by Aliyah Burke
“I’m not able to… I can’t… I won’t be in this position.”
She wanted so much to believe. She wasn’t naïve or just off the turnip truck.
His world was hers, despite their differences. Money talked. She’d done her research on Donal at night and was aware of the upcoming merger between his company and the one run by Tiffany’s father.
She stepped back. “Last night was a mistake.”
He narrowed his eyes a fraction. “You made me feel.”
“And, that’s supposed to mean it wasn’t a mistake?” She shook her head. “I was feeling like crap for what we did. But, you just broke it off. About ten minutes before you kissed me, and I’m supposed to not say it was a mistake because you felt? How do you think this makes me feel?”
“You’ve helped me—”
“Stop right there. I get it—I’m her antithesis, in nearly every way aside from gender. You were with her for a reason. If this is all about you, then hire a damn life coach. I’m no one’s rebound.”
Mindy walked to the door and slipped out, ignoring the tears leaking from her eyes. Were one-night stands supposed to hurt so much? Back in her room, she stood in the shower, allowing the tears to mingle with the water sluicing down her body as she washed the lingering scent of one Donal O’Keefe from her body.
An hour later, she sat amongst the group, her CEO smile pasted on and all emotion locked away. She wasn’t hurt. Nor angry or pissed.
She just was.
“Mindy, could you help me, for a moment?”
“Of course, Mrs. Larkin.” She rose and made her way to the woman standing back a bit from where the game of softball was going on. Todd’s mother was overseeing her husband, who was helping Donal’s father on the grill and the ongoing match between the men and women. The bride and her party versus the groom and his men. “Yes, ma’am?”
“Help me with this.”
She gestured at the drinks, and with a hidden sigh, Mindy walked to the ice filled cooler and began to pull out the drinks so those about to eat wouldn’t have to get their hands wet.
“I’ve seen the way Donal looks at you.”
Yeah, so had she. “I have no control over him.” Mindy took out more bottles. Beer, soft drinks, and water.
“You don’t really think anything would come of the two of you, do you?”
Praying for patience, Mindy sighed. “Nothing between us to even make this a relevant discussion.”
Mrs. Larkin patted her arm before holding it in a vice-like grip. “See, that’s where you’d be wrong. I know exactly where you spent last night. Did he tell you it was over? Because it’s not. All that happened was Tiffany gave him her blessing to get you out of his system.”
The words were drenched in sweetness accompanied by a smile, yet were more effective than an H-bomb in shattering what remained of Mindy’s pride.
Still, she wasn’t about to cower, especially not here and not before her. Mindy rested an icy bottle on the table and stared out to where Tiffany stared back in to where Mindy was, a smirk on her face as if she knew exactly what was being said. Looking down to where the woman still gripped her arm, Mindy knew there would be a bruise as hard as she was holding her.
“Good thing there’s nothing to worry about, then.” Mindy pushed around a smile at Donal’s father, who was manning the grill.
“Come talk to me, Mindy.” He shot a pointed look to Mr. Larkin, who took the hint and wandered off.
Because that would be the topping of my shit cake. Her feet listened while her mind struggled to contain the snark.
“Yes, sir?”
“Sir?” He gave her a surprised look. “I’ve known you for years.”
And have never once been nice to me or made me feel like I was worth a person.
“Something on your mind, Mr. O’Keefe?”
“What’s going on between you and Donal?”
So don’t need another chat like I just had. “Absolutely nothing.”
He grunted and stroked his moustache. “Really?”
“Confident I would be aware of being in a relationship or anything with another person.” She cracked her back then leaned in close to smell the burgers. “And, I’m not.”
“You know Donal and Tiffany make a spectacular couple.” He flipped the burgers. “She’s the type of woman he has on his arm going out in public. You’re the kind he screws in secret so nobody knows.”
“Congratulations? And, wow, I don’t really know what else to say to that.” Look at me, not yelling and cussing out his worthless son. Or him.
“I’ve watched you over these past few days. And him.” He moved the hot dogs to a cooler part of the grill. “Can I tell you something?”
Do I have a choice? “Yes, sir?”
“Watching him with you takes me back to when he was a boy with your brother. He and Kurt had always been so much closer than him and Rory. Drove us crazy, but now, I want my son happy and—” He fell silent as people came up for food. She took the oppurtunity to try and control the growing fury within her.
“You shoulda been out there, Min,” Kurt said, striding up with Donal, Tim, and Roland. All of them were sweaty, but only Donal made her heart skip several beats. “You’re a hell of a player.”
“Not a bridesmaid or a groomsman, anymore,” she replied with a smile, avoiding any other type of emotion as she glanced at them all.
“Coming to sit with us?” Tim asked.
“Teaching her my grilling secrets,” Mr. O’Keefe said.
Kurt gave her a look but accepted that statement. They left with plates full of food.
“Get yourself some food,” Mr. O’Keefe commanded. She listened, too mentally exhausted to argue.
Again alone with the ‘grillmaster’, she took a big bit of the burger. Lord, he deserves the title; these are amazing.
“Didn’t think I could grill, did you?” He claimed the seat beside her, his own plate full.
“Not this good,” she admitted.
“Learned in college. Now, about my eldest and you. What I said before that’s how things were and to some extent, how they are to this day.” He gave her a pointed look. “Laughter. I’ve not seen him laugh like that in a long time. You’re good for him and I want that in his life.”
She shook her head. “I’m not a life coach; I told him that. And I damn sure won’t be keen on helping someone who seems to equate me with a whore but will look beyond that to allow me to help his son remain happy.” Bitterness snuck through, and she couldn’t stop it. Nor did she want to.
“So, you have spoken to him.”
Mindy dropped her burger. “I have since I got here. Doesn’t make me a life coach or have the desire to be responsible for his happiness. I have a life, a job. And, it’s not to interject laughter into his life. He needs to find it on his own.” She ate some chips, highly irritated with pain from this morning, plus Mrs. Lankin’s statement remained too fresh.
“All I’m saying is give him a chance.”
She stood. “I’m confused. Am I a whore or good enough for your son? Because I’m getting mixed messages here. Your future daughter-in-law has given him permission to sleep with me, because I guess that’s what good wives do. You must be pleased with what is on its way into your family. Make no mistake, I’m no whore.” She leaned in. “What I am is very insulted and disappointed. I’m not a street worker; I don’t have to fuck guys to pay my rent. Just because I don’t wear my money on my sleeve like your family doesn’t mean I’m desolate. I’m—” She broke off and took several deep breaths. Her financial situation was none of his business. It wasn’t anyone’s but her own. “Thank you for the food.”
Mindy took her plate and walked away, counting the minutes before she could leave.
Later that evening a knock came on her door and she opened it to find her brother standing there. He brushed by her, entering the room with a scowl on his handsome face.
“Come on in,” she muttered, rolling her eyes. I’m not loo
king forward to this conversation.
She closed the door behind him and rested against it, watching her brother. He paced back and forth over the carpet, irritation evident in every heavy step he took.
“I can’t believe you slept with him!” The words rushed from her brother’s mouth.
“Not that it’s any of your business, how the hell did you find out? What y’all talk about all the women you fuck?”
“Mind your tongue,” he reprimanded.
She made a fist but refrained from commenting, he’d been like that since their parents’ died. Not wanting her to curse.
“I know because you both are acting weird. Weird for the two of you. Okay, so you slept with him, then what’s the problem?”
“I’m sorry, I’m confused now. Are we okay with me sleeping with your friend or not?”
“Hell no, but I’m going to take that up with him. What I want to know now is why you’re sad. What happened to upset you?”
“Besides me being a rebound for your friend? Gee, where to start. The ex-girlfriend saying she gave him permission to sleep with me and that they weren’t really broken up. The dad saying basically I was a whore that he would sleep with me in private but never be with me in public? Or was it the soon to be mother-in-law who said—”
“I’m going to kill him,” Kurt interrupted. “Rip his fucking limbs off.” He stood before her and cupped her face in his large hands. “Are you leaving?”
“I’m your plus one. I won’t leave you stag. I can make it through. I don’t want to be here but I will manage.”
“I can be here without you. Todd is a good friend but you’re my sister. No way I want you where you aren’t comfortable.”
“There’s not much time left. I’ll leave after the the wedding, probably right after they do their dance. Or perhaps the speeches.”
He drew her close and she shut her eyes, soaking up his strength. “I mean it, sis. You want to go, I’ll support your decision.”
“No. I refuse to let them see that they have power over me, the power to get to me enough that I will bail on you. I refuse to run.”
He kissed her forehead. “And that’s why you are awesome. Of course, being related to me helps. Because we both know I’m completely overflowing with awesomeness.”
She squeezed him. “Love you, Kurt. Thank you.”
“You’re welcome and now, we need to have a drink before I go kill Donal.”
“You don’t mean that. He’s your friend.”
“One who misused my sister.” That dangerous edge returned to his voice.
“So there’s a proper use for me?”
“Don’t go there. I need a drink.” He released her and went to the mini bar where he pulled out three small bottles.
“I’m not paying for that. You drink ‘em, you buy ‘em.”
“Fine. I’m covering your bill anyways.”
She joined him. “In that case, I’ll get some for myself.” Mindy pulled out two more bottles and cracked them open.
Chapter Six
Donal gasped and struggled to breathe. Kurt’s large hand doing a damn good job of halting him from doing that most basic necessity. The man’s face, contorted in anger, was nothing like the gentle and amiable giant most people loved as their surgeon.
“What’s your problem?” he wheezed, fighting for air.
“Mindy.”
He knew. Basically, Kurt would kill him now. The other nine men hung around, getting ready for rehearsal, and they ended conversations, paying more attention, but none stepped in.
“We’re both adults,” he rebutted.
“I told you.”
“What’s going on here?” Todd interjected.
“Nothing.” Kurt stomped away. “I’m heading down.”
Donal met Todd’s gaze and shrugged. “Let it go. He’s in a mood. Come on; can’t be late to the rehearsal.” He rubbed his throat, it ached and swallowing wasn’t without pain.
They piled in the shiny black limo and headed to Rose’s Chalet. Each time Donal came there, the place amazed him. He could see getting married there. But, it was Mindy he saw upon lifting the veil, not anyone else.
His slacks tightened as he replayed his night with her. Shaking off the memory, he walked in, joining the others. The rehearsal was easy and the dinner after nice, but it missed something major. Mindy.
While he understood why she wasn’t here since this was for the bridal party, he wanted her here.
“What do you think, baby?” Tiff rested against him with her lettuce leaf on her plate, nearly untouched.
“Not your baby and about what?” He ate a big bite of his steak.
“All of it. It’s a beautiful place for a wedding.”
“Yes, Todd’s wedding will be amazing.” He glanced around the table. Am I the only miserable one here?
Quite possibly. Aside from Kurt.
Back at the hotel, they oversaw the farewell between Todd and Bianca before ushering them to opposite ends of the hotel.
“Come on, lover boy,” Donal teased as Todd looked back again. “You’ll see her tomorrow.”
He got him tucked away, left Rory near and headed to the bar. It was that or heading to Mindy’s room.
“Why?”
He cut his gaze to the right. Kurt sat here, the scowl again on his face.
“It happened.”
“And, your bitch saying she gave you permission to sleep with her? Or your father calling her a whore?” He made a large meaty fist. “This is my—”
“What?” Donal grabbed Kurt’s arm. “Say that, again.” His body vibrated with tension.
“Your father called my baby sister a whore.”
A wall closed around his heart. His father? “Excuse me.”
Kurt grabbed him back. “Stay away from her.”
“I love you like family, Kurt, but stay out of this. I’m straightening this out.”
“She’s not going to talk to you.”
“Yes, she will.” Determination lined each word. Come hell or high water, she will.
“I can see you’ve got it bad. Regardless. I see tear stains on her face again, and I’ll break you in two.” Kurt faced the bar and ate some nuts.
Donal tossed money down for his drink and hurried to the elevator. Taking it to Mindy’s floor, he strode down to her room. He knocked and waited.
Nothing.
He repeated and waited impatiently. The door opened, and his heart thundered within his chest. Like a schoolboy with a crush, his palms were sweaty and nerves firing on all cylinders.
“Can we talk?”
“Nothing to say.” Her expression gave nothing away.
“There’s a lot to say.” He put a hand on the door.
“No.” She shook her head. “Actually, there is not anything left to say between us. Good night, Mr. O’Keefe.”
“That’s my father, I’m Donal.”
“You understand my confusion. Same words and all.” She closed the door in his face.
Donal knocked, once more, but she didn’t answer. Dejected, he retreated to his room, where he tried to call down to hers. No answer.
His night was sporadic, at best, in the realm of sleep. The next day, remaining sequestered from the women, they got ready. Rory showed up late, with a cheesy grin and rumpled clothes.
“Where you been?”
Rory smirked. “I’m allowed to see the women. I’m a groomsman. Besides, I come bearing a letter.” He patted his pockets. “Yes, here it is. From the bride to the groom.” He held out the taped note.
“You’ve seen Bianca?” Todd asked.
“Nope.” His brother took a drink. “Mindy gave it to me.”
Donal perked up. “You saw Mindy?”
“Sure did; she was leaving the pool.” He whistled low. “Your sister is fricking hot, Kurt.”
“I can break you in half.” The warning wasn’t so rumbled.
Todd tugged on his bowtie. “Why was she at the pool with a note?”
/> Rory shrugged. “Beats me, bro.” Todd snatched the paper. “I’m just doing as I’m told.”
Donal snorted. “There’s a first,” he retorted.
His brother flipped him off.
αβ
The wedding was beautiful. Todd and Bianca made a fantastic couple. However, as Donal stood up there beside his friend, listening to the minister talk about love and marriage, his focus remained on a woman in the back. His eyes were straining, because he didn’t have a clear shot to her.
She was gone by the time of the pictures, and at the reception, she was again in the back. Donal cleared his throat and stood. “May I have your attention, please?”
The crowd hushed and the reporters did as well. All eyes were on him as he stood there in his monkey suit.
“So, years ago, I met a skinny nerd in college, who went by the name Todd. We all welcomed him into our group. That’s what it was. The four of us and Kurt when he could get to us. Everything changed the rainy night in San Antonio when he met Bianca. Then, we were second. In every way. We liked her for him; she made him shine when nothing else did. Or could.” Eyes locked on the vision in the back wearing an orchid hued dress, Donal willed her to meet his gaze. She did.
“Bianca transformed him into the guy before you. She got him to break out of his shell and try new things. She made him see the world in a different light. And, that is why she’s perfect for him. She calls him on his shit but understands he’s not perfect and, at times, may say the wrong thing. She loves him, and he loves her.” He lifted his glass. “To the happy couple.”
His toast was echoed and applauded. Not by Mindy; she sat back down and fiddled with her plate. When the dancing started, Tiff snared him for one then he got his mother. If not for his love for Todd, he would have confronted her for what she’d said to Mindy. As it was, he had one hell of a time remaining quiet on it and playing the part as he’d promised he would.
“We need to plan yours, now, Donal.”
Her words were the equivalent of being doused in ice water. “I’m not marrying Tiff, Mother. Can’t you just be happy to be celebrating this?”
“This thing with her is just a snafu.”
He barked with laughter. “A snafu? I suppose you’re right. Situation normal, all fucked up.”