“Girls, I don’t know what I would’ve done without you.”
“We don’t know what dad would do without you,” Lexie said, her voice shaking.
Jo hugged the girl. “Don’t worry. I’ll never leave him. Promise.”
Lexie wiped her eyes.
“You’re crying? Your eyes are gonna be all puffy.” Alyssa slowed the vehicle.
“I’m sure she’ll look beautiful,” Jo said.
“She’d better. The team’s gonna be there. Some really hot guys.”
“Don’t let your father hear that. He doesn’t want you anywhere near those men.”
“Too bad.” Lyssa pushed down on the gas. “We’re not babies. We’ll do what we want.”
Lexie sniffed her agreement.
* * * *
In the Drake household, Stormy was dressed in softly draping silk. She put on her shoes and stopped at Devon’s room. “Need help?”
“This damn tie.” He puffed out a breath.
“Let me.” She took command. Then, she stood back and checked out her handiwork.
“Let’s see,” he said, stepping in front of the mirror. “Perfect. You’re hired.”
“I’m already hired.”
“As a tie tier.”
She giggled. Devon still had to put on his jacket and shoes. The doorbell rang.
“I’ll get it.” Excitement bubbled up in Stormy’s chest. She flew down the stairs, humming Handel’s “Wedding March.” Maybe someday this’ll be happening for Devon and me.
She whipped open the door and stood motionless.
“Hi. Is Devon home?” Jackie Lawrence, dressed in a cream colored, silk suit and wearing a dazzling, chunky, gold bracelet and matching necklace, stepped over the threshold.
“What are you doing here?” Stormy asked, her eyes wide.
“Devon’s going to his coach’s wedding. He needs a proper escort. That’s me.” The model, standing almost six feet tall in heels, looked down on the auburn-haired young woman.
“Devon has a date.”
“Really?” Jackie arched an eyebrow. “With whom? You?”
Stormy nodded, unable to find her voice.
“Let’s let him decide.” Jackie pushed her way in and headed for the stairs. “Dev! Devon?” she called.
Stormy was frozen by the door. Her legs wouldn’t move, her words were stuck, and her lungs had stopped working. Devon appeared at the top of the stairs. A look of confusion spread over his face.
“There you are! I’m here. So glad you waited,” Jackie gushed.
“What the hell?” Devon stood still.
“Are you almost ready? When does the wedding start?”
“What are you doing here, Jackie?”
“I’m your date for the wedding.”
“I already have a date.”
“With that girl?” The model snorted. “Honestly, do you want the press to snap your picture with her or me?”
At those words, Stormy snatched her purse from the front hall table and flung open the door.
“Stormy, wait!”
She heard Devon’s exclamation as she made tracks to her car. The vehicle was rusty and fifteen years old. She’d bought it with the money she’d earned cooking for Devon and Bullhorn. Stormy slid behind the wheel. Tears flooded her eyes as she rummaged through her bag, searching for her keys.
She spied Devon running down the front steps without his shoes. She turned the ignition, threw the car into gear, and roared away as he reached her. But she couldn’t escape his words.
“Wait, Stormy! Wait! This is a mistake!”
Damn right, it’s a mistake. A mistake for me to trust you. She turned left on Wakefield Street and headed for the country club. After two blocks, she pulled over onto the shoulder. Her eyes were too blurry to see. Stormy put her head down on the wheel and cried. As she was wiping her face, her cell rang. Pursing her lips into a hard frown, she decided to let it ring. Devon Drake can’t wiggle out of this so fast.
Curiosity grabbed her. She picked up the phone and checked the missed call. Bill McLean! She called him back.
“Hi, Stormy.”
“Hey, Bill. What’s up?”
“I got a call from some cop in Monroe. Is that where you’re living now?”
“A cop?”
“Said he’d been talking to Edgy Mason. Said Mason’s on his way to rehab.”
“That’s true.”
“You must be relieved.”
“You have no idea.”
“I was thinking…since we haven’t been able to replace you, and that crazy guy Mason is out of the way, would you consider coming back?”
“That’s so sweet, Bill. Thanks, but I’m working here right now.”
“Are you happy?”
Don’t answer that. “Of course.”
“Too bad. Oh, sorry. I don’t mean it’s too bad you’re happy, just that if you weren’t, maybe you’d come back. I miss you.”
“Do you?”
“You know I do.”
Stormy didn’t respond.
“At least say you’ll think about it.”
“Okay. I’ll think about it.”
He laughed. “Same old honest Stormy. You’ve got my number in case you change your mind.”
“Thanks for calling, Bill.”
After taking a deep breath, she started the car. She didn’t have far to drive to get to the club. Valet parking attendants directed her where to leave her rust bucket. As she approached the hill where the ceremony would take place, she couldn’t believe her eyes. She rubbed them, blinked, then stared.
A waiter shoved a filled champagne flute in her hand as she raised it to count. Forty-five. Forty-five men in tuxedos wearing boutonnieres?
Samantha came running over. She chugged her champagne, placed the empty glass on the tray of a nearby server, and huffed. Her face was flushed.
“What’s going on?” Stormy asked.
“I don’t know what to do. Jo is going to throw a fit.”
“What is this?” Stormy waved at the well-dressed players.
“Forty-five men think they are standing up for the coach.”
“What?”
“Forty-five ushers and four bridesmaids.”
“Holy crap.” Stormy chugged her beverage too.
Chapter Twelve
Jo tapped her foot in an attempt to stand still long enough for Alexis to zip up her dress. The bride adjusted her bra and centered the straps. “Even in these heels, Pete’ll have to bend to kiss me.” She checked her image in the full-length mirror.
One of the meeting rooms had been converted to a bridal dressing room. The groom had arrived completely outfitted. Alyssa was attending to him. The sisters conversed by text.
“You look amazing. Awesome. Really,” Lexie said.
A slight frown creased Jo’s forehead as she studied her appearance. “The dress is fantastic. It drapes well. Wish I wasn’t so pale.”
“You look beautiful. Dad’ll be speechless.” Lexie stood back and gazed at her step-mother-to-be.
“Thank you, sweetie.” Jo shot a warm smile at the college girl. “Would you ask Samantha if everything is under control?”
Alexis dialed. She moved out of earshot as she spoke.
Jo adjusted her necklace, stopping to finger the beads a moment longer. Nana. Wish you were here to see this. She blinked back a tear and smoothed down her chiffon skirt.
Lexie closed her phone.
“Well? Everything okay?”
“Sort of.”
Jo’s head turned sharply. “What do you mean, ‘sort of’?”
“Seems as if we have a few more ushers than bridesmaids.”
“Pete.” Jo smiled. “He didn’t want to hurt anyone’s feelings. It’s okay if we have a few more. They can walk down the aisle two ushers to one bridesmaid.”
“Well…” Lexie picked at her cuff and cast her gaze to the floor.
“What is it?”
“There are a few more than eigh
t ushers.”
“How many more than a few?”
“Maybe you’d better sit down.”
After her conference with Lexie, Jo picked up her phone. “Pete? Is there something you want to tell me?”
“Not that I can think of.”
His voice sounds nervous. “Are you sure?”
“I am.” She could almost hear him pulling on his collar.
“How many guys on the team did you ask to stand up for you?”
“A few. That’s what you said. Ask a few.”
“How many’s a few?” Her blood pressure began to rise.
“I don’t know. Maybe five? Ten?”
“Why don’t you try forty-five?”
“Forty-five? I don’t remember asking that many guys.”
“Did they ask you?”
“Some did. Yeah.”
“And did you say ‘yes’ because you didn’t want to say ‘no’?”
“Dunno. I might have.”
“And did you, maybe, do that forty times?”
“Am I on the witness stand or something? What’s the problem?”
“Have you been to the hill where the ceremony is taking place yet?”
“Alyssa won’t let me leave the clubhouse.”
“Then, you don’t know?”
“Know what?”
“Forty-five Kings are out there in tuxes, planning to be your ushers.”
“No shit! Really, Jo? You’re not kidding or something?”
“Would I kid about that? It’ll be on the front page of every newspaper and sports magazine before the week’s out.”
“Fuckin’ A.”
“Nice, Pete.”
“I’m sorry, Jo. I’m so sorry. Guess I didn’t take them seriously.”
“So, you did tell forty-five guys they could be ushers?”
“I may have. You know a guy asks kinda offhanded. And so you’re not really listening and you say, ‘sure, sure’.”
“Oh, Pete. This wedding is a farce. We’re going to be laughed off the page of every newspaper in the country.” Her voice quavered.
“Come on, honey. Don’t worry. Maybe they dressed up because they thought it was dress up?”
“Get real. You know the truth. It’s your fault.” She blinked rapidly. Crying wasn’t allowed. Lexie had finished her makeup, and she’d be damned if she was going to ruin it.
“I’m sorry. But what could I say? I couldn’t turn them away.”
Jo clicked off the phone. She paced in the small room, her breathing heavy.
“I think you need something to drink. Champagne?” Lexie asked.
“Perfect. Something to deaden…everything.”
Lexie slipped out and was back in a jiffy. “Boy, when you say the bride needs champagne, people jump. Here you go.”
Jo guzzled the first third of the flute. The warmth immediately made her feel better.
“It’s okay, Jo. The guys just wanted to be part of Dad’s wedding. Can you blame them?”
“I don’t blame them. I blame Pete!”
“You’re not going to back out on him, are you?”
Jo smiled. “Of course not. I love him, crazy as he is.”
“Whew.”
Jo’s cell rang. It was Pete.
“You’re not going to run out on me, are you?”
“Do you want me to?”
“Oh, God, no, Josie. Please. I love you so much. Say you’re going to marry me.”
“Of course, I’m going to marry you.”
“Good. Scared me for a minute there.”
“I love you too. But this, this…”
“It’ll be okay. Believe me. Remember what I said. You and me. Just you and me.”
“And the judge.”
“Oh, yeah. Forgot him.” Pete chuckled. “Wish I could give you a hug.”
“Me too.” She sighed. “See you soon.”
“You bet, honey. Love you.”
“Love you too.” Jo hung up.
Lexie checked her watch. “It’s time. Are you ready?”
“As ready as I’ll ever be to see forty-five ushers.”
Lexie opened the door. “Remember, you’re an amazing bride.”
When Jo cleared the doorway, Lexie fixed her veil and walked behind her. The bridesmaids wore dark pink and carried white flowers, while the bride carried a pink bouquet.
When they reached the edge of the hill, everyone was in place. Jo spied Pete, shifting his weight and rubbing the back of his neck. He hates tuxedos. She smiled. Then, she spotted the ushers. They were lined up ten deep next to Pete, almost blocking the groom from view.
“Where’s Lyle?”
“Right here, little lady.” The team owner walked up to her. His hair was neatly combed, and he wore a tuxedo that fit his bulky shape. “It’s an honor, Jo.”
She nodded. A pain stabbed through her heart. Dad. She forced his image out of her brain and took the arm that Lyle Barker was offering. She turned to Lexie. “Okay. I’m ready.”
The young woman ran ahead. Jo and Lyle moved up the easy hill slowly. As they got to the crest, there was a voice in the distance calling.
“Wait! Wait!”
Lyle turned to face Jo. “Someone stopping your wedding?”
The blood rushed from her head. Dizziness made her grab Lyle’s arm with both hands. “Not as far as I know.” She turned her head and stared. A man in a tux was running toward them. She rubbed her eyes. It can’t be.
The handsome, distinguished gentleman slowed as he approached. He reached out to shake Lyle’s hand. “Cabot Parker. Father of the bride. I’ll take over from here.”
Lyle looked at the man, glanced at Jo, and then removed her fingers from his arm and backed up. “It’s as it should be,” the team owner said.
“Thank you, anyway, Lyle.”
He nodded.
When they were alone, Jo turned to her father. “What are you doing here?”
“Giving away my daughter. Isn’t that my right?”
“Do you have any rights left?”
“Come on, Jo. It’s your wedding day. Forgive and forget. Even if just for today. You’ve picked a fine man, from all I’ve read and heard. Let’s celebrate.”
“If you’d taken the time to meet him, you might know it firsthand.” Tears welled in her eyes. “Damn it! I’m not going to ruin my makeup!”
He pulled out his handkerchief. She took it and sopped up the wetness.
“I’ve waited all your life for this day. Looked forward to it. I love you, my little princess.” His voice cracked over the name he used to call her. Cab Parker brushed the back of his hand across his eyes.
She squeezed his hand and smiled. “Okay, Dad. You get a reprieve. But only for today.”
He held up his palm. “I’ll take it.” Then, he reached into his pocket and removed a package. “I almost forgot. Something from your mother. She’s coming, but she’ll be a little late.”
“Typical. What is it?”
He handed it to her, and Jo ripped off the paper. It was a blue garter.
“She was sure you’d need something blue.”
“She was right.” Even though she was in full view of the spectators, Jo hiked up her skirt and slipped the elastic to her thigh. “Guess we’re ready now.” She looked up, caught Lexie’s eye, and nodded.
Her father offered her his arm, and together they headed for the aisle. When she glanced at Pete, her heart flipped. He looked so handsome in his fancy clothes. Then, she saw the gaggle of penguin-like football players trying to stand still to the coach’s left. She had to laugh. They looked ridiculous. Our wedding will go down as the silliest affair ever. Guess the publicity won’t hurt. I can see the headline now. Coach such a softie, he invites the whole team to stand up at his wedding. Might be useful at that.
The “Wedding March” began to play on a keyboard with violin accompaniment. Jo heard her father sniffle as they proceeded down the aisle.
“Don’t start, Daddy.”
&nbs
p; “You’ll always be my little girl.”
She patted his arm. The misting of her eyes surprised her.
Pete moved forward. His forehead was sweating, but he was grinning.
Her father stepped toward the coach, and Jo let go of him. “Take good care of her,” Cabot Parker said. He lifted Jo’s veil and kissed her cheek.
Pete shook the older man’s hand and nodded. “I will, sir. I will.” Then, he tucked her arm in his as they turned to face the judge.
Excitement, happiness, and anticipation flowed freely through her as she stepped forward to become Coach Bass’s wife. With all doubt gone, Josephine Parker meant every word of the vows she took, convinced that Prince Charming did exist after all. Perhaps his crown was a little tarnished and more like a cap that said “Kings” on it. Maybe his armor was a T-shirt that read “Coach.” But she loved him and that was all that mattered.
* * * *
Stormy plucked a hanky out of her purse. She always cried at weddings. Tears of happiness for the bride and groom warmed her heart. She glanced over at the gang of ushers, looking for Devon. He was frowning, standing next to Bullhorn Brodsky. They exchanged some words, but the cornerback’s cloudy expression never left.
Next, she turned to check out the guests and see if Jackie Lawrence had come. Sure enough, the model was there, talking to a photographer. Looked like she was flirting with him too. Is she here with Dev? Probably. Stormy’s lips formed a thin line as she imagined them as a couple. Stupid, stupid Stormy. Why would he hang with you when he could be with her and get tons of attention and a beautiful woman in his bed?
Her shoulders sagged, and her legs seemed to weigh a hundred pounds each. The justice of the peace cleared his throat. She turned her attention to the bride and groom. As she edged closer, listening intently, the words from the judge were clear. She watched Pete and Jo face each other to exchange vows of love and loyalty, then rings.
Emotion welled in her chest, and her eyes stung. They look like they are so in love. A small ache grew in her heart. She wanted what they had. And she wanted it with Devon Drake. She gripped the tissue and twisted it, trying to keep her gaze from his. Unable to avoid looking at the man she loved, she glanced up to see him staring at her. He smiled and nodded. He looked devastatingly handsome in his tuxedo.
Devon Drake, Cornerback Page 15