Bayside Wishes Read online

  "I thought she did." Nico's nostrils flared.

  "Honey, let's get this cleaned up," Freya's mom said.

  She shook her head. "Sorry." Freya swept the pieces into the dustpan her mom held.

  Nico put his hand on Freya's arm. "I'm going to get rid of her. Give me a minute."

  Freya nodded, at a loss for words. As she continued cleaning the mess—she finally recognized the glass as being from Grandma's mirror by the door. "How did this happen?"

  Her mom glanced up at her, eyes wide and clearly shaken. "I don't know. I was in the dining room."

  Everyone went quiet. Freya glanced over to where Dakota, Nico, and Nico's ex stood.

  "Why are you here?" Nico demanded.

  "To bring you back home with me."

  Nico sniffed the air. "Are you drunk, Morgan?"

  "We're meant to be together."

  "You'd better get to the airport before you miss your flight."

  Morgan narrowed her eyes at him. "I don't have a flight scheduled."

  "You're about to." He pulled out his phone and slid his finger around the screen.

  "I'm not going anywhere without you, Nico."

  Freya's mom took the broom from her hand and continued cleaning the mess. Freya couldn't pull her attention from Nico and Morgan. It was like being unable to look away from a bloody accident scene. She didn't want to, but she couldn't stop herself, either.

  Morgan yanked the phone from Nico's hand and threw it across the room. It hit the wall, and barely missed Sullivan's head.

  He turned and glared at her. "We have an attorney in the family. I suggest you leave now, while you can."

  Nico turned to Morgan. "And I won't hesitate to arrest you for assault if you injure anyone. I also suggest you leave." He turned around walked away.

  She chased after him, stumbling. "How can you say that?"

  He spun around. "Because despite everything you've done to damage my reputation in the last week, I'd still rather see you get on a plane than end up in a jail cell."

  Her eyes lit up. "You want to see me? We still have a chance?"

  Freya's stomach twisted. If Nico didn't send her away, she would do it herself.

  "Don't you get it?" Nico exclaimed. "I keep telling you, we have no future! Leave me alone. Go back to New York and move on."

  "You don't mean that."

  Freya marched over to Nico. "You'd better believe he does. Get out of my sister's house."

  Morgan glared at her. "You're the one he thinks he's choosing over me?"

  "Thinks?" Nico asked.

  "What's so special about her?" Morgan's face twisted into a scowl. "She's barely pretty. Looks like one of those pitiful girls who started out as a loser and then got a makeover."

  Shale came over, fist raised. "No one talks about my sister that way."

  "I think I just did, pretty boy." Morgan narrowed her eyes at Shale, daring him to hit her. "Got a cop right here. Go ahead and hit me."

  "Sure." Shale's fist pummeled toward Morgan's cheek.

  Nico blocked it just before Shale made contact. "I don't want to see you arrested."

  Morgan's expression softened. "You do care about me, Nico. You protected me from him. I knew you would."

  "I was protecting him."

  Tears shone in her eyes. "You don't mean that."

  "Every bit as much as I did the other day."

  "We're meant to be together," she insisted. "High school sweethearts. Voted best couple. Our babies will be—"

  "Stop!" Nico shouted. "We don't have babies, nor will we ever."

  Morgan's mouth shook. "What about growing old together? Remember when we talked about that?"

  "That was what? Fifteen years ago? Pretty sure it was before I could even drive. Get out of here. I can have a restraining order ready before you know what hit you."

  She folded her arms. "I'm not going anywhere without you."

  "Then you're going to be sorely disappointed." Nico went over to where his phone sat on the floor. "You broke my screen."

  "And you broke my heart!"

  Freya rolled her eyes. "Don't you have any pride? Get out of here."

  Morgan turned to Freya, her face contorted. "It's all your fault, you ugly whore." She punched Freya across the face.

  It took Freya a moment to get over the shock and realize what had just happened. Her hand came to her face. It not only hurt because of the punch, but a ring had scratched her skin from the edge of her cheek all the way to the bridge of her nose.

  Shale threw a right hook, knocking Morgan back. Logan, Sullivan, and a number of guests swarmed around them. Everyone talked over one another. Logan dragged Morgan to the other side of the room, shouting at her. Freya couldn't hear what he said over the noise of all the other people.

  Morgan broke free of his hold and made her way back to Nico.

  The room quieted.

  "I'm going to need another phone, Morgan!"

  "If you take me back, I'll pay the damages." She batted her eyes.

  "Have you lost your mind?" he shouted. "I didn't want to see you when you first showed up. Now you don't want to know how I feel."

  Her mouth dropped.

  "Get out of here," Shale exclaimed. He went over to Morgan. "You've managed to completely ruin my party, not to mention my sister's mirror. That used to be our grandmother's."

  Morgan's brows came together. "Boo hoo."

  "Get out of here before I hit you again."

  Her mouth formed a straight line. "Go ahead. I'm going to press charges, anyway. My fiancé is a cop." She dug into her purse and pulled out a large diamond engagement ring and gazed lovingly into Nico's eyes. "Remember this?"

  His eyes widened. "I've never seen that before."

  A look of hurt crossed Morgan's face. "You gave it to me the other day at Roosevelt's." She turned and glared at Freya. "Right after she left."

  Nico rubbed his temples. "You're delusional." He shook his head. "If I supposedly gave that to you, why haven't you been wearing it? Showing it off?"

  Morgan's expression softened. She glanced at Freya. "Because I was waiting for you to break things off with her first. Isn't that what we agreed on?"

  A sharp pain ran through Freya's head, behind her eyes.

  Logan came over to them. "You need to leave the property now, Morgan. This is a private residence and you were not invited. The owner wants you to leave. This is your last chance to leave without any kind of legal action."

  "And you are?"

  "An attorney you don't want to mess with. Many have tried, all have regretted it."

  She flicked her head toward Nico. "I'm not leaving without him."

  Freya shot a dirty glare at her. "Over my dead body."

  Morgan smirked. "All the better."

  Shale ran over to her, fists raised again. "Why, I'm going—"

  Logan blocked him. "Don't. One punch was protecting your sister. Another will be harder to defend if she presses charges."

  Morgan rubbed her face for the first time since being hit and glared at Shale. "You'd better believe it, pretty boy."

  Shale lunged for her, but Logan stopped him.

  "She's not worth it."

  "Oh, believe me, this will be worth it." Shale fought against Logan.

  Sullivan came over and helped Logan. "He knows what he's talking about. Don't risk losing your new job we're here to celebrate." He glared at Morgan. "Get out of here. We're done asking nicely."

  She jutted her chin out. "Fine. But like I said, only with my future husband."

  "You think you're scoring any points with him?" Freya demanded.

  "Doesn't matter. He's going to choose me over you, skank."

  "Get out of here." Logan narrowed his eyes.

  "Before you find out what it's like to be hit by all of her brothers." Sullivan clenched his fists.

  Morgan straightened her back. "You don't have to act like that. I'll leave." She stumbled away from them and then turned to Nico. "You're going to r
egret letting me leave by myself."

  "Just get out of here, Morgan."

  Red crept into her face. Then she turned and pulled a framed painting off the wall.

  "Wait—" Dakota cried.

  Morgan held it up over her head.

  Sullivan ran toward her, reaching for the painting.

  Morgan smashed it against a chair. The frame broke, glass shattered, and the painting ripped apart, making a horrifying tearing noise.

  Dakota gasped. "That was a signed original Soren Vidarsson painting."

  "Get another one," Morgan snapped.

  "He was an Icelandic painter who disappeared years ago." Dakota leaned against the wall, staring at the destroyed artwork. Tears filled her eyes.

  "Get out!" Freya shouted. "Leave us alone."

  Morgan narrowed her eyes and reached for another painting.

  "Stop!" Nico exclaimed. "I'll go with you."

  Freya's heart sank, but she was glad Morgan wouldn't ruin any more of Dakota's things.

  Nico hurried over to Morgan. "Let's go. You win." He turned to Dakota. "I'm so sorry about your broken mirror and painting. I'll pay for them both."

  Dakota frowned. "I appreciate the sentiment, but there's no way to put a value on either one."

  "I'll find out what they're each worth," Nico promised. "And double it for the emotional value."

  "Don't worry about it." Dakota's face fell and she scuffled away.

  Sullivan chased after her.

  "How dare you?" Shale yelled. He swore at her.

  Nico glanced around the room. "I'm really sorry." His gaze met Freya's. He begged her forgiveness with his eyes.

  Freya spun around before he could see the tears in her eyes. She ran up the stairs to her room, kicked off her shoes, and climbed onto the bed.

  Footsteps sounded behind her.

  "Are you okay?" Shale asked.

  Freya shrugged.

  The bed dipped as he sat behind her. "Sorry you had to witness all that. If it makes you feel any better, her hard head bruised my fingers."

  She grinned and turned to him. "You always know how to make me smile, even when I don't want to."

  He shook his hand. "You think I was kidding about her head?"

  Freya laughed and a tear slid down her face.

  Shale pulled her into a hug, holding his strong arms tightly against her so she couldn't escape.

  "Thanks, Shale."

  "I meant what I called her down there." He released his hold on her.

  Freya sat upright. Another smile tugged on her mouth. "I don't think Mom has ever heard you use such colorful language."

  He laughed and shook his head. "I'm pretty sure I soiled her image of me."

  "It was bound to happen eventually."

  "Probably. Hey, you want to head downstairs and have a drink? I could sure use one."

  She let out a long, slow breath. As good as a drink sounded right then, she shouldn't encourage Shale. "I don't really feel like facing everyone down there."

  "Are you suggesting we bail on our own party?"

  Freya shook her head. "No, but I think you are."

  "It sounds like people are leaving, anyway."

  The front door closed downstairs and several cars started.

  "I feel bad for Dakota," Freya said. "We should help her clean up."

  "We'll help clean up, but then I'm taking you out for drinks."

  She tilted her head. "Shale."

  "I didn't say to get plastered. We'll drink responsibly. As soon as you tell me to stop, I will."

  "Are you sure?"

  "Scout's honor."

  Freya laughed. "I guess I can't turn that down."

  Shale rose and helped her up. "Better put your shoes back on. I'd hate to see you step on any glass."

  She grimaced. "Good point."

  When they got downstairs, more guests were leaving but some were helping to clean up.

  Sullivan came over to them. "Are you okay, Freya?"

  "Yeah."

  He gave her a knowing look. "Your smeared makeup tells me otherwise."

  "She will be," Shale said.

  Freya turned to check her makeup, but a blank wall greeted her where their grandmother's mirror had been. She turned back to Sullivan. "How's Dakota?"

  Sully frowned. "Upset, as expected. Logan's talking with her about legal stuff."

  "Good," Shale said. "That psycho needs to be dragged through the wringer."

  "We're going to help clean up," Freya said.

  "No." Sullivan shook his head. "This was supposed to be a celebration for you two. We've got it."

  "But—"

  "Get some air, you guys."

  Shale grabbed Freya's jacket from the closet. "He's right. Come on."

  Twenty

  Freya leaned against the counter and set her margarita down.

  "You sure you don't want something stronger?" Shale asked.

  She blinked a couple times, trying to get rid of the sudden dizziness. "He made this plenty strong."

  Shale raised a hand and nodded toward the bartender. "Thanks."

  "Anything for you, Shale buddy."

  Freya and Shale sipped their drinks in silence for a few minutes. He put his drink down and turned to Freya. "How am I supposed to move on from all this?"

  She put her glass down. "Have you talked with anyone about any of it yet?"

  He shook his head. "I told you. I don't see the point."

  "The point is someone else might be able to help you better than I could."

  "And do you know how long it took me to tell you?" He took another swig.

  Freya pulled some hair back behind her shoulders. "Doesn't mean you have to wait that long to tell someone else. Didn't Mom and Dad have a miscarriage before having us?"

  He sighed. "I don't want to talk about this."

  "And you really think you're going to get better at keeping it in?"

  Shale narrowed his eyes. "I didn't invite you here for a lecture."

  Freya frowned. "Sorry. They might be able to help since they been through something similar. I know it's not the same, but I haven't been through anything like that, so I don't know what to tell you."

  "Good, because I don't want to talk about me. Let's talk about Nico."

  She took another sip of her strong margarita and closed her eyes.

  "What's up with that psycho ex?"

  "She seems fairly self-explanatory."

  Shale asked for another drink. "Is she a threat?"

  "Not according to Nico."

  "He did leave the party with her."

  Freya glared at him. "You'd rather he left her at Dakota's house to keep ruining her things? We can't replace Grandma's mirror or that painting."

  "Sounds like Nico's going to try."

  She shrugged.

  "You guys pretty serious?"

  "We've only been out on one date." Freya finished off the drink and leaned on the counter to keep herself from falling off the barstool.

  Shale laughed. "You're such a lightweight."

  "I have to be," she snapped. "Sorry. I don't have much of a choice in my line of work."

  "You could gain fifteen pounds and still be skinny, you know."

  "Guess we'll find out."

  They sat in silence for a few minutes while Shale drank his refilled glass.

  "Want to get out of here?" Freya asked.

  "You only want the one drink?"

  The room still felt like it was spinning. "Yeah."

  Shale paid the tab.

  "I can cover mine," Freya said.

  "No, I want to celebrate my new job by taking my twin out for drinks."

  "Okay, thanks." She grabbed onto the counter and balanced herself as she climbed off the stool. Her feet weren't steady underneath her.

  "How much did you drink back at the party?" Shale asked.

  She shoved him. "Just a glass of wine. Like I said, that margarita was strong."

  "Not that strong."

  Shale p
ut his arm around her and helped her out of the building. "Freya," he exclaimed.

  "What?"

  "You're just skin and bones. What's going on?"

  "Nothing, okay? Just keeping the figure I'm expected to."

  He swore. "That can't be healthy."

  Clearly. If her trip to the hospital wasn't a wakeup call, nothing would be. "I've been eating more since I got back."

  "You'd better." They stepped out into the night air. "Want to go back to the beach? At least it won't be freezing like the last time."

  "Sure. You okay to drive?"

  "I'm fine. I can handle a couple drinks." He helped her into the truck and drove the short distance to the bay.

  They found a piece of driftwood not far from the shore and sat on it in silence. Some joggers ran by with dogs and sprayed sand on them. Shale brushed it off. "Are you okay?"

  "It's just sand."

  "No, I mean with everything." He turned and stared at her. "I get the feeling you're as much of a mess as I am."

  "Thanks."

  "How'd you get that bruise on your forehead?"

  Her hand went up to it. "How'd you see it?"

  "Because I'm your brother. Twin ESP, remember?"

  "It's nothing. Morgan—"

  "You had the bruise before she showed."

  Freya's mouth dropped.

  "I told you." He tapped the side of his head. "What happened?"

  "Like I said, it was nothing. I tripped on the job. No big deal."

  He arched a brow. "Really?"

  "Yeah." She narrowed her eyes, daring him to push it.

  "Models fall all the time on big-name shoots?"

  "Sure."

  "Yeah, right. What really happened? Keep in mind I can see through your lies."

  "I'm not—" She stopped herself. She was lying. "Fine. I passed out. Took my diet a little too far. It's no big deal, though."

  He tilted his head and studied her. "Is that why you're back here?"

  She looked away.

  "Your secret is safe with me. Even if you didn't know mine."

  "I'm fine, Shale. I'm eating enough now."

  "Okay, but I'm going to check on you."

  Relief swept through her. She turned to him and wrapped her arms around him.

  "Love you, too, sis. So, what are we going to do about your boyfriend?"

  She leaned back. "What do you mean?"

  "After that whole thing with his ex." Shale's phone beeped. He pulled it out and texted someone. Then he turned back to her. "What does it mean for you guys?"