All the Wright Moves Page 3

  “You’re such a dick,” Whitton said. “I don’t look for crazy girls.”

  “Sure, Whitt.”

  He scowled at me as we pulled up to Thai Pepper. The line was already ten people deep in the hole-in-the-wall Thai place that had the best noodles I’d ever had in my life. We had excellent Thai in Seattle, and I’d been skeptical when Nora insisted we go here. But damn, she had been right.

  Harley waved from a seat at the back of the restaurant. She was in a black miniskirt with ripped fishnets and Doc Martens, paired with a white leather jacket that might have been one of my old ones. Her long, freshly dyed, blonde hair was in two pigtails, her eyes were heavily lined, and she had on bubblegum-pink lipstick. Oh, Harley.

  We pushed through the space to where she was.

  “West!” she cried, throwing her arms around me.

  She was nearly six feet tall but didn’t hide behind her height. She never slumped or refused to wear heels or anything. She took up as much space as she wanted, and I loved that about her.

  “Hey, Harley.”

  “I’m glad you’re back. How was LA?”

  Whitt hugged her next, and then we took the seats opposite her.

  “Oh, and I already ordered for the table.”

  “Thanks,” Whitton said.

  “LA was great. Just wrapped the album. Best work of my life.”

  “I bet it is,” she said enthusiastically. “I cannot wait to hear it. When do I get an early copy? Also, can I meet Yorke? Because hello!”

  “No!” Whitt said automatically.

  “That sounds like a bad idea,” I agreed.

  Yorke was another member of Cosmere. He played guitar, was usually silent unless it mattered, and had an avid following called the Peppermint Patties.

  She sighed and slumped back. “Y’all are no fun.”

  Whitton froze. “Are you using Southern phrases now?”

  “Well, I’m Southern!” Harley said, leaning in just to irritate him.

  “You’ve lived in Texas for six months.”

  “Yeah, but Dad is from here, which means we’re from here, which means I get to say it. I find that way better than you guys or something fucking gendered. At least y’all is neutral. You can say it about any group of people. We don’t have to be so goddamn binary.”

  Whitton looked at me in panic. “This is what you’ve missed.”

  “Our little sister, all grown up.”

  “I wouldn’t go that far,” Whitt grumbled.

  “Anyway, when are you going back?” Harley asked. “Can I come with?”

  “I don’t know when I’m going back. I have a standing offer on the table as a producer for the studio. They loved my work with Cosmere and said they could take me on full-time.”

  “That sounds like a solid job,” Whitton said.

  “Yeah. It would be, but I don’t know. I feel like there’s so much happening right now, and I’m not ready to be tied down to just one thing.”

  “What’s the five-year plan? What do you want out of all of this?” Whitt asked.

  I knew the answer to that, but it was essentially impossible. I wanted to join Cosmere. But their keyboardist, Michael, had just quit, and he’d been with the band for years. I couldn’t imagine them ever replacing him. Not with how it had all gone down. I was a fill-in, but I wasn’t the real deal. That didn’t stop me from dreaming.

  “I can’t think about a five-year plan, Whitt. Jesus, did you think we’d be here five years ago?”

  Just then, our food showed up. Whitton had curry while Harley and I had pad thai. Though hers was as hot as they could possibly make it. She was obsessed with spicy food.

  “I certainly didn’t think I’d be at Tech,” Harley said. She twirled her food around on her chopsticks.

  “Regardless,” Whitton said, “just because we didn’t see Lubbock happening to any of us doesn’t mean we can’t plan for the future.”

  “Dude, that’s you. Not me,” I told Whitt. “I want to go with the flow.”

  Whitton’s eyes twitched at that word.

  “In five years, I want to be in law school,” Harley announced. “There, Whitt, you can stop hassling West on the first day home.”

  “I’m not hassling. I’m being practical,” Whitt argued.

  “Well, stop being practical then,” Harley said with a laugh. “Or I’ll put one of these ghost peppers in your curry.”

  Whitton shot her a look. “Harlyn Anne, you wouldn’t dare.”

  “We’re throwing a surprise party,” I interjected before they could get started. They could go like this for hours if I let them.

  “Party!” Harley said. “Can I come?”

  “No,” Whitton said at the same time I said, “Yes.”

  “She’s nineteen,” Whitton argued.

  “It’s Campbell’s birthday. Everyone is invited, and she doesn’t have to drink.”

  “Y’all don’t have to be so ridiculous. I’m in college. I’m at frat parties every weekend. I’ve had alcohol before.”

  “I’ll be there,” Whitton said.

  “Me too,” Harley agreed.

  I laughed at them both and went back to my food. It was good to be home with my siblings. I was used to being out on the road with other bands and away from them for months on end, but it was great, coming back to them. And I couldn’t wait to be with all my friends at the party.

  4

  Nora

  Planning a surprise party for Campbell with three days’ notice was a feat. Luckily, we didn’t have a wedding that weekend at Wright Vineyard, and I had a few days of planning time to get it up and running.

  “So, you’ll get the cake?” I asked Blaire.

  My sister-in-law—which was still crazy to think about—smiled and nodded. Her bangs were long enough to flutter into her eyes with the movement. “I have it covered.”

  “And he doesn’t suspect a thing?”

  “Nope. I told him I have something special planned for his birthday. I think he’s hoping for sex.”

  Her best friend and Hollin’s girlfriend, Piper, snorted. “Isn’t he always?”

  “Aren’t all guys like that?” Blaire shot back.

  Piper grinned devilishly, her eyes shifting to Hollin’s. “I suppose so.”

  “Gross, y’all. Those are my brothers!”

  Both girls snickered.

  We were all standing in my dad, Gregg’s, backyard. Dad wanted to have a big welcome home and congratulations thing for Campbell. He and Campbell hadn’t always exactly gotten along. They’d had a lot of grief after Mom died, because Campbell had been Mom’s favorite, and he’d blamed Dad for her running out. But it had been a horrific car accident that had taken her life. It had been no one’s fault. Years of therapy had gotten us all to that point. So Campbell and Dad were trying, and that was what mattered.

  Our aunts, Lori and Vail, stood together by the barbecue as Vail whipped up her famous burgers. Jordan and Julian’s mom, Helene, sat in a chair next to them. She’d had cancer a few years back, and she still seemed fragile all the time. But the doctors had said she was stable. It was nice to have everyone together.

  “Weston said he’d help if you needed a way to get Campbell to the winery,” I offered.

  “That would be great.” Blaire set her hand on my arm. “How is living with him, by the way? I know you said that you liked having the house to yourself.”

  “I did. I thought he wanted me to leave, but he said that I could stay. Misunderstanding. And I know it’s only been a few days, but it’s kind of nice to have a roommate.”

  “A cute roommate,” Piper added.

  I flushed. “Well, yeah. Those Wrights, you know?”

  “We know,” Blaire and Piper said together and then giggled.

  “So, are you two…” Piper trailed off with emphasis and a wink.

  “Uh, no, just roommates.”

  “Come on,” she groaned. “After what August did…”

  Piper had been there the day that I
’d caught August cheating on me. She’d helped Hollin take care of me and had been hinting for the last several months that I should get back out there. That was all well and good, but how did one begin to get out there? I had never dated before. I had no clue where to begin. I wasn’t lucky enough to stumble upon another guy again, like I had with August. And anyway, look at how that had ended.

  “Piper,” Blaire chastened.

  “Sorry. I didn’t mean to bring him up. I just want you to be happy.”

  “Thanks. It’s fine. Anyway, party planning makes me happy. So, let me know if you need anything else for Monday.”

  “What’s happening Monday?” Campbell asked, suddenly appearing at Blaire’s side and sliding an arm around her waist.

  She giggled and turned into him. He pressed a kiss firmly to her lips. A good distraction. And I was happy for them, happy to see both of my brothers happy. I wanted that for them. I wanted it for me, too.

  “Don’t change the subject,” he said against her lips.

  “You kissed me,” she teased.

  “Get a room,” Piper grumbled.

  Campbell winked at her.

  He asked his wife another question, but my phone dinged in my pocket. I pulled it out, planning to silence it. Then, I saw the name on the screen, and my stomach dropped out of my body.

  August.

  I swallowed and swiped on the message.

  Hey, can we meet? Tamara told me that she came to see you, and I just need to apologize.

  I shouldn’t respond. He’d been messaging me on and off since we broke up. At first, I’d answer his messages, and we’d text for days before I got mad all over again. I was sure Tamara had no idea that he’d done that. But eventually, I’d refused to answer. It hadn’t made it any easier because the messages still came.

  We shouldn’t meet.

  Nora, please…

  No. It’s a bad idea. I don’t need an apology.

  Which was a lie. I wanted one desperately. I wanted it to all go back to how it had been. Even though it was impossible.

  No, but you deserve one. What happened…fuck, Nora, please let me do this in person. It won’t be right through text. You know it won’t. And you deserve better from me.

  I closed my eyes against those words. Ones I’d wanted so bad earlier. And yet they were always going to be false.

  But…I wanted to see him.

  I didn’t want to be that girl.

  But ugh!

  I’m at my dad’s with my brothers. You can’t come here.

  Meet me at the park.

  I glanced around at the party. Blaire had successfully distracted Campbell. Hollin had wandered over to put his arm around Piper. Dad was arguing with Vail about the burger situation. Everyone was distracted. I could probably slip away for a minute.

  I squeezed my eyes shut. Was it so wrong to want to see him? I wouldn’t have to do it again. Not ever. Fuck.

  Fine. You have five min utes.

  I made some excuse about taking a phone call and slipped back through my dad’s house. I snagged my jacket as I exited through the front door and strode toward the park across the street.

  August hadn’t had to say where in the park to meet. When we’d been together, we always used to meet at the swings on family holidays. I sank into the swing and pushed off, letting it rock back and forth on its own. I felt stupid. I was being stupid.

  It didn’t change how I felt to acknowledge that this was the last thing I should be doing. I was still sitting here on a swing, waiting for my ex-boyfriend, who was now engaged to someone else. I knew how dumb that was. But I would just let him say whatever he was going to say, and then I’d tell him not to contact me anymore. I might even get brave enough to block his number.

  A throat cleared behind me. I dragged my feet in the dirt and turned around.

  August strode toward me in his black peacoat, his hair perfectly put together, a tentative smile on his lips. “Hey, Nora.”

  I swallowed back all the pain at seeing him, knowing he wasn’t mine. “Hi.”

  “Thanks for meeting me.”

  I crossed my arms over my chest. “This is the last time.”

  He nodded. “I figured.”

  “It’s not fair to ask this of me, you know?”

  “I know. I fucked up, but I didn’t want you to suffer.”

  I scoffed. “You should have thought of that before you cheated on me.”

  He kicked a rock in front of him, looking down at his feet. “Yeah. I know I can’t make up for that.”

  “Make up for it? You’re marrying the girl you cheated on me with.”

  He winced. “Uh, yeah. She really wanted to get married.”

  I took a step back in disgust. Was he blaming Tamara for the engagement? How typical. “You still proposed.”

  “Yeah. I’m sorry she came to see you.” He took a step forward, closer. “I, uh, I never knew she would do something like that. Of course we’re not going to get married at the vineyard or have you plan it.”

  “No, because I told her no.”

  “She said that you had”—he cleared his throat—“another guy with you, who cussed her out.” His eyes met mine again.

  “Are you here to find out if I’m seeing someone?” I asked in disbelief.

  “No, no. I’m here to apologize.”

  “Jesus, August,” I said, storming away from him and running a hand back through my hair.

  Here he was, literally engaged to my ex-bestie, and he was trying to figure out if I was dating someone. What a pathetic, egotistical, narcissistic ass.

  “I can’t do this. I should have never come here.”

  “Nora, wait,” he called as I stormed back toward my dad’s house.

  “I waited for you. I’m done waiting. I’m done with all of this.”

  He grasped the sleeve of my jacket and dragged me to a stop. “I’m so sorry. For everything. For Tamara and the engagement and hurting you. Fuck.”

  “That’s not good enough,” I snarled at him. I jerked my arm away from him. “Your words mean absolutely nothing when they aren’t backed up by any actions.” I shoved him away from me. “Stop apologizing. Stop this puppy-dog act. Go home to your fiancée, August, because if you contact me again, I’m going to tell her about all of it.”

  His face paled. We both knew exactly what Tamara would do if she found out he’d come to see me, let alone that he’d still been texting me all these months.

  “Nora, hey, don’t do this.”

  “I’m done.” A tear slid down my cheek, and I angrily swiped it away. I hated that it had happened in front of him. I’d sworn no more tears. “I’m done.”

  Then I walked away, and he let me go. As he’d done many times before.

  5

  Nora

  “Don’t go,” Campbell said. “I only just got home.”

  “I know. Work is work though,” I said, wincing slightly at the lie. “This couple is pretty demanding.”

  As much as I wanted to hang out at Campbell’s return party, I couldn’t stay here another minute. Not after August. And telling my brothers about it would end in bloodshed.

  “You sure you’re okay, shrimp?”

  I nodded and hoped it was convincing. “Totally.” I hefted my phone. “Just work. You know?”

  He ruffled my hair lightly. “Well, come out for my birthday at least. Blaire said she got a reservation. Ask her for the details.”

  “I will.”

  At least that made me smile. I’d worried that he’d caught on to what we were doing, but so far, so good. I’d be composed again by then. I needed time alone to deal with what had happened.

  I waved at the girls and Hollin and then fled the scene. I was halfway home when I remembered that I wasn’t going home to an empty house.

  “Fuck,” I whispered.

  I’d planned to snag some ice cream and unleash my tears, but I didn’t exactly want West to hear that. It was one thing to cry alone, but another thing entirely f
or someone to see me still mourning this bullshit. August had demolished my life, and I still didn’t know how to get over it.

  My heart ached at the thought. Why couldn’t I move on like anyone else? Ten months was long enough to suffer, wasn’t it?

  With a sigh, I abruptly turned the wheel down the next street and veered into the parking lot of my favorite nursery—Apple’s Nursery. Apple was the owner’s nickname for his wife, who had been working by his side at the place for thirty years. She was adorable and always so helpful. We’d gotten real fond of each other. Despite that fact, I avoided the front, not ready to face anyone I knew, and meandered down the aisles of greenery.

  I hadn’t gotten into plants until after Weston left. I’d wanted to get a kitten or a puppy, but my wedding days were long. It felt cruel to leave a pet home alone all day. But plants? Plants I could keep alive. And it had gone from one potted monstera, which I’d been assured was nearly impossible to kill, to a veritable trove of greenery.

  At the back of the place, I found a single orange flowering plant—a clivia, if my research was correct. It bloomed at the end of February and into March with the prettiest sunset flowers. I needed a sunset today.

  I took the clivia up to the front and found Apple waiting for me.

  “Plant therapy?” she asked intuitively.

  “Nothing fixes your problems quite like buying another plant.”

  Apple laughed softly. “A girl as pretty and young as you can’t have too many problems.”

  My lips wobbled. “I wish that were true.”

  “Still having boy trouble?”

  “Yeah,” I admitted. “Just trying to move on, but my ex is now engaged to that girl.”