CHINA
“I’m not an idiot.” I’ve been arguing with one of my brother’s good friends, a lot. No, a fuck ton. Trellis is stubborn, dangerously gorgeous, and bitching about how I’m not being smart about things.
“You’re not dragging your brother out of here. I don’t care, Doll. He can’t handle this shit.” His large frame blocks the warmth of the fire that I desperately need. Leaving Laguna in my race leathers and a small carry-on bag of toiletries, I thought ‘It’s India, it’ll be warm.’ That was hella wrong; I’m freezing. “Taking him back to the States to deal with your mother and that pompous affair is not gonna happen. You know as well as I do, Doll, the way he is isn’t good.”
“Well he’s not staying here in this goat infested town to avoid it either. He has to come home. You know that, Tre. Stop being a stubborn ass.”
Seeing me shiver, Trellis pulls off his sweater and drapes it across my shoulders. “Fuck, Doll. Didn’t you bring clothes with you?”
Staring at his very toned chest, I shake off the thoughts of how beautiful Trellis Anchor is. “No. I didn’t have time to think about that. I raced across the world to get here in two days. I thought this place was going to be warm, not fucking cold. Figured my leathers and a few pieces of clothing would be all I’d need.”
Laughing at my stupidity, Trellis moves to the side, motioning for me to step closer to the fire. Soaking up the heat with my hands out in front of me, I let the stress of everything escape just a bit. “This is so hard. I don’t know what to do here.”
“I get that, China, I do. But draggin’ his ass back home to deal with your mother’s pain too? You and I both know it’ll be too much for both of them.”
“I don’t disagree, but what would you rather me do? Avoid our father’s funeral? He’d hate himself for missing it. We can’t keep hiding out. You of all people know that, Tre.” He has firsthand experience of family loss and avoidance of bad situations. His expression shows I hit a chord. I feel bad for going there, but I had to strike him where he’d get the truth of it. Wyatt can’t stay here. He has to come home for this.
Staying silent, worrying my lips between my teeth, I wait for Trellis to see that.
“Fine, but this is on you.” Great. Like I needed something else to heap on my shoulders. I guess I don’t get a choice. Help or hide?
Sitting down by the fire, I wrap my arms in the sweater, taking in the unique scent that is Trellis. He smells like nothing else. He’s danger, fearlessness, and I’ve had a crush on him for years. But I’m the little sister, so I’ve never ventured any further than adoration and care.
“We’ll let him sleep until morning, then we’ll pack it in. I’ll have to get the crew to bring him down in a chopper, ’cause there’s no way he’s in the right frame of mind to ride a bike.”
“Can I at least go see him now that you know I’m not about to do anything stupid?”
Nodding, Trellis relaxes. “Yeah. Just don’t expect anything; it’s not good.” Agreeing, I step around his long legs and toss him his sweater before venturing off towards the tent that houses my brother.
“Not my first Crown rodeo,” I say as I pass him.
“New rodeo, China. This one’s harsh.”
Approaching the tent, I take a deep breath to settle myself. I can’t very well go in there with tears streaming down my face and expect him to be contained. Unzipping the edge, I peer inside. The only light comes from the flames of the fire behind me, but it’s enough to see the outline of Wyatt in the corner.
“Cas?”
I wait, but no answer comes. Stepping inside, I close the zipper and move to kick off my boots.
“Don’t take them off.”
“Sorry?”
Quietly, Wyatt answers. “Don’t take off your boots. Spiders, snakes, and poisonous shit will climb inside them.”
“Okay. Boots stay on.” I tuck my pant leg back down over the edge of the boot.
“Good choice.”
“Thanks. How are you?” I ask as I advance on him. I have no doubt that he’s gonna look like shit. Before I even get near him, I can see it. His eyes are wide and bloodshot. He’s not really here. Well, not the brother I can reach at least. This is the Wyatt that’s untouchable and affected by every emotion, every touch, every bad word. I may be broken, but he’s destroyed.
“Doll, did you see it? Have you seen the footage? Trellis and the crew won’t give me anything.”
Unfortunately, I have. “I don’t think it’s best right now for you.” Walking closer, I sit and tuck my legs into the space he’s balled up in. Draping a loose arm around me, I feel every powerful muscle of his engaging. He’s tense, on edge, and strung tight.
“I can’t do it, Doll. I can’t be what she wants.” I know what she’s always expected of him, and I don’t see that changing just because Dad is gone. We all knew what would happen. This is going to change his life drastically if she has her way.
“I don’t know what to do to help you. Tre and I can’t make this better, Cas. No matter how broken we are, we can’t escape. We need to go home. And I’m afraid for you, but I can’t be the buffer. I’m not enough.”
Silence fills the tiny space as we reflect on the things to come, all the changes in store. Crown Racing and Crown Industries will feel the fallout from this void in our lives.
Wyatt the most.