I knew it was almost time to leave, and I could feel a thin layer of sweat forming on my forehead. Clothes were strewn across the bed, and I had just pulled on a shirt. I fumbled around in the closet, looking for my cork wedges, frustrated by what seemed like a futile search. I don’t even have that many clothes, where can they possibly be?
Knox’s voice called down the hall. “Almost ready, Haley?”
I squeaked, throwing a few more things in the large canvas tote bag and tugging my shirt down to cover my stomach. Knowing that we were going to Jackson’s uncle’s house to hang out with the other guys, I had debated my outfit several times, wondering if it was dressy enough, too dressy, too fill-in-the-blank. Now that it was time to leave, I wanted to hide in the closet.
Knox’s voice was closer now. “Everything okay in there?”
“Be right out.” I answered quickly, hoping that would be enough to keep him from coming in to check on me. Normally very tidy, I didn’t want him to see the room in this state, or worse yet, catch me between outfits. Finally spying the wedges, I slipped them on before throwing the remaining clothes in the closet and shutting the door.
After locking up the loft, Theo, Knox, and I headed out to the garage. I wondered what car it would it be this time. It seemed like every time I went somewhere lately, I was riding in a different one. I still hadn’t been on the black beast. Yet, I thought, reminding myself of Knox’s promise to take me for a ride.
Knox pointed toward a black truck, and I had a sudden flashback of this truck sitting in the woods outside the cabin in Markleeville. It seemed so long ago, and yet I knew it was just after my birthday. I shook my head. Whoa, has it really been almost two weeks since my birthday?
Despite my lack of a consistent schedule, I was easily settling into my new life, especially now that I was free of the crutches. I alternated between hanging out at the loft, running errands, and seeing more of Santa Cruz. Like Jackson had promised, at least one of the guys was always with me, which usually meant some variation of Theo, Knox, and Chase. So far, I had avoided facing Ethan again. Knowing he would likely be there tonight, as well as Liam—who I had yet to meet—made my pulse race.
“Shotgun,” Theo yelled, jogging to the truck ahead of me.
Knox growled, “No. Haley gets the front.”
I looked back and forth between them, wondering if I should get involved. “Oh, it’s fine. I don’t mind sitting in the backseat. Theo’s taller anyway.”
Theo playfully stuck out his tongue at Knox, “See.” He put our bags in the back before holding out his hand to help me climb in the tall truck. Its interior was spacious and immaculate, complete with black leather seats, dark tinted windows, and a high-tech dashboard with digital maps and a backup camera.
I mentally counted Knox and Theo’s cars, quickly tallying four: the Mustang, the black beast, Theo’s Outback, and the truck. Private security must pay well, I thought. Or maybe Theo and Knox came from a family with money? Somehow that didn’t quite seem to fit.
As I was pulling the seatbelt across my stomach, Theo stopped me. “Sit in the middle so I can see you.” I moved to the middle seat and caught Knox watching me in the rearview mirror. He rolled his eyes at Theo, and I laughed out loud.
It was fun seeing the brothers like this. Although I had been spending time with each of them at the loft, we were rarely all three together. Knox was mostly absent, and according to Theo, work was crazier than usual for him. I wondered how much of that was related to the situation with my dad. Hopefully busy was a good thing in this instance.
The garage door closed, and a Willie Nelson song started playing through the stereo. Theo groaned and immediately grabbed Knox’s cell phone from the cup holder. “You are not going to make us suffer through Willie and Waylon this entire trip.” A few seconds later, another song started playing.
Knox snatched his phone from Theo and changed it back to Willie. “You know the rules. My truck, my music.”
Interrupting their bickering, I said, “Hold on a second.”
Before I could continue, Theo cut me off. “See, Haley doesn’t want to listen to that either. Now you have to change it.”
“No, that’s not it. I’m fine with Willie Nelson.” Theo groaned again. “I just wanted to ask how you’re playing music through Knox’s phone. It isn’t plugged in anywhere.”
Theo turned around and gave me a surprised look. He reached back and patted me on the cheek, “Oh, our sweet, sheltered little Haley doesn’t know about Bluetooth.”
Embarrassed, I realized that I should have figured it out. “I’ve heard of Bluetooth, but I’ve never used it. I didn’t know you could use it to play music as well as talk on the phone.”
Knox tucked his phone in his pocket before smacking Theo on the arm. “Stop making Haley feel bad.” He gave me a small smile through the rearview mirror. “The technology hasn’t been used for that purpose for long. It’s not even standard in most cars yet.” Knox merged onto highway seventeen northbound.
Theo’s face lit up as he turned to look at me. “Speaking of cars, Haley, I have a very important question for you.”
“Okay . . . ”
“What is your dream car? And make sure you think about it before you answer, because your taste in vehicles tells a lot about you. For instance, the fact that Knox spends most of his time on the back of the black beast or in this over-sized hunk of metal suggests that he’s overcompensating for . . . ” he paused dramatically, “something.”
Knox grunted. “At least I don’t drive a soccer mom car.”
I laughed, looking back and forth between the two of them; it was like watching a game of ping pong.
“Hey! It is the top-rated vehicle for cyclists, thank you very much! And don’t distract me. This is about Haley.” He turned back to me. “So?”
I thought for a few moments and finally said, “I don’t know. I’ve never really thought about it. The only thing I’ve ever driven was my dad’s truck, which was fine, but it wouldn’t be my first choice.”
“Well then, you can try out each of our vehicles and see what you like the best.” Theo’s smile widened, “I see you in something cute and sporty.”
Knox shook his head. “Forget cute, she needs something safe and reliable. Maybe a Honda.”
“Stop being such a stick-in-the-mud,” Theo said. “We’re talking about dream cars here, not grandma cars.”
Wanting to stop their argument before it really started, I interrupted. “It’s not like it matters. I can’t afford a bicycle, much less a car, dream or otherwise.” Theo started to protest, but I continued, “At least I know who to ask for advice when I’m eventually ready to look at cars.”
My statement seemed to appease Theo for now, and he changed the subject. “I’ve decided that I’m going to climb El Gigante. I know things are busy right now, but I want to fit in more training when I can so that I’m ready by Christmas break.” Theo’s voice sounded unsure, almost like he was hoping Knox would give his permission.
Knox stared straight ahead, silent. I was tempted to duck behind the seat to make myself invisible. Clearly this conversation was not going to be pleasant.
Theo, obviously annoyed by Knox’s reaction, or lack thereof, tauntingly said, “What? You don’t think I can do it?”
Knox gruffly replied, “What do you want me to say, Theo? I’ve already told you that I don’t want you to climb that stupid rock. It’s not safe, and there’s no reason for you to take that kind of risk, not only by climbing it but in going to Mexico.”
“Oh, so it’s fine for you to take a risk every time you get on your motorcycle or go kiteboarding? But I can’t do the same? You’re not my father, Knox. Stop treating me like a child!” What is kiteboarding? I tucked the question away for another time. There was no way I was going to speak right then; the air in the truck was already crackling with tension.
Knox’s jaw clenched and his scowl was deeper than I’d ever seen it. “You’re right. Unlike our father, I actually care what happens to you.”
Theo hung his head. After a few moments, he quietly said, “I know, and I’m sorry. But I really wish you would start treating me like an equal. This is important to me.”
Knox ran a hand through his hair and glanced back at me. “Can we talk about this later? Haley doesn’t need to witness our family drama.”
Theo laughed darkly. “She’s living with us. She might as well get used to it.”
Uncomfortable, I sat there quietly. I didn’t know anything about their family, but clearly there was more to the story than two brothers living together.
Theo turned around and looked at me, his face unusually stoic. “You’ll find out eventually, so I’ll give you the CliffsNotes version now. Our dad has been out of the picture since we were young. Mom couldn’t cope and was pretty much absent until she died. So, we’ve been taking care of ourselves for a long time. And, Knox likes to think that just because he’s older, he’s in charge.” Theo turned back toward the front and stared out the windshield.
Knox tapped his hand on the steering wheel angrily. “Damn it, Theo. What is your problem? Do you really think this is the right time to get into all of that?” He gave me an apologetic look. “I’m sorry, Haley. Ignore him.”
As awkward as the moment was, I found myself wanting to make sense of their family dynamics. It was clear that Knox was serious about his role as the protective older brother. And though Theo appeared to love and respect Knox, he was pushing back against Knox’s self-imposed authority.
I probably should have stayed silent, but I couldn’t help myself. “I’m sorry about your parents, but I’m also kind of jealous. You two are really lucky to have each other, to have someone that you can always count on.”
Theo sighed. “You’re right; we are lucky. Not just because we have each other, but because we have the team as well. It’s like we make up our own little island of misfit orphans.” He grinned, and I relaxed a little.
Ignoring his Rudolph reference for the moment, I asked, “Orphans? Does that mean that all of the guys on the team have parents who have died?” It occurred to me that as attached as I was feeling to Theo, Knox, Ethan, and Chase, I barely knew anything about their personal lives.
Knox responded, “Technically, no. But all of our parents have either died or deserted us in one way or another. That’s why we are so close; despite our different backgrounds and personalities, our friendships were built on common ground.” He paused and looked at me through the mirror. “Maybe now you can understand why it was so important to us to bring you to Santa Cruz and watch out for you.”
Knox’s green eyes burned into me, and I experienced a moment of clarity. The guys weren’t helping me just because they felt responsible or guilty. They all had something significant in common with me and maybe even identified with me better than I ever imagined.
Turning off highway seventeen, we headed toward Saratoga. Not long after, we passed through a gated entrance, easily clearing the security booth before reaching a large fountain with lush ornamental landscaping. Theo said, “We’re almost there.”
As we drove further into the neighborhood, my jaw dropped. Enormous houses in all different styles were nestled in amongst the rolling hills. I tried to reassure myself that perhaps Jackson’s uncle’s house would be one of the smaller ones. “Does Jackson live here with his uncle?”
Knox replied, “Not since he finished college. Now he lives in a little bungalow right on the beach in Santa Cruz. It’s perfect for surfing.”
A minute or two later my conjectures were firmly put to rest when Knox pulled up to a large and elegant house. When he parked behind Chase’s car, I gulped. Would it be obvious that I really didn’t belong here? Theo grabbed my canvas bag and his own duffle and opened my door. “Come on, Haley!” He smiled.
Considering I didn’t really have any other choice, I silently followed Knox and Theo up the wide pathway toward the house. The landscaping was simple but pristine, mostly hedges and grass. The clean design of the landscaping complemented the large, two-story home. It reminded me of French chateaus I had seen in books at the library, complete with a beige stone facade, evenly-spaced tall windows, and a slate gray roof. Each of the upstairs windows were French doors with metal railings, and a large walk-out balcony was centered above the enormous front door.
Apart from the metal railing of the upper balconies, the front door was one of the most ornamental and decorative items on the house. As we approached the threshold, I admired the iron scrollwork design that covered the glass center of the arched doorway. I expected Knox to knock or ring the doorbell. Instead, he flipped a lid, revealing a small keypad into which he quickly entered a code, and then placed his thumb on a screen. My eyebrows raised so high I wasn’t sure there was any space left on my forehead for them to go. If I hadn’t already been wondering what exactly Jackson’s uncle did for a living, I sure was now.
Entering the house, I was somewhat surprised that no one was there to greet us, but Theo and Knox seemed familiar with the home. Knox headed toward the back of the house, and I followed Theo up a nearby staircase, not sure what else to do.
I quickly surveyed the home as we traveled to an unknown destination within. Walking across beautiful tile floors, we passed large metal and crystal chandeliers, and upholstered furniture, curtains, and rugs in a variety of textures. Much like the exterior, the interior color palette was varying shades of gray and cream with live plants and flower arrangements sprinkled throughout. There was a definite air of luxury, but the overall effect was one of simplicity and understated elegance.
Theo stopped in front of a door on the upstairs hallway and opened it for me, revealing a bedroom. Nothing seemed very personal; it was clearly a guest bedroom. I assumed we were just ditching our stuff before heading back downstairs.
Theo set my bag on the bench at the foot of the bed. “Here you go, Haley. Since you didn’t wear your swimsuit over, you can change in here or the attached bathroom. I’ll be downstairs.”
Curling my hair around my finger, I tried to remain calm, but I wanted to beg Theo to stay behind and wait for me. Don’t be ridiculous, Haley. He smiled warmly, and I felt like he was trying to reassure me, so I nodded.
When he closed the door softly behind him, I glanced around. The late afternoon sun filtered through light and airy linen curtains, casting a warm glow about the room. The large bed had a headboard upholstered in dark gray and was covered in plush layers of beautiful bedding. A wood dresser that was both long and tall was topped with large lamps and decorative items. With a sense of slight disbelief at my beautiful surroundings, I leaned forward to smell the small arrangement of pink peonies.
Having seen glimpses of the house and now this guest room, I tried to think what it reminded me of. I felt a feel of smug sense of satisfaction when the answer came to me. There was a catalog we used to get that was as big as a phone book, always with a large “RH” on the cover. We could never figure out how they decided to include our address in their mailing list, having never purchased anything from the store. But, I loved poring over its glossy pages.
Knowing I really couldn’t stall any longer, I sighed, pulling items out of my tote, including a new swimsuit. A few days ago, several swimsuits had appeared on my bed, and I picked two to keep but brought my favorite today.
I removed my clothes and stepped into the navy one-piece, shifting and pulling it up over my hips and torso. After moving my long hair to one side, I tied the slick fabric in a bow to create the halter-neck. I loved the retro feel of the suit thanks to the ruching on the front, twisted bust, and boyshorts cut of the bottom. I shook my head at Theo’s uncanny knack for picking clothes for me; somehow I felt covered yet sexy.
I threw on a cover-up before pulling my hair into a high ponytail. A few tendrils hung around my face, refusing to stay back. Finally grabbing a book and placing my sunglasses on my head, I took a deep breath and opened the door. Theo said he would be downstairs, but who else was here? Jackson? Ethan? I wasn’t sure who I was most anxious to see or not see.
I descended the stairs slowly, keeping an ear out for the others while continuing to admire the design of the home. Assuming the pool was located at the back of the house, I headed in that direction. When I heard Knox’s voice, I relaxed slightly and felt brave enough to pop my head around the corner to investigate.
Knox was sitting on a bar stool in the kitchen talking to a man whom I’d never seen before. The stranger was facing mostly away from me with one hip leaning against the counter, his stance confident yet relaxed. He was wearing what must have been an expensive suit in deep blue with a white dress shirt, open at the neck.
Knox spotted me and said, “Hey, Haley. Come meet Liam.” Wishing I could dodge behind the wall, I knew it was too late.
Liam turned around and immediately started toward me. “Haley, we meet at last.” Surprised by the sound of a light British accent rolling off his tongue, I stood frozen. He stopped a short distance away from me and looked me up and down, his intent unmistakable. “Well you’re bloody gorgeous, aren’t you?” Glancing back at Knox, he said, “Now I can see why you’ve been hiding her at the loft.”
My cheeks immediately began to burn, making my discomfort obvious. While Theo and Ethan made statements now and then that were moderately flirtatious, they had nothing on Liam. Something about the bold look in his eyes mixed with the smooth tone of his voice made his words seem anything but innocent. While I might have been getting used to hanging out with the other guys, Liam was a completely new creature, and I had no idea what to do with him.
He held out his hand and I placed mine in his, expecting a simple handshake. Instead, he slowly drew my hand up to his lips and placed a light kiss on the back of my hand. “I am Liam Carlyle. It is lovely to meet you.” I didn’t know whether to be impressed or repelled. Movies and novels taught me that a kiss on the hand was the swoon-worthy act of a gentleman. But, I was fighting a laugh, because it just seemed so over-the-top and cheesy. Is he always like this?
Nevertheless, I couldn’t deny that he was incredibly attractive. Like the rest of the guys on the team, he could pass for a model or even a movie star. He was about the same height as Knox but much slimmer. His expertly tailored suit fit him perfectly, showing off his trim physique. Combined with his height and the elegant way he carried himself, he looked like he owned the place; there was an air of insouciance about him.
He had dark brown hair that was cut short and styled to perfection. With prominent cheekbones and a rather deep dimple in his chin, his otherwise smooth face was a study of lines and angles. And when he smiled, I couldn’t help but be dazzled by his brilliant white teeth.
Realizing that I’d been standing there staring at him, I finally said, “The guys mentioned you, but I didn’t realize you were British. Unless the accent is fake,” I added with a grin.
Liam laughed, his entire face lighting up as he smiled. For the first time, I noticed the unusual color of his eyes. They were gray but seemed to change colors from one moment to the next.
“We’re going to hit it off, I can already tell.” He walked back to Knox and said, “I like her.”
Knox watched both of us with a warm look in his eyes. “I know.”