Chapter One
Prudence Clearwater
I couldn’t wait to get out of this city. London had been my home for my entire life. My childhood was spent in the busy metropolitan, fighting the streetwalkers and traffic. My favorite music store was still on Abath Road. It’s where I got my first guitar. Now the shop looked run down. It seemed like I was their only customer—ever.
I went to Cambridge for university and got my flashy degree. It had absolutely nothing to do with music. Perhaps that’s why I hated it so much. But I had to choose chemistry to receive free tuition since my dad would only pay for a science degree. I was grateful I received any education at all, but I still felt resentful toward my father. He didn’t support my dream. And he didn’t think I had any talent. Maybe I didn’t.
“I still can’t believe you’re going to the States for the summer.” My brother held my carry-on while he walked me to security. “Now I won’t have to deal with your drama. It’s a breath of fresh air.”
I shoved him gently. “You know you’ll miss me.”
“Nope.”
I shoved him again. “Well, I’m not going to miss you either.”
“Ha.” It was his turn to shove me back. “You’re going to call me every day like you always do.”
“And you’ll answer, like you always do.”
He shrugged then adjusted the strap on his shoulder. My brother and I were closer than most siblings. After the difficult childhood we had, we were forced to depend on each other. We both went to university together but received very different degrees. He was always protective of me, so I knew this was more difficult for him than he was letting on.
“Don’t do anything stupid, alright?” He stared me down.
“When have I ever done something stupid?”
“What about when you locked yourself in the lab on campus?”
He was never going to let that one go. “I let my assistant borrow my keys. She was the one who locked me in there on accident.”
“And who’s the one who got you out?”
“Gavin, Mason, and Desi are all going to be there. I’m not going to be alone.” Seriously, my brother acted like an overprotective parent. But I let it go since I knew it was coming from a good place. And I’ll admit it was nice to feel loved by someone.
“Call me if you need anything—anything.” He gripped my shoulder and looked me straight in the eye. “I’ll be on the next plane.”
“I know.”
Jeremy looked at his watch. “Your plane is boarding soon.”
“I guess this is goodbye.” I could tell my brother didn’t want it to be. And to be honest, I didn’t want it to be either. But for a very different reason.
“Yeah…I’m just glad you’ll only be gone for the summer.”
I averted my gaze because I couldn’t look at my brother. Not when he said that.
“Hey, mate.” Gavin approached us then clapped Jeremy on the shoulder.
My brother nodded to him then looked away. It was clear Jeremy didn’t care for him. Gavin turned his gaze on me. His green eyes immediately lightened a shade. “We need to chivvy off. I’m excited to get on American soil.”
Mason and Desi appeared a moment later, both carrying their gear. Desi had a large pink bag. It exceeded the weight limit for a carry-on, and I wondered how she was going to get it on the plane.
Desi dropped the bag on the floor, unable to hold it a second longer. “My parents cried their eyes out at the curb.” She rolled her eyes. Her light colored hair covered one shoulder, and her golden hoop earrings shined under the florescent lights of the terminal. Her hard and defined body was noticeable, even under her hoodie.
Mason tapped her bag with his shoe. “You got a lawn mower in there?” He crossed his large arms over his chest then looked down. The black tattoos on his forearms showed the outline of drumsticks, his instrument of choice. He tapped it again, and a quiet bell rang out. “Are the tambourines in there?”
Desi shrugged. “Maybe…”
“Why do you need those for the carry-on?” Gavin asked. He shook his hair out of his face. It was a habit that never died out. The annoying thing about it was the length of his hair. It wasn’t even that long. I stopped myself from rolling my eyes.
“I didn’t have any room,” Desi snapped. “And I’m not trusting the airlines with these.”
“I’m sure my drum set will be fine,” Mason said.
“It better be,” Gavin said. “Otherwise, our budget is gone.”
Jeremy listened to my friends speak but he didn’t participate. I knew he was still emotional about me leaving. Normally, my brother was easygoing and calm. But I could see the pain in his eyes. He felt obligated to protect me, and when I was out of his reach, it made him nervous.
Gavin grabbed the other bag from my shoulder. “Allow me.” My bag was purple with yellow writing, clearly a feminine purse.
“I got it, Gavin.” I extended my hand.
“Don’t worry about it.” He cleared his throat then looked at Jeremy. “Pru will be fine. I’ll watch her.”
My brother clenched his jaw but held his words back.
Mason looked at the clock on the wall. “We should get moving.”
“Please,” Desi said. “I’m ready to meet some American boys.” She picked up the bag again and struggled with it.
Gavin extended his hand to Jeremy. “She’s in good hands.”
Jeremy didn’t shake it. Instead, he pulled me into a hug. “Are you sure you’re okay with this?” His voice was quiet.
“Yes.” I gripped him tightly. We hardly shared affection, but I wanted to feel his embrace in that moment. He was the mother and father I never had. “I wouldn’t be going if I wasn’t sure.”
“Please be safe.”
“I promise.”
He pulled away and looked at me one more time. Then he pulled out his wallet and handed me a credit card. “It has a thirty thousand dollar limit. Use it in emergencies.”
I felt awkward holding the heavy metal card. My brother was a successful investor and had clients all over the world. He just bought himself an Escalade for his birthday. Money was never an object for him. But I still couldn’t take it. Not even if he was the wealthiest man in the world. “No, thank you.”