
Jared’s expression remains sceptical as he downs a mouthful of beer.
“I’m not a target anymore, and I’m not quitting the band.”
I can’t. It’s all I have.
My phone beeps another message.
Princess: Did u tell him?
Jake: Impatient much?
Princess: I’m trying to help you out here
Jake: Sure and I’m the tooth fairy
“Fine,” Jared says, setting his empty bottle down on the counter. I get him another. “Just don’t die on my watch.”
“On your watch?” My brows pull together. “Just how close are these tabs you’re all keeping on me?”
“Close enough. I’m just here to deliver a warning. We got you out, Romero, but Ross has contacts too. Don’t let him drag you back in.”
My phone gives another impatient beep.
Princess: Brick. Bass drum
I sigh. “Mac says to hurry up. You’re supposed to be having lunch with Evie.”
Jared jerks forward, his eyes going from hard to bright in a split second. It’s like seeing light illuminate a dark room. “Evie?”
“Yeah. You met her, right? Mac’s roommate. Long brown hair. Smart mouth.”
Jared seems exceedingly interested in the new direction of our conversation. “She talks? I mean, I heard her sing on YouTube, but …”
“Well, yeah.”
“What else do you know about her?”
Jared’s unexpected distraction has me thumbing open a new message to Mac. I start tapping keys.
Jake: You sneaky bitch
Princess: Rule number 1 … Always have a plan.
A smile of admiration tugs at the corners of my lips. That girl has a spirit no one can break.
Looking up from my phone, I say, “I know she’s waiting on you and Mac for lunch. Better get a move on.”
“Right.” Pushing off from the counter, he finally opens the fresh beer I gave him and points it at me. “Don’t get dead,” are his parting words before he sails out the door, closing it behind him.
MAC
I sit down at the quaint table outside the café. Leafy trees rustle in the breeze and fresh pink roses rest in a little round vase. Their scent swirls around us headily. It’s the perfect setting—sweet and romantic.
At my demand for Evie to join us for lunch, she’s dragged her brother along too. I’ve met Coby since I moved here. He’s two years her senior and a typical older brother. They look alike. He has rich dark hair and brown eyes, a rose tint to his tanned skin, and a smattering of freckles across his nose.
So it’s now become a table of four, which foils my plan to bow out early. And with the way my brother is openly staring at Evie, and the way she’s busy looking everywhere but at him, this is not going to be easy.
But so help me god, I’m going to fan the flames of this attraction into the size of a bonfire you can see from space.
That will leave one brother down, two to go.
Then I’ll be free to live my life.
I totally have this.