Fall For You: A Reverse Grump Romantic Comedy (A Season's Detour, Book 2)

by Hayleigh Sol

  “Yeah, I remember scary poetry week.” I faked a shudder.

  “Well, this would’ve been like that. Only scarier. Believe me when I say you should be grateful I arranged for Dad to take her out to the hotel for a few days so they could ‘get a sneak peek at the venue’.” A guilty expression marred Tracie’s features. “I feel kinda bad for the staff. She’ll have a million questions that Ashley already has the answers to.”

  “Well, at least you found the perfect place for wedding weekend. And sending your mom out there probably helps her feel included in the planning process.” A necessary distraction, since Tracie had already been feeling overwhelmed by her mother’s frequent reminders of what had to be done and when.

  Once we got Tracie into her dress, we discovered the bodice was still lumpy. The seamstress and I worked together, poking and prodding the bride in her most ticklish areas in our quest to figure out what was causing the problem.

  When the older woman suggested she steam it, my friend and I were left alone in the fitting room. I asked how everything was going with her, both wedding and non‌–‌wedding‌–‌related.

  “Ashley’s handling most of the wedding stuff, thank God. She’s coordinating with the caterers Garrett vetted and the venue‌—‌oh, that reminds me, don’t forget to book a room there so you don’t have to drive back after the reception and then out again for brunch the next day. Which you’re not obligated to go to, by the way.”

  “Already done. And I’m here for you for every bit of this tragedy‌—‌I mean, triumph.”

  She laughed and shook her head at me. “Very funny, Oscar. You’re not nearly as cantankerous about this whole thing as you think you are.”

  “I’m excited about your bachelorette party, that’s what’s distracting me from the fact that you’re voluntarily handing over your freedom. To each their own, I guess.” She grinned as I grumbled out the last. “Is there anything you need from me before next weekend?”

  Tracie sat up from where she’d slumped on the fussy couch in the room. “As a matter of fact, I could really use a stand‌–‌in.”

  “As much as I love you, you’d have to drag me kicking and screaming to get me to an altar.”

  “You’re just full of jokes today, aren’t you? Hmmph, maybe I shouldn’t give you the extra ticket after all‌…‌”

  “Ticket to what?”

  She made a show of feigning interest in the display of veils she wandered over to. “Oh, just a concert Friday night. Noah had to go out of town and I’d rather not go alone. They’re a cover band, a really incredible one, we’re hoping to hire for the reception.”

  “Noah’s out of town? I thought he didn’t have any more trips planned until the first of the year, after the wedding.”

  Tracie’s shoulders shrugged as she twisted in front of the mirror to evaluate the elbow‌–‌length veil she’d donned. “Yeah, this one was unexpected. He flew out last night with Jessica.”

  Jessica?

  “What do you think, veil or no veil?”

  “I thought you’d decided veils were too fussy.” She’d told me she loved her dad to bits but he was a bit of a klutz who’d probably mangle the veil, her hair, or both when he deposited her in front of Noah on the big day.

  “Hey, Tracie.” Her lips twisted in consideration as she returned the veil to its hanger. “Who’s Jessica?”

  “His assistant. Although, wrangler or babysitter might be a better title. I’ve told you about her, she’s his master ball juggler.” Her glance caught my raised eyebrows. “Oh, not like that, you dirty bird. Jessica keeps things running smoothly for Noah, keeps him in line and on task.”

  “Trace‌…‌how old is this Jessica? And, um, I hate to say it but, how attractive?”

  She rolled her eyes at me. “Bailey, we’re getting married. I’m not worried about Noah leaving me for his assistant.”

  But he doesn’t have to leave to have an affair. “No, of course not. He’d be crazy to choose anyone over you.” I smiled at her, meaning what I’d said. But I couldn’t let go of that itch between my shoulder blades. “Do they have to travel together a lot?”

  Translation: Do they travel alone together often?

  “Bailey.”

  My eyes widened, conveying what I hoped was innocence. “What? I was just thinking she must get tired of it. Both of them probably do.”

  The corner of Tracie’s mouth turned down. Apparently, my innocent look needed some work. “I know it’s not Noah’s favorite thing to do, especially last‌–‌minute trips like this one. But it’s part of the job. It’s not just the two of them every time, by the way. Sometimes, he takes a team along; it depends on the situation.”

  Okay, was it just me or did that sound a touch defensive? Like she’d also wondered about Jessica. Or maybe she’d even had this conversation with Noah and he’d told her that bit about who he traveled with depending on the situation.

  “Any idea why no team this time?”

  Her hands went to her hips like she was a little annoyed I wasn’t dropping it already, but I also detected a hint of worry in her expression. “I was actually surprised he didn’t at least take some of his financial team or the project manager of the latest brilliant idea. He’s meeting with some new backers, a venture capital firm that suddenly had so many questions he thought they might be getting cold feet and it’d be better to meet in person.”

  “Okay, well, I personally don’t know what goes on in a meeting like that so I can’t guess who he might need there with him. I’d imagine, though, that he’d want to be prepared to answer anything they throw at him. That he’d want to leave no doubt he knows what he’s doing.”

  Tracie nodded, the unfocused look in her eyes telling me she was thinking the same thing I was. “Maybe‌…‌he didn’t want to take a bunch of people with him. It probably looks odd to be asking for money with your well paid staff in tow. Or, maybe Noah and Jessica know the project so well they didn’t need help answering questions. He’s showing the VC firm how knowledgeable and intimately involved he is.”

  Oo, bad choice of words. She had a knack for unintended innuendo.

  “With the project. Uggh, listen, Jessica is gorgeous and, like, twenty‌–‌six with perfect skin and hair and a tight bod‌…‌” She trailed off, realizing she was listing a few of every man’s favorite things. With an image‌–‌clearing head shake, she redirected her train of thought. “But she’s also a bit rigid, to be honest. Very focused on her career and moving up the ladder. I’d say she was uptight, if I was being unkind. Which is why she’s great at keeping Noah on track at work.

  “But, away from work, he needs someone he can be his goofball self with, someone he can play video games with all weekend, who he can ramble to about his latest crazy idea and she’ll listen without trying to figure out all the moving pieces for him right away.”

  I smiled softly at her. “And that’s what you do for him.”

  “Damn right I do. Everyone he dated before, the social climbers and actresses‌—‌”

  “D‌–‌list.”

  She chuckled at my addendum. “All those other women never really saw him for who he is. He told me that, you know. Told me that was when he knew I was the one for him, when he could just be himself without putting on a show.”

  “And that sounds like exactly the person he should be marrying.” I’d gotten the impression several times that Noah said all the right things but that, in and of itself, made me more suspicious. How could it not?

  “He does that for me too. Makes me feel like I can be my awkward self and it’s okay. More than okay. He seems to love my weirdness.”

  I nodded, deciding not to keep poking at the issue at the moment. Still unconvinced of Noah’s innocence, though. I’d just have to keep paying attention and asking questions.

  Even if it would hurt my friend, it’d be better to know he was a cheater now than after twenty years of marriage and kids, a dog, etcetera. I wouldn’t be a good maid of hono
r or friend‌—‌I wouldn’t be me‌—‌if I wasn’t watching out for Tracie.

  “Anyway, what do you think about checking out that band?”

  “What band?”

  She threw her hands up. “The one that’s playing Friday night.”

  “Oh, sure. Anything for you, babe.”

  With my brother and his girlfriend flying out the next morning and Mom taking them to the airport, this was my last chance for a visit. In spite of my concerns over Tracie’s groom, I’d been giving some real thought to what Dustin had said to me. Noah may or may not turn out to be what I suspected him of, and my father and ex had obviously done a number on my brain and heart. But finding out my brother hadn’t been the cheater I’d thought he was for so many years had shaken my worldview like an Etch A Sketch.

  Logically, I knew not every man was unfaithful. Just like I knew not every woman was faithful. But aren’t we all shaped by our experiences in life?

  Well, the men I’d let close, the ones I’d trusted most, had taught me that human males were no different than the majority of the animal kingdom. Propagation of a species depended on mating with as many females as possible. That instinct, even if producing offspring wasn’t the ultimate goal‌—‌quite the opposite, in the case of single dudes everywhere‌—‌was a driving force in human males too. They were hardwired to spread the love.

  Except, apparently, my big brother. Seeing him with Lindsay, knowing that they hadn’t both cheated on their significant others to hookup with each other, was eye‌–‌opening.

  As was his confession that he’d been afraid of ending up a miserable, lonely, old bastard. I understood a bit of that myself, though I believed I’d always have my best friends. The joy of lifelong friendships with five awesome women, the comfort of knowing they loved me the way I was and wouldn’t ditch me when something better came along, was all I needed.

  What if I’d found a man like my brother‌—‌ew, not exactly like Dustin. But what if I’d found a guy who’d seen me as my best friends did, who’d valued our relationship and been faithful?

  It was what I’d wanted as a little girl ‌–‌ a partner to share a life with. I’d clung to the idea even more when my father left. Aaron had shown me how foolish that was. But what if Aaron hadn’t been the boy I’d given my heart to, the one I’d put all my romantic hopes and dreams in?

  Curiously‌—‌annoyingly‌—‌Garrett’s face popped into mind. Mentally rolling my eyes at myself, I focused back in on Mom and Lindsay’s discussion about, what else, diet.

  “Well, I think Linds and I are gonna go get something to eat, then. Mom, you can stay and have your power smoothie and, Bay, you said you already ate?”

  I nodded at my brother and the couple left to seek out something besides what Mom could whip up in her blender. Trailing her into the kitchen, I leaned against the island and waited for the high‌–‌pitched whine of the machine to die down.

  “Those jeans look good on you, sweetie.”

  A compliment from my mother? How odd.

  “They hide that little muffin top you get.”

  Aaand, back to our regularly scheduled programming.

  “So, how about Dusty getting ready to pop the question? Crazy, huh?”

  She sipped at her smoothie and shrugged. “Not that crazy, they’ve been together for years. Marriage is the next logical step.”

  “People don’t have to be married to have a committed relationship, Mom.” Funny I would say that, since I didn’t think non‌–‌married couples had any better or worse chance than marrieds did of remaining faithful.

  “I meant that your brother always struck me as the marrying type. I don’t think he’d do as well on his own as you and I do.”

  Lord, is there anything as jarring as having your mother compare herself to you? Especially when you prided yourself on doing so many things differently in life than she did.

  It was a compliment, though. Mom wasn’t as stingy with praise on my business successes or life choices as she was with my physical appearance. For her to acknowledge that I was doing well without a romantic partner helped take the sting out of the muffin‌–‌top comment. Even when I’d wanted marriage and kids with Aaron, I’d never wanted to feel like I needed a man to complete me.

  “What do you think about them going to Dad’s place for Thanksgiving?”

  She shrugged again but her mouth turned down. “I guess it’s a good thing. You know we haven’t done anything for the day in years.”

  Yeah, because Dad left and killed the holidays for us.

  “What I meant was, can you believe our absentee father is trying to have a relationship with his kids after all this time?”

  Mom’s eyes cut to the side and she frowned again, then took another sip and set her cup on the counter. She watched her hands as they twisted the tumbler back and forth, her fingers as they traced the tears of condensation. “Well, I didn’t exactly make it easy on your dad to see you two back then. I feel bad about it now‌…‌but, if he’d wanted to be around, he would’ve found a way.”

  I didn’t know what she was referring to, I didn’t remember her making it difficult for him to spend time with Dustin or me. Maybe there’d been more going on behind the scenes than I’d realized. They’d always been pretty good about hiding fights and divorce details from us.

  She was right, though, that if his children had been important to him, he would’ve found a way. Instead, he’d made a new family and chucked his old one. “Yeah, he was too busy replacing all of us.”

  The bitterness was still there, more muted now than when I was sixteen. I realized I hadn’t really talked to Mom about how she felt about the affair. At the time, I’d tried, but she’d never wanted to discuss it. “I’m sorry he did that to you, Mom.”

  Her eyes met mine before she waved a hand through the air. “Well, thank you, but it doesn’t really matter now, honey. Who cheated on whom first. All water under the bridge.”

  Uhhh, what now?

  “What do you mean, ‘who cheated on whom first’? Did you‌…‌ Mom, did you have an affair?”

  Chapter 15

  “Mom?”

  The woman who’d raised me‌—‌on her own after Dad split when I was fifteen‌—‌the woman I thought had been the victim of a trashy, family‌–‌destroying affair all these years, crossed her arms over her chest and huffed out a breath. She was back to staring at the counter.

  “Bailey, you have to understand. Your father and I were only happy for a brief period of time after we got married. We were so young and we both had these ideas about what marriage would be like. I’d say that we should’ve waited until we were older, dated other people, but then we might not have you and Dustin.”

  “You haven’t answered me, Mom. Did you cheat on Daddy?”

  A frustrated glance flicked my way; I hadn’t called my father “Daddy” since he’d walked away from his family.

  Had there been a reason for him leaving that I’d never been privy to?

  “There was a man I worked with when you kids were little. It was just a stupid thing, a brief fling that didn’t mean anything.”

  The cheater’s creed.

  “Did Dad know?”

  Her shoulders shifted and she wasn’t quite meeting my eyes. “He never said but I’m sure he suspected. It was‌…‌very clear that our marriage wasn’t what we expected it would be.”

  “So he might not have known, and you never told him you’d cheated?”

  She frowned and opened her mouth, possibly to dispute the way I’d phrased it‌—‌without sugar‌–‌coated words like “fling”‌—‌then pressed her lips together in a flat line.

  “Bailey, the world’s not always black and white, you know.”

  “Of course I know that. But what about right and wrong? What about marriage vows?”

  I couldn’t decide which was more shocking ‌–‌ the fact that my mother had cheated first, or that she didn’t seem to be the least bit remorseful ab
out it. Had Dad known? Had he been too afraid to confront Mom and discover the awful truth? Had he been heartbroken but kept it to himself? Was that what had driven him into Virginia’s bed?

  But, no, I’d never believe that two wrongs made any of this right.

  In my book, there was no forgiveness for infidelity. Not that he’d asked for it. He’d run out on his marriage vows and his children as if his ass had been on fire. And married Virginia two lousy months after his divorce was finalized.

  Mom finally met my gaze, slumping as she leaned her hip against the cabinets. “I don’t know what to say, honey. I wasn’t perfect. Neither was your father. But you’ve never been married. You don’t know what it’s like, the pressure of committing to one person for the rest of your life. Especially when you start to suspect that person isn’t the right one. That you made a terrible mistake and now you’re‌…‌stuck.”

  Head shaking, I still couldn’t believe what I was hearing. “And instead of taking responsibility for the mistake you’d both made, instead of counseling or working on whatever was wrong in the relationship‌—‌hell, instead of getting a divorce‌—‌cheating on each other was the better solution?”

  “See, this is why I never wanted you to know. You do see things as black and white; I knew you wouldn’t understand. And then everything that happened with Aaron just made you even more‌…‌unforgiving. Inflexible.”

  “I don’t think expecting someone to keep it in their pants is inflexible. Isn’t that part of being in a committed, exclusive relationship? Y’know, like a marriage?”

  “Don’t be rude, Bailey.”

  “Don’t be so quick to acquit yourself of any wrongdoing, Mom.”

  Arms were crossed tightly over each of our chests as we squared off across the counter. I’d often credited my strength to my mother, proud of how she’d recovered after Dad’s affair and the divorce, raising her kids on her own.