Empty Net

by Toni Aleo

  “Oh well, you’ll need adult action at my wedding,” Fallon gushed, clapping her hands. She could barely move in the dress she had on. More of a reason she should pick the lace one. “Let me hook you up with Phillip Anderson. Number 13, total hottie. Bright blue eyes, dirty blonde hair, good guy.”

  Audrey raised an eye brow, “I don’t know, Levi just left.”

  “More of a reason to hook up with Phillip, he’s a good guy.”

  Audrey shrugged her shoulder, “I don’t know.”

  “Well think about it, but think quick, cause I’ll need to have Lucas ask him.”

  Audrey rolled her eyes, “Yeah, yeah, come on, pick a dress.”

  Fallon placed her finger to her chin, obviously still thinking. Audrey rolled her eyes at her as Fallon said, “I know for a fact that if he were older, you would love him.”

  “Who?” Audrey asked as her eye brow quirked up.

  “Tate, your neighbor.”

  “Ahh, the infamous neighbor whom I have yet to meet. That dude is like a ninja. I only see his truck leave, and hear him playing his piano.”

  Fallon smiled, “He’s a super great guy. You should go over and introduce yourself.”

  “Maybe, but like you said, he’s too young.”

  “Yeah, he is, oh well,” Fallon said with a shake of her head.

  “Well, enough of that, what dress?” Audrey asked not only annoyed that Fallon hadn’t picked a dress, but that she hadn’t met her neighbor. Lucas and Fallon talked so highly of him, and Audrey felt like she should know him by now! It had been almost a month and half since he moved in. More than enough time to meet someone. She didn’t even know what he looked like! He was a goalie, so it was hard to tell what he looked like through all his gear. It was frustrating because she heard he was gorgeous! Audrey could have Googled him, but come on, he was her next-door neighbor, she should be able to go over and see him, for goodness sakes!

  When Fallon flashed her a winning smile, distracting her from an overactive brain, Audrey smiled back. Fallon then said, “The lace one, this one is tight as all get out.”

  Audrey giggled as she cheered inwardly. She never had to come back! Well, maybe to try on her dress, but maybe they could do that today? As Fallon changed back into her clothes, Audrey checked her Facebook while the workers moved around her. She made sure things were good, and that no one was dying before closing the app and looking up just as Fallon was coming out. Fallon looked so damn happy, it almost made Audrey sick. Her eyes were bright with excitement, she walked with a little more pep than usual in her step and anyone a mile away could see that she was the happiest person on earth.

  “I picked my dress!” she gushed as she ran her hands down her tight black skirt. She had left work to come to the dress shop and was wearing her regular work wear. Pencil black skirt, with a flashy top. Today’s color was purple. She was a breath of fresh air, so stunning. Since opening her wine cellar in the Assassins’ arena, she had been insanely busy, not only with her own business but also with the operations at Rocky Top Wines, their family’s wine company. Fallon needed a break and Audrey was beyond excited that she would be leaving for a week after the wedding.

  Putting a fake smile on her face, Audrey said, “You did! Yay! With only a day to spare!”

  Fallon giggled as a dreamy look came across her face. She looked over at Audrey, taking her hand in hers, “You think Lucas will love it?”

  Audrey’s bad mood faltered and she gave Fallon a small reassuring smile, “He’s gonna flip at your gorgeousness, Fal. You’re stunning, babe.”

  Fallon squeezed her hand before leaning over and kissing her cheek. She flashed Audrey a grin before passing by her to the gallery. Since she didn’t call Audrey to come with her, Audrey sat in the plush chair and waited. When Fallon came with two workers, each holding a different dress, Audrey cocked an eyebrow at Fallon.

  “What’s this?”

  Fallon gave her a sneaky grin, “The two dresses I picked to go with mine.”

  Audrey eyed both dresses before shaking her head, “Um, no ma’am. Neither one of those are my dress.”

  “You’re right, they are better.”

  Audrey looked back at the dresses. She took in the beauty of the champagne sheath dress, which would come to mid-thigh. It had gold jewels covering the bodice of the tube-top, and then a pretty little white sash. It was nice, but the other one was better. It was again a champagne colored dress, but this one had a tutu skirt, and was more Audrey’s style. It had a lacey tube-top that was cut down the middle where her breast would be on display. Around the waist was a white lacey sash.

  “Where’s the other lace dress, you don’t like it anymore?” Audrey asked. She knew Fallon would change her mind; she had done it about everything, well, except for the theme. Which Audrey had to admit was pretty stinking sweet and even she wouldn’t change it for the world.

  “I think it matched mine too much. I want you to stand out,” she said with a bright grin.

  “Okay,” Audrey said skeptically.

  “What, you don’t like them?” Fallon asked with a concern in her eyes.

  “No, I do,” Audrey assured, “I love the lace one. Let me try it on and it’s a done deal.”

  Fallon clapped her hands together as Audrey went into the dressing room. Audrey was to the point where she didn’t give two shits what she wore. The damn wedding was going to be the death of her and they still had the rehearsal dinner to get through.

  Lord, help her.

  Everyone loved Red Velvet cupcakes.

  How could they not? They were delicious and succulent in your mouth. The perfect combination of buttercream and cake, they were also Audrey’s favorite. Not only to make, but to eat. Audrey turned off her mixer before setting each of her cooled cupcakes in a row along the bar. After filling her piping bag with the cream cheese buttercream, she frosted each cupcake with a flair she had mastered. She loved the way the frosting would ripple and after she topped each one with a little red heart, she took a step back, and smiled.

  She had done well.

  Hopefully, her neighbor would like them. Not that Audrey stalked him, because really, she hadn’t even seen him, but she noticed that he was a big sweets kind of guy. His trashcan was always filled with donut boxes, and candy wrappers. She figured that he would appreciate a good cupcake, and since she knew she could make a mean Red Velvet one, she decided to make him a batch.

  It was a great welcoming gift, she thought.

  After packing the cupcakes in a cute little brown box, she went to the bathroom to make sure she looked alright. She did, she decided once she looked at her reflection. Audrey looked fierce in the short caramel brown, flowery one shoulder dress that she had paired with a pair of lace caramel brown heels. She loved the way the dress hugged her curves and the shoes made her legs look fantastic. She knew it was too much to wear to meet her neighbor, but afterwards Audrey had to go to the rehearsal dinner for Fallon and Lucas.

  As Audrey made her way back to the kitchen, she wiggled her teal pearl bracelets up and down her wrist. She was jittery, and she didn’t know why. Maybe it was because she was going to Fallon’s rehearsal dinner alone. She hadn’t been to a family function alone, since…hell, she couldn’t remember. Audrey always had a date, it kept her mother out of her hair, but now she had no one and she knew she would have to deal with her mother’s sympathetic looks. Nora Parker wanted both her babies to marry and since Fallon was doing what their mother wanted, Audrey was going to be Nora’s sole concern now.

  Wonderful.

  Audrey rolled her eyes and picked up the box of cupcakes before heading for the door. Once out in the cool November air, Audrey ran her hands down the front of her skirt before walking slowly to the neighbor’s door. With a winning smile on her face, she knocked on the door.

  But no one answered.

  Hmm…she could have sworn he was there.

  Audrey looked back at the drive and there sat his big black truck. She turned back
to the door and knocked again, but again, no answer. Frustrated, Audrey turned and went back into her own condo. She was never going to meet this guy! After laying the cupcakes on the back of the couch, she went to the kitchen for a Post-It note. After writing a quick note and sticking it to the top of the box, she wrapped the box in a plastic bag and went back out the door to lay them on his doormat. Hopefully, she would meet him tomorrow at the wedding because Audrey didn’t have time to wait for him, she had to go.

  Unfortunately.

  ***

  “Are you coming to the rehearsal dinner?”

  Tate looked up from the competitive game of ping-pong he was engaged in with forward, Phillip Anderson. Guys hung out in various spots of the locker room, winding down before heading home. When Tate glanced up at Lucas, he was giving Tate his regular, ‘hurry up and answer me’ look while standing in an expensive looking suit. Lucas had invited him to the dinner weeks ago, and before Tate wanted to go, but lately, all he wanted to do was sit in his house. All he needed to do was win this game and then he would go home.

  Alone.

  He shook his head, throwing the white ball across the table to Phillip. “No, I have things to do tonight. It’s a family thing anyway”

  Lucas rolled his eyes, “You are family Tate. Come on, Fallon wants you to come.”

  Tate shook his head again, “No, thank you, I’m tired anyway.”

  And he was. The Assassins had an intense practice and afterwards an even more intense team meeting. Bacter yelled and screamed about the way they had been playing and suggested they all get it together before the next round of games, which began in a week. It gave Lucas and Fallon enough time to leave on their honeymoon and come back without missing anything. That was one of the reasons Fallon had planned the wedding for that week. She actually wanted to wait until next year, but Lucas wanted it done quickly and who could blame him?

  Fallon was gorgeous and a great catch. She was always really nice to Tate, treated him like part of the family. Watching Fallon and Lucas together was like watching a firework show. They were beautiful together but there was always that chance that something could go wrong. They fought like cats and dogs, but then they would be wrapped up in each other’s arms like nothing ever happened. It was the craziest thing, and Tate was green with envy.

  Because Tate wanted that.

  He wanted a girl who would love him for him. Not because he is an upcoming star, or because he has money. He wanted a girl to look at him and love him, not his career. Of course, he wanted her to be supportive of his career, but he wanted her to love him first. Elsa, Tate’s ex-fiancé, didn’t. She hated that he left all the time, and when he left almost two years ago, she broke off the engagement, didn’t even think of coming with him. It still stung a little but he wasn’t going to dwell on it.

  He was too busy dwelling on the fact that he still thought of Brunette Beauty daily.

  Pathetic.

  Lucas shrugged his shoulders, “Whatever, you guys better be there tomorrow. Remember Anderson, Audrey is going to be there. Fallon wants to hook you guys up.”

  Phillip rolled his eyes, “You have told me that six times, I got you. I’ll check her out, but I mean if she’s anything like Fallon, I’m down. You’re soon to be wife is a MILF.”

  Laughter filled the locker room as Lucas took in a sharp breath. Tate looked over at Phillip, confused, “What the hell is a MILF?”

  A large grin came over Phillip’s face as he said, “A mom I’d love to fu-”

  Without any warning, Lucas had Phillip up against the wall by the collar of his team shirt. Tate stood frozen while Lucas’ face was inches from Phillip’s. Acid dripped from his voice as he said, “That’s my soon to be wife, watch it.”

  Whoa. Not cool.

  Phillip put his hands up in defense, but there was no fear on his face. That was one thing about Phillip; the guy wasn’t scared of anything. “Sorry, it was a joke.”

  “You’re always joking,” Lucas said, dropping his hand from Phillip’s collar, “But it isn’t funny.”

  With that Lucas walked away and out of the locker room in a huff. Phillip fixed his collar and glanced over at Tate before shaking his head, “People are so fucking sensitive.”

  Tate rolled his eyes, because he didn’t think Lucas was sensitive at all.

  He would have done the same thing.

  “See you later,” Anderson said as Tate got out of his black Chevy truck.

  “Later,” Tate said he shut the door, and made his way around the massive truck.

  As he fished his keys out of his gym shorts, he sort of regretted not going to the rehearsal dinner with Lucas. He should have gone. Fallon probably did want him there, plus he would have been able to see Aiden, Lucas’ son. He hadn’t seen the little guy in weeks, and he missed him. Aiden reminded Tate a lot of Matilda, when she was younger. She used to have tons of energy, and was full of life, just like Aiden. He missed her too, along with his parents.

  Yeah, he should have gone to the dinner.

  Shaking his head, he climbed the steps to his front door. When his shoe came in contact with something, he looked down to see something wrapped up with a bright green Post-It note on it. Tate’s eyebrows met as he bent down and picked up the box, taking the green note off it.

  It would be nice if we met…just saying. Enjoy!

  -Audrey

  Audrey?

  Tate opened the box and was pleased when he saw six cupcakes with big red hearts on them. A small smile came across Tate’s face as he picked one out before taking a huge bite. He loved cupcakes. When the amazing flavors of Red Velvet registered in his mouth, he almost moaned out loud. He really loved Red Velvet cupcakes.

  But who the hell was Audrey?

  Tate opened the door with his key and threw his stuff down on the floor before heading to the kitchen with the note and cupcakes in his hands. After laying the box down, he re-read the note. When he saw, “Your neighbor” at the very bottom, another smile graced his lips. Tate unfortunately hadn’t had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Audrey Parker. He had heard amazing things about her from Aiden and Lucas, and was excited to meet her, but for some reason they hadn’t crossed paths yet. It was strange since he had been living beside her for almost two months, but he planned on changing that tomorrow at the wedding.

  It was about time they met and if she was as hot as Fallon then Phillip might need to find himself another prospect.

  Maybe there was another Parker sister?

  Chapter 4

  If Audrey had to hear someone say ‘We always thought it was going to be you getting married first,’ one more time, she was going to kill someone. It was plain and simple. Each time one of her nosy aunts said that, she wanted to say, “Who you telling?!”

  Stupid weddings.

  Audrey sat at the dinner table, with her face in her one hand and a glass of champagne in the other, as she watched Fallon and Lucas be gushed over. It made her sick that she was sitting in the corner, green with envy of her older sister. Jealously had never really look good on her. She knew this, but it didn’t stop her from turning into a bitter bitch. This was supposed to be her; she was the one who was always looking for love. Fallon sat back and only messed with a guy here and there, while Audrey basically cleaned out the sea of its scummy fish. All of a sudden Lucas comes back into Fallon’s life and she is getting married!

  It wasn’t fair!

  Where was Audrey’s Prince Charming who stood with his hand on her lower back, his lips dusting her temple? Or who would give her the lusty “when we get home, I’m gonna tear you up” kind of look? What about her? What about her damn Happily Ever After? It was bullshit, straight bullshit. Audrey slowly shook her head before taking a sip of her champagne to discover that she had let it get warm.

  With a grunt of distaste, she got out of her ‘Maid of Honor’ chair (Yes, there was a sign that said that) and made her way to the table that held what she hoped was cold champagne. After trading out her glass, she t
ook a long swig and smiled at the result. Nice and cold. Audrey then opened her eyes, and looked up from her glass to see her Aunt Sherry making her way towards her. Since she had already heard Aunt Sherry tell her how sad she was that Audrey was alone, Audrey promptly hightailed it out of the dining room. Once outside the dining room, she let out a long breath as she leaned against the rail that overlooked the large space that would hold tomorrow’s reception.

  The Fontanel Mansion was a masterpiece with its beautiful log home appearance. It gave off a very homey, country feel to it, and when Fallon saw it, she had to get married there. Unlike her dress, Fallon had no problem picking out the venue for their wedding. With the theme Fallon chose, it was hard to find some place big that would be okay installing pipes to run water. Audrey still couldn’t believe she had pulled it together. With the help of Grace Justice, the biggest and best wedding planner in Nashville, anything was possible. Audrey watched as hundreds of workers labored to hang the thousands of white umbrellas under the thin sheet of plastic that would help drain the water that was supposed to be rain. After each umbrella was hung, strings of lights hung from the inside of the umbrella and Audrey couldn’t help the sigh that escaped her mouth.

  She had wanted this.

  Audrey wanted the huge elaborate wedding. She wanted the over the top décor and the expensive flowers. She wanted all eyes on her. She wanted the man at the end of the aisle waiting for her. She wanted it all! Meanwhile, Fallon never even mentioned wanting to get married! It was mind blowing. Audrey moved her finger around a piece of stray hair that had escaped her bun, twirling it as her envy ate at her. She was wrong to be so jealous of Fallon but it was hard not to be. Fallon was about to have everything she never knew she wanted; while Audrey would continue to yearn for the same thing she had wanted since she was a child. The sad thing was it didn’t look like her Prince Charming was ever going to sweep her off her feet and want to marry her in her elaborate wedding. How many pieces-of-shit men was she going to have to go through before she met her Lucas Brooks?