Brody (14 page)

After buying a new phone charger for my car, I’d gone to the store and picked up the items she needed, then I made a pit stop at a high-end accessories store to buy a pair of lamps to replace the one I’d broken. I still cringed when I thought about her picking up the broken pieces of ceramic while she cursed me for being a brainless hothead.

For all I knew, she’d called my family to tell them dinner was off, and that she never intended to see me again. But if that was the case, I suspected my brothers would have been blowing up my phone by now, demanding to know what I’d done to screw things up with Riley this time.

After lugging the bags through her posh lobby, I was grateful to step onto an empty elevator. Once inside, I glanced at my reflection in the mirror before pushing the button for Riley’s floor. Over the last few days with Ri, I’d looked and felt more like myself than I had in years. Instead of picking up my suits from my brother’s house, I chose jeans, T-shirts, and ball caps. And it felt good. Really good. Comfortable, like slipping back into my own skin.

When I reached Riley’s door, I tapped before walking in, unsure what kind of reception to expect.

She was walking down the hall from her bedroom, her hair upswept, wearing a low-cut black pantsuit and heels. “I wasn’t sure you were coming back.” She eyed the bags in my hands. “I was just considering whether to call your family and cancel.”

She had every reason to doubt me. I’d performed the vanishing act dozens of times over the course of our relationship, sometimes disappearing for days after we had a fight. “I’m sorry about the way I acted earlier.” I handed her the bags containing the carefully wrapped lamps I’d selected for her. “These are to replace the one I broke.”

Riley extracted a lamp from the bag and set it on the end table where the other lamp had been. “Thank you, but you didn’t have to do that. I could have picked up another one tomorrow.”

She sounded so cold, so distant, and I had only myself to blame. “I was way out of line before. I reacted without thinking.”

“Yeah, you do that a lot.” She set the other lamp on the neighboring table, removing her own. “I guess some things never change.”

I knew that was her way of letting me know she didn’t think I was capable of changing, in spite of my claim. I set the bag of groceries down and reached for her arm when she walked past me with the spare lamp in her hand.

“It was just the thought of you loving someone else,” I said, desperate to make her understand. “That, and knowing he wants you back. What the hell am I supposed to do if you decide he’s a safer bet?”

He was a doctor, known for being responsible and trustworthy. People put their lives in his hands, for Christ’s sake. Parents entrusted him with their children. How was I supposed to compete with that?

“There will always be the risk of one of us meeting someone who appeals to us more,” she said, stepping out of my grasp. “That’s called life. A wedding ring and piece of paper don’t mitigate that risk. So if that’s why you suggested we get married all of a sudden—”

“It’s not.” At her skeptical look, I said, determined not to lie to her, “Exactly.”

“That’s what I thought.” She made her way down the hall.

I followed her to her home office and watched her set the lamp on the corner of her L-shaped desk. “I don’t know what you want from me. I thought you wanted to get married.”

Looking at me, her eyes brimming with sadness, she said, “I wanted to marry you for the right reasons, because we love each other, not because we’re scared and need reassurance.”

“Maybe I am scared.” It had been a long time since I’d admitted that aloud. “Scared of losing you again.” I stepped into the small room, backing her against the desk. “Being back with you…” I sighed, lowering my head. “It makes my crazy life make sense again, Ri. Not once since I’ve been here have I had the urge to hit the road again. Not even to gamble. That says a lot about where my head’s at, don’t you think?”

“I want to believe it does.” She rested her hands against my chest. “But I can’t pretend that what happened today doesn’t concern me. You blew up like—”

I silenced her with a kiss. “I was an idiot. But I get crazy jealous over you, Ri. I always have. I’d like to claim I’ve changed since high school, but obviously I haven’t. I probably never will in that regard.”

She closed her eyes, looking as though she was trying to rein in her frustration. Knocking on my temple, she asked, “What do I have to do to get through this thick head of yours?”

I smirked. “I don’t know.” I set my hands on her hips, drawing her closer. “But if anyone can, it’s you.”

“I remember when we were in high school,” she said, tipping her head back to look at me. “You were one of the hottest guys in school. The quarterback of the freakin’ football team.”

I smiled at the memory. I had fielded offers from colleges all over the country. I was young, in love, and believed I had the world by the tail. Until Riley told me she wouldn’t be going with me to school. That changed everything.

“Yet you still got freaked out when other guys flirted with me.” She rolled her eyes. “Like I would have so much as looked at someone else.”

I knew my fear of being left by a woman stemmed from my mother’s death. I didn’t have to be a shrink to see the connection. I stroked Riley’s cheek. “You were so beautiful. Every guy in school wanted you.” Leaning my forehead against hers, I said, “And you were mine.”

“I’m still yours, Brody. Can’t you see that? I always have been.”

My breath stuttered as I hugged her tight. “Then you forgive me for overreacting earlier?”

“Of course I do.” She smiled when I kissed her gently to avoid smearing her rosy lip gloss.

I should just be grateful, leave well enough alone, but I’d always had a hard time doing the safe thing. “Tell me the deal with the doctor. Why’s he still contacting you? Do you want me to talk to him, set him straight?” Nothing would give me more pleasure, and I was sure Riley knew that.

“I can handle him.” She grabbed my shoulders, turning me to face the door. “You just go and jump in the shower while I finish up dinner.” She checked the diamond watch I’d given her for her thirtieth birthday. “I should have just enough time to make those meatballs, if I hurry.”

“Baby,” I said, bringing her hand to my lips, “thank you for doing this. I don’t think I could get through this without you.”

Her smile was soft when she caressed my cheek. “It’s my pleasure. Now get in there and shower.” She ran her hand over my cheek and winked. “Don’t forget to shave.”

I rubbed the scruff on my jaw. “What’s wrong? You don’t like?”

“Oh, I like it,” she said, licking her lips. “But I don’t want to get beard burn on my thighs later.”

“Is that right?” I asked, crushing her against my chest. Screw the lipstick. She could touch it up later. I couldn’t wait all night to taste her. After a kiss that left her moaning, I asked, “You got big plans for me later?”

“The way I see it,” she said, looping her arms around my neck, “you’ll want to make up for being such an ass to me earlier, and I can’t think of a better way. Can you?”

“Definitely not.”

***

I was sitting next to Cole on the couch while everyone else was crowded around the dining table, drinking and snacking on Riley’s appetizers.

“So how’s school, kid?” I asked, nudging him.

“Good. Hey, you’ll never guess who our new principal is.”

“Who?” I reached for my beer. If I was going to get through the impending conversation with my brothers, I just might need half a dozen more.

“Mr. Andropolous.”

“You mean Dean?”

“Yeah,” Cole said. “He seems like a pretty cool guy.”

“He’s the best.” We’d played high school and college football together. Since he was the only guy I knew when entering unfamiliar territory, we became even closer in college than we’d been as high school teammates. We’d even roomed together our first year. I smiled as I thought about some of the trouble we’d gotten into together over the years. “Hard to picture him being the disciplinarian though.”

“He’s got a good rep,” Cole said, reaching for his water. “Tough but fair.”

“Yeah, that sounds like him.”

“He said you should stop by and see him. You know, if you’re going to be sticking around a while.” Cole gave me a sidelong glance. When I nodded before tipping back my bottle, Cole asked, “Are you gonna be sticking around? You know, now that you and Riley are back together?”

“Nothing’s been decided yet, but I’m in no hurry to go anywhere,” I said, glancing into the kitchen where Macy and Mac were helping Riley. I’d offered to help her, but she shooed me out of the kitchen, claiming I’d only be in the way. Unfortunately, she was right. I was a lousy cook. Except for making my woman breakfast in bed. That I could handle.

“I’m glad.” He elbowed me in the ribs. “I’m glad you guys are back together too. You’re happier when you’re with her.”

Sometimes I forgot my nephew was growing up. He was practically a man now, one who’d always looked to me to set a good example, according to Ryker. And I wanted to do right by Cole, and everyone who’d put up with my B.S. while I tried to get my head screwed on straight. Especially Riley.

“She does make me happy,” I agreed, smiling when I caught her eye. “Real happy.”

“Mr. A says football used to make you happy too.” Cole reached for a handful of the pita chips Riley had left on the table for us. “In fact, he said you were the best ball player he’d ever played with.”

That game had been my life. Along with Riley. At eighteen, I couldn’t have imagined losing either one, yet somehow I lost both. “That’s nice of him.”

“He’s, uh, looking for a new head coach for the football team,” Cole said, obviously trying to gauge my reaction. “The coach had a heart attack about a month ago. The assistant took over, but he hasn’t got what it takes to lead the team.”

“Huh.” There may have been a time when I thought about being a football coach, but I assumed that would be after a long and illustrious professional career.

“Could you see yourself doing something like that?” Cole asked. “Being a high school football coach?”

I chuckled. “I don’t know, kid. It’s pretty far removed from the life I’ve been living. I’m not sure I’m the right guy to coach impressionable teenage boys.”

“Why not?” Cole asked, folding his arms. “You’ve helped me a lot.”

I smiled, thinking how lucky I was to have him and his brother in my life. They’d given me a taste of what it might be like to be a dad, taken some of the fear out of it for me. If not for them, I might still be running scared instead of putting down roots with the woman I loved.

“I’m glad.” I peeled the label off my beer, propping my ankle on my knee. “Sometimes I feel like I’ve failed you though. I haven’t always been there when you needed me.” There had been times when I was on the road, on a three-day bender, and Cole had called or texted me with a problem and it took me days to get back to him. “I’m sorry about that. I didn’t always have my priorities straight, but I do now. Family first.” And Riley, who I hoped would officially be a part of my family very soon.

“You have nothing to apologize for, Uncle Brody. Seriously, you’ve been, like, my rock.”

I’d never been the steadfast type, so that surprised me. “I think you’ve always seen something in me I don’t always see in myself,” I said, nudging his shoulder with mine. “Thanks for that.”

Color crept up Cole’s cheeks before he dipped his head to hide a smile. “You really want to thank me? Take the coaching job at my school. It’d be really cool to have you around all the time.”

“You think so?” I smirked. “I wouldn’t embarrass you in front of your friends?”

“Are you kidding?” He drew back to stare at me. “You and Uncle Seb are, like, celebrities. My friends think you guys rock.”

I laughed. The kids’ parents probably had a different opinion of a professional poker player influencing their kids. “What about your dad? He’s something of a celebrity in this town too.”

“Well, yeah,” Cole said, shrugging. “But he’s our dad. It’s different.”

Glancing at my older brother sitting at the table beside his oldest son, I said, “Don’t ever take your dad for granted, Cole. You don’t know how lucky you are to have him.”

Cole watched his brother and father, smiling. “Yeah, I do. It really sucked when Mom and Dad separated, not having him around all the time. I missed him.”

“I hope you told him that.” Ryker was one of those guys who did everything for everyone without expecting anything in return. But given how hard he tried to be a good role model for his sons, I knew it would mean a lot to him to hear from them that he was hitting the mark.

“Yeah, sure.”

“Okay, guys,” Riley said, standing in the doorway. “Dinner’s ready.”

“We’re ready,” I said, wrapping my arm around Cole’s neck when we stood. “Aren’t we, kid?” I wasn’t sure I was ready, knowing the news I was about to impart would send everyone reeling. But I had to man up and tell them, no matter how hard it was. I waited until everyone was seated before I stood at the head of the table, my bottle in hand. “So listen, before we get started, I should probably tell you why we invited you here tonight.” Before I lose my nerve.

Riley gave me a reassuring smile before reaching for my hand. Jesus, I needed this woman.

“You guys are getting married?” Ryker asked, looking from me to Riley. “Please tell me that’s it. You finally came to your senses and asked this gorgeous woman to be your wife.”

“That’s not it,” Riley said, offering Ryker a tight smile.

After our argument earlier, I should be grateful she was even still talking to me, but it still stung that she shut down the topic of marriage so quickly.

“Um…” Everyone looked at me expectantly and my stomach clenched. Nervousness was such a foreign feeling for me, it took me a full minute to recognize that’s what it was. “So the old man came to see me in Vegas last week.”

“What?” Ryker leaned forward, fisting his hands on the table. “Surely you’re not talking about our old man? The deadbeat who walked out on us? On Mom? More times than I can count?”