Stepbrother Backstage (The Hawthorne Brothers Book 3) (52 page)

“
No
,” I breathe.

“Yeah,” Maddie replies.

“You and Cash?!” I gasp, “You two were… But how is that—?”

“It’s also something of a long story,” she tells me, “But it
involves a one-night stand at a roadside motel, if you can believe it.”

“Madeleine Porter, who
are
you even?” I ask, mind
reeling.

“Someone who knows a thing or two about what you’re
grappling with,” she tells me.

I sink back down on the bench, landing heavily. How did I
not pick up on the fact that Maddie and Cash had a thing for each other? And
here I thought
I
was the actress of the family. There’s also the fact
that Cash is the last person I could ever picture my sister with. She’s always
gone for boring, bland, safe guys. Bad boy, punch-throwing Cash Hawthorne is
anything
but
safe. I guess I was so wrapped up in my own drama with Luke
that I didn’t even think for a second about anyone else at that house. God, what
else have I been missing?

“How are you so calm, then?” I ask Maddie, “Shouldn’t you be
just as broken up about this whole thing as I am? I mean, to be forced to call
off your thing with Cash because—”

“That’s the thing, Sophie,” Maddie cuts in, “We haven’t
called anything off. We’re still very much together.”

“…What.”

“I was totally freaked out about Mom and John too, at
first,” Maddie tells me, “I bailed on Cash, told him I couldn’t keep seeing him
if our parents’ relationship was getting serious. I tried to go back to Seattle
and get on with my life. But I couldn’t. I was miserable without him.”

“So…What did you do?”

“Luckily, I have a little guardian angel out here with me in
Seattle. Or, maybe a guardian devil? My best friend Allie, the one who works at
ReImaged with me? She arranged for Cash to be hired by our firm for a PR
project we’re working on now. He’s one of our ‘everyman models’ for this denim
campaign we’re running.”

“Cash is a model?!” I ask, unable to keep from laughing.

“I know. It’s insane,” Maddie laughs too, “Honestly, it’s
kind of just a cover. A reason for him to be in Seattle with me while we figure
out how to go forward. As a couple. Of course, now we’re hiding our
relationship from our employers
and
our parents…”

“But not your baby sister,” I point out.

“No. And I’m glad,” Maddie says, her voice taking on a
serious cast, “I’m glad that you told me about you and Luke, too. Because now,
for perhaps the first time in my life, I can give you some big-sisterly advice.
You listening?”

“Oh, I’m all ears.”

“If breaking things off with Luke is what you really want,
then I’m certainly not going to try and talk you out of it. But if you don’t
mind my saying so, it doesn’t sound like you want him out of your life. It
sounds to me like you’re scared.”

“Scared?” I say, clutching the phone to my ear, “Scared of
what?”

“Scared of what people will think. Scared that you’re doing
something sick or wrong. Scared that you’re setting yourself up for heartbreak.
Need I go on?”

“No…” I whisper, “No, that’s about the size of it.”

“I don’t mean to sound all high and mighty. I still don’t
have my own feelings for Cash all the way figured out. I mean, they’re
still…What did Anna say? Our ‘almost brothers’?”

“Ugh. Don’t remind me,” I groan.

“But that
almost
is the important part,” Maddie
urges, “Last time I checked, we don’t share a drop of blood with the Hawthorne
boys. And I didn’t see any ring on Mom’s finger. There’s nothing wrong with
what you feel for Luke. Nothing.”

“Even though our parents are together? Christ, even though
you and Cash—?”

“Let’s be honest for a second, Soph,” Maddie cuts in, “Since
when has our family functioned in anything approaching a normal way? How much
has Mom even been involved in your life these past few years? God, to what extent
has she ever even acted like a mother to us?”

“She’s not perfect,” I allow, “But it’s like you said
yourself, back at the lake. Family’s not something you can ever forget.”

“No,” Maddie allows, “We’ll never forget the place she had
in our lives when we were small. And we’ll always, always love her. But she’s
moved on from the part of her life that included us. She said as much herself.
And if she’s written off her past…”

“Then why can’t we,” I say softly, feeling the world come
into focus around me.

“We’ve already been robbed of our happiness once in our
lives,” Maddie says firmly, “Losing Dad nearly destroyed us all. Maybe a new
start is what all of us Porter women need. Even if that means going our own
ways. God knows, we kind of already have.”

I sit silently, taking in everything Maddie’s said to me.
For the first time in weeks, I feel the faintest flutter of hope coming back to
life inside me. Maybe it’s crazy to go along with what she’s saying. Maybe I’m
just clinging onto her words because they give me a shot at having a future
with Luke. But maybe it doesn’t matter…Maybe all that matters is keeping that
little flare of hope alive, nursing it until it erupts into full blown
happiness.

It’s certainly worth a shot.

“You’re not too bad at this big sister thing,” I finally
say, my voice hoarse with emotion.

“Gee. Thanks,” Maddie drawls.

“Thank
you
. Seriously,” I whisper.

“Of course,” she says softly, “I’m so glad you told me what
was going on with you. Not least of all because I have an idea.”

“An idea about what?” I ask her.

“About how to get you and Luke back together, of course,”
she tells me.

“Whoa, whoa. Slow your roll, sister,” I tell her.

“No time to waste, Sophie. Do you want this boy back in your
life or not?”

“I…I do,” I tell her.

Saying it out loud, I know at once that it’s the truth. I
want Luke to be a part of my life again. Whatever it takes. Even if it means
trusting my romantic life to my lapsed-prude of a sister.

“Well OK then,” she says. I can practically hear her
grinning across the state line, “Here’s what I’m thinking…”

Chapter Thirteen

Maddie’s master plan boils down to this: getting Luke and I
back in the same place and letting fate take its course. Her agency, ReImaged,
is hosting a big party to launch their campaign for Asphalt denim. Cash will be
there as a “brand ambassador” and Maddie is pretty much running the whole show
with her wily coworker Allie. Maddie will get my name on the guest list to the
exclusive event, and make sure that Cash invites Luke as well. Once Luke and I
cross paths at the party, the ball will be in my court. I’ll have to find a way
to convince him to give us a chance, despite the odds. Whether or not I can do
that is anyone’s guess.

But I have to take the shot. Surely, Luke will be able to
understand
that.

The only real hitch in Maddie’s scheme is that the Asphalt
party is tomorrow night. In Seattle. A full day’s drive from Sheridan
University. Which is a pretty daunting obstacle, seeing as I don’t currently
have a car. Daunting, but not insurmountable.

The second I get off the phone with Maddie, I race across
campus to Danny’s dorm room. Time is of the essence if I’m going to pull this
off, and I’m going to need to call in every favor I’ve got (and even a few that
I
haven’t
got). I charge into Danny’s building, take the stairs two at a
time, and nearly body slam his door as I skid to a halt before it.

“Danny!” I call, hammering the door with my fist, “Danny,
are you home?”

The door swings open, but it isn’t Danny who greets me. For
a second, I have trouble placing the attractive, dark haired man standing in my
best friend’s doorway. But he recognizes me right away.

“Hey Maddie!” he smiles, pulling me into a hug.

“Oh, hey!” I reply giving him a friendly pat on the back.

“I haven’t seen you since that dreadful night at The Bear
Trap,” he goes on excitedly, “How have you been doing?”

That’s where I know him from. It’s Greg—the guy Danny was
chatting up the night I hooked up with Luke at the bar. The guy who came and
fetched us just before Danny got jumped by those assholes. Looks like their
flirtation wasn’t just a one-night thing, either.

“I’ve been…OK,” I tell him, “Some family drama. A dash of
guy trouble.”

“Sounds like quite the summer,” Greg nods.

“Indeed,” I reply, “Hey, is Danny here? It’s kind of
urgent.”

On cue, my best friend appears in the bathroom doorway, a
towel wrapped around his sculpted hips. He stops in his tracks as he catches
sight of me and Greg chatting at the door. I’ve never seen my brash, confident
friend look bashful before. What gives?

“Heyyy, Sophie,” Danny says slowly, adjusting his towel,
“What brings you here?”

“Well,” I tell him, “There’s been a pretty interesting
development in the Luke saga, and I may need your help. Scratch that, I
definitely need your help.”

“Wait, wait,” Greg cuts in, “This sounds like the beginning
of an adventure. And that calls for something fermented. Give me one sec.”

He dashes off into the kitchen, and I raise an eyebrow at
Danny.

“So you get to know every detail of my love life, but I
don’t hear a word about this?”

“Ugh. I was just…too embarrassed to tell you, OK?” Danny
sighs, “I mean, seeing the same person for more than a week? I’m getting so
boring
.”

“I think it’s sweet,” I tell him, “You guys seem happy.”

“So far, so good,” Danny allows, “Who would have thought I’d
meet such a nice boy at a backwoods biker bar?”

“Stranger things have happened,” I shrug, “And speaking of,
wait until I tell you what’s going on with my sister. Put some pants on. This
may take a while to explain…”

Once all present are fully dressed and furnished with
glasses of rosé, I sit Danny and Greg down to fill them in on my predicament.
Greg’s jaw inches slowly toward the floor as I get him up to speed, and Danny’s
follows suit when I reveal Maddie’s secret affair with Cash.

“And no ‘all in the family’ jokes just yet,” I warn them,
taking a big sip of wine, “There’s more.”

I tell the boys about Maddie’s plan to get me face-to-face
with Luke again, and about ReImaged’s Asphalt launch party in Seattle tomorrow.
Their eyes go wide as I describe the event as Maddie did on the phone. The
party is going down in a newly renovated industrial warehouse turned luxury
hotel on the Seattle waterfront. All of the “everyman models” featured in
Asphalt’s new ad campaign will be present. This is the launch of the company’s
brand new men’s line, so they’re not cutting any corners.

“So there’s going to be booze, beautiful men, and a
spur-of-the-moment road trip?” Danny asks me, sounding like a little kid at
Christmas.

“My only question is, where are our invites?” Greg grins.

“I’d be more than happy to have some moral support,” I tell
them, “And…even happier if one of you would be willing to chip in some wheels.”

“We can take my car,” Greg says decisively.

“Really?” I ask with bated breath, “You’d haul some girl
you’ve barely met across state lines, just like that?”

“Any friend of Daniel’s is a friend of mine,” Greg says
warmly, “I’d be happy to help.”

Daniel?
I mouth to my best friend as Greg takes a
swig of wine.

Shut up,
he mouths back, unable to hide his smile.

“Next question,” Greg goes on, setting down his glass, “When
do we leave?”

“Um…Right now, more or less,” I say nervously.

“No time like the present,” Danny says, rising to his feet,
“You go pack up, Soph. We’ll come get you in twenty. And be sure to pack your
sexiest underthings. We’re not dragging you all the way to Seattle just so you
can horrify Professor Sexy Pants with your granny panties.”

“Hey. Granny panties are making a comeback,” I tell him,
“The internet says so.”

“Ugh,” Danny shudders, “All the more reason never to go near
technology.

I give him a quick kiss on the cheek. “Thank you. Both of
you. You’re really saving me, here.”

“It’s not every day you get to be an accessory to an epic
lovers’ reunion,” Gary says.

“We don’t even know how he’s going to react,” I say
cautiously. “He could be furious to find me at this party, for all we know.”

“He’s going to be thrilled,” Greg assures me, “I just know
it.”

The certainty of a near-stranger will have to do for now. I
turn on my heel and dart out of the room, off to pack my bags for the
adventure—or the disappointment—of a lifetime.

It isn’t just any set of wheels that Gary donates to the
cause of reuniting me and Luke. The boys swing around to pick me up in a
vintage BMW convertible. The top is down, the radio is blasting, and the engine
is running.

“Is this for real?” I laugh, tossing my bag into the
backseat and hopping in after it.

“You better believe it’s real,” Danny calls back, “How’s
this for a chariot, m’lady?”

We take off in the late afternoon sunlight, bidding adieu to
Sheridan for the next few days. By the time I lay eyes on this place again come
Monday, my life will be inalterably changed. It’s just hard to say in which
direction.

But as the three of us peel off onto the open road, singing
along to Nicki Minaj at the top of our lungs, I feel my reservations begin to
melt away. Whatever happens in Seattle, I will have gone after my happiness at
full speed. And that’s all one can do, in the end.

We spend the night in the cheapest (and seediest) roadside
motel we can find along the way. The blue-haired woman that checks us in nearly
has a heart attack when we request a single room.

“Are you one of those open marriages, or what have you?” she
asks us, clearly appalled. 

“Would you refuse to let us stay here if we were?” I ask.

“I have the right to refuse anyone a room,” the old woman
huffs, crossing her meaty arms, “I don’t like unconventional arrangements.”

“There’s nothing unconventional about us,” Danny says,
flashing her a winning smile. That grin would work on anyone.

The receptionist relents, sliding a plastic key card across
the counter.

“Well, if you say so…” she purrs, charmed by my sandy-haired
BFF.

“Thanks, sweetheart,” Danny replies, snatching up the key
and turning away.

The second all our backs are turned, Danny slips and arm
around Greg’s waist. I have to swallow a laugh as I hear the blue-haired woman
harrumph
behind us.

“If only she knew we were bringing you to reunite with your
stepbrother-professor-lover,” Danny remarks over his shoulder, “That would
really
get her blood boiling.”

“Maybe you can start keeping that little detail to yourself,
huh Danny?” I suggest, punching him in the shoulder. “I hardly want that to be
the headline of our relationship.

“Sorry,” he shrugs, “I can’t help it if taboos are sexy as
hell. And I’m pretty sure you two are gunning for the record of
taboos-per-relationship.”

“Great,” I mutter, trailing them across the motel parking
lot, “Something to tell the grandkids.”

***

By late afternoon the following day, we finally start seeing
signs for the city of Seattle. This place is sometimes called the Emerald City,
and I certainly feel like Dorothy right now—hoping that my every wish will be
fulfilled by this bustling new metropolis. Of course, Danny and Greg are far
better company than any Tin Man or Scarecrow.

“Holy shit,” Danny whistles, as our destination comes into
sight, “This place is
incredible
.”

And indeed, it is. Maddie was not exaggerating when she said
ReImaged booked the coolest new spot in Seattle for the Asphalt launch party.
The venue is a sprawling, ornate old factory space, entirely renovated as a
swanky, industrial chic hotel. All of the original architecture has been preserved
and perfected with stunning interior design. Elegant copper touches, Edison
bulb chandeliers, and eye-catching works of modern art elevate the space from
edgy to masterfully wrought.

A valet takes the BMW off our hands, and our motley trio is
left on the curb, gaping up at the hotel. I’m never stepped foot in a place
half as fancy as this. I’m suddenly self-conscious of my grubby backpack and
yoga pants.

“Sophie!” I hear a familiar voice call from within the
hotel.

I look up to see Maddie hurrying toward me. She’s rocking
tall black heels, a bright red pencil skirt, and a silky white blouse. I’ve
never seen my big sister in work mode. I have to say, I’m impressed.

“I’m so glad you’re here,” she beams, wrapping me up in a
big hug.

I hug her fiercely back, happier to see her than ever. I
didn’t realize until this second, but I really need my big sister right now.

“And you’ve brought an entourage,” Maddie observes, looking
over at my friends.

“Oh, right!” I say, “Maddie, this is my friend Danny.”

“Of course, I’ve heard all about you,” Maddie says to my
best friend, shaking his hand.

“Ditto,” grins, “Though Sophie never mentioned that you were
a stone cold fox.”

“Easy tiger,” Greg mutters, “You already have a date for the
dance, remember?”

“This is Greg,” Danny tells Maddie, “My chaperone.”

“Very nice to meet you both,” Maddie says, shaking Greg’s
hand. “Come on inside and let me show you around! I hope you don’t mind, I may
have gone a little overboard with your accommodations.”

This turns out to be the understatement of the century.

Maddie managed to snag a few of the hotel’s exclusive deluxe
rooms at the last minute. Greg and Danny are happy to share, and peel off to
get settled straightaway. Maddie and I are on our own as she leads me down the
hall to my own room.

“Here we are,” Maddie says excitedly, swinging open the
door. I step past her over the threshold and feel the wind rush out of my
lungs.

This isn’t a room at all. It’s a
suite
. A palatial
living room opens up before me, expertly decorated with a midcentury modern
flare. A wide balcony overlooks the water, and I spot a heavenly queen bed and
full bathroom through a door to my left. The kitchen is stocked with a full
wine rack and—be still my heart—a professional grade espresso machine.

“Maddie…” I breathe, slowly spinning around at the center of
the room. “This…This is…”

“Can’t blame a girl for spoiling her little sister once in a
while,” Maddie grins, “Especially when that little sister’s been having a
helluva few weeks.”

“Somehow, I feel like those few weeks are about to be
overridden,” I tell her, “And it’s all thanks to you.”

“Hey, don’t thank me yet,” Maddie cautions, “I’m just
getting your lover boy here. You have to do all the real work. Although, I have
a few more presents that may help the effort along.”

“
More
presents?” I laugh, “What are you—?”

“Look in the closet,” Maddie says, bouncing excitedly on the
balls of her feet.

I make my way into the bedroom and ease open the closet.
Hanging on the closet door is the sexiest little red dress I’ve ever seen. The
lush, structured material is of the highest quality, and the ultra-low back is
absolutely breathtaking. With the sky-high gold stilettos sitting in their box
on the closet floor, this is the most high-end ensemble I’ve ever seen up
close.

“Is this…for me?” I ask Maddie, dumbfounded.

“That it is,” she smiles, “It’s all from Asphalt’s latest
women’s line. I hope you don’t mind, but I had to list you as a brand
ambassador to snag this suite. So technically, you’re here representing the
company tonight. I figured you wouldn’t mind putting in a night of event
modeling.”

“Not if it means I get to wear this when Luke sees me
again,” I laugh, gingerly touching the exquisite dress. “Are you sure you’re
not actually my fairy godmother instead of my sister?”