The Friends We Keep (Mischief Bay) (25 page)

Gabby got up to get another cup of coffee. As she walked down the hallway, she smiled at her new coworkers and told herself things would get better. That she’d argued about how she
needed
to get back to work. That she couldn’t possibly continue to stay home.

Only, she’d thought it would be more fun. Or at least more interesting. Had working as a lawyer always been so dry?

“A first-world problem,” she murmured to herself as she made her way back to her desk in her tiny office. She was making a difference. Helping people. Her brain would remember how to focus for more than thirty seconds at a time and she would make new friends. This was everything she wanted and by God, she was going to figure out how to enjoy it.

Chapter Twenty-Four

Jairus’s place was not that far from Nicole’s house. She was careful to take a more complicated route than necessary so that Tyler didn’t figure out his hero was a short three-quarters of a mile away. Tyler’s love of all things Brad had only increased since meeting the author and Nicole didn’t want him stalking Jairus for the next few years.

Jairus was back from his book tour and had invited Nicole and Tyler to lunch at his house. Nicole told herself he was just being, you know, nice. After all, she’d had him over. But all the logic in the world didn’t stop her palms from sweating as she made two more turns before going up to Pacific Coast Highway before going north for three blocks and then headed back toward the water.

“Do you think Jairus sold a lot of books?” Tyler asked.

“I’m sure he did.”

“I’d go to a signing every day.”

“I don’t know. When you do something every day, it’s not special anymore.”

Tyler grinned. “Presents every day would be very special.”

“Your room isn’t that big. Where would you sleep? On the roof? In the car?”

“On the roof!”

She turned onto Jairus’s street and found the address, then pulled into the driveway.

The house wasn’t all that different from hers, she thought with some surprise. It was an old-fashioned Spanish-style bungalow. Many of the older, smaller homes in the neighborhood had been torn down and replaced with big houses that filled the entire lot, with only minimal clearance on each side. But Jairus’s place didn’t stand out at all. She thought maybe the windows were newer and the yard looked well kept. Still, there was nothing about it to distinguish it from others on the street. No flashing neon signing proclaiming
A number one
New York Times
bestselling author lives here
.

Tyler was already unbuckling his seat belt. Her son opened his door and took off for the front of the house. Nicole reached for her purse and the cake she’d made as her contribution for their lunch and followed him.

Jairus opened the front door before Tyler got there. He knelt and hugged the boy.

“Hey, sport. How are you?”

“Good. Did you have fun on tour? Did you sign lots of books? Did everyone want to talk about Brad?”

Jairus laughed. “Everyone did. Come on in.” He rose and smiled at Nicole before taking the cake she offered. “You can come in, too.”

“Thanks.”

She walked into the house. The living room was big and open, with arched windows and large, comfortable furniture done in earth tones. The tables were wood, as was the floor. There was a fireplace at the far end of the room. Seeing as this was Southern California, she knew it rarely got used, but it was still pretty to look at. She guessed the house was a few hundred square feet bigger than hers, but built at the same time.

“I thought we’d hang out in the backyard,” he said, motioning for her to lead the way.

They went through the kitchen where he put the cake on the counter. The space was large and open, obviously remodeled. She took a second to envy the stainless steel appliances and the smooth granite countertops.

“Where does Brad sleep?” Tyler asked.

Nicole turned to him and smiled. “Honey, you know Brad’s not real.”

“I know, but Jairus thought up Brad. He has to live here.”

Jairus ruffled Tyler’s hair. “You’re a smart kid. You know that, don’t you?”

Tyler grinned. “I’m smart sometimes.”

“Brad does have a room. Would you like to see?”

Tyler nodded so hard and fast, Nicole worried he would hurt his neck. Then she followed the two of them back down a short hallway, past an open door that led to a good-sized bathroom.

Jairus opened the first door on the left. The room was small and painted white with floor-to-ceiling bookshelves on two walls, and storage cubbies on the third. The fourth was dominated by a big window surrounded by a huge mural of Brad’s world.

She didn’t know where to look first. Tyler began to laugh as he raced inside and sank to the floor. He started pulling out different copies of Brad books from the bookshelf.

“Tyler,” Nicole began, but Jairus put his arm on her shoulder.

“It’s okay,” he said quietly. “He can’t hurt anything.”

The room was a testament to all things Brad. There were hundreds of books, mostly in English but also in several foreign languages. There were Brad stuffed animals and T-shirts and pens and flashlights, party favors, packages of balloons. In one corner was a stack of Brad towels by a Brad trash can. Possibly from the bathroom collection she hadn’t known existed.

“Admit it,” he murmured in her ear. “You’re scared.”

“No. I’m terrified. How do you sleep at night?”

“Brad’s a great companion.”

She had her doubts about that, but had to admit to being impressed by what Jairus had accomplished. He’d started drawing for his sister and now he had a Brad-driven empire.

After a few minutes, Tyler was enticed away from the Brad room with the promise of seeing Jairus’s office. Nicole was equally curious about his writing process.

Jairus crossed to one of the other bedrooms and opened the door. Only they weren’t in a bedroom at all.

The room was huge—obviously an addition. The style matched the rest of the house, but the ceiling was higher—maybe twelve feet. There were windows everywhere. Ceiling fans circled lazily overhead.

Beige paint offered a neutral backdrop for sketches pinned up everywhere. There was some kind of molding going around the room. Nicole stepped closer and examined the two-inch border of corkboard installed just above eye level. There were pins every couple of inches and they allowed Jairus to put his drawings up, in order. She saw the beginnings of a picture book—sketches of a tropical Brad in a Hawaiian shirt and holding a surfboard.

Jairus pointed to the drafting table at the far end of the room. “That’s where I do most of my work.” He showed them the big pads of paper he used, along with all the pencils and colored pens.

“It’s not computerized?” she asked.

“Nope. This is how I learned to do it. I can’t change now.” He turned and pointed to the computer at the other end of the room. “I write the text there. For my manuscripts, I scan in the drawing so everyone can see how it will look.”

Tyler walked along, staring at the story in progress. “Brad’s going to learn how to surf?”

“He is.”

Nicole had read enough of Brad’s books to know that the adventure would probably not go smoothly and that the young dragon would learn a lesson along the way.

“When did you do the remodel?” she asked.

“Shortly after I bought the house. I thought my sister, Alice, would like the big windows and the backyard.”

Nicole could see the east windows faced the big yard. There were trees and a sturdy swing set, along with a built-in barbecue and a seating area.

“You didn’t want to be along the water?” she asked.

“It wouldn’t have been safe.”

For his sister, she thought. Because Jairus had known she would come to live with him. He’d been thinking of her when he’d bought this house and remodeled it. Because this was Southern California and the best light would be south, not east. But if all the windows were in the south part of the room, he wouldn’t be able to keep watch over his sister in the yard.

She wasn’t sure exactly what was going on in their relationship. There’d been that one, brief kiss, a lot of texting and some hanging out, mostly with Tyler along. So while she thought they
might
be seeing each other, the relationship was fairly undefined. Still, she couldn’t help reaching for him, lacing her fingers through his.

Jairus squeezed her hand and drew her closer.

“It’s beautiful,” she said. “All of it.”

“I’m glad you like it.”

They went outside through the French doors in his office. Tyler raced to the swing and jumped on. Nicole bit back the automatic “Be careful,” and instead seated herself where she could see him.

“Tell me about your tour,” she said. “You told me about the logistics and how you do a lot of media and stuff. You were gone a long time. Do you like doing it?”

“Mostly. I enjoy meeting my readers. The kids are great.”

She knew he had events in most cities and there were private parties for children with developmental problems.

“I could do without the TV and the interviews,” he said with a shrug. “They get old. New city, same questions. I have to keep reminding myself that even though it’s the tenth time I’m telling the story, that for them it’s new.”

“Does Brad have groupies?”

“More than me.”

She smiled. “I doubt that. I suspect there are more than a few single moms being very friendly.”

His expression turned serious. “I didn’t hang out with anyone, Nicole. And I sure didn’t sleep with anyone.”

She felt her mouth drop open. She closed it, then glanced to make sure Tyler couldn’t hear them. “I wasn’t asking that.”

“Whether or not you were, I’m telling you.”

There was an intensity to his voice—as if he had to be sure she understood. He wasn’t teasing now.

“I appreciate that,” she murmured.

Everything about the moment felt awkward. She wasn’t used to talking about this sort of thing with a man. Jairus seemed to go out of his way to let her know he was interested and she didn’t get that. It was as if he wanted to let her know she was special. She’d never been special. When she’d been younger, she’d never been good enough. Not to get into the American Ballet School, not to make it on Broadway. She’d come home a failure.

Eric had dated her and proposed, but she’d never felt he was swept away. And then he’d left.

“I didn’t sleep with anyone, either,” she said, her voice light.

His dark gaze stayed on her face. “You always do that. It’s interesting. Whenever we start to talk about something intimate, you try to shift the focus.”

She started to protest that she didn’t, but she knew he was right. “I get scared,” she admitted, then wished she hadn’t. Why did they have to talk about this?

“Do you know why?”

She shook her head.

“Maybe I can help with that.” He glanced toward Tyler, then back at her. “I like you, Nicole. I’m hoping you like me, too, and that we can get to know each other better. If there’s a little naked in all that, then hey. I’m in.”

She wanted to run. To bolt for safety. Because there was something about Jairus that terrified her. Or maybe it wasn’t him at all. Maybe it was how she felt when she was around him.

Because she’d never been scared about Eric. Not until her marriage was falling apart. But that fear had been about the unknown, not the man.

“This is hard for me,” she admitted. “Being with a man. Trusting a man.”

He looked at her. “Is it any man or is it me?”

An interesting question. “Both. Dating anyone would be difficult, but you add a special element that confuses me.” She swallowed, then forced herself to say the words. “Because I, um, like you.”

“I like you, too.” He sighed. “But let’s just admit it. Mostly, it’s the celebrity thing, right? Me and Brad. Fame sucks.”

She burst out laughing. He touched the tip of her nose.

“Have a little faith. I’m a good guy.”

“That part, I know.” She glanced at Tyler, then back at him. “Listen, I have a strange invitation.”

“Are there costumes? Because I love a good costume party.”

“Where you always go as Brad, I’m sure. No, it’s a screening for a movie. My ex’s movie.”

“Eric invited you?”

“Uh-huh. I think I want to go. I don’t know much about the story, so it will be a surprise to us both. If you’re interested in being my date.”

“I am.”

She casually rested her hand on his arm. “Me, too,” she said. “In all of it.”

* * *

The sound of happy children filled the backyard. Hayley smiled as she watched the elaborate game of tag that had everyone laughing. The sun was high in the sky, the temperature warm. In an hour or so Rob would set up the Slip ’N Slide on the lawn. Lunch was going to be hot dogs grilled on the barbecue.

In addition to her sister’s kids, Hayley had offered to take Tyler, Kenzie and Kennedy for the day, figuring six wasn’t that different than three. After lunch, when everyone was tired of playing outside, they were going to take on a craft project. She’d found a couple online and had bought the supplies. Then they would play outside again and finish the afternoon with a movie.

The visit was going well. Morgan had dropped everyone off after school yesterday. Hayley had gotten the three of them settled in their temporary room, then they’d gone to the POP for a couple of hours until Rob got off work. They’d had dinner out at The Slice Is Right.

Hayley had to admit that while her sister might be a bitch, she knew how to teach her children manners. All three of them were incredibly well behaved. They’d ended the evening playing simple board games. No matter how old she got, a rousing couple of rounds of Candyland were always fun.

Now she watched her husband walk out of the house. Rob was so handsome, she thought, enjoying the sight of his broad shoulders and easy smile. He winked when he saw her.

“Have they found any of them?” he asked.

He’d hidden a couple dozen old Easter eggs all around the yard early that morning. They held silly things, like plastic rings, stickers and marbles. Just fun prizes the kids would like.

“Not yet. I’m going to say something soon.”

The children continued to race around the yard.

He moved closer and put his arm around her. “I forgot to thank you.”

“For what?”

“I took your advice with my customer. The one who lost her husband. You said she might be looking for attention, rather than trying to make my life miserable. So I started calling her after her appointment, to make sure everything was okay. Then I followed up the next day.” He flashed her a smile. “Ever since that, she’s been sweet as pie and not coming back with made-up problems.”

“I’m glad the advice worked for you.”

She spoke automatically, which was good, because her mind was elsewhere. If she were to count the number of times her husband had put his arm around her, it would probably be in the thousands. But this time was different. This time she was hyperaware of his body close to hers, of the heat of him and how he’d slept next to her last night.