“I have resources for you. People you can talk to about your options, whatever they may be,” Bee voiced gently, setting the sketches back on the dresser and pressing her back against it.
“I’m not one of your cases, Bee.”
“You make that sound like a bad thing, Coast. I care about people. Particularly my own, whether they’re blood or share the same ancestry. We are all family in one way or another. I do what I do because I know what we are all capable of and what we can be when we come together. Your parents never thought putting down roots mattered. Between the two of them, I’ve never met two more selfish people,” she conveyed, pushing herself off the dresser. “You and your brothers deserved better.”
“It wasn’t as bad as you might think.” Coast turned her head and looked Bee in the eye. “I learned how to survive on my own. When it came down to nothing, somehow, we just figured it out. Left me quick on my feet, easily adaptable?—”
“And afraid of stability,” Bee declared. “Let’s keep that real. You can glamorize it all you want, but you and your brothers were always inches away from becoming state property, just like all those kids I come across on a daily basis. Your parents were just damn lucky and masters at improvisation.”
“What’s so special about your life?” Coast wondered, eyes lifting to the ceiling. “You don’t have any kids, no man. You live here alone in this big, old house, and never left your hometown. You call it stability; I call it being boxed in.” She scooted to the edge of the bed and tossed her legs over the side. “You think because you stuck around and became some martyr that it makes you better than anyone else?”
Something flickered behind Bee’s stare, causing her eyes to mist before she canvassed Coast from head to toe.
“I’ve never been one to complain about my life.”
“Who would listen?” Coast shrugged. “The only people you talk to are at Haven House. I’ve been here almost a week, and nobody has come to see you, and your phone is dry as hell. So, tell me, Bee, are you happy? Since you want to analyze me and my life like this is some fucking therapy session!”
“Let’s be clear and on the same page from this moment forward.” Bee stepped toward her and didn’t bother raising her voice.
Coast still caught chills from the ice in her tone as her eyes suddenly swam with darkness and bounced around hers.
“This is my fucking house. Don’t ever disrespect me again. Whatever trauma you’re feeling, leave that shit at the door when you walk in, or don’t come in at all. We might share DNA, but I don’t have to be your family, Coast. If you want to walk around here like I did something to you because I suggest you figure out your fucking life… that’s on you. I’ll take $350 a month for your room and board. Buy your own groceries.” She pivoted toward the door but stopped when something else came to mind. “Oh, and you’re still going to help me with Haven House. Starting today. Inari will be expecting you to pick up those pieces around ten. Bring them over to the rec center and make sure Laci inventories everything. She’s also going to give you some flower arrangements. We’re going to use those at the tournament. I expect you there by one p.m.”
Coast had a rebuttal, but from the look on Bee’s face, she knew she’d already said too much and couldn’t take it back. She’d rubbed her wrong, insinuating that her and her brothers weren’t raised right because they didn’t spend their whole lives in the same place. Did she used to think about it when she was a kid? No doubt, but her parents always made sure life was a good time for them. An adventure no matter where they went or what they had.
Her brothers, Llyr and Zale, were both men with morals, just not the average kind. It was nothing for them to be on a cruise one day, stop on some random island to party, and take another boat to a new place, all within twenty-four hours. The minute she turned of age and got to go out on her own, she couldn’t wait to join them. What she discovered was that there weren’t alot of ways to make a lucrative income without scheming. She’d learned her way around some state-of-the-art facilities with the best security and been able to pull off what seasoned thieves wouldn’t dare try. That life was fun, but it wasn’t realistic if she valued her freedom. The rest of her family was comfortable living on the edge and even thrived there, but Coast found herself eventually wanting more. Coming back to Ree Heights was supposed to be a way of starting fresh and figuring out what the rest of her life looked like.
A couple of hours later…
“Hi, welcome to Vintage Vault!” The pretty, golden brown skinned girl behind the glass encased counter greeted Coast when she stepped inside.
The place even smelled ancient, but it was something she loved. Eyes roaming over the different antique pieces, she stopped in a section where old canvas paintings hung in no particular order.
“Is there something I can help you with? My name is Inari.”
“Oh, I’m Coast.” She spun on her heel, her romper hugging her a little tighter than when she’d purchased it a few months ago.
Now that she knew she was with child, she felt like she was getting bigger by the day. Soon, people would be able to tell. She needed to go to the doctor and see how far along she was, so she would know her options.
“Right. Bee’s niece?” Inari checked with her.
“Until she disowns me,” Coast jested, adjusting the strap to her bag and joining Inari at the counter. “This place is dope. Ican’t believe I’ve never been in here. I love vintage stuff. Do you have any old cameras?”
“We do, actually. I can show you the collection over here. Then, I’ll go grab those items that I put together for Bee, and we can load them in your car.”
Inari dealt with clients all day, looking for various pieces. Seeing the curiosity and excitement behind Coast’s stare was part of the reason she did this. She was also gorgeous, with a radiating aura surrounding her that Inari bet she didn’t even know she had. Coming from behind the counter, covered in a green, gold, and brown floral print maxi dress that draped to her feet, she stepped past her. The different tones accented her skin and perfect day glam beat. Coast peeped the Van Cleef necklace and matching earrings and bracelet as well. Inari had taste, and it was expensive.
“Here they are.” She stopped at an antique cabinet that housed several cameras from different eras in time. “If anything catches your attention, let me know, and I can unlock the case for you.”
“You have a Contessa Nettel.” Coast breathed.
She’d been obsessed with that camera since she was a little girl.
“Yeah, it has a leather carry case too. It’s going for around $650, ballpark.”
“About $650 too much for me.” Coast examined the other pieces in the collection.
“You a photographer?” Inari questioned.
