Later she’d learned that Eddy had money. A lot of money. She wondered why he’d insisted on something that would put a wedge between her and her friends. He’d said it would help their future. Now she wasn’t sure of Eddy’s intent at all.
Kaylee didn’t leave her parents’ Tahoe house. She wore sweatpants with no makeup, biting her nails to the nub and trying to figure out what was real.
She had things in common with Eddy few people her age could relate to. She couldn’t have children anymore. And Eddy couldn’t either.
When their relationship progressed and he’d asked her to be his wife, she thought it must be right. Later, Eddy had also asked her to quit her job to help him socially with his business partners and clients. She’d been struggling for a sense of purpose, and his request had made her feel grateful. But she might have given up a few too many things along the way to feeling needed.
Letting go of her friends, her job—those losses were things Kaylee had been trying to wrap her head around these last six months. She’d made the sacrifices so that she and Eddy could have a happy marriage and be a family. If he’d been unfaithful to her after all she’d given up for him…
Her parents never said so, but she got the feeling Eddy wasn’t their favorite person. Her old roommates had never forgiven her for letting Eddy move in at their expense. And now Wes was flat-out saying Eddy was a bad guy?
If anyone else had made the accusation, she’d have blown it off as jealousy, and she nearly did. Wes could be selfish and self-centered, but like he said, he’d been faithful. And when she thought about it, she realized he wasn’t a liar. If anything, Wes could be too blunt and truthful.
“No more fucking around,” Wes had said, in what felt like ages ago. “I love you and I don’t want to be with anyone else. So what do you say? Be my girlfriend?” They’d only been dating a couple of weeks, and he’d been kissing her neck and squeezing her breast at the same time. Distracting her and driving her crazy. And being blunt and to the point. As usual.
The memory made Kaylee smile. When they dated, they always had their hands on each other. But his words were sincere; she’d heard it in his voice.
What Wes had said about Eddy couldn’t be true. Because if it was…it would shatter the beautiful future she wanted so desperately. To be needed, cherished—and to have a family, even if it was only her and Eddy.
Kaylee rubbed her eyes, her elbows resting on the kitchen table. She should wait until Eddy returned to bring it up, but that was two days away. She couldn’t ignore this that long. She’d tried, and every part of her vibrated with agitation.
Something was wrong. Wes had been furious. And not with her. With Eddy.
But if Kaylee asked Eddy over the phone, she wouldn’t be able to watch his expression, and she needed to. Because in the back of her mind, she believed him capable of lying.
Kaylee picked up her coffee mug with shaky hands and took a sip. The warm liquid did nothing to ease the chill that had settled over her. She secured her blue fluffy robe tightly around her chest and picked up her cell phone.
After a moment’s hesitation, she went to “Recents” and pressed Eddy’s name.
The phone rang and Kaylee bit her thumb—all flesh with her nail chewed to the quick.
“Hey, babe!” Eddy answered.
“Hey.”
“How’s the wedding planning going?”
“Oh, um, it’s really not. I’ve been practicing golf instead,” she said absently, and realized it was the truth.
She’d done very little wedding planning since Eddy left, putting aside the perfect future she’d envisioned…for golf?
Eddy sighed. “Babe, I’m glad you’re getting into the sport. We’ll need it when we entertain my clients, but you can’t forget the wedding. It’s only a few weeks away, and it’s got to be the shit.”
Kaylee’s stomach soured and she stared out at the trees. Why did their wedding have to impress people? Couldn’t it just be romantic? Meaningful? Weren’t those things important on your wedding day?
Suddenly, everything he said jarred her subconscious. “What if we canceled Club Tahoe and did something small? Just a few friends and family?”
Eddy laughed. “Yeah, right. Sorry, babe, I’ve already invited clients. They’re expecting the invitations. You sent them out, right?”
Kaylee glanced toward the front door. The invitations sat on the entry table.
She squeezed her eyes closed. “Most of the wedding is planned. I just need to finalize the details.”
“Well, get on it, woman.”
He was being silly, which she usually enjoyed, or at least shrugged off. But not today.
Her eyes narrowed. “Eddy, why do you want to marry me?”
He laughed. “Are you kidding?”
“Not at all.”
He let out a sharp breath. “Fine, I get it. I’ve been gone a long time. You need reassurance, especially with the commitment we’re about to make… You’re beautiful, poised, and smart. Is that what you wanted to hear? Oh, and you’re really hot, even when you deprive me of sex right before a long business trip.” He laughed at his joke. Because he was one of those guys who laughed at his own jokes, even if they weren’t funny.
Why had she never noticed what a jackass he could be?
Kaylee sensed the answer before the question left her mouth, but she asked it anyway. “Are you in love with me?”
“Jesus Christ, you’re really dragging me down. Are you finished being insecure? I thought you called to check in. I’ve had a shitty week, but I guess I have to call someone else if I want to talk about it.”
Who did he plan on calling? Another woman?
And he hadn’t answered the question. He’d avoided it, drawing the conversation back to himself.
Kaylee closed her eyes. “Eddy, have you ever cheated on me?”
The phone went silent for a second. A second too long.
He chuckled again, but this one came out strained. “Of course not.”
“You swear on all that’s holy and your favorite pair of sweatpants?”
“Now you’re just being ridiculous. Look, I’ll be home in a couple of days and everything will be back to normal. I promise not to be gone so long next time. I can tell three weeks is too much.”
Again, he didn’t answer her question.
Her heart spasmed and her temples pounded. Talking over the phone was no use. He wasn’t giving her straight answers. She needed to ask him in person. To watch his expression, even if warning bells were blaring in her head. “See you then.”
“Kaylee,” he said before she ended the call, “everything’s going to be okay. You’ve just got pre-wedding jitters.”
Her head was a jumble. She mumbled something about doing laundry and ended the call.
Stupid Wes. It was as though he’d pulled a veil from her eyes—one she’d worn to survive—and suddenly everything was sharper, clearer.
And she didn’t like what she saw.
Chapter 8
Kaylee entered Club Tahoe, her stomach balled in a knot. She had an appointment with Emily Wright, a manager at the club. Emily had asked Kaylee to come in and review details for the wedding that couldn’t wait any longer.
Kaylee cradled her cramping stomach and glanced around the pool area, catching sight of the tall, pretty blonde she and Eddy had met with months ago. With her wavy hair blowing in the light breeze, Emily waved Kaylee over, a bright smile on her face.
Wet children speed-walked past Kaylee while adults sunbathed poolside or splashed in the lazy indoor/outdoor river. Kaylee made it to the rustic round table with cushioned chairs where Emily stood, and shook her hand. “Good to see you again.”
Emily gestured for her to sit. “Would you like anything to drink?”
Kaylee sat in one of the chairs. “I’m fine, thank you.”
Pictures of Club Tahoe were splayed across the table, causing Kaylee’s pulse to race. Lighting and cake choices were a few of the decisions she
’d put off, among many others.
Emily followed Kaylee’s gaze. “I brought images from past parties to see if anything catches your eye.”
Pinpricks snaked across Kaylee’s skin. None of this felt right, but she attempted to hold a smile.
Emily spread out the pictures. “The Club Tahoe wedding coordinator will go through all of this and more, but due to the general size of your wedding, I wanted to make sure you were thinking of these things ahead of time. The deadlines are fast approaching, and I didn’t want you to make a last-minute decision you weren’t happy with.” Emily smiled hesitantly. “You’re a little behind on finalizing the layout and approximate guest numbers. Not that we need exact numbers just yet…but a sense of how many people you anticipate would be good.”
Kaylee squeezed her hands in her lap. She couldn’t do this. “Emily, can I ask you something? In confidence?”
God, was she seriously going to talk about her relationship drama with a near stranger? On the other hand, since they didn’t know each other well, anything Kaylee said wasn’t likely to go far.
Emily swallowed, a shaky smile crossing her face. “Yes. Anything.”
“If we… That is to say, if Eddy and I were to cancel the wedding for some reason, what would happen to our contract?”
Emily let out a light breath. “If you think that’s a possibility, you’d want to give the club notice within the next week. We can refund up to seventy-five percent of your deposit. Most places ask for more, but Club Tahoe is in high demand and we have a long waitlist.” Her gaze grew concerned. “Is that something you think will happen?”
“I don’t know.”
Emily rested her hands on top of the table. “Kaylee, I feel I should say something.” She pressed her lips together. “I was with Wes Cade and his brothers in the club lounge a few weeks ago. Wes said you two used to date?”
“We did. A long time ago.”
She nodded stiffly. “While I was with the guys, we saw Eddy at the bar with some of his friends.” She winced. “Has Wes said anything about that?”
Kaylee’s breath locked in her chest. “He did, but he didn’t go into details. He said… Eddy cheated.” Repeating the words gave them substance—a palpability she hadn’t been able to fully acknowledge until now. “Wes and I have a rocky past. I wasn’t sure if I should believe him.” She pressed her fingers to her eyes, then dropped her hands and gazed pleadingly at Emily. “What happened?”
Emily’s mouth twisted to the side as though she were annoyed. Or disgusted. “Eddy left the lounge with a woman. When they returned, it looked like something had happened. Eddy had been touching the woman in a familiar way before they left the room. When they came back, his appearance—”
“Oh God.” Kaylee sank her head to the table. Then she remembered where she was.
She stood abruptly. “I have to go. Can—can we finish another time?”
“Certainly.” Emily stood and wrung her hands. “I’m so sorry. Please let me know if there’s anything I can do. I just… I thought you should know.”
“I— Thank you.” Kaylee grabbed her purse and rushed out of the pool area, her bag falling halfway down her arm and catching on her legs. Her head pounded like it might explode.
How could she be so blind? This entire time, everyone knew Eddy was an ass. Except for her.
Wes knew.
Nausea rolled through her body as she darted across the lobby—where Wes, of all people, stood, talking to his youngest brother, Hunt.
Naturally Wes would be here to witness her humiliation.
He scanned her face, his brow furrowing. “What’s wrong?”
Kaylee swept past him. No way could she talk to him right now. Not after what Emily had said.
Not after what Kaylee had finally realized.
Yes, she’d talked to Eddy and strongly suspected things. And yes, Wes had told her Eddy cheated, but not with any detail. Somehow the details were important. They made it real. And God, the details. It didn’t take much for Kaylee’s imagination to fill in the blanks Emily had left.
This was Kaylee’s fault. Not Eddy’s cheating, but where she was right now. Alone. Undervalued. Engaged to a man who wasn’t faithful.
She’d agreed to a life with Eddy, because she was damaged and thought only Eddy could love her.
But Eddy was an ass, and her head was clear. She couldn’t ever have kids, but she deserved a good guy. Not some jerk who manipulated her.
Chapter 9
Kaylee had two nights to compose herself before Eddy came home. But all that went to crap the moment his car pulled up the driveway.
After receiving a text from him that his plane had landed at the South Lake Tahoe airport, she’d gone outside and waited on the front steps. The drive from the airport to her parents’ place was short, and she’d needed the fresh air.
But instead of remaining calm, as soon as he opened the car door, she blurted, “What happened with the woman inside Club Tahoe’s lounge?”
Smooth. Nice way to confront your fiancé.
Eddy had been smiling when he saw her, but his smile died a quick death.
He reached across the seat and grabbed his briefcase, then stepped out of the car and shut the car door behind him. “What’s going on, Kaylee? You’ve never been the jealous type. I don’t like having to justify my every step.”
She stood and crossed her arms as he approached. “Not your every step. Just the one night. I’m assuming it was the night before you left town?” He started to move past her, and she threw her arm out. “Answer the question, Eddy.”
He let out a harsh sigh. “Really? We’re going to do this now? I haven’t even taken off my jacket.”
She held his stare, and his gaze flickered away. “If you really want to know, women sometimes throw themselves at me. It happens to a lot of guys. But I’m committed to you. I want to build a life with you.” He tried to reach for her, and she stepped back.
“Did. You. Touch. Her.”
“Maybe.” He tugged at his collar and ran a finger between the fabric and his skin. “I can’t remember. We’d been drinking. Either way, she was all over me.”
“Did you walk outside with her?”
His gaze darted to the side. “No, never.”
Kaylee fell back a step. He was lying. The bastard. “Get out.”
“What?” A flash of desperation filled his eyes. “Kaylee, don’t be stupid.”
Stupid? Yeah, she’d been stupid. Believing Eddy. “You’re lying. Even if I couldn’t read it on your face, people saw you. They told me what happened.”
His nostrils flared. “Who the fuck…” He shook his head and attempted to smile, but it was too late. She’d seen the anger in his eyes—because he’d been caught. “It doesn’t matter what anyone says. So I talked to another woman. Big deal. You’re not perfect either. I’ve seen the way you look at your golf instructor. You can’t tell me nothing’s going on there.”
She swallowed, her throat the consistency of cardboard. “Actually, I can. I know Wes from college, but we don’t have a physical relationship.”
“I bet it was him,” Eddy snarled. “He’s the one filling your head with lies. You trust that guy over your own fiancé? You’re the one who doesn’t know about commitment. I’ve been there for you. I’m the one who wants you, even though you’ll never be able to give me a kid.” He scanned her body in disgust.
Kaylee’s mouth parted in shock. He’d never been so cruel. But then, he’d been lying about everything, hadn’t he?
Eddy was sterile. He couldn’t have children either, regardless of her infertility. What he said was nonsense. “Wes is a friend from my past. We dated in college, but there’s nothing going on between us.”
“Yeah, right. How many times have you fucked him?”
She shook her head. “I can’t believe I ever agreed to marry you.”
She grabbed the purse she’d brought onto the steps and pulled out her keys. She’d already set the flashy engagem
ent ring he’d given her on the nightstand where he’d find it. Good thing too, or she might have thrown it at him. “The wedding is off. Grab your things and be out of my house within the hour.” She pinned him with a glare. She’d never wanted to hit anyone before, but she wanted to hit Eddy. “If you’re still here when I return, I’m calling the police.”
Kaylee didn’t know what the police could do. It wasn’t like Eddy had committed a crime. But she might commit murder if he was still here when she got back.
Eddy’s face turned a mottled red, his hands clenched into fists. For a moment, she feared he’d run after her. “The place in San Francisco is mine. Had it put in my name. If you leave me, you’ll be homeless. You have no friends. And that golf pro is going to dump you once he finds out you’re a bag of tits with no oven.”
Kaylee glanced at the beautiful woods and the house that she loved so much. “Better here than anywhere near you.”
Eddy flung his briefcase at the side of the house. “Fucking barren bitch. You’ll regret this!”
Kaylee spun and hurried to her car. She opened the door and lunged inside, fumbling with the keys. When the ignition turned over, she tore out of the driveway.
A mile down the main road, she pulled over and leaned across the seats, head out the passenger-side door. She heaved onto the side of the road. Nothing came up because she hadn’t eaten since yesterday, but that didn’t stop her stomach from roiling.
Another violent retch stole her breath and she gasped, tears streaming down her face. Eddy was the man she’d promised to share her life with. He was horrible, and she’d chosen him. That piece of shit.
Maybe if she hadn’t been running so fast from her past, she wouldn’t have jumped into the arms of a pathological liar.
* * *
Wes scratched his neck forcefully. “Son of a bitch.”
Daring Wes: Cade Brothers Series Page 5