by Andre, Bella
“You’re home from LA, right?” she asked.
Whatever his answer, he’d lowered his voice, and Ian could no longer hear.
“Okay then. I’ll see you this afternoon. In the meantime, calm down.” Silence followed, then, “Love you too. Bye.”
Resisting the urge to punch something, Ian waited for her to turn back toward him. When she did, she appeared much more subdued than he’d have liked.
“He hates me that much?” Ian asked her.
She shook her head. “No matter what he said, it’s not all about you. It’s about me and Alex. And me keeping this from him for the last week.”
“You said he’s your family.”
She looked up at him, eyes wide and glassy. “He is. Alex and my stepmom. They’re all I have.”
Ian wanted to be included in that short list. It didn’t matter how little he really knew her, what he did know had only convinced him she was special. The right person for him in an otherwise empty personal life. Other than family, who he’d do anything for, he hadn’t had anyone he’d felt so strongly for—ever. Losing her before they ever got started wasn’t an option.
“What about your parents?”
She swallowed hard. “My mom died when I was sixteen. And my father…I don’t have a relationship with him, and I don’t discuss him. Ever.”
Ian accepted that declaration. For now.
“Can you take me to get my car?” she asked.
“Sure.” The morning had imploded in a way he’d never expected, and he saw no way of salvaging things.
Until she made her peace with Alex, no amount of coaxing by Ian would make things better. Which made Ian’s overture to his half siblings tomorrow night that much more important.
SEVEN
Riley stripped out of her clothes and stepped into the shower, eager to wash away the stress of the day. But all the hot water in the world couldn’t erase the knowledge that Alex wasn’t pleased about her relationship with Ian. To say he hated it would be an understatement. He wouldn’t stand in her way, but he couldn’t say he was happy. He didn’t trust his half brother, and she understood why.
From the time they were kids and Alex had found out he had an older brother, he’d been eager to get to know him. Someone to have his back, instead of him having to have theirs, as he did with his siblings. Ian had played football in high school, like Alex. Ian had gotten a scholarship to the University of Florida, like Alex. But no matter how many similarities the teenagers and then the men shared, Ian froze Alex and his family out.
It made sense, of course. Alex’s sister Sienna and her childhood leukemia had exposed their father’s affair with Alex’s mother. Sienna had needed a bone marrow donor, and Robert Dare had revealed the truth in the hopes one of his other children would be a match. Avery had been, which had led to Avery, Olivia, and Sienna bonding during hospital time.
The sad thing was, Savannah had always known about Robert Dare’s wife and kids. She’d accepted it because his marriage to Emma St. Claire had been one of convenience, while he’d loved Savannah. And though Alex had been an oops baby, their relationship had taken hold, and he’d built a family with them. Spent time with them. More time than he had with his real family.
So Sienna’s illness had been the catalyst for destroying Ian’s family. Of course he wanted nothing to do with the kids his father had with another woman. Even Alex rationally understood that, but as they grew to be adults, instead of getting beyond their father’s mistakes, their competition only grew, with Alex being drafted by the Tampa Breakers, while Ian had already begun his climb within the Thunder organization. Just another rivalry to separate the men.
And now, just when Ian had reached out, Riley stood between the two men. Which meant she had to do whatever she could to make it possible for Alex to accept Ian’s overture.
To start with, she wouldn’t go to the Sunday dinner, giving them time together alone. And she would keep her distance from Ian until the two men got used to each other. Until then, she had no other choice but to pray they could learn to get along.
***
Although Riley had planned on eating at home on Sunday night, when her stepmother called and invited her for dinner, Riley had agreed to go. Anything to keep her mind off what was going on at Ian’s between him and his half siblings. She worried the two men would come to blows as much as she worried they’d ignore each other and nothing would get worked out. Going out with Melissa meant she had something else to concentrate on.
Melissa chose Nobu, a sushi restaurant at the Shore Club on Collins Avenue. Riley dressed for the occasion, pulling on a white sundress with silver flat sandals and funky jewelry. Melissa picked her up and drove them to the restaurant.
The other woman had just returned from her honeymoon with her second husband, a neurosurgeon at University of Miami Medical Center. Her blonde hair was even lighter from the sun, her fair skin pink, her expression relaxed and happy. She looked younger than her years and always had.
They were escorted to their table in the center of a room with low lighting, surrounded by white curtains. Melissa ordered a glass of Chardonnay, Riley a club soda.
“So, how are you, Mrs. Masterson?” Riley asked, emphasizing the other woman’s new title.
“Wonderful. I highly recommend it,” Melissa said, beaming.
“What? The honeymoon or marrying a doctor?” Riley teased.
“Both.” Melissa grinned. “And how are you?”
“I’m great.” Riley forced a smile, not wanting to worry the other woman with her problems when she was so relaxed and happy.
Her stepmother pushed the menu aside without looking at it. “You never could lie to me, so don’t start now. I can see the tightness in your expression. What’s wrong?”
“I’d much rather hear about your cruise around the Greek islands than talk about myself.”
Melissa narrowed her gaze. “That can wait. What happened?” Her stepmother pinned her with a determined gaze. “How about I start with the photograph that made the rounds on the Internet yesterday?” she asked when Riley remained silent.
“Since when do you read sports blogs?” she asked.
“I don’t. David does,” she said of her new husband. “So…is there something you want to tell me?”
Riley winced, but Melissa had always been the best of both a mother and close friend, so she decided to confide in her. “I slept with Alex’s half brother, Ian.”
“Complicated.”
She nodded. “Alex has always been there for me. He’s hurt I’m working for Ian’s sports team, hurt I kept it from him and—”
“Jealous maybe?” Melissa asked.
The waiter stopped by to take their order.
“Whatever you want. You’re the sushi expert.”
Once the order was placed, Melissa pinned Riley with a look that told her she wouldn’t be dropping their previous conversation.
“I don’t think he’s jealous. We’re just friends. We never thought of each other that way.”
Her stepmom propped her chin in her hand. “I don’t know. He’s been protective of you ever since—”
“Protective isn’t the same as having those kind of feelings. He just doesn’t want me to get hurt.”
“Would Ian hurt you?” Melissa asked, getting to the crux of the matter.
Riley blew out a long breath. “I don’t know. He’s such a contradiction. One minute he’s bossy and telling me we’re going for dinner, I need to do things his way, and he infuriates me.” She omitted the fact that his dominance extended to the bedroom.
“And the next minute?” Melissa perceptively asked.
“The next I’m feeling completely cared for and…secure.” Riley looked away, unable to meet the other woman’s gaze.
Melissa was the strongest woman Riley knew, her role model in all things. When Riley’s father had bullied Melissa, she’d pushed back, and when he’d turned on Riley, she’d left him for good. It was Melissa who’d taught Riley to be her own pe
rson.
As opposed to Riley’s mother, who had been a too-loving, too-caring, and too-sweet woman. Although she’d loved Riley unconditionally and Riley still missed her, she was grateful she’d had Melissa’s example to follow. And she found it difficult to remember her mom because, with those memories, she was forced to recall the physical and emotional abuse her male chauvinist father had heaped on them both and the meek way her mother had accepted it, becoming more subservient as the years passed. She shuddered at the very thought.
“Riley, where did you disappear to?” Melissa placed her hand over Riley’s.
She swallowed hard. “Somewhere we both promised never to go again.”
Melissa’s bright smile faded. “Honey, don’t think about your dad. You can’t change him, so there’s no reason to put yourself back there.”
Riley shook her head. “I’m not. Well, not that way. I was just thinking how lucky I was that Dad married you.”
Melissa reached out and grabbed her hand. “You’re the one good thing that came out of that period of my life. You’re my daughter, Riley. There’s nothing you can’t discuss with me. So what is it about Ian that scares you? Because I can tell something does, and it’s not all about Alex.”
Amazed at how well her stepmother read her, Riley laughed. “You’re pretty perceptive.”
Melissa shrugged. And waited.
“Ian’s need for control scares me. I’m afraid I’m so taken with him that by the time I realize he’s like my father, it will be too late. And yet I know that’s so wrong. Ian would never—” Riley choked up and waved her hand, indicating she needed time.
She hated, hated that after all these years, the memories could still shake her to her core.
Melissa squeezed her hand tighter. “Your instinct is everything. Honey, I knew. Deep down, when I look back at the days before we got together, I knew. He never made me feel safe and secure. Those are powerful words. So trust your instincts.”
Riley nodded. “But there’s still Alex’s feelings to deal with, and he has every right to resent Ian. Not to trust him. And I trust Alex’s instincts too.”
“He could be too emotionally invested to see his half brother for who he really is,” Melissa said rationally. “He can’t tell you who to date as a condition for loving you or being there for you. That’s not fair either.”
Riley blinked at that. “You always make sense.”
“School of hard knocks, honey. But remember there’s always light at the end of the proverbial tunnel. Life brought me David.” And Melissa beamed at the mention of her new husband.
Happy to have the topic of Alex and Ian behind her, she changed the subject to the other woman’s honeymoon. This time, Melissa was only too happy to comply, and over the rest of their delicious dinner, she regaled Riley with stories of the Greek Islands, giving her a much-needed distraction.
***
Ian’s siblings arrived at his apartment earlier than the others were due to show up. He appreciated their support. Without discussing it, they all knew how difficult today would be. Robert Dare’s eight children had never been alone together in one room.
Yes, the girls had all gotten close but not the guys. Ian figured they all harbored their own resentments, but they’d agreed to come today.
“Hey, good call on the burgers,” Tyler said, walking into the kitchen. “These are my favorite.” He eyed the Kobe beef burgers piled on a chafing dish, French fries in a second tray. He reached out one hand.
“Hey!” Olivia swatted Ty before he could lift one and snag it for himself. “Wait for the company to arrive,” she said, sounding a lot like their mother.
“Spoilsport,” Ty grumbled. “I’m going back to watch some baseball with Scott.”
“Grab a beer,” Ian called out as Ty left the room.
Olivia laughed. “Men and their stomachs. You’re so easily led around.”
“Meanwhile, Avery’s in with them, and that’s where the chips are,” Ian said.
“She always could keep up with the boys.”
“You’re no slouch yourself,” he reminded her.
She grinned. “I have to tell you, this is quite a spread you’ve got here.”
“I’m just doing my best to be a decent host.”
“Or trying to impress a certain woman?” Olivia glanced around and grabbed a burger for herself, taking a bite before Ian could stop her.
He rolled his eyes at her audacity, though he shouldn’t be shocked. He also wasn’t about to touch the comment about Riley.
He’d had her in his bed, he’d been inside her body, and he wanted to go there again. Hell yes, he wanted to impress her.
And to do that, he needed her here.
He glanced at his watch. Not only were his half siblings late, so was Riley. His stomach churned, and he didn’t think it was hunger.
He joined his siblings in front of the television, but as the next half hour passed with no company and no phone call or explanation, anger burned in his gut.
He walked into the living room and looked over the city, seeing the view of Miami that usually brought him peace. Not today.
“Hey.”
He turned to see Avery coming up beside him. “Hi,” she said, pulling him in for a hug.
“Hi, yourself.” He kissed her forehead.
“I’m sure they’ll be here soon,” she said.
She’d always been the most naïve of them all, and he loved her for her innate goodness.
“I don’t know. Maybe they wanted to make a point, and they did. They want nothing to do with me.” How better to be obvious than to stand him up in front of his siblings?
She shook her head. “It’s not like Sienna to just not show.”
“Did you talk to her?” he asked.
She shook her head. “I was so excited she’d said yes when Olivia invited her, I called to talk. But she didn’t get back to me. Which isn’t like her.”
“Alex,” he muttered.
“What about him?” Avery asked.
Ian let out a rough exhale, thinking about his half brother and his feelings about Ian being with Riley. “He’s not too happy with me right now. I wouldn’t be surprised if he were behind everyone’s no-show.”
“Give it time. Alex isn’t a bad person, Ian. He just—”
“I don’t want to hear it,” he bit out, cutting her off. Whatever justification she was going to make for how Alex hadn’t had it easy either, Ian didn’t want to know.
Avery nodded, looking up at him with sad eyes.
“I don’t mean to take it out on you,” he said. “Go hang with everyone. I’ll be in soon.”
“Just remember, you always have us.” She hugged him again.
Because she was the youngest, he often forgot to take her seriously enough, but she was his sweet sister, and she had a big heart.
“Thanks.” He squeezed her hand, and as she headed back to the family room to join their sister and brothers, he turned to the windows once more.
As more time passed, it became clear they weren’t coming. The more Ian thought about it, the more he was sure Alex was responsible for his half siblings’ rejections. The son of a bitch was pissed about Ian’s relationship with Riley, and he was making his feelings known in the most conspicuous way possible. Although what Alex had to resent Ian for was beyond him.
As clear as day, he remembered the days after he’d found out about his father’s other family. Ian had taken a friend’s car his father wouldn’t recognize and driven the two hours out of his hometown, wanting to see for himself. And sure enough, there was the father who had no time for Ian and his siblings, playing football on the front lawn with his other son.
With the memory vivid in Ian’s mind, embarrassment and frustration rose larger inside him. Embarrassment that he’d gone to such extremes, ordering in an expensive menu, and opening his home, as well as himself, to Sienna, Alex, and Jason, only to be humiliated in front of the people he loved the most.
And if i
t wasn’t enough that they all weren’t here, where the hell was Riley? He’d made it clear he wanted her here. Thank God he hadn’t outright told her he needed her to hold his hand through this damned thing or he’d feel even worse.
Once again, when a choice had to be made, Ian had lost out to his half brother.
***
Once home from dinner, Riley couldn’t stop wondering how things had gone with Ian and Alex. She decided to check in with her friend, hoping he’d give her good news about how he and his half brother had made inroads in their relationship.
She dialed his cell, and Alex answered on the first ring. “Hey, Ri!”
She heard his teammates in the background and frowned. “Where are you?”
“Had some of the guys over.”
“After you came home from Ian’s?” she asked.
He laughed hard. “Are you kidding? Why the hell would I go over there? He screwed you—literally.”
She cringed. “You’re wasted.”
“You could be too if you’d come party with us,” he said.
She closed her eyes and groaned. For a man who stepped up when she needed him, he could also be such an overgrown child. The result of his big contract and the fact that his parents hadn’t been all that strict.
“You waited years for an opening with your half brother,” she said, trying to reason with Alex. “Why wouldn’t you meet him halfway?”
“Be right back!” he called out to his friends.
She assumed he was going somewhere quiet, because the noise level surrounding him died down.
“Because I don’t trust his motives. I don’t trust him with you. What if he’s using you to piss me off?”
She winced at the implication behind his words. “Flattering. Very flattering.”
“You know what I mean! He doesn’t deserve you. And the fact is, I don’t fucking trust him, period.”
Riley glanced heavenward. “You can’t begin to know whether you can trust him until you get to know him. If you won’t do it for yourself, do it for me.”
Heavy silence followed, which meant, at the very least, he was listening.