Young and Restless Read online

  Young and Restless

  By

  Imari Jade

  Young and Restless

  Copyright © March 2015 by Imari Jade

  All rights are reserved.

  No part of this e-book may be used or reproduced in any manner whatsoever without written permission, except in the case of brief quotations embodied in critical articles and reviews.

  This book is a work of fiction, and any resemblance to any person, living or dead, or any events or occurrences, is purely coincidental. The characters and story line are created from the author’s imagination and are used fictitiously.

  ISBN: 978-0-9864137-6-6

  Cover by For The Muses Designs

  Book design by Bob Houston eBook Formatting

  Sugar and Spice Press

  North Carolina, USA

  www.sugarnspicepress.com

  Chapter One

  Harper Kehoe looked down at his future daughter-in-law, Tricia Morrison. She sat in a cell after having been involved in a fight with his ex-secretary from Niigata Entertainment, Barbara Peters. “You are the last person I expected to have to bail out of jail. Or you two,” he said to his sons Damien and Kevin. “You’re lucky no charges have been filed against you.”

  Tricia scowled at him. “Yeah, well, how come I don’t feel so lucky?”

  Besides messed up hair and wrinkled clothing, Tricia didn’t look any worse for wear.

  The other young woman, Barbara, had a black eye and a busted lip and her clothes were ruined. It looked like someone dragged her across the floor a couple of times. Harper had sprung her first and she was sitting quietly in the intake office until he returned.

  An officer arrived and unlocked the cell. “You’re free to go, Miss Morrison.”

  Tricia rose from the bench, stretched, and walked out.

  Harper bowed to the officer. “Arigato.” He turned to Tricia, Kevin and Damien. “Let’s go. We have to stop at the in-take desk and pick up your personal belongings.”

  The group walked past some other holding cells filled with young people. Harper shook his head. There must have been a full moon last night. The officer followed them to a bigger room. Barbara sat on a bench with many other people who had just arrived to get their loved ones. Harper had bailed her out first and then his sons.

  The officer entered a door and appeared again in front of a glass window to dole out the small plastic bags that contained wallets, keys and anything else the kids had in their pockets when the officers brought them there.

  His sons thanked the officer.

  Tricia did not. She had a lot of attitude for someone he’d paid a fortune to have released. Maybe he should have left her there to teach her a lesson, but her mother, Shaundra, wouldn’t have appreciated him doing so. And he never wanted to do anything to make the only woman he’d ever loved mad.

  Barbara walked out of the door before him, while the other three followed him out of the station.

  His present lady friend, Amaya Saitama, leaned against the limousine talking with his driver Chihaya. She looked up as they headed toward the car. “It’s about time.” She climbed into the car. Since her divorce had become final the two of them now spent a lot of their free time together. They were just coming home from a date when he received the call from the authorities about the kids.

  Barbara got in next, followed by Damien, Kevin, and then Tricia.

  Harper didn’t like the seating arrangement. Damien was seated next to Barbara and Amaya, while Kevin sat next to Tricia. Harper had to sit next to Kevin, facing the other three. So why aren’t Damien and Tricia sitting next to each other? And why is Kevin holding Tricia’s hand? He knew the two of them had gotten close over the last two years while they attended college in New York, but this seemed a bit too much. “Will someone tell me what happened?”

  Barbara spoke up first. “Tricia attacked me in the ladies room.”

  “I did not,” Tricia said. “It was you.”

  “You hit me first,” Barbara shouted.

  “And I’ll punch the hell out of you again if you don’t stop lying, you stupid bitch,” Tricia said just as loud.

  Oh, so much anger. Harper had never seen this side of Tricia before and he’d known her since she was a little girl. Young women should not be brawling in night clubs like common ruffians. “What were you fighting about?”

  Both women looked at Damien.

  Damien quickly turned his head and wouldn’t look at either of them.

  “Oh!” Harper said. He couldn’t say he didn’t see this coming. He’d noticed too that Damien and Barbara spent a lot of time together at work. They even went to lunch together most of the time. Was Tricia jealous because she thought Damien and Barbara had something going on? Ridiculous. Damien loved her and would never cheat on her. Well, she just better stop acting so silly. Both Damien and Barbara worked for Niigata Entertainment, one of the largest idol-making companies in Japan. Damien was a publicist for the male J-Pop groups Distraction and Aomori and he had just been put in charge of Kazumi, a female group. Barbara had gotten a promotion to management after she graduated. Hell, he even threw a graduation party for both Barbara and Damien a couple of weeks before Tricia arrived in Japan.

  Harper turned to Kevin. “How did you and your brother get involved?”

  “Because we were trying to stop the two of them from fighting,” Kevin answered.

  “You were in the ladies room?” Harper asked.

  Amaya chuckled.

  “No,” Kevin answered. “The fight had moved out to the dance floor.”

  “But I don’t understand why they arrested the two of you,” Harper said.

  “Four Americans in a Japanese night club—you figure it out,” Kevin said angrily

  “Are you saying the police picked on you because you aren’t Japanese?” Harper asked.

  “Yeah, welcome to my world, fellows,” Tricia said. “Try being black in America and Japan.”

  Harper shook his head at her. “You need to check that attitude, young lady.”

  “I don’t need to do anything except stay black and die,” Tricia said to him.

  Harper sat back in his seat. Okay, so she had some other issues too.

  “Ha, she’s just like her mother,” Amaya said sarcastically.

  Kevin caught Tricia before she got to Amaya. “Don’t let her bother you.”

  “I bet she wouldn’t say that to my mother’s face,” Tricia replied.

  Harper sighed. There was bad blood between Amaya and Shaundra. The two of them used to fight like cats and dogs when Shaundra first came to Japan. As far as he knew, the two of them were still mortal enemies.

  “I’m not afraid of your mother,” Amaya said to Tricia.

  “You should be,” Tricia said back to her. “No wonder Yori divorced your crazy ass. You need to stay out of other folk’s business.”

  That did shut Amaya up. She folded her hands and pouted.

  The sooner we get out of this limousine the better, Harper thought. He pressed the button on the control panel on the door and spoke to Chihaya. “We’re dropping Miss Peters off first. Give him your address, Barbara.”

  Barbara recited it loud enough for the driver to hear. A few minutes later the driver pulled up to the apartment building.

  “Thank you,” Barbara said as she moved toward the door. She rolled her eyes at Tricia.

  “Don’t have me whip that ass for you again,” Tricia said. She glared at Barbara.

  Harper was so glad he only had sons. Girls had too many conditions.

  Barbara got out and Damien moved toward the door.

  “Where are you going?” Harper asked.

  “I’m going to see her to her door and make sure she’s okay,” Damien answered. />
  Harper sighed. That one is definitely my son, but this is not going to turn out well.

  Damien returned and got into the car.

  The driver drove away from the curb.

  “Where to now, Mr. Kehoe?” Chihaya asked.

  “To the Yoshida residence.” Harper gave Chihaya the address. Since Tricia’s mother was currently out of the country making a movie, Tricia had been staying with Shaundra’s in-laws. Tricia had only been in Osaka a few weeks and Shaundra hadn’t wanted her to stay alone at the house. She thought her younger, single sisters-in-law would be better company for Tricia.

  Estuke and Hana Yoshida were nice, Japanese young women with old-world values. They were respectful and, as far as Harper knew, neither of them had ever been arrested. Hopefully some of their good qualities would rub off on Tricia. Oh, God, he sounded like a father. And he would have been Tricia’s step-father had Shaundra not married the youngest member of the J-Pop group, Aomori. Ichiro Yoshida was a sweet guy, but twenty-six years younger than the grand dame of erotic romance writing. Some say that it was love at first sight for Ichiro. Harper could understand that. It had been like that for him too when he laid eyes on the young black widow whose first book with his publishing company had sold a million copies. He could still remember that day as if it were yesterday. She walked in looking very together with a huge afro, a business suit and a sexy smile.

  Chihaya parked in front of the Yoshida house and Tricia moved toward the door. “Arigato,” she said to Harper as she stepped out.

  Kevin moved toward the door.

  “Where are you going?” Harper asked him.

  “I’m going to see Tricia to her door.” Kevin disappeared before Harper could stop him. That one was way smarter than him.

  Amaya still had that smug look on her face.

  Damien just stared out of the window.

  Harper looked too.

  Tricia kissed Kevin on the cheek and entered the house.

  Kevin came back into the car with a smile on his face.

  Damien glared at him.

  Nope, this won’t turn out well. Harper pressed the button. “We’re going to pick up my sons’ cars next.”

  “Yes, Mr. Kehoe,” Chihaya said again.

  Damien told the driver the address of the club.

  Neither Kevin nor Damien said anything to each other. Harper remembered how close the two of them used to be. Kevin idolized his older brother and wanted to follow him everywhere. Now they traveled different paths and were as opposite as night and day.

  Kevin had landed a high-paying job at a prestigious engineering company as soon as he arrived in Osaka. The company gave Kevin a car and a luxury apartment. Kevin had nothing to worry about financially. He was intelligent and in hot demand by other companies. But he was shy around others, except Tricia.

  They reached the night club parking lot. Harper supposed there would be some restitution to pay to the club owner for any damage. He’d call them later after he got some sleep.

  Kevin started out of the car first. “Arigato,” he said and headed toward his car

  Harper looked out of the window. It was the first time he’d seen it. Damn. That company must love my kid.

  “Arigato,” Damien said. “I’m sorry we interrupted your date.”

  “Try to make up with your brother,” Harper said. “You are the eldest.”

  “He’s not a child anymore,” Damien said.

  “Yeah, but he’s still your brother.”

  Damien got out and headed for his car without answering.

  Harper had the driver wait until both of his sons drove away.

  “You know he’s not going to make up with Kevin,” Amaya said. “Both of them are very stubborn young men.”

  “Yeah,” Harper agreed. “They take after their mother.” Hell, he hadn’t thought about his ex-wife in a while. She’d recently gotten remarried and he thought maybe that’s why Kevin now acted the way he did. She hadn’t gone to Kevin’s graduation. She just sent some money and a card. Kevin had given the money to charity and set the card on fire. Harper sighed. He still didn’t know what he’d seen in that woman.

  Amaya moved over and snuggled closer to him. “They are going to have to work this out for themselves, Harper. Blood is thicker than water.”

  ****

  The Yoshidas were still asleep when Tricia entered the house. She locked the door and went up to the room assigned to her. Tricia was bone tired, confused, and very angry. She turned on the light and headed to the bathroom. She looked into the mirror. Damn, I look like a hot mess. She removed her makeup with cold cream, showered, and put on a nightgown. She removed her cell phone from her purse when she walked back into her room and placed it on the night table beside the bed. Tricia turned on the television, turned off the light, and crawled under the covers.

  Maybe I should go back to America. She was tired of people fucking with her for no reason, and the natives weren’t very friendly. But she wasn’t a quitter and she had a job lined up for the fall as a teacher at an elementary school and she’d signed a contract. She frowned. Barbara had gone out of her way to mess with her last night. And Tricia did not regret hitting her back. And she’d do it again if provoked.

  Tricia gazed up at the television screen. The movie was in Japanese. She knew some words but not enough to figure out what was going on. She yawned. She’d promised Hana Yoshida that she’d work at the family restaurant later and she would do it so she could get her mind off the fact that the man she was supposed to marry had defended Barbara and not her. That hurt more than anything. Well, at least now she knew where she stood with Damien. She wasn’t stupid or a glutton for punishment. Barbara could have him. There were plenty of other fish in the sea.

  Her cell phone beeped. Tricia rolled over and grabbed it off the nightstand. It was a message from Kevin. “I believe you,” it read. “Let’s meet tomorrow night for dinner.”

  Well, at least she had one person on her side. She texted back. “Okay. Good night.” She placed the phone back on the stand, turned on her back, and went to sleep.

  ****

  Hana and Estuke Yoshida were already up, dressed, and had breakfast ready by the time Tricia made it downstairs later that morning. She tried to put on a brave face but the sisters were very observant.

  “How was your date?” Estuke asked. She was the younger of the two sisters, and three years older than Tricia.

  “Disastrous,” Tricia answered. Why lie when they would obviously find out about it? “I got into a fight and got arrested.”

  “What?” Hana asked. She was the eldest, and definitely the wisest. “What happened?”

  “I got into a fight with Barbara Peters.”

  “Damien’s co-worker?” Hana asked.

  “Yes, well she showed up at the club with Damien and then she tried to ambush me in the ladies room. We ended up fighting like a couple of kids.”

  “That must have been some fight,” Estuke said. “You didn’t kill her, did you?”

  “No,” Tricia answered. “But our fight moved from the ladies room back into the lounge. Then someone called the police and we all got hauled off to jail.”

  “Who else was involved?” Hana asked as she got the juice ready.

  “Damien and his brother Kevin. They tried to stop us but got caught up in it.”

  “What did she say to you?” Hana asked.

  “I can’t remember exactly, but I know she said something about my mother, and not in a good way.”

  “Oh,” Estuke said. “Now I understand. I would have wailed on her butt too.”

  Tricia chuckled. The situation was serious but it was so out of character for Estuke to say something like that. She was usually so meek. “Yeah, well, I don’t regret it now that I know she wants Damien.”

  “Oh,” Hana said. “Seriously?”

  Tricia nodded. “Yes. She told me.”

  “How did you get out of jail?” Estuke asked as she placed the plates of food on th
e table.

  “Arigato,” Tricia said. “Harper Kehoe bailed all of us out and then dropped me off here.”

  “Oh, the future father-in-law.”

  “Yeah, his current girlfriend Amaya was with him.”

  Both women turned up their noses.

  “Apparently they had just returned home from a date when Damien called him.”

  Estuke sat down. “Was he upset?”

  “Yeah, but mostly at me.”

  “Why you? Didn’t you explain to him what happened?” Hana asked. She sat down at the table too.

  “I didn’t get a chance to,” Tricia answered. “Harper jumped on my case as soon as he got to the cell and Barbara told him I attacked her. Since we were the only ones in the ladies room at the time it’s my word against hers.”

  “I don’t condone physical violence,” Hana said “But I hope you kicked her butt.”

  “She’s a hair puller,” Tricia said. “I had quite the headache when I got here a couple of hours ago.” She chuckled. “But she’s never going to be able to wear that outfit again and she’ll have to wear some makeup to cover up her bruises.”

  Both sisters laughed.

  “I’m glad you’re okay,” Estuke said. “And if it’s any consolation, I believe you.”

  “Thanks,” Tricia said looking down at her Japanese breakfast and tried not to make a face. Some things just took time getting used to.

  “So how do things stand with you and Damien now?” Hana asked.

  “I think it’s over,” Tricia said. “Why would I want a man who won’t defend my honor?”

  Estuke nodded. “You can always date one of the members of Distraction or Aomori.”

  “Yeah, but those guys are like big brothers to me. Well, maybe not Distraction, since they’re younger and shorter.”

  “You can always date Satoshi,” Estuke said. “He’s single.”

  Satoshi Hayashi played the piano for Aomori. The two of them had dated before. And the leader Yori was available too now that he’d divorced Amaya. Both guys had admirable qualities, but they were both interested in her mother and she didn’t want to compete or be a substitute for her. “Maybe I’ll meet some other nice Japanese guy.”