CHAPTER TWO

 

“Rude,” I huffed and my sister laughed. 

“I guess not all guys appreciate it when you deposit trash on their car,” Cami teased as she pushed her bangs from her sweaty forehead and took a sip of bottled water. 

“I didn’t mean to,” I grumbled, feeling a little embarrassed as I watched the old car leave the parking lot of Scratch.  “You think it’s too late to flip him off?” 

Cami found the question funny.  “Since when does Cassidy Gentry flip the bird to angry strangers?”  

I stuffed my phone into my back pocket.  “Since I decided it was time to toughen up.” 

“You might want to pick a different test case.  That guy doesn’t look like the type who would be amused.” 

She was probably right.  He was a dangerous looking stack of muscle and ink and even though I’d learned from an early age not to judge a man solely by appearance he radiated a ‘Fuck off’ kind of vibe that I didn’t want to get next to. 

“Let’s go indoors,” Cami said, as she headed for the entrance.  “I feel like I’m roasting inside Satan’s armpit out here.” 

“Sounds good,” I said. 

Passing through the front doors of my father’s tattoo parlor always made me feel like a minor celebrity. 

“Girls!” squealed Aspen as she scuttled from behind the reception desk to encase us in a hug.  She’d been working at Scratch since Cami and I were toddlers.

“Your father seemed to think you’d be on the road from California all day,” Aspen said, sweeping a piece of hair out of my face in a sweet maternal gesture. 

“We got an early start,” Cami explained.  “The car is totally packed to the roof but Dalton won’t be home for another hour and nostalgia wouldn’t allow me to pass this place by without stopping in.” 

Aspen’s grin broadened.  “And how is Dalton Tremaine these days?”

My sister smirked.  “Ready to cohabitate.” 

“Don’t remind me,” boomed the voice of Cordero Gentry.  He stood six feet away, examining us with what was probably supposed to be a harsh expression but didn’t fool me. I could see the corners of his mouth twitching. 

“Hi, Daddy,” Cami said, moving in for a hug and choosing to ignore the comment.  I knew both our parents genuinely liked Dalton, a former major league baseball player who ran a local nightclub for a while before switching gears and opening a youth sports facility.  Dalton adored my sister and their relationship was a big reason Cami had accepted a job here in the Phoenix area now that she’d finished college.    

However, Cami hadn’t been sure how the folks were handling the news that their baby girl was officially moving in with her gorgeous thirty-year-old boyfriend. 

Smile lines crinkled the corners of my father’s blue eyes as he gazed down at my twin and planted a kiss atop her head.   “My college graduate,” he said with unmistakable pride. 

I hated myself a little for feeling a tiny involuntary sting.  My dad wouldn’t have any reason to say the same thing to me anytime soon. I knew I was behind where I ought to be in life and that was my fault. Still, I felt as much pride in Cami’s achievements as my parents did.  She’d graduated with a perfect 4.0 from a major university and had a dream job lined up with a prestigious Phoenix newspaper.  She’d worked hard and stayed focused and deserved every reward.  But I also looked forward to the day when I might give my parents a reason to have as much pride in me.  I’d caused them more anxiety by myself than any three daughters put together. 

“How was the drive?” My dad directed the question at me. 

“Long and hot,” I answered.  Two days ago I’d driven the old Toyota out to San Diego to help Cami pack up her college life.  Cami said Dalton had offered repeatedly to drive out and deal with all the hard labor himself but she told him we could handle it.  We’d been looking forward to the road trip, just us two girls, the way we’d started out in life. 

“You painted the ceiling,” Cami observed, looking up.

“A work in progress,” my dad admitted, tilting his head back and squinting critically at the ceiling, which was now painted a deep, nearly black, purple and dotted with constellations.  “I work on it in my spare time.” 

“Since when do you have any spare time?”  Cami wanted to know. 

My dad shot her a rueful look.  “Since my baby birds started leaving the nest one by one.” 

It was true that the family dynamic was rapidly changing.  Even though Cami had been at college in California, she was frequently home on breaks and over the summer.  But now, even though she’d only be living eight miles away, Dalton was her world.  And our younger sister, Cadence, would be leaving for college in Tucson in August. Cadence wouldn’t even be around for the summer.  She was busy getting ready to spend the next two months up in Flagstaff as a counselor at a kids’ summer camp. For the first time in my twenty-two years I’d be the only child in my parents’ home. 

“You’ve still got me hanging around for a while,” I reminded my father. 

He smiled.  “Thank god.  Your mother and I are not ready to be empty nesters at such a tender young age.”   

Cami reached up and tapped him on the right temple.  “Since you’re so proud of your youth, you may want to do something about that spreading gray.” 

My father was indignant.  “That’s my badge for forty-five years of a life well lived,” he insisted, running a hand over his closely cropped blond hair.  “And your Uncle Deck has a hell of a lot more gray than I do.” 

“Is Uncle Deck here?” Cami asked, craning her neck around for a glimpse of the forever roguish and leather-clad Declan Gentry.  Our father’s cousin was a partner here at Scratch and the unofficial leader of the Gentry tribe. 

“Deck will be back later if you want to hang around,” my dad said.  “He’s at Izzy’s school right now but I know he planned to return.” 

Cami checked her phone.  “I would love to see him but we should get going.  Dalton took off work early to help unload the car.  I hope he’s ready for this.  Poor guy is giving up most of his closet space.” 

“Now that’s true love,” I pointed out. 

“Cams, make sure you confirm with your mother that you’ll be coming to dinner tomorrow,” my father said.  “She’s made it into a big event.  The whole family will be there.  And Cadence will be leaving for camp the following morning so it’ll be your only chance to see her.”  

“We’ll be there.”  Cami gave our father a peck on the cheek and paused to stare at the ceiling.  “I like the effect.  This place could use a little face lift, although I’m glad most things stay the same.” 

“Well,” my father said, glancing at Aspen, who was still standing at my side.  “Actually the starry sky above isn’t the only change.” 

Cami looked puzzled, her eyes shifting to me in search of clues.   

“I’m leaving,” Aspen spoke up.  “Brick’s parents aren’t in the greatest health and they won’t leave Colorado so we’re moving to be near them.”   

I’d forgotten that Cami hadn’t heard this news yet.  Between her college graduation and the planned move back to Arizona, there’d always been other things to talk about.  Aspen had given her notice almost a month ago but right before I left for San Diego I’d heard my dad telling my mother he was still searching for Aspen’s replacement.  Her last day was just around the corner so he was running out of time. 

Cami was dismayed.  “I can’t imagine this place without you.” 

Aspen hugged her.  “I’ll be back to visit.  And I’m sure your dad will find someone who can fill my shoes.” 

I glanced down at Aspen’s shoes.  They were glittery fuchsia-colored platforms. Fitting into them would be a tall order for anyone. 

Our dad walked us out to the car.  He raised an eyebrow when he saw how we’d crammed all of Cami’s belongings in there so haphazardly but there was no way to neatly pack some objects, like the orange beanbag chair she’d insisted on carting back to Arizona. 

“See you at home, kid,” my dad said to me.  He rapped on the hood to get Cami’s attention before she climbed into the passenger seat.  “Five pm tomorrow.” 

“We’ll be there,” Cami promised.  After she shut the car door she cranked the air conditioning up full blast. 

“Damn, I can’t believe Aspen’s leaving,” she said.  “She’s like a member of the family.” 

“I know.” I looked to make sure no one was coming and then piloted the car out of the parking lot.  “I think that’s why Dad is dragging his feet over hiring a replacement. It seems wrong to have someone else sitting behind the front desk.” 

Cami tapped out a text on her phone.  From the blushing smile on her face I could tell she was talking to Dalton.  She finished the conversation and tossed the phone on the dashboard.

“I’m glad you’re back to stay,” I said.  “I mean, obviously you won’t be living at the old Gentry homestead but I always hated the idea of you being hundreds of miles away.” 

My sister touched my arm.  “Me too.” 

“And if you ever want a break from Dalton, your side of the room will always be waiting for you.”    

“Like a shrine?”

“More or less.” 

“You don’t have to do that. Feel free to use the space.” 

“It’s not necessarily my call.  Mom is pretty insistent that nothing in your former habitat ought to be altered.” 

“She’ll come around.” Cami snorted with laughter.  “On the other hand, I can easily picture Cord and Saylor Gentry faithfully dusting off our old dolls every day in the hopes we’ll return to play with them again.” 

I wrinkled my nose.  “That’s a little depressing.” 

“Well, it must be tough when your children grow up,” Cami mused.  “Some parents probably enjoy having empty rooms to fill.  But I doubt ours will feel the same way.”    

“Not all the rooms are empty,” I reminded her. “I won’t be going anywhere for a while.” 

My twin sister shot me a searching look.  “Don’t do that.” 

“What?”

“Don’t be too hard on yourself, Cass. You’re figuring things out.”

“I’m trying,” I sighed. 

“You’re taking a class this summer, right?” 

“Just one evening class. Statistics, to fulfill that pesky math requirement.  Otherwise I’m full time at the bookstore.”  

“Did you give anymore thought to what I said about transferring to ASU?” 

“One step at a time.  I’ll stick with community college for at least one more semester.” 

Cami poked me in the side.  “You know I will always believe you are awesome.”   

There was nothing insincere about the comment.  My sister was my biggest cheerleader. 

“I know,” I said and gave her a grateful smile before I slowed for a right turn.  “Now get out your cash because you’re buying me a burger and strawberry milkshake.” 

“I thought you said you were beginning a health food regimen?” 

“I am.  I’ve just decided it can begin next week.” 

We ate in the car with the air conditioning on high and then drove to Cami’s new apartment. The apartment complex was an upscale place on the edge of a desert preserve. I wasn’t surprised to find Dalton Tremaine casually leaning against the building.  Cami emitted a girlish squeal of excitement and jumped out of the car before I came to a full stop.  She flew into his strong arms without hesitation.  I still couldn’t help but be charmed over the way my brilliant, beautiful, incurably sarcastic twin sister had fallen so completely in love but I guess that’s the way it happens.  When it happens. 

“Welcome home, honey,” Dalton said and Cami responded by kissing him passionately.

Dalton offered me a polite greeting once he managed to disconnect from my sister.  He was a good guy.  I’d figured that out the first time I met him just about a year ago.  I couldn’t think of another man I’d rather see my sister with.  And even though my dad grumbled under his breath now and then, especially now that Cami was moving into Dalton’s place, I knew he held Dalton in high regard. 

I ended up following Cami inside because Dalton was adamant about unloading the car himself.  His broad shoulders and muscled arms were far more effective than I could ever be and it only took him two trips to haul Cami’s eclectic mix of possessions into the apartment. They both tried to get me to stick around for a while, but I gracefully bowed out, figuring they deserved the chance to be alone together. 

Cami hugged me on the way to the door.  “Thanks for making the trip.” 

“It was nice to take a break from the bookstore,” I said, trying to dismiss a nagging sense of melancholy. 

Of course I was thrilled for my sister.  She’d graduated with honors, secured a fantastic job and was now taking bold new steps in life and love.  Yet this still seemed like the end of an era.  We’d never again live side by side in the lilac bedroom where we spent a happy childhood.   

“I guess I’ll see you at dinner tomorrow?” Cami asked, opening the door. 

“Naturally,” I said.  “I get off work at six and I’ll come right home.” 

She smiled.  “Good.” 

Before I stepped out into the blazing sunlight I turned my attention to Dalton. “Treat her well or I’ll find a way to kick your ass.” 

Dalton looked amused.  That was probably an appropriate response when being cheerfully threatened by a blonde chick who barely reached your shoulder and was wearing pink flip-flops. I knew I’d never have to make good on the threat.  Dalton worshipped Cami. 

“I’ll keep that in mind,” he said.  Then he grinned at me as he slung a casual hand over Cami’s shoulders.  “Thanks for bringing her home to me, Cassie.” 

The door had scarcely closed at my back when I heard Cami squeal.  “Put me down you animal!” Then she laughed.

I didn’t hear what came next nor did I want to guess.  My phone pinged with a new message as soon as I got behind the wheel of the Toyota.  Earlier, while standing in the parking lot at Scratch, I’d texted my boss to confirm my schedule at the bookstore for the upcoming week and I expected this was the response.  Remembering that also brought to mind a certain Angry Hot Guy. I hadn’t given a thought to leaning against his car while I set my cup down and tapped out a message on my phone.  But he’d come out of nowhere and delivered a penetrating glare that made me feel both uncomfortable and thoroughly undressed.  I was not proud of myself for being intrigued. 

The interaction was slightly embarrassing but it didn’t matter. My father’s tattoo parlor saw all kinds of people and the chances were almost nonexistent that I’d ever run into him again. There were plenty of other things to think about.  Summer loomed ahead and maybe one of these days I’d bite the proverbial bullet and say yes to one of the nice guys who came into the bookstore pretending to be looking for an obscure Tolstoy translation as a way to start a flirty conversation. 

As expected, the text was from Davida, the bookstore general manager.  I read it, paused to crank up the air conditioner, then reread it in the hopes I had misunderstood the first time.

I hadn’t misunderstood. 

“Well, that’s just fucking great,” I said to the empty passenger seat. 

And just like that, summer was off to a shitty start.