by Taylor Hart
He left her room, quietly closing the door and heading for the cabins on the east side of the resort. He headed out toward a trail that went along the cliffs by the beach. Whipping out his phone, he noticed there was just one text from Grant. Ha ha. Crazy, dude. Have fun.
That wasn’t going to cut it. He pressed his brother’s number, not sure if his brother would answer or not.
“Dude, it’s four in the morning here,” Grant whispered.
“I don’t care,” Walker said, more concerned about Scarlett.
“Just a sec.”
Walker heard rustling in the background, and he imagined Grant going into another room. “Grant.” Instead of going to his cabin, he walked down a path.
“Okay, what’s up, man?” Grant’s normal voice was back. “I saw the coverage of Scarlett announcing you were her fiancé. Dang, that was some kiss.”
“You have no idea.” He quickly filled his brother in on everything that had happened.
Grant let out a whistle. “So the old man threatened you?”
Walker continued to hike up the trail, and he was surprised to see Marissa jogging toward him.
She stopped and pulled out an earbud. “Hey.”
He didn’t stop; one conversation at a time was enough for him. He pointed to his phone. “Sorry, chatting with my brother.”
Giving him a dirty look like he’d just blown her off, she went back into a jog.
He hurried faster, not liking the fact that others were on this trail. He wanted to be alone.
“Hello?” Grant called out.
“Hey. He said he could ruin you. Can he do that?”
Grant grunted. “Sure, I guess. I mean, he’s Tyrone Power.”
Walker ran a hand through his hair. “So what should I do?”
Grant was silent for a couple of seconds.
The air cracked with a sound like a branch breaking. Both of them tensed. “Hold up,” Walker said. He looked around, but couldn’t see anybody. “Hmm, thought I heard something.”
“Walker, I don’t have all night,” Grant said.
Walker pressed on, getting past the trees. The trail opened up, and he could see out over the ocean. He paused. “Grant, what is going on with her? She said part of the reason she picked me for this little charade was because she liked and trusted you. Tell me, what is happening with her?”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” Grant said too quickly.
“Bull.” Walker knew his gut was right. “She’s really pale, tired, and this morning she literally almost fell asleep as I was helping her to her room.”
Grant was quiet.
That feeling that something wasn’t right surfaced again. “Tell me. I want to know. Is it some kind of drug issue?”
He heart Grant sigh. “Dude, I’m not supposed to tell anyone this. She asked for my discretion, and I think I owe it to her.”
Yeah, there was no way his brother would keep a secret from him. “Oh, you did a pinky promise?” Grant was notorious for breaking them.
“Funny.”
“I don’t care what promise you made. You better talk.”
Grant sighed. “She was sick this morning?”
Walker grunted. “Yeah, and now that I think about it, I thought she was just super careful with her weight like you Hollywood types, but there’s something wrong. Sometimes she puts her hand to her stomach like she’s pregnant or something, but I don’t think it’s that.”
“No, she’s not pregnant,” Grant said quietly.
“Tell me!” Walker demanded.
“No.” Grant’s tone was stubborn. “I promised her.”
Walker didn’t like being in the dark. “Bro, I am her fiancé. Tell me.”
“Fake fiancé,” Grant reminded him. “This thing will be over with you guys in, what? Three days?”
Walker thought it was funny that he cared so much about this woman. It was, but the need to know surfaced again. “I don’t care if I’m a fake fiancé. I’m in this, and I want to know.”
Still no response.
Walker knew what would guilt him. “Remember that year I helped pay half of your actors’ camp?” He knew this was a low blow.
“Are you seriously using that?”
“Hey, that was my money I’d gotten from mucking horse stalls at Grandpa’s all summer.”
Grant let out a soft laugh.
“You still haven’t paid me back,” Walker said, halfway serious. He’d never thought about it until now.
There was a long moment of silence before Grant spoke up again. “Okay. I’ll Venmo you with interest, bro.”
“Dang it! Tell me!” He washed a hand over his face. It all felt murky now. This simple four-day deal had turned into something more.
“Fine,” Grant said in a fierce way. “Man, you must like her.”
Walker reflected that he wasn’t sure when he’d really started liking her—maybe the very first time he saw her, maybe when she brought him back from his attack, maybe a few moments ago on the beach when they’d played and built a sandcastle—but he did. “Fine, I like her. It’s probably a bad idea, but tell me.”
Grant sighed. “You know her mom, like our mom, also had breast cancer.”
Walker stopped walking, gripping the phone tighter to his ear, his mind going a million miles an hour. “Okay.”
“She found a lump while we were filming Cherished. The doctor said he could do a lumpectomy and then give her chemo pills for a couple of months. He thought it would get it all.”
Walker cringed, hating that he was involved in this. Hating that he’d said yes. And doubly hating that what Grant said was true. It all made sense: the horse pills, the paleness, the way she hardly ate. “This is …”
“Of course, I’m sure you know she has family problems. And about her idiot ex-boyfriend and best friend being together. She felt she had no one.”
“So she reached out to you?” Walker was confused. “Were you …” He almost didn’t want to know. “Were you guys together?”
“No,” Grant said quickly. “She only asked me because she needed help keeping it quiet. The procedure was just outpatient, but she needed a couple of days to recover.” He sighed. “The woman is a soldier of her own brand, dude. I was always so impressed how she just kept on going, filming even when I could tell she was in pain.”
A new respect formed for her, but Walker was also pissed. Emotion clogged his throat, and he cussed.
Grant sighed. “I’m sorry, I know you hate this stuff.”
“Yeah, because everyone likes death stuff.” He cussed again and thought of his mother. “This whole thing is crap, just crap. Why didn’t you tell me not to do it?”
A rippling laugh answered him back. “I am in another country. You only texted me yesterday, and you’re a big boy. Her dad’s a jerk; just ignore him. Just be there for her,” Grant said.
Walker pressed end on the call. He didn’t need this. Stalking back to his cabin, he just felt out of control.
Cancer. Cancer. Cancer.
Sure, whatever. So she had a lumpectomy and was on pills. What did that mean? What did it mean if she was still tired and pale and a million thoughts flitted through his mind?
His phone rang, and he saw it was Grant. He declined the call. He walked faster toward his cabin, unsure what to do, when his phone rang again. Dang it! He wanted to decline the call, but he also wanted more answers.
The groomsmen meandered out of the recreation area. Brent caught his eye and lifted a hand to him.
Suddenly, Marissa jogged from behind him, toward the groomsmen. She didn’t pay him any attention, just called out to Kurt.
Walker stopped, watching her. Had she been listening? She should have been back a long time ago.
Dang it! His phone kept ringing. He answered it. “Walker.”
“You don’t hang up on me!” his brother said angrily into the phone.
“Then what?” Walker challenged, ticked off at the whole situation.
“You can’t tell her I told you.”
“I don’t care about your pinky promise.”
“I mean it. Please.”
Walker thought about Grant and how there was a goodness about Grant that shone through. He wasn’t just a pretty boy. He had a sincerity to him.
“Dude, I mean it. You can’t tell her I told you. Don’t stress her out right now,” Grant begged.
“What do you want me to do? The woman is sleeping right now. She is pale, and she …” He thought of what would happen if he got mad and left. It wasn’t like him to be involved in other people’s crap. Sure, he put up with a small amount of listening to all of his brothers’ crap, because they were family. But he wasn’t used to being involved in drama like this.
“What are you going to do?” Grant asked in a quiet voice.
Walker slowed his pace. The trail he’d taken had led to some cliffs above the resort, and now he was staring out over the ocean again. “I don’t know.”
What would she do if he left her?
Grant didn’t speak for a moment.
Walker thought about how Grant knew more about her than anyone else. “Why didn’t she tell her father, at least? I mean, I know he’s a jerk, but she needs someone to help her through this.”
“Her father.” Grant let out another scoff. “You just got Tyrone Powered. It’s an actual term that is used in the movie industry. The guy treats Scarlett like he owns her.” He sighed. “The truth is, Scarlett thought she got the part in Cherished on her own, but she didn’t. I heard the director one night discussing it with the producer about how frustrated they were that Tyrone liked to think he could control them too. The only positive thing is Scarlett is good. She’s one of the best. The sad thing is she doesn’t even realize it. She’s … Scarlett’s a good person, and I know it sucks to be in your position, but you should help her.”
It pissed Walker off that now he was thinking about the house, and he felt guilty. He thought about how much he really was starting to like this woman. Now he’d gotten his brother involved. He cussed again.
“Dude,” Grant said. “It’s fine. Whatever you do, don’t worry about me.”
“Yeah.” Like that was possible.
“I know you said you did this for her house, but house or not, you should do it.” Grant said softly.
“Don’t tell me what I should do.” Walker rolled his eyes.
“Why? Because Mama’s not around anymore to tell you, and the last year you’ve been in a freaking spiral?”
“My spiral helped win a super bowl championship!” he thundered back. It wasn’t like he’d been on an alcoholic bender or anything.
“I know. And you’ve done good, but there’s more to life than just football and rowing and women who leave after breakfast.”
Walker knew he was right. Dang it, he knew his mama would definitely help someone like Scarlett. Selfishly, he needed reassurance. “So the cancer is in remission?”
“It’s gone,” Grant said quickly. “I mean, she’s taking those chemo pills to make sure, but they got it.”
Walker was confused. “Then why is she taking those pills?”
“The chemo pills are just a precaution they take.” He cleared his throat. “She has to get tested all the time, but the tests keep coming back clean as far as I know.”
Relief filled him. “You could have led with that, bro.”
Suddenly, his brother laughed. For the first time since he’d left Scarlett’s side, Walker cracked a smile too. It was stupid how relieved he was about the fact she was okay.
Grant stopped laughing. “So what are you going to do?”
Walker’s head had cleared. “Are you sure you’re not worried about her father?”
Grant hesitated. “We do the right thing—”
“No matter the cost,” said Walker, filling in for him. It was one of their father’s sayings.
“It’s the right thing,” Grant said quietly. “Stay and be there for Scarlett.”
Walker nodded, knowing that was true. “I am getting that dang house out of it. That’s why I’m here.”
Grant snorted. “Yeah, because money has always been your motivation in life.”
“What’s that supposed to mean?”
“Dude, you’re the only guy I know who has a perfectly good apartment in Dallas, but every chance you get, you go camping. Tell me you care about money.” Grant challenged.
If his brother only knew the half of it, that he’d been staying on her property. But Walker wouldn’t tell him that. “I care about the lake.”
“Ah, yes, I see that.” Grant sighed. “Your obsession with rowing. It’s really your obsession with finding peace. Don’t act like I don’t know you, don’t know what you’ve gone through. It’s tough, and you’ve had a lot of loss in your life, bro. Laura and everything last year.”
Pain stabbed through his chest. The kind of pain that you think has dulled and gone away but always resurfaces out of the blue. “Just … shut up.”
Grant sighed. “I just want you to realize you’ve been trying to find something for a long time. And maybe it’s not about peace. Maybe it’s about allowing yourself to connect with people. And not all the women you take out once.”
Walker couldn’t take it anymore. “Shut up!”
His brother sighed. “Sorry. Guess you’re not ready for counseling.”
Walker squeezed his eyes shut and tried to not let all the guilt surface right now.
Grant let out a light laugh. “You always did love Grandfather’s lake, so maybe it is about the lake.”
Suddenly, Walker was back there: the smell of fresh pine, the solace of being alone. “That’s what I want.”
“Okay,” Grant said. “I gotta go, but I’ll see you tomorrow night.”
“Tomorrow night?” This was a surprise to Walker.
“Yep. Scarlett invited me to the dinner the night before and I didn’t know if I was going to go, but now … I wouldn’t miss all this drama.”
It made Walker happy that he’d be seeing him soon. “Okay.”
“Bye.”
Walker pressed end and walked into his cabin. He thought about the itinerary for the next couple of days and all the very physical things it would demand. Even if he couldn’t tell her he knew about the cancer, he could make sure she didn’t overdo it. He would step up his game and make sure she was okay.
Chapter 14
At eleven o’clock, they all met for brunch. Walker noted that Kurt was sullen this morning, holding Marissa’s hand like it was his anchor. He kept his sunglasses on, even though they were eating inside at a fancy window table.
Walker tried to steer clear of the guy, sitting at the other end of the table. No one else was there yet. Walker pulled out his phone so he wouldn’t have to try to play nice.
Scarlett entered the room a couple of minutes later, looking fresh and movie star-ish in a flowing white outfit. She was chatting happily with Tami and Charlene. Victor and Brent were with them.
She didn’t look sick. She sat next to him, a warm smile lighting up her face, and she leaned into his ear. For a second, he thought she might kiss him, but then she whispered, “Sorry about earlier. I was so tired. Thank you.” Then she sat all the way down.
Whether he was playing the fiancé or just because he wanted to, he put his arm around her chair and smiled at her. “You fell asleep like Sleeping Beauty.” Man, it sounded corny, but he just couldn’t get over how normal she looked. Granted, she had her makeup on, and her hair was beautiful, but she seemed perfectly fine. It was stupid how protective of her he felt.
Almost like she knew he was feeling differently about her, she gave him a soft smile. “You always do Prince Charming so admirably.” She slipped her hand into his, and then she was chatting with Tami.
Victor sat next to Walker. “I just have one question for you, my friend.”
With some effort, Walker redirected his attention.
“How is Riker Dylan going to beat A
nthony Kincaid this year?” He shook his head. “I just don’t see how it will be possible.”
Walker relaxed and fell into easy football chatter.
Scarlett’s father and Liz joined them, and everyone casually ordered and ate.
For once, it was nice and relaxing. Everyone seemed to be doing exactly what he would picture rich people doing at wedding festivities: getting along. It was a stark contrast to Kurt’s outburst the night before.
As breakfast wound down, Charlene pulled out the itinerary for the day. “Okay, so we have a busy day, people. First, it’s horseback riding. Afterwards, for the women, we have a fun DIY project today making personalized soap.”
Walker couldn’t stop from meeting Victor’s gaze and laughing. Then he noticed the way Scarlett’s hand had covered her stomach and her eyes were shut.
No, this would not do. She didn’t have the energy to do all of this. She was sick. She needed to rest, at least from horse rides.
Liz dramatically stood and gave Charlene a mock look of sympathy. “I’m sorry, but I’ve been called away. My mother is having some health issues. I won’t be back until the wedding.”
It felt abrupt and fake, but Charlene got up and went to Liz, folding her into her arms. “I hope she recovers quickly.”
Liz gave her a half smile, then put her hand out to Scarlett’s father. “Will you walk me to the helipad?”
Scarlett’s father hesitated and he glanced from Scarlett, then back to Liz. “Hold on.” He walked over to Scarlett and whispered something in her ear.
“No, daddy, I can’t right now.” A mask had crossed over her features.
Looking a bit upset, her father sighed and glared at Walker. “Fine.” He turned back to Liz. “Let’s go.”
They disaapeared.
Charlene kept everyone focused. “Okay, let’s change into our horse-riding clothes and meet at the stables in an hour. Oh, and tonight, the whole wedding party has been invited to my parents’ house in Malibu for a party.”
Walker thought horseback riding and soap carving and a big party in Malibu might be a bit much for Scarlett, but he didn’t know how to bring it up to her. He glanced at Scarlett.
She plastered on an insincere smile. “Great.”