Smoke and Wishes (Best Wishes #1)(62)
“Alright,” I started, my tone cheerier then it had been in weeks. “How can we fix this shit with Hudson?” I looked around the room as I finally took my designated seat next to Logan on the couch.
“If we can convince Hudson that they were trying to break everyone up, he’ll come out of this. I think the only reason he hasn’t dealt with shit is because Brittney is always around. The man can’t take a piss without her trying to follow,” Logan supplied.
“I might be able to help with that,” Cam had a thoughtful look on his face. “I could persuade them to tell the truth, so he would have to listen. I would need them all together when their guards are down.”
“The dance? I know Hudson is going with Brittney, and I’ll go with Khloe to make sure they’re all together. That way I can keep an eye on him. I sure as hell want to know what they're going to try and say to cover their asses,” Dante’s voice was shaking, and his pupils morphed into slits, the muscles on his neck and arms quivering under his urge to shift. I nodded, agreeing that the dance would be the best option. For the next hour, we went over our plan, making sure everything would go off without a hitch and that by the end of the dance, we would have our brother and our girl back.
18
October 20th
Saturday Afternoon
Lucienne
Salt permeated the air as I took a deep breath, closing my eyes against the warmth of the sun and allowed the tension to leave my shoulders. The cold water lapped against my bare calves. I’d pushed my jeans up to my knees so I could stand in the waves. Glancing down, the navy polish on my toes shimmered in the clear water. We stood in companionable silence, Char and I. Staring into the horizon as the sun peeked over it, absorbing the quiet serenity the shore offered. We had initially planned on staying in the dorm for the entire weekend binging on movies, chocolate, ice cream, and gossip; but Sadie had a family emergency on Thursday that required her to fly home for a few days. Apart from a few overly enthusiastic joggers, we were alone on the beach.
Char had driven in from Seattle and proceeded to yank me out of bed at an unreasonably early hour. Ordering me to get my ass out of bed and made me pack an overnight bag. At least she brought coffee. Within ten minutes of her arrival, we were back on the road and heading to Westpoint, one of our favorite coastal towns.
“You’re the best, you know that right?” I cooed glancing over at my best friend. Springy chocolate colored curls shifted slightly in the wind, framing her coffee-toned face. Her honey brown eyes sparkled from the reflective light bouncing off the water.
“Of course, I know,” she accentuated the statement by flipping her hair over her shoulder. “It’s one of the many reasons you love me.” A slight creole accent weaved its way around her words, I could listen to Char talk for hours. Bumping into me lightly, she lowered her voice, gazing out into the water. “I’ve missed you, boo, UW is lonely without you there with me.” Digging my toes into the sand, I bumped her back.
“I’m sorry, Char, you have no idea how much I wish I could have gone with you. It just wasn’t safe.” My lips curved down at the thought of her being all alone on campus. We’d planned out our entire freshman year at the University of Washington. Every detail discussed, down to which restaurants and coffee shops we wanted to stop at between classes. We never imagined ourselves to be where we were now.
“I didn’t bring it up to make you feel bad. Just to remind you how much you mean to me. It's definitely been a difficult adjustment for the both of us, but you're still my best friend.” She turned toward me and wrapped me up in her arms, mine trailing around her trim waist. Squeezing tightly, I swallowed past the lump in my throat.
“I’ve missed you too. Sorry I haven’t been calling much lately, the beginning of this semester has been a little rough.” We released each other but locked pinkies while standing side by side. “How’s everything been for you? Are your parents doing okay with you being gone?” I redirected the conversation. This weekend was supposed to be about having fun and catching up, not dwelling on the past.
“Mama’s been struggling. You know how she is though, boxed wine and a marathon of baking with your mama and she’ll be good as new. Pretty sure I’ve already gained my freshman fifteen thanks to their cookies,” Char and I laughed at the image.
Our mothers spent a lot of time together. Having grown up together as little girls, they were close before Char and I ever came into the equation. It’s no wonder we’re the best of friends. The collection of cookie tins building up in my closet had hinted at how much our mothers had been baking lately.
“Dad’s been really busy at the hospital lately, they’re in the middle of hiring a new surgeon.” Tugging on my pinky, she turned us back towards the shore.
“I take it Dr. Frankle is finally retiring?” That old man was more than overdue for retirement. He’d been an on-call surgeon at Pinewood Drive Medical Center for as long as I could remember, but he was too stubborn to take any time for himself. Laughing, Char nodded before responding.
“Yeah, took the geezer long enough,” she pushed her curls behind her ear to no avail, they just bounced right back into her face. “So, now the hospital is going through a hiring process, which means dad is taking on the brunt of scheduled surgeries. Hopefully, they find someone soon so he can be home more often.” Cold sand squished through my toes as we wandered down the beach. Washington wasn’t known for its warm fall weather, and so the beach was unbelievably cold, making me happy I’d worn a thicker jacket. I wouldn’t change our spontaneous trip for the world though. The wind rustled our hair, strands fell from the bun I had perched on the top of my head. “Other than not having you there, school is fine. Homework sucks, obviously, and my practicals are kicking my ass, but it’s not too overwhelming. My roommate is pretty cool, but she’s gone a lot, choosing to stay with her boyfriend at his apartment.” I smirked at that.