4. Wren
4
WREN
The flight was uneventful, thankfully, and like Jaxson promised, a driver was waiting for me when I exited the terminal to take me to my meeting. I’d pay to have been a fly on the wall when Stefan found out what’s happening, I just hope his tantrum has subsided by the time I arrive.
LA traffic is shit at the best of times, and today it seems to be epically shit. What should have been a forty minute ride is nearing on two hours. I was hoping to have a moment to prepare myself before facing Stefan, but it looks like that won’t be happening.
Since I have time, I shoot off a message to my brother.
WREN
How you doing?
Keeping it simple, I stare at my phone and await his reply, but I know it won’t come immediately. His life is kinda hectic now. A few months back, he lost his wife, leaving him to be a single dad to my cute nephew, Fletcher. He’s not coping very well, but Penn Brookes is a stubborn man; it runs in the Brookes genes. He won’t ask for help or admit he’s struggling. At least this move to LA will put me closer to him, what with LA being in the same state as Lockhart Falls … even if it’s still a seventeen hour drive.
Shocking me, my phone vibrates in my hand, and I see a reply from my brother.
PENN
I’m good … how was the flight?
WREN
Uneventful
PENN
That’s always a positive when flying. How’s the new roomie?
WREN
On my way to meet him now. Traffic is a bitch
PENN
It’s the universe preparing you for the wrath that is Doucheman
WREN
It might very well be but I can handle him, after all, YOU are my brother
PENN
I was an angelic brother
WREN
Yeah, so angelic you gave me a handful of ghost chilies and told me they were strawberries … I can still feel the burn in my mouth
PENN
…and I can still feel the burn on my ass from the spanking I got
WREN
You totally deserved that
PENN
Yeah, I did, but if memory serves, you got your revenge when you put lightening cream in my shampoo and my hair went white blond
A snort slips out at that memory.
WREN
Yeah, that was awesome … best yearbook photo of you ever
“We’ve arrived, Miss,” the driver says. Nodding and smiling at him, I quickly shoot off a goodbye text to Penn, and he wishes me luck with an emoji thumbs-up … which is eerily like him.
Climbing out of the car, the driver informs me he’ll wait with my luggage, and after the meeting, he’ll take me to Stefan’s whenever I’m ready.
Staring at the arena before me, I take a deep breath and head inside. The first person I see is Marissa, and she envelops me in a hug. “Who did you piss off to get stuck with him as a roomie?”
“I must have done something seriously bad in a past life, but you know what?”
“What?” she asks, eager for my answer.
“I’m excited for this.”
“Did the plane go too high in the atmosphere and cause you to go too long without oxygen to your brain? I swear I just heard you say that you’re excited for this…”
“I am,” I tell her honestly. “I’m excited to shape Stefan into the fine man we all know he can be.”
“Girl, you’re crazy, but if anyone can tame the beast that is Stefan D?uchmen, it’s you.” She pauses. “Speaking of, he’s in with Tania and Leif now. I’ve let them know you’re here so you can head on in.”
“Sounds like a plan. Mind if I use the ladies’ first? I’d like to freshen up.”
“Of course.” Marissa links arms with me and leads me to the restroom.
After using the toilet, I change my clothes. Pulling out a royal blue wrap dress, I slip it on and thank the heavens for wrinkle-free material. Kicking off my ballet flats, I balance on one foot and slip on my good-luck heels—a pair of nude Karen Millen slingbacks. Shoving my dirty clothes back into my carry-on, I step out and wash my hands. Then I freshen up by applying some mascara and slapping on some lipstick. I’m a simple girl when it comes to makeup, hell, I don’t even use foundation. Tinted moisturizer is as far as I go. Spritzing myself with my go-to fragrance, Versace Woman, I’m ready to go.
My phone pings with a text, and I smile when I see Evie’s name on the screen.
EVIE
Good luck with the douche … you’ve got this
WREN
Thank you … I’m suddenly nervous
EVIE
Don’t take his shit. Show him who’s boss and then you can get back to New York and we can catch up properly.
WREN
Deal … no shit will be taken
Evie Salvatore is a friend of mine from my college days. We met in the library at USC late one evening, and we became study buddies: her in sports medicine and me in PR and image consultancy. She really is an amazing woman, considering the extraordinary life she’s led. Her father is Roman Salvatore, head of the Irish mafia in Chicago. She left home when she was eighteen and has been on her own since then. We lost contact. Well, one day she was there and the next she was gone. I never saw her again. Not until we crossed paths again a few months ago. She started working for the Crushers after being head hunted by Doc for his sports rehabilitation program.
Looking at my reflection, I give myself a pep talk. “You can do this, Wren Brookes. He’s just a client, a douche client, but you’re going to turn him from douche to fantoosh. You got this.” Blowing myself a kiss, I grab my bag and head out to meet my fate … and my new roommate.