Chapter Three
Liam
I grabbed a second honey wafer and shoved it in my mouth as I watched the character on my television make a big mistake. These movies were all very formulaic and predictable, but that was why I watched them. I wanted to know that at the end of the film or book that the two characters got their happily ever after. Real life had enough sorrow, rejection, death, and other horrible truths, I wanted to bury my head in the sand for ninety minutes and believe in fairy tales. Unfortunately, none of my exes shared this fascination with romance media. They all rolled their eyes at me for loving the genre as much as I did. That’s why none of them ever found out I also wrote it for a living. Not that I ever lied to them or anything like that. They all knew I wrote horror books for a living, which was true. I had an impressive backlist of zombie apocalypse novels that did well enough to explain writing as a full-time author. They just never bothered to ask if I wrote anything else, and within the six or seven months that the relationships lasted, they all proved that they didn’t care enough about me to want to know what other passions I had besides the surface level. Writing under a pen name and never attending public events, and living well below my means came in handy sometimes, like getting to know how a potential mate really sees your field of work before they can mask it behind false praise. A seven-figure income will cause a few people to put on airs to appear to be your biggest fan after all.
The sound of my favorite ska song started playing on my phone. My twin was calling. I muted the television and answered Isaac’s call.
“How’s the wedding?” He was attending his best friend’s nuptials today, if I recalled correctly.
“Not happening.” I heard loud bangs in the background and some screaming. “Listen, I am dealing with something right now and need your help.”
“I can probably get to you in a day or two. I heard on the news earlier that the airports near me are canceling flights due to the storm. Will I make it in time to help?”
“No, not that.” Isaac sounded like he pulled the phone away and told someone to shut up and go back to their slut. Then he spoke into the phone again. “I’ve got this situation here handled. Trust me, I’ll be fine. It’s my friend Spencer.”
“Wasn’t he the one getting married today? What does he need my help for? Did he forget to write the vows and needs me to whip something up really quick?”
“No.” Isaac’s voice got that slight edge to it that he gets when I annoy him with too many questions. “Listen, it’s a long story, but basically I need you to go get Spencer from the airport. Can you do that for your brother?”
“Of course.” I shut off the television and went to the hook I hung my coat on, getting dressed to go out into the cool night. “Care to give me the abridged version of why I am picking up a man who was supposed to be getting married though? Also, which airport? So, the story?”
Isaac gave me the name and address I would need to go, and I entered it into my GPS unit of my truck and hit the road. There were a couple airports that were within a reasonable drive but in different directions from my house, I was glad to hear that this one was in a direction not hit by the storm yet and I should be able to get his friend and be back before the worst of it hits. I knew the general area but still relied on the GPS heavily. Some people were quick to remember every turn to make, but my brain was usually more worried about thinking up the next best seller than to remember if I turned left or right at the Miller’s Gas Depot or was it the Mulligan’s Diner.
“Spencer had an important meeting out near the airport this week. His fiancé was supposed to go with him but claimed he had work obligations at the last minute. Turns out, those obligations were fucking his co-worker all week, including in the hall when he was supposed to be getting ready to get married to my best friend. I walked in on him and now need to spill the beans to my best friend.”
“Asshole.” I couldn’t understand why anyone cheated. If you don’t love someone enough to remain faithful, cut them lose and go play the field. Why break hearts by being a lying scumbag?
“Yep.” My brother let out a long breath. “I swear, every time I have to help another friend get over a lying, cheating ex, it solidifies my plan to never get into a serious relationship. It’s not worth it.”
I hated hearing my brother speak so low about commitment, but didn’t think it was the right time to point out there were happy relationships in the world too. Instead, I focused on the question of why I was on my way to get his friend anyway. “Why is Spencer still out here if he was supposed to be getting married? He should have been able to fly out yesterday.”
My brother let out a small scoff. “And he would have if his boss hadn’t made Spencer stay behind and make sure there were no other issues today.”
“Jerk.” Sounded like Spencer was surrounded by idiots. First, his fiancé, and now I was hearing about his boss. I hoped he started meeting better people to associate with.
“I concur. Anyway, now the airports have canceled all flights, and all hotels are already booked, and I can’t image him having to sleep in the airport for days while the storm passes through.”
“So, you offered him my assistance?”
“Yup. No issues with that right?”
“You know I’m always willing to help.” I turned onto the highway and was glad to see that the roads weren’t too bad yet. Coming back home might be harsh, but that’s why I drove this beast. The roads in the area could get dangerous for smaller cars to navigate, but my truck was made for all terrains. “I have enough preps for the two of us for however long the storm lasts, and I also have the generator tested and ready to go if needed.”
“I knew I could count on you. How’s Nicola, Ethan, and the boys?”
“They are set up to get through it. She’s not close enough to her due date to really worry, but one of the local midwives volunteered to stay with them through the worst of it just in case. I made sure they had enough wood, food, and other supplies.”
“You are such a good brother.”
“I know. And when you come to visit, I have a few things I need help doing. So, you can pay back any favors then.”
“Got your back.” There was more undistinguishable yelling in the background. “Everything okay?”
“Just an idiot trying to keep me from telling the world what a cheating scumbag he is. But I am safe in a bathroom, armed with a baseball bat and mace, and the cops are on the way.”
“Goddess. How do you have those items in a bathroom at a wedding venue? How do you get into these situations?”
“By being awesome and interesting of course. Boring people could never. And I always have mace and a weapon on hand in my bag. Today, I just happened to lose my taser and decided the bat would fit nicely in the garment bag I was carrying. Good thing I left the tux in this bathroom for when Spencer got here. Otherwise I’d have to improvise a weapon.”
“Only you would think that all sounded rational.” I checked how far I had to drive still. “But you are serious? The cops are coming, and you are okay?”
“They are and I am. No worries here. Let me know once you get Spencer so that I can call him and explain the things I saw between this snake and slut. Okay?”
“Will do. Text or call once the cops handle him and you are home safe, okay?”
“Will do.” Isaac chuckled. “Love you, brother.”
“Right back at ya.”
Hanging up the phone, I continued my journey to rescue a stranded omega. I’d heard a few things about Spencer over the years. My brother thought the world of him and I always wondered why Isaac never pursued being his alpha instead of his best friend. He only told me that Spencer deserved more than my brother could ever give him. I couldn’t wait to meet the man my brother held on such a pedestal.
Maybe I can use this for a future book.