Compass (Siren Songs Book 2) (24 page)

A
dmittedly
, I’m not looking forward to the girl-time this weekend. It’s not that I don’t love my friends. I do, but for the first time in ages, I was anticipating time with my husband. Kissing him goodbye, I go to Cam’s house early to talk to her about the loan for the Aid.

I park in the circular driveway. I step out of the car and find myself standing at their front door. She and Dax live in a beautiful old farmhouse he restored years ago. I’m in awe of it every time I come by. I love the sound my knock makes on the solid wood.

Dax opens the door, no shirt, jeans hung low on his hips, obviously commando, no socks, no shoes. I blush. Heavily. I should not be attracted to my husband’s brother and my best friend’s fiancé, but he’s as beautiful as Moby was prior to the stroke. This family has amazing genes. Brooks and Landis are equally gorgeous in their own right.

He swings the door wide, raising his arm to allow me to duck under it as he issues his greeting, “Hey, Pipes. You’re early. Cam’s still upstairs getting dressed. You’re welcome to join her or come hang out and watch TV with me.”

“I’ll head up. Thanks.” Giving him a big, toothy grin, I trot up the stairs to the master bedroom.

“Cam,” I call out, so I don’t scare the crap out of her walking in unexpectedly.

Her head pops out through the bathroom door, quickly smiling back at me. “Hey! You’re early.” She has a curling iron in one hand and a bobby pin in the other.

“I was hoping I could talk to you before anyone else got here.”

“Sure, come on in.” She steps up to allow me to pass behind her into the vast bathroom to take a seat on the closed toilet. “What’s on your mind?”

“You know I’d never ask you this kind of thing if I had any other option,” I ramble my opening statement.

“Nope, because I don’t know what you’re asking.”

With a slight roll of the eye, I ignore her interruption and continue. “Moby got this amazing device that helps him walk. Like seriously mind blowing. He doesn’t need a cane and when he has it on I can hardly notice his limp at all.”

“That’s great. Where’d he get it?” She sets the curling iron down to face me, giving me her full attention.

“Well, right now it’s on loan. We have to either come up with the cash to pay for it by Tuesday, or he has to give it back to the company that makes them.” I look at the floor, suddenly ashamed. If it were for anything else I wouldn’t do it but seeing the change in Moby, I’d stop at nothing to make this a reality for him.

“Yikes. How much is it?”

“Four thousand if we pay cash, five if we put it on a credit card. Six months ago none of this would be an issue; we had tons of money in savings, but we’ve cashed in everything we had in 401K, bonds, savings, and anything else of value to pay for therapy and medical bills. We’re just tapped out.”

“I don’t know how you’ve done as much as you have, to be honest, Piper. I can only imagine how high the expenses are.”

“So, I wanted to see if I could borrow some money. I want to pay interest on it too.”

“How much do you need?”

“A thousand.” It seems like an enormous amount of money hearing the words come out of my mouth. “We’ve managed to cobble together the rest through various sources.”

“I don’t think it’ll be an issue, but we need to talk to Dax.” Unplugging the curling iron, she grabs her make-up bag and my hand, pulling me toward the door.

“Ugh, Cam…Moby doesn’t want Dax to know.”

She stops to face me. Raising her eyebrows in question.

“I know. I told him that would never work, but I told him I’d try.”

Laughing, she takes my hand again, and we rush down the stairs calling Dax by name. I cringe. She’s going to make me be the one to talk to him.

Right on cue, we enter the family room. “Piper needs to ask you a question. Well, she asked me a question, but I can’t answer for us, so now she needs to ask you.”

I look at her, confused by the dumb-girl rambling I just witnessed. Sometimes I wonder where my bright, well educated, friend has hidden in lieu of allowing her nitwit of a counterpart to take her place.

Inhaling a deep breath, I give Dax the same information I gave Cam. He’s irritated Moby doesn’t want him to know, but I think secretly understands, too. No guy wants to ask family members for financial support, but most men never go through what we’re currently experiencing.

“You’re a good woman, Piper. I have no idea how my brother got lucky enough to land you, but I’m glad he did. You guys have had a shit time since you got married.” He looks to Cam for some non-verbal commitment she apparently gives him. “We’d like to give you the money as a late wedding present.”

“Nope. Nope. Nope. Can’t do that. Moby will slit my wrists the moment I walk in the door. I’m not looking for charity, just a loan. I can pay it back in about a month, maybe six weeks depending on the bills that come in between now and then.”

Shrugging his shoulders, he replies, “It’s a gift or no dice. Up to you, Piper. Is your pride more important than Moby having the device?”

“That’s not fair, Dax. You don’t understand. Moby already feels like a failure, like I’m carrying the weight of our relationship financially. He didn’t even want me to ask Cam. This isn’t about my pride. He needs the damn thing, and I’d whore myself out to pay for it if I had to.”

“You just won’t take it as a gift? That makes no sense.”

I sit down on the ottoman to cry. The generosity of this couple never ceases to amaze me. Cam is like my sister and Dax is Moby’s brother, but they always go above and beyond.

“Piper, you have enough on your plate. I’ll get you the money on Monday, and I’ll take care of Moby when I pick him up. Don’t worry about it. Just know he’ll have what he needs.”

I stand to give my brother-in-law a teary hug, squeezing his middle tightly. “Thank you.”

I shoot Moby a text, refusing to let this consume any more of my day.

Me: Money’s taken care of. Dax will pick you up this afternoon. Have fun!

Moby: You too, baby. Enjoy yourself.

* * *

L
avish is not
an adequate word to describe the day Cam has planned for the Fish. We all meet at her house where a limo takes us, and our bags, to check into the swanky hotel downtown. It reminds me of high school prom. There’s something youthful about riding in a limo with your girlfriends. I want to open the sunroof and hang out in a
Pretty Woman
tribute, but Cam will likely frown on that. The bellhop takes our luggage to our room while we pile back in the limo. Inside we’re rewarded with fruit and champagne but given warning not to get full, as we have an appointment with the caterer after the dress fittings. The adult luxuries aren’t prom-related, but the nostalgic feelings remain, along with a goofy grin and reminiscent thoughts.

When the limo pulls up in front of The Crystal Sequin, the chauffeur opens the door to allow us to pour out onto the sidewalk in front of the lush store. The name sounds like a horrible strip club, but they’re known for their selection of couture gowns, and it’s very difficult to get a Saturday appointment. I can’t imagine the favor Cam called in for this. Armed with my entourage, I let go of the emotional wreckage waiting for me at home, the financial stress, and the medical nightmare in favor of enjoying the day with my friends.

Cam leads the pack, followed by Rachel, then me, Charlie, and Sutton. A gorgeous redhead greets us at the door, introducing herself as Natalie before asking Cam to tell her about us. It’s all very formal, and I worry how well this is going to go, Sutton and Charlie are far from proper ladies and Rachel just doesn’t give a shit. I see the look in Cam’s eyes, she’s silently praying we don’t get her thrown out, and I can’t help but laugh. The roar catches everyone off guard.

Nudging me in the side, Cam sneers under her breath. “What are you laughing at?”

My laughter grows louder, all the Fish stare at me like I’ve lost my mind. “Piper,” Cam growls in my ear as she grabs the top of my arm, squeezing a little too tight for my liking. “Get a grip!”

I try desperately to gain my composure, but the bubbly on the ride here had more of an effect than I realized. My hand flies to cover my mouth, and my arm goes around my stomach as I double over in uncontrollable hysterics. I haven’t seen this silly side of myself in years and even knowing how angry Cam is, I can’t bring myself to stop enjoying the freedom of the moment. The irrepressible laughter hasn’t surfaced in so long I can’t remember the last time I was…well, giddy.

Natalie offers an enormous smile; one dental commercials are made from. “We’re here to have fun, ladies.” She directs her attention to Cam. “The shop is only open to you and your friends, so unwind and be yourself. Have a good time.”

Cam visibly relaxes while Sutton pops me on the arm. “Damn, Piper. Since when are you the one causing trouble?” Her playful attitude puts me at ease. They have no idea how stuffy my life has been. The last hour has brought me more joy than the last six months. Being able to unwind with the Fish mentally takes me to a more simplistic time where life was easier, and my greatest stress was which tennis shoes to wear.

The shop is fantastic. They’re never open to the public and they treat their customers as elite, even if we’re not. Obviously, Natalie has done her homework and seen pictures or given very accurate descriptions of each of us and our various body types.

With our group spread out on an oddly shaped couch designed to hold ten or more people, Natalie stands before us. Another woman, who’s name is never offered, brings us white wine and an enormous tray of fruit, cheese, and crackers before disappearing into the background. Being served wine in a dress shop makes you feel incredible. This isn’t our lifestyle, none of us, but for the time we’re here, they treat us like royalty, and I feel like a princess.

“Cameron, based on the information you provided me, I’ve selected two styles for each of your bridesmaids. One is the same for each of them if you decide to go the traditional route and have them all wear the same dress, the other specifically chosen for their individual body type and build should you chose to go a little more contemporary.” Natalie’s eyes glimmer like emeralds, bright green reflecting the lights from above. “Disregard color for right now, we’re only looking at style.” Her is alight with animation, as if she truly loves what she’s doing.

Natalie doesn’t miss a beat with she calls out, “Rachel, you’re up first.”

With her hand deep in the cheese and crackers, Rachel hasn’t listened to a word being said. Sutton nudges her with her knee, but continues to stare straight ahead when Cam gets frustrated.

“Seriously, Rachel? Can you focus here? Please.” The Type-A Cam we haven’t seen in quite some time is still in there lurking, waiting to be summoned at times like this.

“Huh? What? Oh, shit. I’m up first?” Rachel drops the half-eaten cracker back on the tray, wiping her hands on a napkin.

I can’t help but giggle as Cam rolls her eyes, closing them simultaneously to avoid us detecting her bitch meter. Hearing me, she slowly opens them, flaring her nostrils, with a sideways glance, daring me to continue.

“Lighten up, Cameron. This’s supposed to be fun!” I say to her silent scolding.

“Piper, do you have any idea how difficult it was to get this appointment?”

I shrug my shoulders. “Who cares? If you’re gonna be miserable, then you might as well take us to Budget Bridal and save yourself the trouble. Pull the stick out of your butt!” I push a glass of vino in her face, begging her with my outstretched hand to take it and drink freely. She accepts it, nudging my side with her shoulder and a smile.

As each of the girls comes out, it’s obvious why Natalie does what she does. Not only has she picked a perfect compliment for us individually, but she managed to find one dress that flatters us all. Slightly inebriated, my judgment might be rather askew, but Cam looks pleased as punch.

It takes her no time to decide she wants each of us in individual dresses, but I’m stunned when she chooses the palest of yellows. The color is soft and inviting and will look fantastic on everyone but me. I don’t tan, ever, not because I refuse to try or have some plight against the sun, my skin simply will not darken. But it’s Cam’s day, if this is what she wants, so be it. I’ll just take one more glass of wine before stepping up to the cash register to pay my bill.