Oceans Apart (Ocean Dreams Book 1) by Emma Fitzgerald

the stick of gloss on the counter, she hurried to open the door. With a grin, she flung it open but instead of seeing her Surfing Sex God, her venomous looking sister was standing there. Brown curls sat nicely on Tracey’s shoulders like she had just been coiffed at the salon. The black pantsuit looked fresh and wrinkle free, not as if it had been on a flight for twenty-four hours. Tracey was neatly put together. Something their Mother had always told them to be.
    Annie narrowed her eyes. “What the hell are you doing here?” Annie accused.
    “Well, the same could be said for you, sister dear.” Tracey stuck one hand on her hip and ripped her dark sunglasses from her face. Her lips drew themselves into a thin, straight line as her eyes bore into Annie’s. Pushing past Annie, Tracey waltzed into the suite and looked around.
    “Beautiful. Still doesn’t explain why you think you deserve to be staying in a place like this.”
    “For God’s sake, Tracey. Can you take that stick out of your ass for just one second? The whole world does not revolve around you.” Her voice had risen. Tracey had just jumped all over Annie’s happy mood and Annie wasn’t going to give her sister an inch.
    A maniacal laugh came from Tracey. “So you think staying here means that people are going to take notice of you? Come on now, Annie. Tell me what are you really doing here? Is it just to be noticed? I hope you aren’t using my name.”
    “Why would I do that? No one knows who you are here.” Annie flung back at her. If Tracey wanted a fight, Annie was willing and waiting. No more being pushed aside and into the background.
    Tracey scoffed as her mouth dropped open. “Of course they know me here. I performed over there two years ago, sister dearest,” she said as she pointed toward the Opera House. “The hotel manager was very accommodating when I insisted that I needed to see you. He gave me your room number immediately.”
    “I bet he did,” she scoffed. “That was a while ago though. They didn’t want you back then?” Annie threw back at her.
    Tracey’s head whipped around and her eyes narrowed. “Listen, Annie. I don’t know or really even care why you’re here. I just came to make sure you don’t cash in on my name. People aren’t interested in no name little sisters who can’t keep dead end jobs. So why don’t you just pack your bags and head back to Nashville where you can keep out of trouble.”
    “And why wouldn’t anyone be interested in her?” A familiar male voice came up from behind her. Annie turned around to see Cam at her back and he looked as mad as hell.
    Tracey seemed taken aback. She composed herself and sauntered forward toward him. She held out her hand to him. “I’m sorry? You are?”
    “None of your business. I know who you are and you’re not welcome here,” Cam said with conviction. “No one has the right to treat Annie like she is a nobody, especially family.”
    A disgruntled and annoyed looking Tracey said, “Really! You’re probably just using my sister to get at me anyway.”
    “In your dreams, love. Now, why don’t you get out of here and leave Annie alone.”
    “I see.” Tracey’s disdain for the man in front of her was now obvious with her upper lip sneering at him. Moving to the door, Tracey said, “Well, don’t come crying to me if this little adventure of yours turns to shit.” She marched passed them both but stopped at the door, turned around, and ended her performance with, “And Annie, don’t think this guy is hanging around for long. I can tell from just looking at him that he is a player from way back.” Throwing her sunglasses back over her eyes, Tracey turned and left.
    Cam shut the door to the suite. “Good riddance.” He turned around and noticed that Annie was gone. He checked the bedroom and bathroom but found no sign of her. Stepping out onto the balcony, he found her sitting on the ground, huddled up in the corner. Her arms were wrapped around