Page 59 of Roses, Pearls, and Hot Summer Nights
Julian squeezed her arm. “I’ve been trying to talk you into using one for convenience for ages, but you hate flying. Why the sudden change of plans? Get in the limo with us.”
A gust of wind hit us then, lifting the tendrils of her hair, and I could almost see the girl from the journal in Dina’s expression. “Vic used to tell me, Dina, you should do something new every day. Never get stuck in monotony. Of course, he said it while we folded clothes in a stockroom. Something new to him meant trying a different fruit or walking in the rain. He never could have imagined me riding to the Hamptons on a helicopter, but I think he would be so proud.”
She waved her hand, blinking fast as if she could clear her gaze of the memories. “Here is my car now, to take me to the helipad. Get in the limo, kids. Be good company for Alatheia, then I will see you all at the cottage. Goodbye, my loves.”
Dina rushed toward her car, blowing us air kisses before she vanished into the vehicle.
“You have helicopters?” I was a few seconds behind, but that casual mention of them stunned me. “Really? You ride helicopters to the Hamptons, back and forth?”
Phoenix shrugged. “I hate them, personally. I don’t mind airplanes but helicopters suck. Come on. Let’s get the trek back to the Hamptons done as quickly as possible. I’m leaving as soon as the welcome party is over.”
No one mentioned a party to me, but then again, he might mean something else entirely. I wondered if there ever would come a time I wouldn’t feel like the outsider, never knowing what would happen next, just going where they shoved me.
The doorman , Rick, and the driver loaded my suitcases into the car while we all loaded into the seats. I glanced at the guys, surprised when I realized there weren’t more suitcases. “You don’t need bags?”
Barrett shook his head. “It’s our house, so we have everything we need in both places.”
And their grandmother was hopping on a helicopter. I bit my lip, reminding myself they lived in a different world than the one I knew. “Should I sit somewhere specific?”
Barrett and Julian were already seated with their backs to the driver. Jeremy patted the seat next to him, so I took it. Phoenix got in on my other side. I was surprised he didn’t take the row by himself.
He stared at me for long seconds before he spoke. “Were you crying? Where is Granny?”
We had just discussed it. He had even participated in the moment. How out of it was he right then? I didn’t answer, but I wished he would get some sleep. His hands shook as I watched him tuck them over his chest. He still hadn’t slept.
“Did I remember to bring my board?” he added, glancing at each of his brothers.
Barrett groaned. “No. Hold on. I’ll go get it.”
“Traveling with us is such a joy,” Julian said then winked at me.
I took a deep breath. Whatever happened, for the moment, I was safe in the car with them. I couldn’t stop one question from banging around in my head, though. Did my mother overdose on drugs, which left me at the mercy of her family? I chewed on my lip. Did I really want to know?
17
Julian handed me the book he’d picked out for me from the library. “I grabbed it while I was in your room. I figured you would probably want something to read, since we’ll be in the car for a long stretch.”
Barrett winced, glancing out the road at traffic. “Here’s hoping it’s more like three hours and less like five today.”
I gawked at him. “People make this trip all the time? With this kind of traffic?”
Phoenix squirmed next to me, and I glanced at his tired eyes. “What else are they supposed to do with their time? Is anyone going to tell me where Granny went?”
Jeremy shook his head. “We spoke about it, but I guess you were in la-la land. She took a helicopter back.”
Phoenix shook his head, confusion obvious on his stark features. “Why? She hates flying.”
“She wanted to try something new every day,” I explained. Phoenix lifted his eyebrows before he sank down in his seat.
Finally, he spoke again, gesturing at the traffic. “Well, now you can see why people pick the chopper. It is the same reasonwe usually use one. In fact, why are we taking the limo, driving all these hours, when we couldallbe on the fucking helicopter?”
Jeremy grinned. “Great question, actually. The limo pulled up, she told us to get in, so we obeyed. Were you just completely blanked out for all of that?”
He scrubbed a hand across his face. “I guess so. I’m tired.”
And in withdrawal, if his hands were any indication, but I wasn’t going to point it out. Despite the drugs, he smelled good.
I opened the book Julian gave me and tried to remember where I left off last.
