Chapter 27
CHAPTER TWENTY-SEVEN
Myles
A knock on the window had me jerking awake. Pain seared through my neck as I straightened my head. My hands and feet were numb, and my breath clouded the air. How the hell had I gotten any sleep in this icebox of a car?
Last night, I’d waited by Wynn’s blue hybrid SUV in the freezing weather, ready to yank her keys from her until well past the time the distillery bar closed, and she hadn’t left.
Slowly, the parking lot had emptied. Autumn had come out, given me a glare and a you reap what you sow shrug, and driven away.
You think you’re hurting yourself to spare others, but you’re wrong. Everyone loses, but not all of us are as good at walling off our emotions.
Wynter’s words had played on a loop through my head the entire time, with regret keeping me warm.
Wynter had stayed in the distillery all damn night. She’d probably slept in some room I didn’t know about. So I’d run my car until it was stifling hot and killed the engine. I must’ve fallen asleep. The lack of quality sleep for the last few months was catching up to me.
I peered out my passenger window. Her SUV was gone.
“Goddammit.” I swung to look out the driver’s window.
Teller had his hands stuffed in the pockets of his black winter jacket, his brows raised.
I rolled down the window but didn’t say anything.
I glared out the frosted windshield, unsure how to handle this situation.
Was it the first time I’d slept in a car?
No. Was it the first time I’d been caught loitering?
Also, no. But it was the first time someone I knew stared at me as if he didn’t recognize the disappointment in front of him.
“She’s done with your shit,” he said, his voice as hard as the frost on my windshield. All the good grace I’d built up with him the last time I was here was gone.
“We’ll see about that.”
The material of his jacket crinkled as he bent. “Look, Foster, we were all rooting for you until we realized it was our shoulders she was crying on when you fucked her over. We care about that girl. She’s family. You’ve shown us time and again you don’t want that.”
I scowled at him. “I have a family.”
“Then why aren’t you sleeping it off in their parking lot?”
My brothers barely had clothing to their name. As soon as I’d seen the state of the apartment with its broken furniture and threadbare carpet, I’d signed the car over to them. And I wouldn’t be changing the lease name after all. “I’m here for Wynter.”
“She’s gone.”
I pinched the bridge of my nose. “I can see that,” I said tightly.
“Can you see how you let her down? Can you see that she gave you a lot of chances—none of which you had to take—and she got her heart stomped on? Can you see how you made her feel used and worthless?”
“I never used her.”
He straightened and scanned the empty parking lot. “How about this? She felt used, and you continued to make her feel that way. Why don’t you get going now? You’re good at that.”
The barb shouldn’t have stung like it did. “I’m not going anywhere until I can talk to her.”
“She doesn’t want to talk—”
“I know that! Goddammit, I’m trying here. You think I know how to be in a relationship?” Embarrassment brought heat back to my hands. I hadn’t meant to say that.
Teller didn’t laugh at me, but his rigidity eased.
“I’m pretty dense when it comes to women.
I mean, I’m a year younger than you and haven’t been married yet either.
But I do get one thing—women usually tell you.
So maybe pay attention.” He lifted his chin toward the road.
“Mama was making a fresh pot of coffee when I stopped in to check on her before I came here.”
“Is Wynter home?”
“Maybe you’ll catch her.” He shrugged and walked away.
I started the car and punched it into drive.
I was at Mae’s house within a few minutes and parked behind a stall in the garage.
Loss nailed me in the gut. Darin wouldn’t be here.
I’d gone to his funeral, an event so big people had spilled out of the church.
The whole rest of the day had been filled with everyone sharing happy memories of the man.
Gianna’s burial wouldn’t be until spring. There’d be three of us present. Maybe. I wouldn’t blame Lane or Cruz for not going. But they’d probably be drawn by the same compulsion I would be. Closure. A confused grief. More than a little anger.
Mae leaned out of the door and waved me in.
Was Wynter’s car in the garage? Or had she turned and burned, afraid I’d find her?
I jogged toward the house to keep Mae from getting chilled waiting for me.
She wrapped me in a huge hug. “How was seeing your brothers?”
I wanted to ask about Wynn, but knowing Mae, this was her way of protecting her daughter from me, a delicate balancing act for two people she cared about.
I wasn’t used to disappointment, but Mae was the only person I wouldn’t bulldoze down to get to Wynn.
I wouldn’t give up, but I would be mindful of her feelings.
Like I should’ve been with Wynn’s.
“Meeting my brothers went well. Surprisingly.”
She waved at my coat. “Go ahead and come in. Want some coffee?”
“Please.”
“Need a special blend?” She smiled, sympathetic.
I chuckled, surprised I could find it in me to do so. “Plain coffee, thank you.”
She went to the counter. I hung my coat up. Wynn’s wasn’t on the rack along the back wall. Only the work coat she used for chores was there. She wasn’t home.
My stomach churned. She really didn’t want to talk to me.
“Would you like to tell me about Lane and Cruz?” Mae set a steaming mug on the table and sat down, another in her hand.
I’d only told her their names once. Yet she tracked it all. And she’d asked if I wanted to share instead of prodding me with questions. Mae paid attention in a way I’d never learned how. So much of my life had been about my survival.
Wynn was right. I was selfish. My goals. My wants and needs. Me, and Foster House was an extension of me. I didn’t know how to be anything else.
But I’d learn.
“My brothers were exactly what I expected, but they were also completely different.” I told her about their dad in jail, that I thought Lane had protected Cruz from all the hard parts of their childhood, where they lived.
How they lived. Their cynical attitude that had a startling quality of innocence to it, especially Cruz.
“They expect to be left to hold their own.” Mae took a sip. “Do you think they use?”
I lifted a shoulder. “Not the hard stuff at least.”
“Well, there’s that at least. Kids who grew up like them have enough challenges.”
“Lane’s a mechanic, but I don’t know where his money’s going. Gianna probably owed people, and he’s been paying them. Maybe now that Gianna’s gone, he’ll save some. I wouldn’t be shocked if Cruz couldn’t hold a job.”
The corner of her mouth tilted up. “His brother handled all the consequences. Your youngest brother is probably where all the money goes now. And groceries. Lord knows young men have two hollow legs.” She set her cup down. “Bring them by.”
“What?” I cared about Lane and Cruz on principle. I was their brother. The oldest. I had escaped a lot of what they hadn’t. But they were both adults.
“I’d like to meet them—if you’re okay with two parts of your life overlapping.”
The thought of driving my brothers to the Bailey ranch and showing them the distillery tightened knots all over my gut. I had worked so hard to keep that life separate from everything. There were still a lot of unknowns about them.
Mae tipped her head, her amber eyes full of understanding. “They’re not your mother. And I’ve dealt with my fair share of young men with attitudes.” She patted my arm. “I trust your intuition. Whatever you decide. You know where I’ll be.”
My forearm flexed under her touch. I wasn’t used to comforting gestures.
“I have to get back to Foster House soon,” I said, not answering her about bringing my brothers here.
“Your job is important to you.”
A leading statement. I took the bait. “Yes. But I’d like to talk to Wynn before I go.”
Mae’s gentle smile lured me in. “And that’s your problem, Myles. You’re rushing the process with Wynter because you’re going to leave.”
Ouch. She wasn’t pulling her punches. I dropped my gaze to the base of my mug. A brownish Copper Summit cup, naturally, with the outline of the mountains embossed on the side.
“You want her to listen to you so you can go back to Denver and be rest assured she’s there when you want her again.” Her tone was understanding but critical.
“My work is—” I scrubbed my face. Foster House was all I had. “I don’t think I can give it up.”
She tilted her head again. “Did Wynter ask you to give it up?”
I shook my head. “Her life is here.”
“If you two make it that far, it’s something you’ll have to discuss.”
“How do I get that far?” How did I leave what I’d built? Did I want to keep it at the cost of losing Wynn?
“Keep trying. Talk to her.” Mae put her hand on my arm again. “Talk.” She tapped at the center of her chest with her other hand. “From here.”
I had woken up in a freezing cold car and found Teller, who’d imparted some unwanted, but much needed, wisdom on me. Then he’d sent me to Mae. Wynn was who I’d wanted to see, but if I wanted to talk to her, I’d have to listen to them first.
Wynter
The writing on the card that came with the giant bouquet of flowers read My brothers are meeting your mom at 7 tomorrow night. Please be there?
I stared at the angled handwriting. It was Myles’s half-cursive, half-block letters. He would’ve had to go to Lilly’s Pad in town, in person, to order the bouquet of sunflowers and baby’s breath and pink and white roses.
How’d he known I thought roses were the low-hanging fruit of floral arrangements to give a date? I loved a dozen roses as much as the next girl, but I preferred to have my flowers customized.
Which Lilly at the flower shop would’ve known. We’d talked about it several times over the years when I’d ordered displays for Copper Summit meetings and events.
I snapped a picture and sent the image to my sisters. From Myles.
Summer: Not enough.
Junie: Make him earn it.
Autumn: Ooh, those are pretty!
Out of the three replies, it was Autumn’s I went back to again and again. The flowers were pretty. I liked them. Did their arrival mean he was still in Bozeman? I doubted he was staying at the little inn in town.
I shook my head, then winced. Snoozing on the floor did not help hangover recovery. He’d slept in his car last night. I’d seen him slumbering with his head bent at an angle that would taunt him all day. I’d known he was outside. Autumn had sent me a message to tell me he was waiting by my car.
I’d gone out before dawn, dog tired but sober enough to drive, ready to hear if what he had to say would satisfy the longing in my heart. And he’d been adorably asleep. I had expected him to wake up when I drove away and follow me, but he must’ve stayed asleep. He’d been through some hard days.
And now he’d sent flowers.
I sent another message to my sisters. He’s bringing his brothers to meet Mama. He wants me there.
Summer: I’m going to be there.
Junie: Someone video for me.
Autumn: Aw, I bet they’re younger versions of him. Two minis. Mama’s going to love them.
Summer: Autumn, they’re two grown men who are strangers. Who are coming into our house.
The urge rose to defend these brothers I’d only briefly seen was strong. I don’t think they’re bad guys.
Summer: Weren’t they raised by the mom who lost him?
Junie: Never mind, I’m going to ask Teller to video the meeting.
Wynter: No one’s recording this.
Autumn: Do you need me to be there?
Summer: How old are these guys anyway?
I didn’t know. We hadn’t been able to talk. I hadn’t let him, mostly because I doubted he would have discussed his brothers with me. They looked young. Early twenties? Which would fit with when Myles had thought his mom would get pregnant. I’ll be there. It’ll be fine.
Summer: I’ll make sure the guys are all there.
Wynter: They’re not thugs.
Summer: Mama’s alone now most of the day.
Wynter: She’ll have them doing chores before they know it.
Autumn: Wynter has a point.
Junie: Still. Record it.
Summer: Why don’t you come home more often if you want to see so bad?
Junie uploaded a video of what looked like an empty venue. She was probably rehearsing for a performance later tonight.
Autumn: I can’t wait to see you perform!
I sighed and put my phone down. They’d moved on from my Myles dilemma. I prodded my temples. The dull thud hadn’t gone away from last night. I’d guzzled water, but a morning of looking at a screen wasn’t helping.
Tenor knocked on my open door. He slouched against the frame as if he knew I had nothing better to do than chat.
I’d walked into work with my hair still damp, no makeup, and dressed in an outfit a level up from pajamas.
Copper Summit was a casual workplace, but I was in ripped leggings and an oversized hoodie I’d swiped from Daddy’s closet.
Mama had let us keep whatever we wanted.
“What’s this visit from the Foster brothers?” he asked and pushed up his glasses.
“Mama wants to meet them, and I guess Myles is willing to introduce them.”
“I thought you gave him the boot.”
“Mama didn’t.”
“You wanna go to the Canyon Grill tonight and miss the show?” Tenor didn’t have an alpha personality like Tate and Teller, but he was no less protective. He just wasn’t as smothering, which was nice.
“He asked me to be there.”
He nodded like he wasn’t surprised. “Have you decided yet?”
“I don’t know. I’m dying to meet his brothers.” And of course to see Myles again. I’d told him off but my hope was like a phoenix and continued to rise again.
“I’m curious as well.”
“Are we all going to be lookie-loos?”
He chuckled. “Summer already sent out the call that she didn’t want Mama alone with a bunch of strange men. I told her they could show up ready to rob her, and she’d make them wash the floors and shovel the drive first. Then she’d feed them, and they’d forget what they went there for.”
I laughed. “I said something similar.”
“Summer’s just upset she’s not in charge. We can handle her.” He came in and sat across from me. “How Myles and his brothers deal with her should tell us a lot about them.”
True. Summer had gone from being the oldest, the mother hen, to being squarely in the middle when we’d been taken in by the Baileys. Moments like these, the oldest child in her had a hard time relinquishing the role.
“About Myles, though.” He feathered the sunflower petals between his fingers. “I don’t think he’s giving up.”
“He isn’t facing anything emotionally challenging right now. He’ll leave. Eventually.” It was the only thing I knew for sure about Myles Foster.