Chapter 1
Karma is a dirty hag.
Here I am, an hour out of Beaufort. It’s hot, I’m hungry, and my car is a piece of shit. It’s gone and called it a day. Black smoke pours out from under the hood and the stench of something burning could almost make me lose my appetite. Almost. If I wasn’t a stress eater. To make matters worse, when I got out of the car, my phone charger got caught on the seatbelt and fell, landing between the door and the seat. I noticed it as I was slamming the door, using all my fury in the push, and effectively crushed the charger, leaving bits of black plastic littered on the ground.
I grab the flower I have tucked into my hair, throw it down, then stomp it into the pavement before I move to the passenger side door and jerk it open.
After removing the title from the glove box, I sign the car away. It’s someone else’s problem now. Then I dig in my bag for my phone, ready to search for a charity to donate the car, but once I pull it out I find the battery empty.
Karma. I knew it would catch up with me, eventually. A girl doesn’t live like I do without accruing some bad juju. Since walking out on my fiancée, Max, two years ago, I’ve dumped guys via text messages, ended a second engagement by changing my Facebook status, and just today I dumped a Marine by leaving a note on his house door.
For additional kicks, I quit my job as a hotel desk clerk this morning with no notice whatsoever. It’s only right that my car would shit the bed, too. In all fairness, it’s not that I set out to be a cold-hearted bitch. I just don’t do long term. I’m up-front with all parties involved, but this is my life and I don’t plan on living it for others. Nothing sounds worse to me than working the job, monogamy dating, and not experiencing anything new. I’ve been there, done that, and burned the T-shirt in a campfire ceremony in Small Town, Texas where “Josie Woodmere, a rising phoenix” was launched.
When I woke this morning, and the plan for the day ahead of me was best described as familiar rut, I tossed my personal effects into the few bags I own and left the hotel, steering my 2000 Saturn hatchback—affectionately termed Freckles because of the sheer volume of Bondo patches that comprise my paint job—toward the southbound interstate, stopping only at Nick’s house to leave the farewell card.
It’s the least I can do, say goodbye and wish him luck in his future endeavors, thanking him for teaching me how to shoot a gun, for showing me a good time, and for being a friend. Though karma’s probably right, I should’ve taken the time to tell him in person, but I’m a girl on a mission to move on and friendly farewells tend to be long, drawn-out affairs. Especially when the guy in question is getting far too attached, asking me to leave clothes at his place and calling me at work just to say hello. Not that there’s anything wrong with that. It’s sweet really, but not for me.
Jerking my rolling suitcase from the trunk, I swing my tote and mat across my back and pull my sunglasses from atop my head. The last road sign said the next exit is nine miles away. It’s going to be a long walk, so I might as well get to it. Had I known what sort of day I’d be facing, I certainly wouldn’t have worn my wedge heels and long maxi skirt. The only smart item on my body is my tank top, and I’m fortunate that I’ve pulled my long hair into one equally long, fat braid.
Cars speed past me, kicking up small pebbles and sand, some pelting me on the arm. Some jackasses honk, wolf whistle, or call out obscenities. Others just hang their asses out the window. I reach into my bag and touch the .38 Special Nick gave me for my birthday. It’s times like now that I’m glad I pack heat. I’m debating switching out my wedge shoes for my runners when a four-door truck pulls onto the shoulder ahead of me. It’s an expensive one that’s made for towing and comfort, and the placard on the tailgate advertises Alliance Aviation, Daytona Beach.
Have I caught my first break?
It backs up toward me and stops ten feet away. Cautiously, I walk to the passenger door, hand in my purse on my gun. The window is down and some guy hangs out his head.
I place him immediately. Suite 501. Last night.
The one with his head out the window is the younger brother of a much larger, and if my eidetic memory serves, unbelievably hot guy. An incredibly serious, must-have-a-corn-cob-up-his-ass, straight-laced, only-has-eyes-for-his-smartphone hot guy. If you like that sort of thing.
I don’t.
“Reckon that’s you broke down back there,” baby brother says matter-of-factly. Must be a Mensa member.
At the window, I see the hot guy inside, his forearm resting on the steering wheel, looking at me over his brother’s shoulder.
“Is a tow truck coming?” the driver asks. Mac something. My memory scrolls through the last names of the guest register from last night, taking a moment before locking on to the information. “No, that car and I are parting company.” McRae, that’s his name.
“Do you need a ride back to the hotel?” McRae asks as his eyes flick down where my rolling suitcase sits.
“I quit this morning. I’m actually headed to Florida.” A van pulls off onto the shoulder about two hundred yards behind us.
“It’s a long walk to Florida,” McRae states.
I shift my attention back to the brothers. “I’m aware. I thought I’d get to the next town and either rent a car or catch a bus.”
“You going down for a visit?” the younger brother asks. His brow knits together and I assume he’s trying to puzzle me out.
“Something like that. I’m moving there.” I gesture to my bags. It’s none of their business that I’ve not only been on a quest to figure out my shit but also searching for my older brother, William. Who, with a simple three-lined email sent yesterday, spurred me into moving on earlier than I planned.
I’m glad you like the South. You should try to spend some time in Florida. You’d love it. It’s great and why I choose to live here.
For two years I’ve been searching and it’s my first clue.
“That’s all your stuff? Hell, I thought that’s what women took when they went away overnight.” Younger brother laughs and turns to older brother. “Right, Brinn?”
I smile slightly at the joke, my attention on the van rolling toward us. It’s not one of those pleasant minivans, sure to contain a family and seats sticky with juice box spills. It’s an old utility van with painted-out black windows. I take a step closer to the truck and the brothers. I have my gun, but I never really thought I’d have to use it and certainly not an hour after I broke down.
“Look,” I say, switching my hand from my gun to my phone and pulling it from my purse. “My cell is dead, I know the next exit is another nine miles, and I’m willing to compensate you for the gas.” I nod my head toward the molester mobile coasting to a stop several yards behind the truck and raise my brows in question.
“Hell, we’re headed to Florida, too. We can at least get you to the state line,” little brother says. He’s got a pleasing southern drawl that’s more noticeable on certain words. He jumps out of the truck, opens the back door, and throws my suitcase in. He gestures for me follow and I don’t waste a second. McRae is pulling out as his brother’s closing his door.
“Thanks,” I tell them. “How lucky we met last night and you guys remembered me. My name’s Josie.” I’m grateful for the ride.
The younger brother laughs and swivels in his seat to look at me. “I’m Vann, this is Brinn. I don’t think it’s possible to forget a girl like you.”
I give him a closed-lip smile. I can only guess what he means by that.
I look over to find McRae watching me in the rearview mirror. He’s a hulk of a guy, tall and thick. Solid. His green eyes were the first thing I noticed about him last night and they capture me again today. He’s Florida all in one bundle. Sun-bleached blonde hair, sand-chafed skin, and murky green eyes the color of the everglades. His clothes are freshly pressed and speak of how he plans the day to play out, with comfort and business. I dress for my mood and how I hope my day will go.
“You ever been to Florida?” Vann asks as he opens a laptop.
“When I was a kid.” It hits me suddenly. The memory of the celebratory Caribbean cruise my parents took us on. I was starting college and Will law school. He was increasingly forgetful and overly stressed; the time away did nothing to improve his mood. It was the last place three young adults wanted to be, though I do think my younger brother, Stuart, experienced his first chick action on that cruise. Poor, unlucky girl.
How could I have forgotten? It had been such a tense trip and the first time in my seventeen years I’d felt like maybe I didn’t know Will at all. Not twelve weeks after we returned, Will was gone.
I force myself to try picturing something other than Will’s face on the day he left, to remember something more than the anger and fear of that day.
When I look up, baby brother is watching me.
“You ok?” Vann asks.
“Sure. Just catching my breath.” McRae cuts his eyes to me and I switch the subject. “You came up for a Marine Corp graduation, correct?”
Vann slides his laptop onto the center console and turns to me. “Yeah, this guy we knew as kids. He doesn’t have much by way of family so Brinn wanted to come up and show him some support.”
“Becoming a Marine is a big deal. Especially for Markus.” McRae looks at his brother and his tone is similar to that of a parent using the conversation as a teachable moment.
“His mom overdosed a while back and his brother went to prison. He used to be a student of Brinn’s. That’s what probably got him this far,” Vann tells me.
I nod though I understand only half of the statement. “Student of what?”
“Brinn teaches—”
“I’m a flight instructor,” McRae says. “If he can keep his head down and eye on the prize, Markus will go far in the Marines.”
I choke back a laugh at the eye on the prize remark. How many times have I heard my father say precisely the same thing to Stuart? Will and I never had trouble keeping our eyes on the prize. Our parents set a goal and we met it. Usually exceeded it. But what these last two years have shown me is that “the prize” is different for everyone and should be quantified early on. Had I known the prize was living a life resembling my mother’s, with charities, the country club, and Junior League, and that striding toward said prize made me feel empty and lonely, I’d have eyed a different one earlier.
“May I borrow your phone?” I ask. “I should have someone collect my car.”
Vann hands me his smartphone and I quickly search for a charity that will take my car and make the necessary call, effectively ceasing the small talk. He turns back to the computer and appears to be working on creating some graphics, or simply staring at the screen, as I haven’t seen him do anything yet.
“How’s it going?” McRae asks, tapping Vann’s screen.
“This is stupid. I already built you a really great website. It’s a waste of my time to do it again. It’s not like you’re paying me,” Vann says with a huff.
“I don’t want ‘really great.’ I want amazing. Perfect. And I’ve asked the right man to do the job.”
“You hired out? Great! I’m off the hook.” Vann slaps the laptop closed and makes like he’s putting it away.
McRae laughs. “Get to work, smart ass. I’m paying you with opportunity and experience,” he says while shoving his brother in the shoulder.
Vann returns fire by pushing back and the two have a brief shoving scuffle where McRae wins by pinning him to the door.
“All right,” Vann says with a laugh and flips open his laptop, returning to his free labor.
The miles pass by with only the sounds of the radio, Vann clicking on the keyboard, and the continuous pinging of McRae’s phone filling the space. It’s hard for me to sit idle, and watching the miles speed by is mind-numbing. I stare at my dead phone and curse it, because without it I can’t search the net. I’m desperate for something to do. I dig up a small notebook from my messenger bag and start making a list of what I’ll need to set myself up in Florida, starting with jobs I wouldn’t mind doing temporarily. I’ve done this enough times, after all, change is my niche, so I really don’t need a list, but I do it nonetheless.
Vann swivels in his seat, resting his arm along the headrest, and asks, “What part of Florida you headed to?”
I picture the map of Florida in my head and place Daytona. Since my stay is temporary and my goal to reconnect with Will, I plan to settle in the top portion of the state first and move south if my search yields nothing. Daytona is a great place to start.
“Funny enough, Daytona. Talk about coincidence.” I don’t want to creep them out so I smile and give a nonchalant shrug. McRae cuts his eyes to me in what I’m sure is suspicion.
I dig out a book—a thick science fiction piece I’ve read so many times the spine of the book has a deep, permanent crease that allows the book to lay flat when open.
“Hey,” McRae says to his brother and taps the laptop screen. “Focus.”
He could have been saying that to me. The words of the book are lost as my attention continues to stray to McRae, who drives with one hand on the wheel, drumming his fingers to the beat of country music playing on the radio. His shoulders are broad, forcing his shirt to stretch snug against him. I notice the cuff of his sleeve gets taut as he moves his arm, his muscles flexing, and there’s something so manly about him I have the crazy urge to run my hands across his shoulders and down his arms to feel the ripple of muscles. If he weren’t such a stiff I’d consider proposing a one-nighter. Silent guys like him have deep fires that burn wildly once tapped.
I see the way he inspects the henna-created vines of leaves and flowers decorating my arms, and every time he glances at me, his gaze goes inquisitively to the diamond stud piercing below my lower lip. He’s interested. And, wow, to get lost in this intoxicating pull of magnetism might very well be mind-blowing. If only the circumstances were different.
The ringing of a phone breaks the quiet and shakes me from my thoughts. It’s coming through the Bluetooth of the car. The screen on the dash says Alliance Aviation is calling. McRae answers it on the second ring.
“Uh, Brinn? Can you hear me?” The voice sounds young.
“Yeah, you’re on speaker, Smitty, so watch your mouth.”
“I’m sorry I called, but we’ve a problem here.”
“What kind of problem? Can’t Becky handle it? She needs to learn how to deal with administrative issues.”
I look at the book in my lap, pretend to read, and provide some semblance of respecting his privacy.
“That’s one of the problems. Becky just up and quit. Walked out and—”
“What! She did what? She was just texting me with questions. She’s only been with us for two weeks. What could have gone wrong?” He sighs heavily, pushing his hands against the steering wheel. His knuckles whiten.
“Yeah, she got called into Mark’s office; when she came out she cleaned off her desk and left.”
“You sure he didn’t he fire her?” He bangs his hand against the steering wheel.
“No from what I could hear, he just chewed her out. But we’ve got other problems.”
“Like what?” McRae’s tone is clipped.
My attention is drawn to his jaw and the popping of muscle that tells me he’s clenching and unclenching his teeth.
Hell with reading, I totally tune into this drama.
