Page 65 of For the Win
Brady instantly takes his off and drapes it over my shoulders. Michael would have done that too, if I hadn’t just basically told him to hit the bricks. “Thank you.”
When Ken gives Brady a look, the ginger Marine flushes, his grin a thing of beauty before he nods. “Why don’t we go inside and let Batman and Winnie catch up for a minute?”
“Val can go inside with Brady,” Bex counters, her expression determined as she refuses to let go of me.
When it looks like Brady might argue, Val puts a hand on his shoulder. “You know how protective she is. Win doesn’t mind.”
She slips her hand in mine and I squeeze it gratefully. He’s right. In fact, she might be the only thing holding me together right now.
Ken waits for them to disappear through the door before leaning against Val’s truck. “You should know Bex and Val have both forgiven me, though I still haven’t forgiven myself for what happened. I doubt I ever will. That doesn’t mean I wouldn’t like you to accept my apology for putting your family in danger, Winston. I’m not asking for it now, but I’d like you to think about it.”
I look at the man I’ve trusted with my best friend for my entire adult life. He’s human, even though we occasionally forget that. He hacked his way into financial security and his happily ever after. He’s a legend. And when he wasn’t paying attention, a few people who were scared of what that legend could do decided to send a message he wasn’t expecting.
“I always wanted to be a part of one of your schemes, did Bex ever tell you that? Not the dangerous bits, the ones she seems to be obsessed with. But the way you get people together and make problems disappear? I wanted in on that action.” Before he can offer, I hold up my hand. “Don’t worry. I’m over it now.”
His laugh is wry and a little sad. “I think I am too. For the most part anyway. The people I love are too important.”
He’s looking at me like I’m one of those people and my silent “Ha!” must show on my face, because his expression turns pained. “I care a great deal about all four of you, Win. I’ve always admired the way you stuck together and pulled each other up. I hope you know that.”
Bex’s hand tightens on mine. “You told me you were going to answer any question he had about Michael Demir, but you didn’t tell me why. Is there something wrong with him? Is he a criminal? A serial killer or a federal agent? You said he’s your friend, which means any and all of those options are possible.”
I almost laugh, because wasn’t I worried about the same thing the first time I saw him? And the second time? “Tanaka doesn’t need to tell me anything.”
“I think you’re wrong about that, Win. And Michael Demir is exactly what he appears to be, Bex. A good man who came to town to get to know his brother and found something he wasn’t expecting. A man currently at a crossroads in his life, yes, but not the kind that should raise any red flags. Someone who is just slightly out of step, and could use a hand with finding his rhythm again.”
“What doesthatmean?” Bex says in what I imagine is my old cynical voice.
“I know what it means,” I say softly.
Michael is amazing and smart and sexy…and isolated and uncomfortable unless he’s alone with you or the little dogs that need him. He doesn’t know that tea means gossip, or what he’s going to do now that he’s stopped doing what everyone expected him to. He’s good to his mother, he can chop wood and cook like a top chef, but he’s awkward with strangers.
He’s never been awkward with me.
I know all these things about my mystery man after only one weekend together. And I’m positive he knows even more about me, because he pays attention to everything I say and a few things I don’t. He listens. He cares about me. I actually believe that. How much more of a red flag does someone like me need?
You really are a mess, Winnie.
“He talked to me about you a few weeks ago,” Ken admits into the silence. “I didn’t know it was you in particular, because I had a lot on my mind at the time and I wasn’t paying that much attention. But I do remember what he said. ‘I think I’ve fallen for a man who sings like a siren and looks like an angel, and I’m not sure what to do about it.’”
Fallen?Beforethe cabin? Before this weekend? I don’t believe that…do I?
“Win told me about him too,” Bex blurts. “While he was taking care of me. He called him a dragon. His pub beast. He couldn’t stop thinking about him either.”
When I give her a wide-eyed look, she rolls hers in response. “What? You couldn’t. It’s a special day. I’m not lying for you today.”
Why is it a special day? Other than the fact that it’s the Finns’ anniversary that I’m being paid to sing for.
“Let’s not get distracted,” Ken says with an amused grin. “Michael also called me the other night to make sure I hadn’t stuck my nose into his business.”
“He mentioned that.”
“Interesting.” His smile softens. “Realizing that he’d found you, or more accurately, that you’d found him, was enough to renew my faith in fate, Winston. No one planned for that to happen. It’s important to me that you know that. No chess pieces were placed, no palms greased. And while it wasn’t impossible that you would meet him again—you know some of the same people—it was supremely unlikely. And so the universe, seeingtwo people separately pining for each other, decided to give you both a little nudge.”
Wewereboth suspicious of the coincidence, weren’t we? How odd it was. How unlikely. If Bex hadn’t gotten a wild hair and asked me to come, or if Seamus hadn’t asked Michael to give this family thing one more chance before he left…
“What if he leaves?”
I don’t know I’ve actually whispered the fear out loud until Bex leans her head on my shoulder and repeats her words from the other day. “We are not our parents, Win. We’re not doomed to revisit their mistakes, and we shouldn’t have to pay for them either. If he leaves, you’ll hurt, but you’ll be fine. And you’ll never be alone.”
