It intrigued Lexie why Todd—who seemed gentle and kind—was with someone as snarky and self-centred as Betty. But she supposed Betty had some feminine power over men. Rick had often wondered how his dad had ended up married to the woman. Or maybe Betty simply hadn’t shown her true colours to Todd.
The guys came back with their drinks and Rick handed Lexie hers. It wasn’t a Sex Machine. It was an All Night Long.
She couldn’t help her grin, understanding his message. What she wouldn’t give for an all-nighter with him sometime soon.
“What happened to the two ladies you were chatting with earlier, Rick?” Betty asked.
“They’re around,” Rick said nonchalantly. “Why do you ask?”
“Oh, nothing,” Betty said with a wave of hand. “I hope we’re not the reason you left them.”
“Well, of course you are, Betty,” Rick answered with feigned sweetness. “After all, why shouldn’t I have a drink with my stepmother?”
Betty smiled wanly.
“Anyone here you have an eye on, Rick?” Todd asked teasingly.
“Well, Todd, I can’t tell you in front of Betty. You see, she tends to be all over my dates and scare them off. In fact, she’s the reason why I’m still single.”
“Is that right, darling?” Todd asked with a frown.
“Of course not. He’s joking,” Betty said with a laugh that sounded nervous to Lexie.
“Yes, I’m joking,” Rick said, staring at his stepmother. “Actually, Betty would be ecstatic if I found myself a serious girlfriend.”
“Betty does often say that she’d love to see you settle down,” Todd said with a chuckle, oblivious to the tension. “She’s such a romantic.”
Lexie wanted to roll her eyes but refrained. Ugh. She couldn’t stand watching Betty beam at Todd as if she were an angel. She turned to Cassie. “My jaws are starting to hurt from this fake smile,” she said under her breath.
Cassie snickered. “Spare a thought for Todd. He seems like a genuinely nice man, and he has no clue he’s dating a witch.”
“Say, Rick,” Lexie heard Todd say. “Can you make it to the party Betty and I are holding at my place in the Blue Mountains next month? There will also be a pottery exhibit—”
“Rick’s already told me he can’t, Todd,” Betty interrupted hastily. “January is a very busy time for him at work with all the big sales happening.”
“Actually, I can make it,” Rick said.
Lexie hid her surprise. Rick hadn’t planned to go at all. But it looked like he’d found Betty’s weakness—Todd—and wanted to take advantage. Ha!
“Oh, I thought you said you’ll be busy,” Betty said.
“I’ll make time,” Rick responded. “I think it would be good to get to know Todd and his family better. And in return, I could share stories about our family.”
“Hey, that would be great!” Todd said. “You can bring a date with you, Rick. Maybe one of those two girls you were talking to earlier,” he added with a wink.
“I don’t even remember the name of the girl in blue, to tell you the truth,” Rick said with a laugh. “I only just met her today.”
“The other one, then?”
Rick just shrugged.
Todd chuckled, patting Rick’s shoulder.
“Well, I think we really must go,” Todd said, looking at Betty for confirmation. “Thank you again for letting us stay for a drink,” he added graciously to Jade.
“No, problem. It was great meeting you,” Jade said.
They said their goodbyes to the couple and Lexie found herself relaxing. The whole encounter wasn’t bad, but having Betty sit in front of her for all that time had made her uneasy.
“You’re wicked, Rick,” Jade teased. “You made Betty very nervous, especially when you said you’ll tell Todd some family stories.”
“My stepmother doesn’t have an exclusive entitlement to being wicked,” he said with a grin.
“It’s quite obvious she’s crazy about Todd, though,” Lexie said. “She completely thawed when Todd came around.”
“Yeah,” Erin said. “I was starting to feel the chills with the way she glared at you when she first arrived.”
“Glared at Lexie?” Rick asked.
“Yes, it was glacial,” Lexie said, smirking. “I thought I was gonna turn to ice.”
“That woman can sure hold a grudge,” Jade said. “It’s been what, Lex? Around eight months since you interfered with a family matter?”
Lexie simply sighed.
“Rick, darling,” someone crooned.
Lexie took a sip of her cocktail to stop herself from scowling at Vicky, who’d perched herself on Rick’s lap. The flirt had probably had too much to drink by now, and Vicky was more shameless when she was drunk.
“I’m so excited. You and I are going to the Blue Mountains next month,” Vicky said, running a finger along Rick’s jaw.
“What do you mean?” Rick asked.
“Your stepmother’s boyfriend invited me to their pottery party or whatever it is. He said you’re gonna take me.”
“I didn’t say that,” Rick said, frowning.
“Ha ha. You’re such a tease, handsome. I can’t wait. You can pick me up at my place on the day.” Vicky planted a kiss on Rick’s mouth before standing up and sashaying away.
Lexie crossed her arms. Now it was her turn to give Vicky the coldest look she could manage.
“What the hell just happened?” Rick asked, astounded.
“Looks like you’re going to a party with Vicky as your date,” Erin said dryly.
“And she kissed you, if you didn’t notice,” Lexie muttered.
“Is that what it was?” Rick asked, trying to stifle a grin.
She couldn’t help but glare at him. She might have agreed to the fact that he’d have to be the old Rick tonight, but kissing was never in the mix. It didn’t matter that Vicky had instigated it. He’d let Vicky sit on his lap for too long and that had obviously encouraged the woman to do as she pleased.
“It didn’t feel like anything to me,” Rick said, staring at her. “Why don’t you come here and show me what a real kiss is like?”
Her eyebrows lifted. Was he serious?
“Stop mucking around, Rick,” Erin censured.
Lexie didn’t know if she herself had had too much to drink, but she got up and sat on Rick’s lap. Then she lip-locked with him, not caring whoever was watching.
“Holy crap,” she heard Erin exclaim.
CHAPTER NINE
“Hey, stop it. You’re making a spectacle of yourselves.”
Rick sighed as Lexie did stop kissing him and went back to her seat. Erin was just being a voice of reason but, damn, he was enjoying that kiss.
“Vicky’s not the only one who’s entitled to make a scene around here,” Lexie said.
“And I think she’s not the only one who’s already drunk,” Erin said crossly to her friend before staring accusingly at Rick. “You shouldn’t have asked Lexie to do that.”
“I needed to wipe Vicky’s taste off my mouth,” he said unapologetically.
“And use Lexie’s lips for that?”
“Yeah. No one else’s would have done,” he answered, winking at his secret girlfriend. Gee, the way they were carrying on, people would start talking. But he didn’t want Lexie mad at him.
Erin huffed and got up. To his surprise, she took his hand and dragged him with her.
“Come with me,” Erin ordered.
Bewildered, he followed. He was aware of the surprised gazes thrown at them, but Erin ignored them all, leading him all the way out of the room.
“Rick,” Erin said, facing him when they found a quiet corner away from their party. “Please don’t do that to Lexie again.”
“But I honestly didn’t expect Vicky to kiss me,” he said defensively.
“That’s not what I mean. Stop flirting with Lexie. She’s not like Vicky or the other girls.”
“I know that,” he said quietly.
“She likes you, Rick. I’m sure you’ve noticed. So don’t lead her on, please. You don’t know that she hurts sometimes.”
He smiled. “Thanks, Erin. I know you care about Lexie.”
“She’s one of my best friends. We look after each other.”
“I know.”
“So promise me you’ll exclude her from your shenanigans? No point keeping her hopes up.”
He raked his hair, staring at Erin intently.
“So are you gonna promise?” Erin pressed.
“How are you at acting, Erin?”
“What?”
“If a life-and-death situation depended on your acting skills, could you pull it off?”
Erin frowned. “What kind of question is that?”
“Humour me, please.”
“Yeah, I think so. I’m usually calm under pressure, so yeah.”
He nodded. He and Lexie probably needed someone like Erin to remind them to tone it down when they got carried away in public.
He pulled out his phone and tapped Lexie’s number. “Lex? Could you come out here, please?” He told her their exact location.
“I don’t get this,” Erin said.
“You will soon.”
“What have my acting skills got to do with anything?”
“A lot, actually. What happened inside there proves that Lexie and I sometimes forget about being mindful.”
“But all you need to do is not flirt with her.”
“Easier said than done, Erin.”
Erin opened her mouth then shut it, huffing with impatience instead. She remained silent as they waited.
He heard footsteps and his heart skipped a beat, knowing it was Lexie. He turned and saw her with her arms crossed, a deep frown on her face.
“What’s wrong, babe?” he asked.
“Your wannabe girlfriend just reminded me that you’re hers tonight.”
“What did you say?”
“Nothing. I can’t exactly say anything, can I?” Lexie said, frustrated.
“I’m sorry,” he murmured, pulling her to him and kissing her forehead.
Lexie glanced back towards the direction of their private room.
He released her, checking out for himself if anyone was watching. He heard an exasperated sigh in front of him and grinned. Erin was giving him a look that could freeze the whole room.
“I think we can tell Erin,” he said.
“Really?” Lexie asked.
“We could give her the task of pinching our earlobes if she finds us being too obvious in public.”
Lexie laughed.
And Erin gasped, her mouth forming a perfect O.
“You are kidding me,” Erin said, her eyes round as saucers. “Why the hell were you keeping it a secret?”
Rick led them to an empty table and he told Erin his conundrum.
“How long have you guys been hiding?” Erin asked, still in shock.
“About six weeks or so,” Rick answered.
“That long? But when do you see each other? You’re always home at nights, Lex.”
“Um... we go to a hotel close to my office during our lunch break.”
Erin stared at them then laughed out loud. “Poor things. You don’t get much time, then. What with having to eat as well during that time.”
“Tell me about it,” Rick said wryly.
“It’s ridiculously expensive, too,” Lexie said. “Rick insists on going five-star.”
“You’re worth it, babe,” he said with a grin.
Lexie gave him a small smile. “Sometimes I hate it that so much money comes out of your pocket just to have sex with me.”
“Hey,” he said, dragging her chair closer to his so he could lift her chin with his finger. “Don’t you dare think like that again.”
“Hey,” Erin said, kicking him under the table.
“Ow.”
“Too obvious.”
He laughed. “See, honey? Erin’s gonna be a big help.”
“I always knew she would,” Lexie said, beaming at her best friend.
“I don’t think you should fall into this habit of calling her honey, Rick,” Erin said, wagging her finger at him. “Or babe, which you called her earlier.”
“Why not?” he asked. “I call lots of women darling.”
“That’s my point. You call them darlin’. You know, with that playful tone—daaarlin’,” Erin said theatrically. “Or you call them beautiful or gorgeous. But you never call anyone else honey or babe. So don’t call her that.”
He ran his hands through his hair. “This is ridiculous, isn’t it?”
“Well, your stepmother is a ridiculous woman,” Lexie said.
“Yeah.”
“So what’s your plan, Rick?” Erin asked. “How are you gonna fix this? You two can’t continue to hide for six years—if you could even last that long given the circumstances.”
Rick scowled at Erin’s reminder.
“I’m just saying,” Erin said softly.
He sighed. Yes, he knew that. And it was one of the things that made him nervous.
It was funny how he felt this way. He and Lexie hadn’t been going out for that long. But he supposed all those months of repressing his feelings and desires created this need in him to grab onto her, now that she was his. It was like being freed from prison and finally having the chance to indulge in something he’d been deprived of for so long.
Except that he didn’t yet have complete freedom to fully explore and express what he felt for Lexie. It was more frustrating than ever.
“I’m hoping to soften Betty up enough for her to agree to a new contract without the stupid stipulations,” he answered. “I’ve shown her how Shelley’s investment portfolio is performing and she seems impressed by it. So I hope she sees that it’s insane for her to want to manage it again.”
“Isn’t that obvious, though?” Erin asked. “If she’s just losing the money because she doesn’t know what she’s doing, why would she want to be responsible for it?”
“Because I think her need to spend is greater than her common sense. Frankly, I wouldn’t be surprised if she has a gambling problem or some other type of addiction.”
“Gosh,” Erin murmured.
“Shelley originally didn’t mind sharing her inheritance with Betty,” Rick said. “She’d been sheltered from the truth when our dad was still alive. When she realised how much money kept disappearing from her bank account, that was when she started questioning her mother. Betty, of course, refused to admit she was doing something wrong so they started fighting a lot. Shelley and I were taught well by our father on how to manage money so Shelley has a good head for financial stuff even though she’s still young. She knows keeping Betty away from her accounts is actually helping her mother change her ways.”
“Do you think Todd could help with this?” Lexie asked. “Is that why you’re going to his party?”
He nodded. “Todd thinks I have this wonderful relationship with Betty. And Betty is clearly besotted with Todd. I’m hoping to use that as leverage to get her to accept what’s fair.”
“I hope Betty’s in love with Todd enough for him to have an influence on this,” Lexie said.
“I hope so, too. It should be fairly easy to renegotiate the trusteeship issue. The more money Shelley makes from her investments, the more she’s keen to share with her mother. So it will be in Betty’s interest if she lets me continue on with the management because she’s so crap at it anyway. It’s the twenty percent ownership of my company that’s the issue. If she continues to do things out of spite, she might not want to strike that out of the contract. She knows she’s making my life hell with that hanging on my head.”
“I suppose you have to take Vicky with you to their party,” Lexie said flatly.
“Well, Vicky could be a red herring for the meantime,” Erin said consolingly.
Rick reached for Lexie’s hand under the table and squeezed. His comforting gesture was interrupted by his
ringing phone.
“It’s Shelley,” he said with a frown. “Hey, brat. What’s up?”
“Hi, Rick. I heard you bumped into Mum and Todd at Lucas and Jade’s engagement party.”
“Yep. Did they tell you?”
“Yeah. Mum just rang me. Are Lexie, Cassie and Erin still there?”
“Yes. Why?”
“Well, get this. Mum said that she wants me to invite them to the party at Todd’s place next month.”
“Huh? Why?”
“I know. I was shocked too. But Mum said that since it will be the start of a new year—a time for forgiving—she’d like to bury the hatchet with those three.”
Rick snorted. “You’re kidding, right?”
“No. That’s exactly what she said.”
“Why didn’t she ask them herself when she was here earlier?”
“I don’t know. Hey, I’m glad you’re coming, too, by the way. Todd’s tops. I really like him.”
“Yeah, he seems great,” he said distractedly. “Anyway, are you sure about this? What about Todd?”
“I don’t know. Mum sounded like she was in a bathroom when she rang me ’cause I could hear the echo. Maybe she got inspired while sitting on the toilet,” Shelley said with a laugh.
Rick shook his head. This reeked of Betty’s infamous manipulative schemes. “I’ll discuss it with the girls. See what they say,” he said.
“Okay. Mum said you can just text her if they’re coming. I hope they do come, even if the reason for the invite is Mum just having one of her weird moments. I love those girls ’cause they love me and they love my cooking.”
“Everyone loves you and your cooking, Shelley,” he said with a chuckle.
“Aw. You’re really the bestest big brother in the whole wide world.”
“Have you been skipping classes all this time?” he asked authoritatively.
“No. Why?”
“Bestest is not a word.”
He heard Shelley’s exasperated sigh and imagined her rolling her eyes.
“Chill, will you? You know I get great marks in all my subjects.”
He laughed out loud. “All right. I’ll let your mother know if the girls will be coming. Bye.”
“Bye.”
He hung up and gave Lexie and Erin a you-wouldn’t-believe-this look.
“What?” Lexie asked.
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