Mosaic (26 page)

Brad fell in shower might have concussion. At hospital.
I hit send and then chewed my lip, thinking as I guided my Civic into a nearby space.

I really wanted to see his face—I really wanted to go home and talk in private, but Rachel was so shaken up. I couldn’t leave her here alone.

Is he OK?
Julian texted back.

I stayed in the car and replied.
Think so. Probably MRI. His dad’s on the way.

Watch out, he’ll take over the whole show.

Hope so. Am hanging with Rachel, she’s real upset.

OK.

We still need to talk.

I’m ready to listen.

I love you. I want to see you.

Only a few weeks til summer.

Hurts so much. Wish I could be with you now.

Soon.

My arm dropped, and I looked through my windshield at the dark night, the empty parking lot. Why wouldn’t he say he loved me? What had I done? Leaning forward, I rested the side of my head against the wheel. How could I bear things like this next year in London? I couldn’t bear it now. I had to turn down JYA. It wasn’t worth it to me—nothing was worth losing Julian.

Back in the hospital, I waited with Rachel until Mr. Brennan finally arrived. He really did make it in less than an hour, thanks to a friend with a small plane, and he
did
take over the whole show, much to both Rachel’s and my relief. When it was getting close to midnight, and I could hardly keep my eyes open, I decided to call it.

“What’s with you and making me pull these all-nighters?” I said through a yawn.

She smiled a little, which was a huge relief to me. “I’m sorry. I really appreciate you coming and helping me.”

“Still don’t know why you didn’t call 911 right away.”

“I guess I panicked. Yours was the first number I saw on my phone.”

I leaned my head against her shoulder. “I’ve got to quit calling you so much.”

“Oh!” She jumped, and I lifted my head. “Speaking of calls, I need you to call Jack and tell him what happened. Tell him we can’t make it tomorrow.”

“Why me?” I frowned. “And what’s tomorrow?”

“Or today, I guess,” she sighed. “I’ve ben trying to call him, but all I get is voicemail. He invited us all to go out on his boat tomorrow. On the lake. But obviously we can’t go now.”

Grunting a little sigh, I shook my head. “You still haven’t said why I have to call him. I wasn’t even invited.”

“Actually, you were.” Her top lip curled, and she looked sheepish. “I didn’t tell you because I didn’t think you’d want to go, because of Julian and all.”

“I don’t!” My mind instantly raced to how Julian would feel if I even mentioned Jack and his sailboat.

“See? I was right. I was going to make some excuse for you and not even tell you about it, but now I can’t even go. Somebody has to show up. It’s too cruel to just leave him hanging.”

“First, I don’t think not telling me was the best approach.” Even as I said it, I acknowledged my hypocrisy. “And second, just leave him a voicemail. Done.”

“Anna, please? I looked out for you. It’s just a quick call.” Then she squinted. “Or a quick trip to the marina?”

My face squenched. “I’m not going to the marina!”

“If he’s not checking his phone, he’ll just be out there waiting, and Brad’ll feel like shit. Jack’s been doing so much better lately. Please? It’s not really that big a deal.”

Shaking my head, I pushed to my feet. “I’ll take care of it.” My voice was a low grumble. “But you owe me now.”

“Thanks so much. I do owe you. Or maybe this is makeup for the Savannah surprise?” She narrowed her eyes, and I rolled mine.

“Blackmail.”

“Technically, it’s not blackmail, it’s payback.”

“Yeah, you’re going to make a great lawyer.”

“I’ll text you the directions.”

Anna’s Private Blog: Slip Away

Lake Ponchartrain was pretty most days, shining dark blue under cloudless skies, but then it would get muddy brown, depending on the weather and the tides. Water from the Mississippi River fed into it, diluting the saline content, and like most things in this city, it was a total contradiction and completely fascinating.

It was the body of water that had flooded New Orleans in 2005, destroying so many lives, yet a lone dolphin had taken up residence in it following that hurricane. The fishing industry was coming back, and now the lake was bringing revenue into the battered metropolis it almost destroyed.

South Shore Harbor Marina was easy to get to, and I spotted the familiar Jeep as soon as I pulled into the parking lot. With a deep inhale, I got out and headed toward the pier. It was early, and only a few sailors were stirring around.
Slip Away
was tied not too far down the line.

I’d worn khaki cargo capris, and I’d remembered to wear my Keds because of the light-colored soles. I’d also grabbed a red windbreaker out of Rachel’s closet, not that I planned to stay.

I was just walking up when Jack appeared, dressed in long khaki shorts and a long-sleeved navy tee. He moved quickly around the stern, checking the sails and clearly getting ready to take her out, and for a moment, I only watched him, lean and brown and sporty.

It took me all the way back to that first day in Navarre, when he’d sailed down to meet me at Nana’s. I’d stood on the shore, wondering if there could be anything more perfect than this golden boy sailing over to find me. He was like a prince.

I quickly found out there were loads of things more special than being Jack Kyser’s princess—being Julian LaSalle’s angel, for one. My lips pressed into a frown, but I shook it off. All of that was ancient history, and I needed to complete this errand and get out of here fast. And immediately call Julian and tell him and get to the bottom of whatever was troubling him.

He said I wasn’t telling him things. Well, the list of what I needed to tell him for the last two days should make him feel very included.

Jack looked up and saw me, and his face relaxed into a handsome smile. “Anna! Hey!” Ducking under the bow, he hopped over to the side and grabbed the railing before stepping onto the pier. “You’re here early! I wasn’t expecting everybody for at least another hour.”

The breeze pushed his shaggy blonde hair around his head, and it helped remembering how he’d apologized for being such a jerk to me all that fall.

“About that.” I looked down as the wind shoved all my curls straight into my face. “Brad had an accident last night. They can’t come today.”

His face lined with concern. “An accident? What happened?”

“He’s okay, but he hit his head, and they want to keep him for observation. It’s because of the wreck last year.”

Jack was still frowning, but he nodded. “Makes sense, I guess. Brain injury is really serious.”

“Yeah, and his dad’s here. So you know.”

“Oh, then he’s fine.” Jack laughed. “If anybody can take care of Brad, it’s Papa Bear Brennan.”

“Right, so that’s all. I just came down to tell you what happened.” I started to back away, but his head snapped up.

“Wait! You’re not leaving?”

“I… yeah.” Nodding, I pushed my flying hair behind my ears. “I’ve got work to do, and I was just—”

“No way, you have to come out for a little bit. I’ve got her all ready.”

“I’m sorry, but no. Can’t do it.”

“What?” He actually seemed confused for a second. Then his expression changed. He winked one eye at me. “You’re not worried about my little brother are you?”

I hesitated, wondering if being honest was a good idea. I decided to go for it. “I kind of am. You and me going sailing alone would not make Julian happy.”

“Tell you what.” He straightened and crossed his arms. “It won’t be you and me going sailing alone.”

My brows pulled together and I looked around the marina. Nobody was hanging with us. “It won’t?”

“It’ll be you getting your final sailing lesson. Didn’t I owe you one more?”

“No.” My eyes squeezed shut as I shook my head. “I mean, I don’t know. It’s not like I paid you for them or anything.”

He caught my hand and gently tugged me toward the boat. “I always keep my word. I need to evaluate your skills since our last lesson. That was what? A year ago?”

I remembered my last “lesson” vividly. “More like eighteen months. At least.”

“See? We’re way behind on keeping you qualified.”

The boat rocked as he stepped across and down. Then he turned and held out a hand to me. “Come on, Skipper. I need to see that clove hitch.”

“Jack, I’m really not—”

“Don’t make me report you to the port authority.”

My nose wrinkled. “What does that mean?”

“You’re losing points already. And where’s your life preserver?”

“You’ve never made me wear one.”

“Don’t try blaming the teacher.” His hand was still waiting for mine, and in that moment, I made the decision.

“I’m sorry, but I said no.” Calm filled me as I said the words. “Thanks for asking. You know I always enjoyed sailing with you. Have a fun day.”

I turned to walk up the pier, and he called out to me. “Okay, no worries. But just hang on a second. I want to show you something.”

Pausing, I glanced back over my shoulder. “What is it?”

“Just wait there.” He hopped over to the ladder leading into the boat’s insides, and despite my initial hesitation, it warmed me to see him so happy and light. It reminded me of how he used to be.

“Hurry up, okay?” I yelled, slowly walking back.

A few minutes longer, and he reemerged from below, pushing the door all the way open.

“Come across and look,” he held out his hand.

My lip caught between my teeth, and I froze in one spot. “Jack…”

He looked back and laughed at my response. “I’m not going to kidnap you. We won’t leave the dock. I just don’t feel like jumping over again.”

My shoulders dropped with an exhale, and I held the line as I carefully extended a leg and stepped into the gently bobbing vessel. “This had better not take long,” I groused, and he caught my hand, steadying my transition.

I found my footing and looked up, and he was digging under the small cabinet. All at once, low music filled the air.

“Wow, you got a radio. That’s a nice touch. I like it.”

He straightened up and smiled. “She’s a regular party barge now.”

“Not hardly.” I smiled and for a few moments we listened to the sounds of classic rock filling the air around us.

“Okay, then.” I started to go, but he jumped.

“That’s not all.” He went to the hold again and disappeared down below, coming back slowly up the steps holding a small frame. “Check this out. Lucy gave it to me. Can you believe how young we look?”

He held it close as he finished climbing, then he wheeled it around, and my breath caught. It was the same picture Lucy had given me at Christmas two years ago. My hands fumbled to hold it, and for a moment, I only stared at him and me, gazing into each other’s eyes.

“I had this,” my voice was quiet.

He walked up behind me, looking at it over my shoulder. I was keenly aware of his body too close to mine. “Who are those kids?” He joked. “They look so happy together.”

“Seems like they were. For a month or two anyway.” It was time for me to go, and I made my voice very casual, very end-the-conversation. “Well, I’ll see you around.”

I turned and pushed the frame into his chest, but before I could move away, his arms encircled me, pulling me close. “I was so stupid, Anna,” he groaned, leaning forward into my hair. “I made such a stupid mistake throwing that away.”

My heart was pounding, and I struggled to get out of his embrace. “We already talked about this.”

He lifted his head, blue eyes searing into mine. “Don’t you want that again?”

I pushed him back. “I’m sorry, No.” I shook my head, blinking down to my feet. “I mean, I’m
not
sorry and
No
. I already have that. I have everything I need now, and it’s not you.”

“It’s Julian.”

“Yes. It’s Julian, and I think it was always Julian.” My eyes flashed to his, and a spark of anger singed that silly girl inside me Jack Kyser always managed to fluster. “I’m sorry you want something that’s gone, but the past is past. I want good things for you, and I wish you good luck, but I’m leaving now.”

He nodded and walked back to the captain’s chair. I started for the side to get off the boat and back to my car before anything else unexpected happened.

“Anna, wait.” He moved quickly to where I was balanced, trying to get my footing and braced my arm so I could step across to the pier. “I’m sorry.”

I wouldn’t look at him. “Apology accepted,” is all I said. Still, he held my arm.

Then he exhaled a little laugh, letting me go. “I’m not really sorry.” My eyes flashed to his, and that little spark of anger grew bigger. “Don’t give me that look. You felt it. We’ve always been pretty hot together, and if I hadn’t tried, I’d have regretted it.”