by Brenda Novak
Chapter 3
Kyle’s work truck, a Ford F-150, sat in her parents’ driveway. Olivia had expected to see it, but her heart sank all the same.
Taking a breath, trying to bolster herself, she got out of her Acura and started toward the front door, rolling her suitcase behind her with a sense of determination and purpose that belied the pain.
You can do this. Just keep your chin up and try to forget that this is Kyle and Noelle. Pretend they’re are no different from any of the other couples you’ve worked with.
It was a wedding, a job, she told herself. But she hadn’t been home since she’d moved away. Her only contact had been through her mother, who shared various details over the phone, like Kyle buying a new car because Noelle “hated” trucks.
Olivia felt strange marching up to her parents’ front door knowing that nothing was as it used to be, that Kyle wasn’t waiting for her in quite the same way as he’d waited for her in the past.
“I’ve entered The Twilight Zone,” she muttered.
She spotted a flurry of movement at the window. Then the door flew open and her mother descended on her. “There you are! I’ve been worried. Let me see what you’ve done to your poor hand.”
Grateful for the distraction, she displayed her injury.
“Oh, dear.” Her mother’s eyebrows knitted. “Look at that. Of all times for something like this to happen. Well, come on in. We’ll get some ice. Maybe we’ll be able to put you on the left side when we take the wedding pictures so the swelling doesn’t show.”
“I don’t need to be in the pictures at all,” she said before she could stop the words.
Nancy’s smile faded. The expression on her face suggested she was about to respond, but whether she was going to warn her not to ruin the wedding, or say she was sorry about what Olivia must be feeling, Olivia never heard because Kyle strode out to greet her.
Olivia thanked God that Noelle wasn’t with him. Seeing him was bad enough. He seemed reluctant yet eager to approach, which added more confusion to the emotions currently assaulting her.
“I’m glad you’re safe,” he said.
Their eyes met briefly before she jerked hers away, but he kept his smile stubbornly in place as he hurried to assist with her suitcase.
Obviously he’d been anticipating this moment and was prepared for it. Olivia had tried to prepare, too. Little good had it done her. Nausea threatened to ruin her calculated indifference.
“I’ve got it.” She made an effort to keep the resentment from her voice, but it was impossible. No doubt he picked up on her tone. They were too familiar with each other for him to miss the slightest nuance. She knew the strength of his arms and how wonderful it felt to have them close around her, the rough texture of his jaw, the fullness of his lips and how soft yet demanding they could be when he kissed....
Why had this person she’d trusted so deeply betrayed her? There were moments, moments like now, when she couldn’t believe that their lives had taken such a dramatic turn.
He attempted to grab her case in spite of her refusal, but she hung on and kept walking, leaving him no choice but to fall back and follow.
“Where’s Dad?” she asked her mother as they reached the front patio, an attractive covelike entrance to her parents’ rambler.
“Out back, grilling some steaks.”
Olivia didn’t ask where Noelle was. She didn’t want to see her sister.
The smell of a home-cooked meal enveloped her as soon as she entered the house—evoking the only pleasant sensation Olivia had experienced since she’d left Brandon’s. Everything else cut like broken glass.
A buzzer went off in the kitchen, and her mother hurried to remove whatever she had on the stove. “We didn’t want to eat without you,” she said, raising her voice to be heard, “but it was getting late. I’m glad you arrived in time.”
Olivia didn’t comment. She’d promised herself she wouldn’t complain, wouldn’t wallow in self-pity, wouldn’t start a fight. But how she wished she could miss this meal. No aroma could be tempting enough to make her want to stay.
Sensing Kyle’s presence at her elbow, she left her suitcase and pivoted to go back outside, already eager for a reprieve from the tension twisting her stomach. “I’ve got the stuff for the wedding favors in my trunk. I’ll grab it.”
“Not with your hand hurt,” Kyle said. “Let me.”
“No, thanks. I can manage.” She had no intention of allowing him do anything. But, to her chagrin, he joined her anyway. So she tried to ignore him. She didn’t want to see him any more than she wanted to see her sister, didn’t want to hear him, either, or confront the reality of what they used to be and what they were now.
Once they were out of earshot of her mother, he caught her elbow to get her to face him and lowered his voice. “I’m so sorry, Olivia. I know…I know how hard this must be. It’s killing me that I’m causing you pain.”
He seemed sincere, but maybe he was just being arrogant. She’d begun to doubt everything she’d ever known about him, except the physical sensations that had been such a major part of their relationship. Looking at him made her crave the familiarity they’d enjoyed. Since Carly, her best friend, had moved to Phoenix to accept a job offer with Southwest Airlines, Kyle had become both friend and boyfriend. Losing his friendship hurt as much as all the rest.
Battling the threat of tears, she manufactured another smile. “You’re not causing me pain,” she said. “As a matter of fact, I’m already seeing someone else.”
Dropping his hand, he blinked in surprise. “Your mother said…I mean, she didn’t mention that.”
“I haven’t told her about him. There’s enough going on around here. This is your week, your wedding. I’ll save my announcements for later.”
Did he go pale? Or was that her imagination?
“Is it someone in Sac?” he asked.
She could’ve said yes and left it at that. She wasn’t entirely sure why she didn’t. Maybe it was because a mere name wouldn’t have the same effect. “No, actually. He’s from Whiskey Creek. Someone you know quite well.”
A muscle flexed in his cheek. “Who?”
She’d already gone too far. But the same desperate compulsion that had overtaken her in the car when she injured her hand seemed to goad her now, until the name that would hurt him most passed her lips. “Brandon.”
The color returned to his face, staining his cheeks a bright red. “My stepbrother?”
“You’re not really related,” she reminded him. “That happens to be important to me, even though it wasn’t to you.”
He seemed to struggle with words. “His mother is married to my father.”
“You lived together for two years. Sadly I’ve had to put up with Noelle my whole life.”
He shook his head as if she’d just cold-cocked him. “Brandon?” he said again. “You’ve got to be joking.”
She lifted her chin. “Why?”
“Because he’d be terrible for you!”
“In what way?” she challenged.
“He-he doesn’t know what it means to really love anyone. The second he gets bored, or a skiing opportunity presents itself, he’ll be gone and you may never hear from him again.”
She sneered. “Funny you should say that.”
“I know I let you down.” He lowered his voice. “But…that doesn’t mean I don’t care about you.”
“Did you think I’d mope around indefinitely?”
“No, of course not. That isn’t what I want. I want you to be happy.”
She smiled broadly. “Brandon makes me happy.”
A scowl replaced his stunned expression. “Don’t cut off your nose to spite your face, Olivia. He hasn’t been able to maintain one serious relationship. He’ll only hurt you in the end.”
She popped the trunk. “I doubt it. Thanks to you, I’m older and wiser than I was.”
“You’re no match for him. He’ll take advantage of how innocent and trusting you are an
d how deeply you love—”
“I’m not planning to marry him.” She rolled her eyes. “I’ll leave making the Big Commitment to you and my dear sister. Brandon’s good in bed. Right now, that’s all I need.”
When he sagged a little, her heart twisted so painfully she almost admitted the truth. She couldn’t hurt Kyle regardless of what he’d done to her. But Noelle’s voice, filled with suspicion, rang out from the patio. “What’s taking so long?”
Olivia raised the trunk lid, revealing the many boxes of wedding paraphernalia she’d borrowed from River City Resort Club & Spa. She’d been planning to tote it all in herself, regardless of her throbbing hand. She wanted to stay busy, focused. But if Kyle was going to dog her footsteps, she figured he could handle the job.
“Looks like there’s more here than I remembered. If you could bring it into the living room, we’ll get started on the wedding favors right after we eat. I have to leave soon. Brandon’s expecting me,” she said and walked past her sister without saying hello.
Chapter 4
When his mother showed up on his doorstep, Brandon was relieved Olivia was gone. He didn’t feel he owed it to his stepbrother to stay away from her or anything like that. After what Kyle had done, Brandon considered Olivia fair game for any guy, even him. But he knew his mother would get involved if she saw Olivia at his place—and if there was any way to keep his mother from getting involved, it was always best to go that route. Otherwise, she’d give him no peace.
“Hi, what are you doing here?” he asked as he swung the door wide. She rarely came over. But he’d let her last few calls go to voice mail. He’d heard enough about the wedding, hadn’t wanted to hear any more.
That had been a mistake. Instead of leaving him alone, she’d come to harangue him in person.
“I was on my way home and thought I’d stop by,” she said.
Sure, that made sense. Except his place wasn’t on the way to or from anywhere. Only teenagers and hikers bothered to visit the old mine or the trails he loved so much.
“Can I come in?” she asked, sounding slightly miffed that he hadn’t already offered.
Belatedly he realized he was still blocking the entrance. “Of course.” He stepped aside so she could move past him. Then he placed his arms around her in the obligatory hug.
“Have you picked up your tux for the wedding?” she asked as soon as he released her.
“Not yet.”
“Brandon!” Cocking her head, she gave him that searching look that said he was about to get a stern lecture. “You’re not going to do anything to ruin this wedding, are you? Because I’m counting on you. Just once I’d like you to go along with what we have planned and behave yourself. Can you do that? For me?”
“No problem.” He tried to play it straight, but it was difficult not to grimace. He hated the way she catered to Kyle and Kyle’s father. Maybe if she’d give them hell every once in a while, he wouldn’t have to establish their boundaries on his own.
“Good. I’m glad to hear it. I’ll grab your tux when I hit town. If you wait too long, they’ll be closed.”
“There’s always tomorrow, Mom.”
“The wedding rehearsal is tomorrow. There’ll be a lot to do as it is.”
“I can get my own tux!”
Obviously put out by his refusal to let her take control, she sniffed. “And you’ll make the rehearsal?”
“Of course.”
“On time and sober?”
“When have I ever shown up anywhere drunk?” he asked. As an athlete, he worked against the clock as it was. Age would slow him down fast enough; he wasn’t about to destroy his body with alcohol.
“I’m just covering all the bases,” she told him.
For Kyle… “Maybe I’m not the one you should be worried about,” he said.
“What do you mean?
“Maybe you should pay Kyle a visit instead, see if you can get him to call off the coming travesty.”
She looked like he’d just stuck her with a pin. “Why would I do that?”
He made a face that suggested she was crazy for even asking. “Because he’s about to ruin his life?”
For a moment, she seemed torn, but ultimately took the party line. “We don’t know that.”
“Maybe you don’t, but I do.”
“Granted, Noelle isn’t the woman Olivia is,” she said, relenting, “but…it’s his choice. We have to respect his wishes.”
Brandon leaned one shoulder against the wall. “Were you aware that Olivia’s been planning the wedding?”
She slid her purse farther up her arm. He wasn’t sure how, at five-two and a hundred and twenty pounds, she managed to haul that thing around. It had to weigh thirty pounds. But she didn’t go anywhere without it. “Nancy mentioned she was helping, yes.”
“I can’t believe they’d expect her to do that.”
“They told me they thought it would be cathartic for her.”
“To plan the wedding of the man she loves—to her sister? Come on! I think it was just cheaper.”
“It wasn’t my place to make that decision, either,” she said, but at least her tone of voice acknowledged that she agreed with him.
“Someone should’ve told them to plan it themselves,” he grumbled.
“I’m sure it’s fine. Olivia’s a very forgiving, wonderful woman. And someday she’ll find an equally wonderful man.”
Brandon pictured Olivia sitting on the side of the road, tears streaming down her face as she gazed up at him. Even completely disheveled, she was the prettiest woman he’d ever seen. “How wonderful would he need to be?” he asked.
His mother frowned at him. “Excuse me?”
“Never mind.” He’d known all along, ever since he’d held Olivia in his arms at prom, that he couldn’t have her. If he was going to get involved with a woman, she had to be like him, able to enjoy a quick, passionate affair and then move on.
Because, as soon as ski season arrived, he’d be gone again.
* * *
Noelle was angry during dinner. Olivia could feel her sister’s animosity. She wasn’t sure why Noelle felt she had the right to be upset. She wasn’t the injured party. But every few seconds she’d glance over at Kyle, who was keeping his eyes on his plate, before sending Olivia an accusing glare.
What did she think happened before she came upon them outside?
Olivia didn’t care. Not really. Most of the slights Noelle perceived were imagined. It’d always been that way. Olivia just wanted to get the wedding favors assembled so she could leave. She couldn’t stay here, as planned. The unspoken hurt and anger were too agonizing.
But she wouldn’t go to Brandon’s. Sacramento wasn’t that far. Although it would waste time and gas, she’d drive home and come back in the morning. She did, however, have to tell Brandon what she’d said to Kyle. She wasn’t looking forward to that conversation. She’d already embarrassed herself once where he was concerned.
After dinner, Kyle went in to watch a true crime show with her father, Noelle disappeared into her bedroom to do whatever she felt she needed to do to prepare for her wedding and Olivia helped her mother wash dishes. Olivia had just started to relax, thanks to the comfort of routine, when Noelle called to her from the bedroom.
“Can you come and tell me how to wear my hair?” she asked, but Olivia wasn’t fooled. Noelle had played nice long enough. She’d obviously decided on a bit of honesty to break through the thin veneer of civility that had carried them this far. Olivia wasn’t opposed to that herself.
“I’ll be right back,” she told her mother.
Nancy’s forehead creased in worry, as if she, too, suspected that Noelle wasn’t interested in opinions on her hair, but she nodded, and Olivia silently promised to do all she could to keep her temper in check. Fighting wouldn’t improve the situation. Noelle and Kyle were going to have a baby. She needed to keep that in mind, especially if she wanted to be part of her niece’s or nephew’s life. The child was in
nocent and deserved the support of his or her entire family. Olivia just hoped that someday she’d be able to look at her sister’s offspring, at Kyle’s offspring, without cringing.
Maybe it’d be easy. Maybe Noelle would have a little girl who was a much better person than her mother....
“Are you thinking of an updo?” she asked as she walked down the hall.
Noelle was waiting by the door. She closed it as soon as Olivia walked in. “What are you doing?” she whispered harshly.
Olivia studied her flushed face. She was pretty; there was no denying that. They both had wide blue eyes, long blond hair and even features, but Noelle, shorter by two inches, had a curvier figure, which probably made her more attractive. Despite that, Olivia had never been jealous. Due to Noelle’s demanding nature, self-absorption and terrible mood swings, she’d never been particularly popular with the opposite sex. Olivia figured men could sense that her looks wouldn’t be worth the cost of involvement. She’d always thought Kyle understood that, too. “I don’t know what you mean,” she said.
“You know exactly what I’m talking about!”
Did Noelle believe Olivia had said something inappropriate to Kyle? That she was trying to stir up trouble?
Olivia started to explain that she was at a complete loss when Noelle made the reason for her anger clear. “You’re seeing Brandon? Really? Kyle’s stepbrother?”
At first, because of Noelle’s emphasis on the family connection, Olivia assumed she was worried about how that might make Kyle feel. Neither one of them had any right to complain, of course, but the threat of looking like a hypocrite had never stopped Noelle. She believed the entire world should bow at her feet—which made Olivia suddenly realize that Noelle wasn’t angry on Kyle’s behalf. She expected Kyle to fight his own battles and cope with his own difficulties. She expected that of everyone, except herself. The only way Noelle could be this upset was if Olivia’s actions affected her personally.