Twist of Fate (Taking Chances #2) - Tia Louise Page 0,61
up at the clouds quickly sliding across the stars. One is left, and I make a wish.
Twenty-One
Scout
“Feels like fucking Africa out here.” My brother lifts the beer he’s holding and takes a long pull.
A fast-moving storm blew in overnight, and now it’s too warm and too sticky as we stand at the Tuna Tiki’s outdoor bar. The live band is playing the same reggae songs you know by heart, and as the sweat rolls down my sides, I feel like this was a mistake.
When I called J.R. yesterday, I hadn’t talked to André. I didn’t know about Daisy’s daughter or Sheriff Chad or the fact she has probably moved on, settled down with a guy who, as much as I hate to admit it, sounds pretty decent.
J.R. slides a bowl of nuts over. “What did you want to talk about?”
“I don’t know.” My insides are off. I should go back to L.A.
The band starts playing “I Wanna Love You” by Bob Marley, and prickly heat is on the back of my neck. It makes me angry.
“You think they get tired of playing the same songs all the time?” My eyes land on a couple drunkenly dancing all over each other on the dance floor.
“Not if they’re getting paid.” My brother crosses his arms and studies me. “Something’s on your mind. Spill it.”
Exhaling deeply, I signal for a fresh beer. “I’ve just been thinking a lot.”
“That sounds dangerous.” He shifts on his stool, exhaling a laugh.
I study our reflections in the mirror behind the bar. His dark hair is a bit long and shaggy around his face. A scruff of beard covers his cheeks. I’m fairer by contrast, a little taller, leaner, but we’ve got the same blue eyes. He’s only a year older than me, and he’s got it all figured out.
“I was thinking about second chances. How’d you do it?”
His blue eyes turn serious. “You know how close I came to losing everything. I got lucky.”
What we went through to get here filters through my memory. “Luck and hope.” That provokes a faint smile, but I’m not feeling it. “I think I used up all my luck.”
“How so?”
“After that porn shit, I was pretty much DOA. If it weren’t for luck, I’d never have turned my acting career around.”
He shakes his head. “I wouldn’t call that luck. You trusted the wrong guy and got screwed.”
“It was luck. Same as what happened to you was luck.” I lift my beer and take a long drink. Thinking back, I realize just how much luck I used up to get as far as I did.
I’m going to have to find another way.
His brow furrows. “But this new part will lead to more, right? Isn’t that how it works out there?”
“I’m not talking about work, though. I’m talking about personal shit.”
“Have you talked to Dad?”
Bitterness burns in my throat, but he’s not pushing me. His tone is completely neutral.
“No.”
Lifting his chin, he nods. “Forgiveness is a gift you give yourself.”
“I’ve heard that.” Turning, I put my elbows on the bar thinking about all the ways that motherfucker screwed us.
He didn’t help J.R. when he needed it. He didn’t help me. Hell, he did just the opposite. He tried to make off with our trust fund. My jaw clenches, and I’m not sure I can ever forgive what he did.
“Jesse said you wanted to help with his football team?”
“It’s more like Jesse wants me to help with his football team.”
“I wouldn’t mind having an assistant.” J.R. gives me a smug grin like he’s just waiting to bust my balls.
“Send me the job description of what being your assistant entails, and I’ll let you know.”
He laughs, polishing off his beer. “Practice starts next week. You’re welcome to come out and join us.”
“Maybe I will.” My voice is quiet as I contemplate the reason I asked him here. “I’m thinking about a girl.”
“Anybody I know?”
The answer dies on my lips when I see the door open, and a pretty blonde steps into the bar. She’s in a coral-pink crop-top that shows off her stomach, lined with a navel ring, and tight-fitting blue jeans. I don’t remember a navel ring. It’s delicate on her tight skin and heat flashes below my belt.
Her hair is like it always was, short with little curls around her cheeks and ears, and her lips are so full and shiny. Seeing her this way is a punch in the stomach. She looks so much the same, like no time has passed. My