Home Run

by Bernadette Marie

  “Ah, girlie things?”

  “And my mom arranged for a limo to pick us all up and take us to a spa.” Her faced glowed with excitement.

  His Aunt Simone had been born into wealth and luxury. When he’d first met her, she screamed oil heiress.

  But Avery’s grandfather had taken away her wealth when Simone became pregnant with Avery out of wedlock. To add insult to injury the Parisian heiress was in love with a common American. Even as a young man Christian remembered when the woman, who once strutted around in designer clothes and high heels with her fingernails perfectly manicured, struggled to make ends meet. Simone had taken a simple job, moved in with a stranger, and learned that there were many others who could use a helping hand.

  He pushed his shoulders back a little more. If a Parisian oil heiress could learn humility, so could he. Sure, his aunt eventually got her trust fund back and Avery would never need for anything, but there she was, in his kitchen unpacking the groceries she’d bought with her own measly paycheck. Her long black hair was up in a ponytail, or a knot, or something he’d seen girls do when they didn’t care how they looked. But Avery Keller still looked beautiful.

  “What’s going on in that head of yours?” She asked opening his refrigerator, taking out an Izzy and opening it.

  “Just thinking about how happy everyone around me is. My brother is getting married. My sister is married and is living on a tour bus.” He licked the Dorito dust from his fingers. “You have a great new job. Spencer graduates college soon…” he stopped.

  “And Ty is M.I.A.” She set the drink on the counter.

  Christian felt the ache in his gut. “No one has heard from him?”

  “I think Spencer has, but he won’t break that brother confidentiality.”

  Christian understood that bond. He had that with Ed. But the fact that his cousin had up and left to “find himself” still didn’t sit well with the close knit Kellers.

  His self-help time was completely understood. Christian was sure that if a woman came into his life claiming to be his sister that he’d never known about, he too would have to flee.

  They all knew Tyler would come around. The question was when. After all, it was his long lost sister who was getting married to Ed. Wouldn’t Tyler want to be there for that?

  Avery pulled her cell phone out of her pocket and checked the time before picking her drink back up and taking a sip.

  “So who are you taking to the wedding?”

  “No one.”

  “Why not?”

  “I haven’t been too social lately. Can’t think that anyone would want to go with me.”

  She nodded. “I hear Tori’s going to be there—with the kids,” she added quickly.

  “I heard that too.” He folded the top of the Dorito bag over and set it on the table. “Thought maybe it would be my opportunity to amend things. You never know where it could lead.”

  Avery studied him and then pursed her lips. This meant she knew something. He’d seen her make that face many times.

  “What’s up? You know something.”

  She shook her head and sipped from her can again. “It’s nothing. I need to get going.”

  “Now your cheeks are flushing. You’re lying.”

  “I am not,” she started toward the door.

  “Avery,” his voice resonated his desperation.

  She turned around and dropped her shoulders. “Tori marked the RSVP card that she was bringing the kids and a date.”

  The thought that she might bring a date or even that she might have someone in her life had never crossed Chris’s mind. It was completely possible that Tori had moved on.

  Suddenly the smell of fresh cut grass was a bit too much to take. Chris waited for Avery to leave and then he closed all the windows and pulled all the blinds.

  Chapter Three

  Nashville couldn’t be lacking in spring wedding attire, but every store Victoria looked in, she was sure the town was dry.

  She hated leaving the kids with a sitter, but she had to find a dress—the right dress. A knock-your-socks-off dress. But it didn’t look as though it was going to happen.

  Stuck in the back of her closet she had a dress she loved. Once upon a time it had been her favorite.

  Chris had bought it for her one day. Okay, she admitted to herself, not just one day. The day. The very day he proposed to her.

  She pushed through yet another rack of unappealing dresses. There was no way she’d show up to his brother’s wedding wearing her own engagement dress. It was time to put the thought of Christian Keller out of her head. He wasn’t the man she thought he was and she didn’t have time to waste pining on him.

  Scott Foster had been asking her out for months and she’d finally accepted, on the terms that he’d attend the wedding with her and the kids. He’d graciously accepted.

  Scott understood the world she’d been thrust into. He was caring for his ailing mother, but he knew what it was to become care taker of someone you never thought you’d have to take care of. Christian Keller, on the other hand, couldn’t even seem to take care of himself.

  Victoria pushed aside yet another dress and let out a breath. Maybe it was a mistake to even go to the wedding. Darcy and Ed would understand, wouldn’t they? It was just too hard. It just couldn’t happen. It…

  “Tori!”

  She spun around at the calling of her name to see Christian’s mother and sister hurrying toward her.

  She didn’t have to try and smile—it came naturally.

  Clara was already within a few steps of her holding out her arms and enveloping her in a hug.

  “Oh, I’ve missed you,” she said as she hugged her tightly.

  “How could you even have time? I saw you on the TODAY show last week. You and Warner have really made a name for yourself.”

  There was a pride that resonated from Clara and the excitement was infectious.

  “It has been the craziest year and a half ever.” Her face softened. “How are you?”

  “I’m doing well.”

  Madeline, Christian’s mother, stepped between them. “My turn.” She pulled her into her arms and now Victoria was sure she might cry. “I’ve been thinking of you.”

  She pulled her back and kept her hands on Tori’s arms to look her over. “You look beautiful. What are you shopping for?” she asked finally dropping her hands.

  There was no way she was going to tell them her dilemma. Nope. She was going to make up something. These women didn’t need her getting all emotional. It wasn’t going to happen.

  “A dress for the wedding,” the words rushed out of her mouth before her contemplation of the situation was over.

  “I’m so glad you’re still coming.” Madeline smiled wide. “Clara and I are headed just a few doors down to get our final fittings with the other girls. You should spend the day with us and we’ll find you a dress.”

  “Oh, I couldn’t even think of it.”

  Clara’s lips turned into a pout. “You have to. I miss you.”

  “The kids are at a sitter.”

  “I’m sure she wouldn’t mind. Oh, Tori, please. I haven’t had the chance to pal around in a long time and this is the only girlie day I’ve had in months. It wouldn’t be the same without you.”

  Victoria had never been good with the guilt—never.

  “I suppose I could call the sitter and…”

  But the words never got out. Clara had her in another hug and Victoria couldn’t help but smile. She certainly did miss his family.

  When Victoria walked through the doors of the bridal store with Madeline and Clara, the others were already there waiting. The reception she received from Chris’s cousin Avery and Darcy was much the same as she’d received from Clara. Then his aunts, Regan, Arianna, and Simone embraced her as though she’d been the missing part in their lives for the past year.

  She wasn’t sure she was going to make it through the day without breaking down.

  Her friend Son
ia had told her to enjoy her day and that the kids were perfectly fine in her care. “I have three kids. Two more does not upset the balance in this house a bit,” she told her. “You deserve a day with women who care about you. If I see you before five o’clock tonight I’m locking you out,” she’d laughed. “Tori, go have fun.”

  She couldn’t argue with that. It had been Sonia’s strength that had helped her though the past year. Perhaps she was as close to a replacement sister as she could hope for, but that thought tugged at her chest too.

  Clara set a hand on her shoulder. “Are you okay?”

  “This is a bit emotional for me,” she whispered.

  Clara gave her a squeeze. “He’s an idiot, but you’ll always be one of my dearest friends. Don’t forget that.”

  Victoria pressed her lips together tightly. “I won’t.”

  The bridal store attendant set them all in an enormous fitting room. It was as if they were having a private party in the store. There was champagne, strawberries, and a whole lot of laughter.

  Each bridesmaid tried on their dress and paraded around while the others applauded. The attendant made any adjustments that were needed and the next woman would go.

  Victoria opted for one glass of champagne, but waved off the second when Clara offered.

  Clara smiled and poured anyway. “Your day has just begun.” She leaned in closer. “You’re not driving for hours anyway. We have a surprise for Darcy and you’re coming along.”

  Victoria’s stomach filled with the unwelcomed nausea that came when butterflies invaded. Sonia said to stay away and the kids were safe and happy. She sat back in her chair and tried to accept the warmth she was being surrounded by, but it was all going to come at such an emotional price later.

  Darcy was the last to try on her dress and tears flowed from Regan and Simone. Arianna shook her head at the two, but then turned and dabbed at her own eyes. Victoria, on the other hand, could feel the unwelcome onset of a full-on tearful breakdown coming.

  As everyone in the room gushed over the bride, Victoria quietly slipped away to the bathroom. She couldn’t do this. She couldn’t spend the day with these women knowing that once, this day would have been hers.

  She locked the door to the stall, took a handful of toilet paper, and began dabbing at her eyes.

  “Tori, are you in here?” Clara had come after her and now she felt even worse.

  She swallowed hard trying to steady her voice before she spoke. “I’ll be just a moment.”

  “I can wait.”

  No, that’s not what Victoria wanted. “You can go back. They need you.”

  But she didn’t hear the door open again so she knew that Clara wasn’t going anywhere.

  When she felt composed she plastered a smile on her face and opened the door to the stall.

  “Why are you crying?” Clara asked and that started the tears again.

  “This is too hard. I don’t think I can go on with you all today. I think I’d better go get the kids and go home.”

  Clara shook her head and walked toward her.

  “Don’t let him break you like this. He’s hurting too.”

  “It was his choice.”

  Clara’s brows drew together. “It was a stupid choice.”

  Victoria sucked in a breath. “No. It’s a lot to throw at someone. The kids aren’t his. There isn’t a reason in the world that he should want to take on that responsibility.”

  “And you should have? Alone?”

  “Well, they are mine.”

  Clara shook her head again. “In blood. Chris is yours in heart. That’s equal.”

  Victoria dabbed at her eyes and kept the smile plastered on her tight lips. “No. He needs to heal in his own way. I needed to move on.”

  Clara took a step back. “I want you to stay. I want you to be part of our party. Don’t let Chris ruin this.”

  “I’m a mess.”

  Clara laughed. “No, that would be Aunt Regan. Did you see how she blubbered out there?”

  That finally gave way to a chuckle from Victoria. “I miss having you around.” She cleared her throat. “Especially since my sister is gone.”

  Clara pulled her to her again. “I’ll always be here, even if my buffoon of a brother is out of the picture.” She gave her a squeeze and stepped back. “Okay, you get yourself together. Darcy is getting changed and we found a dress we think you should wear.”

  “Me?”

  “Yeah, so hurry out.”

  Clara left the bathroom and Victoria stood there trying to compose herself. She’d so wanted to be one of the Keller women. They were strong and united together. Perhaps she was one after all.

  She looked in the mirror at the woman she hardly recognized anymore. As she moved closer to the mirror she tried not to limp when she saw herself do so in the reflection, but it was near impossible. Her eye lids drooped and there were dark circles shadowing the blue eyes Chris had said he’d fallen in love with. Her blonde hair hung over her shoulders.

  She set her purse on the counter and fetched out the small brush she kept there. After a few swipes through her hair she dug around for some lip tint. Finally, she found something that had a hint of pink. After a few more moments of primping she thought she looked healthier. Now it was time to test her nerves. Could she keep it together long enough to spend the day with the Keller women?

  All of the Keller women were sitting on the couches in the fitting room as Darcy finished changing out of her dress. Victoria would have like to have just slipped in, but they were obviously waiting for her.

  “C’mon, we found a dress we think you’ll love,” Regan stood and reached out a hand to Victoria.

  She took her hand and let Regan lead her to an open dressing room.

  “What do you think?”

  It was simple. It was exactly what she’d been looking for. It was another trigger to start the tears.

  “I think it’s wonderful.”

  Regan smiled as if she knew what she was going through. “Try it on and come show us. Darcy thought the size was right.”

  Victoria nodded with a smile as Regan turned and left her alone in the room.

  Her hands trembled as she reached for the dress. Already she knew it was out of her price range, but what was a little dress up among friends?

  She took off her yoga pants, which she realized she’d become accustom to. Maybe she should think about a new pair of jeans. Toeing off her ratty sandals, she realized she needed a pedicure. Was that the beginning of a hole in her old Victoria Secret panties? Wow, she thought. She’d really let herself go.

  Victoria stripped off her shirt and pulled the dress off the hanger.

  Darcy had been right on the size. The floral print was warm and full of spring time. The capped sleeves gave a graceful accent to her arms, which she’d always thought was her best feature. And the V-neck gave way to her delicate B-cups.

  Victoria slowly opened the door to the dressing room to the room full of women whose conversation stalled as she walked out.

  “Oh, Tori! It’s perfect!” Darcy clasped her hands together. “That’s it! That’s the dress.”

  Victoria walked toward the large mirrors where all the women had stood in their dresses. The dress was flattering and sophisticated—and fun.

  Simone walked up behind her and gave a few tugs on the fabric. “It fits so well, I don’t think it even needs altering,” she said in her beautiful French accent, which Victoria adored.

  “It’s very nice. I don’t think I can afford it though.”

  The women again went silent.

  Darcy walked toward her and took her hands. “We are all pitching in and buying you the dress. It’s a gift.”

  “Oh, no. I can’t…”

  “It’s already done. And look at this.” Darcy turned around and pointed to Madeline who held a smaller version of the dress. “There’s one for Ali.”

  That was the final straw. The tears gave no notice before they fell freely down her ch
eeks.

  “Really, you all don’t have to…”

  “We all want to.” Darcy brushed a tear from her own cheek. She leaned in to Victoria. “You’re supposed to be my sister-in-law. Just because he’s a freaking moron doesn’t mean I have to lose that,” she whispered.

  Victoria pressed her fingers to her lips to keep them still.

  She was a Keller woman. She would just have to do without the Keller man.

  Chapter Four

  Christian adjusted the tie that currently suffocated him. He hated the monkey suit. His brother was getting married—not him. Why did he have to be formal for dinner? Really…it was going to be his family and Darcy’s dad and he needed a suit?

  “Stop fidgeting.” Clara walked up and adjusted the tie he’d just loosened. “Are you sick or something? You’re sweating.”

  He rubbed the scar on his forehead when it began to itch, as it did when he’d get hot. “I don’t want to be here.”

  “I worry about you. You always were a quiet kid, but since the accident you’ve been shut off from the world. We all still exist you know.”

  Christian grit his teeth. “I’m just nervous. It’s been a long time since I stood in front of a lot of people and had to talk. Giving speeches is not my forte.”

  “You’re going to be fine.” She patted him on the shoulder. “And to think two years ago you were a cocky ball player.”

  She walked away, but the sting of her words had done their job. She was right. He’d been a quiet, almost shy, kid. Then he’d become the epitome of the jock. Full of himself and easy with the ladies. And then came Tori.

  Okay, he had to admit it—the real issue at hand was knowing he had to face Tori tomorrow. Seeing her had been one thing. Knowing she was bringing a date had twisted him up. And then to top it off, all Clara and Avery could talk about all week was about the day they had with her. They’d bought her a dress and took her to lunch. After that, Simone had surprised Darcy with a limo and a spa day—in which they’d included Tori.

  He knew she was going to knock his socks off tomorrow. She was going to take that wedding by storm. And she was going to do it all with another man at her side.