Page 36 of Resilient Rhythms
Mr. Byrne nods.
“But Mckenna’s right. She can’t keep living in fear and putting her life on hold.”
Mr. Byrne sighs and scrubs a hand over his face. “I know. I know that and yet…” He trails off. Then, he looks at me, his expression severe. “You’ll look after her, won’t you, son?”
“With my life,” I promise.
He nods and shakes my hand. I walk him to the door, double bolting it once he leaves.
Then, I call Drew. Aiden. I talk to Alfred. And I give my bandmates and brother a heads-up about the situation. I stress to everyone that Mckenna wants to continue with her daily life and not focus on this new development with Bran.
Then, I get ready for bowling. For the first time, I regret putting together the team. The logistics of the bowling alley, the multiple entrance and exit points, the random groups of people flowing through the space, have me on high alert.
But I promised my beauty we would do this her way. So, I don my captain shirt, pack my bowling shoes, and manage a smile for Mckenna as I take her hand and stride into the bowling alley.
“I’m on fire!” I toss an arm in the air as the ball slams into the pins and sends them crashing. “That’s another strike for me.” I grin gleefully at my brother, giddy that I’m beating him.
Sibling rivalries, even the friendly ones, never die.
But deep down, my winning performance is due to the anger and nerves coursing through my body.
“Good job, Maverick!” Allegra claps as I retake my seat.
“Nice roll.” Mckenna high-fives me.
I clasp her fingers in mine and hold on for an extra beat. So far, things have been quiet but I’m still tense. Watchful. “Thanks, beauty.”
We continue to hold hands until it’s her turn to bowl.
“How’s she doing?” Allegra whispers.
“She’s tough,” I offer. “She’ll get through this.”
Allegra nods.
From A’s other side, Derek leans forward. “You need anything, you call.”
“I will,” I promise. I learned from my past mistakes. I don’t have tunnel vision. If it takes all hands on deck to support Mckenna, then I’ll call every single one of our friends to bring them aboard.
Jameson gives me a long look. “You good?”
I smile at my brother. Even though he’s sorting through his own version of hell, he always has my back. “I’m good.”
Mckenna bowls a strike and our group erupts in hollers and cheers for our girl. She gives a little curtsey and I laugh, noting the way her eyes dance. Her hair flows around her shoulders as she tips her head back and laughs at something stupid Levi says.
This time, she’s not backing down. She hasn’t lost her sparkle.
And I haven’t lost her.
My life settles into a new rhythm over the next two weeks.
In some ways, Mckenna and I take leaps forward with our relationship. We spend more time together, starting our days with morning coffee on the back deck of my brownstone. Then, Drew escorts her to the library where she spends hours studying for the bar exam. Knowing it’s Drew watching over her puts my mind at ease and I think she agrees to the concession on my behalf. How’s that for adulting and compromise?
I continue to run with my brother in the early mornings, which, if I’m honest, has been more of a benefit for me than it has been for Jameson. I also vet every employee on my contractor’s payroll and he agrees to let me hand-pick the crew for my home. I spend my mornings overseeing their progress and bullshitting with the crew until Mr. Byrne comes over in the afternoons. That’s when I head to the studio to get some recording time in but, again, I do it with a clear head knowing Mckenna’s dad is keeping an eye on things.
In the evenings, I join Mckenna for dinner and we spend our nights watching old movies, talking about our days, and just being together before I kiss her good night.
Still, we’re vigilant. Even though Bran hasn’t popped up since that note on the front porch, I know it’s not over. He’s biding his time. And each day that passes without any sign of him fills me with more dread, more anxiety, that whatever he’s planning is more sinister than I can comprehend.
