Brightest (Brighter #2) Read online

  “Come on, Alina.” Jen pulled my hands down. “The weather just doesn’t cooperate sometimes.” She shrugged. “It’s okay to care about more than one thing…it’s not like you were just gonna leave him alone the whole time.”

  “That’s what ended up happening, though.” I was being irrational, but damn it, I was tired and so over this.

  Jen eyed me over the top of her bottle.

  Just then, Bodhi popped his head up the stairs. “Um, Alina? There’s someone here to see you.”

  Confused, I glanced down at my phone. Almost everyone I knew was off island, and Caroline was with Miles. Before I could ask, another face appeared.

  Tanned and weathered, with a salt and pepper beard that hadn’t changed in twenty years.

  My father.

  Chapter Eight

  I rose from the table, staring in disbelief. “Dad?”

  “Hey, babygirl.” He chuckled, coming the rest of the way up the stairs. Midnight bounded over, sniffing excitedly at Dad’s ancient boots.

  “How…how’d you know I was here?” I sputtered.

  “Your mama told me where to find you,” he said, giving me a hug. He smelled just like he always had, of Old Spice and leather.

  I hugged him back, head spinning. This was all too weird. “But how are you here?”

  “I just got in; Cassius dropped me off.”

  “What? All flights are grounded!”

  “All commercial flights, babygirl.” He winked. “Not puddle jumpers. You remember Cassius, right? Santa Clause? The year we went camping for Christmas when Adam was two and…” He trailed off, waving his hand. “Anyway, we took the Cessna down to the DR—they got great fishing down there.” He sighed. “Then Eleanor acted up, and we were gonna ride it out there, but Sharon gave me a call. Said you were here by yourself, and I couldn’t have that.”

  “Oh.” I glanced over his shoulder, where Bodhi was still gaping at the top of the stairs. My dad was a fantastical character, so I was used to stories like this, but I could see how crazy it would be to anyone else. “Well, I’m not really alone, but…thanks.” My heart turned over in my chest. “Thanks for coming.”

  “Bah, come on.” He shook his head. “You think I’d leave my little girl to fend for herself?”

  Sometimes I did think that. “Well, Dad, this is Bodhi—”

  “Yeah, we met,” he said, turning to give Bodhi’s hand a brisk shake. “Fine place you got here.”

  “Uh, thanks,” said Bodhi, smirking. “You want a beer, man? I still got a cooler full downstairs.”

  “Sure! Whatever ya got.”

  “And this is my friend Jen,” I said, leading him over to our table. “She’s with Bodhi.”

  “Nice to meet you,” she said, shaking his hand.

  “You too, hon. Sorry it’s not under better circumstances, but, that’s life, isn’t it, Alina?”

  “Yeah, I guess,” I said, staring at him. He was in a t-shirt he probably had since I was, like, seven, and oil stained khakis that had seen better days.

  “I’m so glad you came,” said Jen, grinning. “Are you from Florida, too?”

  “Born and raised,” he said proudly. “Spend my days between Marathon and Key West, fishing.”

  “Oh man, you and my dad would get along fine,” she said. “He fishes all over Oregon.”

  They fell into a grand old conversation about boats and fishing while I texted my mother. I’d called her earlier, when I’d first realized I’d be stuck on St. Croix, but it’d been a while.

  A while in which she had obviously been fretting and plotting and convincing my dad to come save the day.

  Dad is here.

  Oh, I’m so glad he made it! I knew he would.

  I rolled my eyes, smiling. He’s crazy.

  He’s your dad.

  You’re crazy too, for encouraging this.

  :) How’s it going down there? Did you guys get everything ready for tomorrow?

  Yes. Bar and house are both as ready as possible.

  Good. I’m praying for you!

  Thx mom. You think Eleanor’s coming up your way?

  They’re saying it’s supposed to weaken after making landfall in the islands, but we’ll see.

  Ok. Love you.

  Love you too. Glad Dad’s there.

  Before long, Bodhi returned with the whole cooler of beer and several of the guys from downstairs. My father was in his element, sharing story after story of his adventures at sea and in the Keys to a captive audience. These guys had all grown up around the water, and they were eating it up.

  Jude called during the Great Barracuda Battle of ‘94. I slipped away, finding a quiet corner of the terrace to talk. “Hey.”

  “Hey, babe. You still at the bar?”

  “Yeah, we’re just hanging out. Would you believe my dad showed up?”

  “Your dad? From Florida?”

  “Yeah.” I laughed, shaking my head. “I guess my mom called him, all worried because I was going to be here by myself during the storm. He and his friend were already in the DR, so they flew over in a Cessna. Or something. He’s crazy.”

  “Wow.” Jude chuckled softly. “That’s pretty cool. Wish I was there to meet him. You think he’ll stay?”

  “Who knows?” I paused, glancing back when the table erupted into laughter at someone’s joke. “How’s your dad?”

  “He’s all right. Tired. Looking forward to Thanksgiving, even though he doesn’t have much of an appetite these days.”

  “Thank God, you made it up there, Jude. Imagine if you’d taken a later flight.”

  “I know; I’ve been thinking about that. I need to come up more often.” He exhaled slowly. “It sucks seeing my dad like this, but we’ve had a good time.”

  A soft wind blew, cooling the sweat from my neck. “That’s the way it is sometimes…the good with the bad.”

  “I miss you.”

  “I miss you, too.” I closed my eyes. “I should’ve gone with you.”

  “You ever been to Boston?”

  “No.”

  “There’s a lot to do. You’d like it.”

  “I bet,” I said, thinking about the pictures I’d seen earlier. “So, Ariel’s there, huh?”

  He chuckled quietly, and if I didn’t know better, I’d have thought he sounded uncomfortable. “Oh, you know?”

  “She posted a picture of you all in a bar last night.”

  “She don’t waste no time, eh? Yeah, we ran into each other at an old hangout. She’s visiting her parents for Thanksgiving, too.”

  “What a coincidence.”

  “She uh…came over earlier, to see the family.”

  “She came to your house?”

  “Well, my parents know her and Ivy from high school days. We used to all run around together, remember?”

  “How could I forget?”

  “Don’t feel no way, Alina. You know it’s not like that.”

  “How am I supposed to feel?” I laughed bitterly. “I fucked up by staying here, and now she just happens to show up there? Whatever. She probably knew you were going to Boston.”

  “I doubt it.”

  “Really? I don’t.” When he stayed quiet, I cleared my throat. “Look, I gotta go. I think we’re heading out soon.”

  “Alina…”

  “What? We’re about to have a hurricane, lest you forgot. There’s stuff to do.”

  “Mhm.”

  “Give your parents my love.”

  “Just my parents?” he teased.

  My heart flipped. “You know I love you.”

  “Love you, too.”

  I hung up and pocketed my phone. I trusted Jude and knew the situation was exactly the way he’d described, but it pissed me off all the same.

  ~

  Unlocking the door, I led Dad and Midnight inside. He whistled lowly as I flicked on the lights.

  “Some place he’s got here.”

  “It’s been in his family forever,” I said. We’d been through t
his in the car, but he had selective hearing. “Hey, I’m gonna take Midnight out and then I can get you set up, okay?”

  He slid into a seat at the kitchen bar. “Take your time, kid.”

  By the time Midnight had done his business, it was nearly eleven. Yawning and sweaty, I locked the sliding glass doors and returned to the kitchen. Dad was reading an old magazine he’d found on the counter. I watched him for a moment. Most of my feelings toward him were tinged with irritation, disappointment, or regret, but now that he was here I had nothing to say.

  “You hungry?”

  “Nah.” He set the magazine down. “Your friends were generous with the chips and salsa.”

  I nodded. “Guest room’s this way.”

  He followed me down the hall, remarking on the thick concrete walls and mahogany shutters, the art depicting life in 18th century St. Croix.

  I glanced back at a painting he’d stopped in front of. “That’s in Frederiksted, the little town on the west side.”

  “Beautiful.”

  “It is.” It wasn’t lost on me that suddenly I was the tour guide. “A lot of St. Croix looks the same way it did way back then. Lots of history here.”

  “Maybe you can show me around, once this hurricane passes.”

  “Oh yeah? You planning on sticking around?”

  “Why not? I gotta meet this guy you’re shacking up with.”

  I wrinkled my nose and continued down the hall. “Riiiight. You’ve always been the traditional type.”

  He guffawed, making Midnight bark from the other room. “Is that sarcasm?”

  “Dad, you’ve never cared who I dated. Don’t see why it matters now.” I stopped in front of the last door on the left. “Here you go. There’s a bathroom attached; I’ll grab a couple of towels.”

  “Thanks, babygirl.” His eyes crinkled. “And I do care. You left Florida for this guy…of course I want to check him out.”

  I cocked my head. “I thought you came because of the hurricane.”

  “I did. But I woulda come eventually.” He smiled, pulling me into a hug. “It’s good to see you, Alina.”

  ~

  When I wandered into the kitchen in the morning, Dad was already fussing around.

  “Good morning,” I said, gravitating toward the coffee maker. It was full; brownie points for that.

  “Morning, babygirl. I moved the car, brought it closer to the house. And I turned down the temperature in the fridge and freezer in case the power goes out.”

  “I didn’t even think of that…thanks.”

  “Sure. Took a shower, filled the tub in my room. You might want to do that.”

  “Okay.” I yawned, adding milk to my coffee.

  “You guys did a good job with the shutters, though. This place is built like a fortress.”

  Bodhi and Jen came around nine in the morning. Caroline and Miles followed an hour later. The guys set up outside, grilling chicken and kabobs so we could feast before closing up.

  Hurricane Eleanor wasn’t due to make landfall until three. Jude’s house had a good view of the ocean, allowing us to keep an eye on it as it grew angry and wild, miles away. By one o’clock, threatening, grey clouds swirled over our heads. We cleaned the grill and secured it inside the shed, then shut ourselves inside the house. The sliding doors were the only ones that didn’t have shutters, but according to Jude, they were made of reinforced glass. I was grateful for them, as the rest of the house was now gloomy and dark. We sat at the table playing cards and drinking, watching the wind throttle the trees like an invisible giant.

  “I still can’t believe your dad’s here,” whispered Caroline, when Bodhi and Miles sneaked off to find the mamajuana.

  I shook my head. Dad was examining his hurricane map, despite the mess of cell phones giving him the same, and probably more accurate info in real time. “You’re not the only one.”

  “He really came through.” She sighed happily. “Papa Wright.”

  “You always were a sentimental drunk,” I teased, poking her.

  “What? I know he’s flaky as fuck, but he showed up, didn’t he?”

  “He did.”

  “I think God brought you two together for this. I think you should lay it all out, talk to him.”

  I side-eyed her. “Okay?”

  “I’m serious. When was the last time you really talked to him?”

  Thankfully, Miles chose that moment to reappear, brandishing a big, brown bottle. “You want some?”

  “Sure.” I retrieved a set of shot glass from the cabinet and lined them up on the counter. “Dad, you want some?”

  “Some what?” He glanced over, adjusting his glasses. “Mamajuana? They have that down in the Dominican Republic.”

  “Don’ know,” said Miles. “You have to try some of mine, Mr. Wright—it’s tradition.”

  “Crucian tradition or hurricane party tradition?” I called.

  “Both.” Miles winked, filling the glasses. “You having some, Pops?”

  ~

  We lost electricity, and then cell service, sometime during the night. This was probably a good thing—not having access to my phone. Otherwise I’d be tempted to stalk social media and see what that bitch was up to, or drunk dial Jude. And I was drunk. Drunk enough that everything was funny, and I couldn’t stop eating Tostitos, and I was almost considering trying whatever Miles and Bodhi were toking up on in the bathroom.

  “You know we can all smell it,” I groused as I passed the closed door. Caroline’s giggle floated out, and I froze, yanking the door open. “Caroline? Have you lost your mind?”

  “No,” she squeaked, rushing past me in a cloud of smoke.

  “You are such a bad influence,” I told Miles. “And put that shit out. Does Jude let you smoke in his house?”

  “Only during hurricane parties, Mom,” Bodhi said, giving me a lazy grin. “It’s all good. You want some? Maybe your dad—”

  “Don’t you dare.” I shut the door, even though a tiny part of me did kind of want to. Did Jude still smoke sometimes? It wouldn’t have surprised me.

  I found Dad in the living room, putting new batteries into one of the lanterns. “I was wondering when you’d notice,” he said, chortling. “Those boys have been in there forever.”

  “Ugh. Please tell me you’re not next.”

  “I gave that stuff up long ago.” The lantern came on, filling the room with a warm, yellow glow. “Makes me a little too mellow.”

  “God knows we don’t need that,” I said, collapsing onto the couch.

  “You should bring Jude to the Keys,” he said. “Show him where we used to camp.”

  “I will, eventually.”

  “We had a lot of fun, didn’t we?”

  I opened an eye, watching him. “Yep.”

  “Adam’s been after me to go next summer. Wants us all to go, like old times.”

  I stayed quiet, not trusting myself to speak when I’d been drinking like this.

  “Talk to me.” The couch dipped beside me. “You’ve been funny since I got here.”

  “I’m all right,” I said, surprised he’d noticed. He’d always been in his own world.

  “You sure? Your mom said you were a little upset you couldn’t go up to Boston.”

  “Well, yeah. This trip was a big deal.”

  “You can always go another time.” Dad propped his feet on the coffee table. “I’m a little surprised your boy didn’t stay down here with you, though.”

  I bristled. “Jude’s dad is sick. He had to go.”

  He nodded, and we sat in silence for a while. The wind howled incessantly, and I shivered, glad we were safe in this house. Caroline passed by with Miles, smiling serenely. “You want some rum cake?”

  I snorted. “You go ahead. I had some earlier.”

  They disappeared into the shadows of the kitchen, shining a flashlight around.

  “I get that,” Dad said, exhaling.

  “What?”

  “Hard decisions. We can’t a
lways do what people want us to.”