Page 8

8

T he Uber dropped me off at the tennis club early, and I wondered for the millionth time since breaking up with Toby if it was time for me to get my own car. It wasn’t a problem when he drove me around, but I’d recently discovered I didn’t like being beholden to anyone.

Sometimes I wondered how I’d made it through twenty-one years without a single opinion of my own.

Even as the thought crossed my mind, I knew I was being unfair with myself. I had plenty of opinions, but I’d been too quick to dismiss them in favor of someone else. The walk from the car to the double glass doors wound through a pretty azalea garden surrounded by pine trees with dappled sunlight offering very little reprieve from the heat. Sweat dripped down my back, reminding me I’d chosen to wear a cardigan over my sundress despite the weather.

A choice I’d made subconsciously because Mom expected me to conform to a certain style of fashion. At least the sweater would help in the over-chilled restaurant.

Cold air washed over me as I stepped inside, and I considered going straight to the bathroom and changing clothes to prove I could make my own decisions. My tennis outfit was shoved in my oversized purse, but changing would only end up hurting me. I was holding out hope I’d disappoint Mom enough during lunch she wouldn’t be interested in continuing the torture with a game I definitively sucked at.

I walked past the hostess stand and quickly found Mom at a four-person table in front of the window. She smiled when she saw me, and I tried to reign in my bitter thoughts. She’d invited me to lunch because she was trying to spend time with me—because she loved me. I needed to keep that consideration forefront in my mind instead of tossing all my compassion out the window.

I made my way to her table, trying to get some airflow under the cardigan. “Hi, Mom.”

“Hi, sweetie. I’m so glad you could make it. Rodrigo cancelled on me today, and I’m not sure I’m up to playing tennis in this heat. You don’t mind rescheduling, do you?”

I kept my smile demure though I wanted to bust out in a victory dance. “Of course not. Just let me know when you’re ready.”

My newfound appreciation for making my own decisions withered a little as I heard my own words. I hated playing tennis. Why couldn’t I tell her I was happy to never reschedule? Maybe suggest an activity I actually enjoyed?

The little voice in the back of my head laughed mockingly. What activities? Hermiting? Reading? I could always take her to a party and show her how to hook up with a random hockey player. Apparently, I was good at that one.

Before I could finish berating myself, a petite blonde with impressively long, pointy nails approached our table carrying a tray. She set down two plates and asked if we needed anything else.

I glanced from the garden salad in front of me to my mom’s quiche, then up at the server in confusion. “I didn’t order this.”

Mom waved at me while spreading her napkin in her lap. “Oh, I ordered before you got here. We both know your willpower isn’t what it used to be and losing those couple of extra pounds will make all the difference in the wedding photos.”

The server’s brow twitched at me in question, but I smiled at her. “This is fine. Thank you.”

Indignation bubbled inside me, threatening to burst out of my throat in a scorching torrent, but I took slow, deep breaths until it settled back down into my stomach. At least the churning ensured I didn’t want to eat. Mom would be thrilled.

Slowly, I spread my own napkin and chose my words carefully. “I’m not going to lose any weight before the wedding, Mom.”

She didn’t even take her attention off her lunch. “Of course you will, honey. You just need to buckle down. Have a little faith in yourself.”

I nearly snorted. Faith? I’d learned in all my years as her daughter she only heard what she wanted to hear and arguing was useless, but the knowledge didn’t stop me from wanting to explain I was happy with the way I looked. Waif-thin never suited me the way it did my sister.

My curves rocked, and I wasn’t worried about Toby’s idealized version of me anymore. The longer I sat there, not eating, the more I realized it wasn’t only Toby molding me into someone else.

Mom took a dainty bite, and I waited. She’d insulted my weight and my willpower in the first few minutes of seeing me, but she couldn’t even be bothered to ask how I was doing after the breakup. A tiny part of me broke as I realized she wasn’t even looking at me—her gaze kept sliding back to the door as if she were expecting someone.

She loved me. I knew she did, but I got the feeling it was maybe a little less when I dared to challenge the vision she had for my life.

Was there any point to bringing up my sudden realization? Probably not. Mom barely listened to me when I agreed with her, nevermind when I had a complaint. I’d had enough battles the last few weeks.

In the back of my mind, I added talk to Mom about our relationship to my list. Reece wanted to help me try new things, might as well get his advice on how to navigate that minefield. Once I was ready to potentially blow up my life.

I resigned myself to a lunch of food I didn’t want and a conversation I’d try my hardest to keep civil. “Did you get the problem with the florist sorted out?”

Mom sighed and shook her head, sneaking another look at the door. “They finally agreed to replace the lilies with roses, but I won’t be using their services again. The boutonnieres will have to be completely redone. You and Toby will be picking up the centerpieces the day before because I simply don’t trust them to deliver.”

The lettuce in my mouth turned to dust as I swallowed. “Why am I picking the flowers up with Toby?”

“Because he’s your date, and I’d never ask you to do it on your own.”

So much for civil. I carefully set my fork down next to my plate—less chance I’d use it as a weapon. “Toby isn’t my date.”

Mom’s eyes finally landed on me with her brows drawn together. “Of course he is. You’re driving to the hotel together, and we booked you two a room.”

My pulse raced as I struggled to stay calm. “I’m not driving with him, and I’m certainly not sharing a room with him. We broke up, remember?”

“Don’t be silly. I’m sure your little spat will be long forgotten by then.”

“It’s not a spat, and I have a date. One who isn’t Toby.”

I finally had her full attention.

“Mackenzie Booth. You will not speak to me in that tone.”

My facade cracked, and the frustration poured out in my voice. “There was no tone. I’m sorry you don’t like the truth, but ignoring it won’t change anything. I’m bringing a date to Brighton’s wedding, and Toby is free to do the same.”

“You will not be bringing some stranger to your sister’s wedding.” Her gaze moved past my shoulder, and the tension suddenly drained out of her. “Toby, honey, come have a seat.”

I whipped around and sure enough, Toby strolled toward us with a shit-eating grin on his face. The server reappeared as if she’d been waiting and deposited another place setting to my left. She didn’t meet my eyes, and all the weirdness suddenly made sense. I’d been set up.

“Mom, what did you do?” I hissed at her.

She patted my hand. “I’m helping, sweetheart.”

Toby sat down then kissed Mom on the cheek. When he leaned toward me, I shifted away. Last night, he’d had his hands all over the redhead at our party, so today, I didn’t want to be anywhere near his lips. Honestly, I hadn’t wanted to be anywhere near his lips in a while, unlike a certain other hockey player who’d spent the night in my bed. What an awkward time to face my own stupidity.

He played off the snub by bringing up my mom’s favorite subject. “I talked to Brighton a couple of days ago, and I have to say, this wedding is going to be fabulous.”

Suspicion hit me hard because he’d never voluntarily spoken to Brighton in all the years we’d dated. “Why were you talking to my sister?”

He shifted to meet my eyes. “I wanted advice on how to get you to speak to me again.”

“And you settled on false pretenses?”

“Mackenzie,” Mom scolded under her breath. “Stop being so dramatic.”

For once, I held Toby’s gaze, daring him to admit the truth about his presence at lunch.

He chose gaslighting instead. “I don’t know what you’re talking about, but Brighton was worried you’d cause a scene.”

Oh fuck him. Fuck all of them. I desperately wanted to shout it to the rooftops, but I couldn’t get past the lifetime of programming to behave properly while in public. I couldn’t even say the words out loud to my manipulative mother and my cheating ex-boyfriend. Something else I needed to add to my list.

Speaking of my list, it was past time to call in reinforcements. Reece had said he’d be there if I needed him. I hadn’t expected to need him quite so quickly, but here I was surrounded with no easy way home.

They wanted to mess around with surprises? I could play that game too.

While Toby and my mom chatted, I surreptitiously pulled my phone from my bag and found Reece’s contact. If Toby was here, conditioning must be over. Maybe if I flaunted my new relationship in front of them, they’d leave me alone.

Me: Help! Ambush at lunch. Toby’s here.

Reece: Where?

Me: Tennis club.

Reece: Just finishing up. Be there in 5.

I frowned at my lap for a second before remembering my lunch companions could see my face. If Reece was just finishing up, how had Toby gotten clean and dressed in time to ambush me?

With a sense of righteous indignation—maybe larger than was necessary—I smiled pleasantly at my ex-boyfriend. “How’s hockey going?”

My innocent question stopped their conversation about his family’s weekend plans. Toby shrugged one shoulder. “The season hasn’t really started yet, but I think I have a shot at captain.”

Mom grinned at him. “Oh, I’m so proud of you. I’m sure the team will benefit from your leadership.”

Her warm support, which had been noticeably missing minutes ago when she was talking to me, made me feel like I might throw up the lettuce I’d choked down. Not to mention, I hated the idea of Toby potentially taking the captain spot from Reece.

The slow burn of rage at the whole situation made me clench my teeth to keep the fake smile going. I probably looked half-crazed. “Good thing you didn’t have practice this morning so you could join us.”

Toby tilted his head as if searching for a trap. “Yeah, I thought so too. I’m glad you’re happy to see me.”

“Oh, I wouldn’t go that far,” I muttered while stabbing an innocent tomato.

Toby’s mouth flattened into a thin line, and for a second, I thought I might have finally scored a hit. I didn’t love that I wanted to hurt him, but I couldn’t deny the petty joy I got out of his unhappy expression.

When his eyes moved past me, I deflated a little. It seemed I had some lingering anger issues I needed to work out. Even though I had a good idea what—or who—had pissed Toby off, I twisted in my seat to follow his line of sight.

My heart jumped a beat at the sight of my fake boyfriend coming past the hostess stand. I didn’t know how he’d pulled it off, but Reece walked into the restaurant wearing gym shorts and a t-shirt without a single judgy side-eye. The tennis club had a loose dress code, and he wasn’t even close.

His gaze locked on mine, and he gave me a slow, intimate smile. Warmth rushed up my cheeks at the silent communication. If you need me, I’ll be there. The world around us slowed to a crawl, until my mom cleared her throat behind me.

All at once, reality snapped back into place and left me shuddering in the aftermath.

Reece kissed my temple then took the final seat at our table, eyeing Toby across from him. “Thought you were sick today.”

His eyes narrowed. “I’m feeling a lot better now.”

Reece blew out a breath. “Thank goodness. When you messaged Coach earlier to say you couldn’t make it, we were all really worried. Figured it must’ve been something serious to miss a mandatory conditioning session. Cole wanted to get you a card.”

I pressed my lips together to keep a laugh inside. As I’d suspected, he’d skipped out on hockey when my mom told him I’d be here. “Mom, this is Reece Tanner, my boyfriend. He’s the one I’ll be taking to Brighton’s wedding. Reece, this is Isabella Booth, my mom. You already know Toby.”

Reece shook my mom’s limp hand, did the guy-chin-jerk-thing at Toby, then linked his fingers with mine to kiss my hand. “What did I miss?”

The response was so cool and casual, as if he strolled into pretentious restaurants and played the perfect boyfriend every day. I missed whatever response, if any, my mom offered while I tried to swallow the lump in my throat.

Toby’s though, I heard loud and clear. “You can’t be serious, Kenz. Him? I let you have your little rebellion last night, but this is getting embarrassing.”

“ Toby ,” my mom warned under her breath. At least I wasn’t the only one she was scolding. “And Kenzie, this is neither the time nor the place for dramatics. If you insist on continuing down this path, bring him to dinner Saturday night for a proper introduction to the family.”

“Sorry, Mom, I can’t. He has a game Saturday night, just like Toby. In fact, they both play on the TU hockey team, and he’s also got a shot at captain.”

Reece sent me a curious look, but I kept my attention on my mom as I set my napkin on my salad plate and pushed my chair back from the table.

“In fact, I also won’t be able to make Saturday dinner since I’ll be at his game cheering him on. We can schedule a different family event for his debut.”

Mom’s pinched face contrasted sharply with her neutral tone. “Where are you going?”

I tugged on Reece’s hand, and he immediately stood with me. “I have some homework Reece said he’d help me with. Thank you for lunch, and I’ll call you with some potential dates.”

Reece wrapped his long arm around me. “It was nice meeting you, Mrs. Booth.”

She nodded at him, then dismissed me with a disappointed sigh and a last shot of guilt. “At least Toby will stay to keep me company.”

He patted her hand, much in the same way she’d done to me earlier, but his stiff body language said he hated my departure with Reece as much as Mom did.

Reece grinned. “See you at practice, Toby .”

Judging by the pained expression on Toby’s face, Reece’s emphasis on the nickname meant trouble, and I could only imagine the shit he’d be getting in the locker room on Monday. Reece, for his part, could barely contain his glee on the way out.

He practically vibrated as we passed through the glass doors into the heat beyond. “Feel free to call me anytime Kane shows up. I’ll gladly play doting boyfriend until his head explodes.”

Once we were out of sight of my mom and Toby, I relaxed, slumping against Reece. “Why does my life have to be so exhausting?” My back hurt from the tension, and I still hadn’t gotten a decent meal, which left me dangerously close to hangry.

Reece chuckled, and maintained his grip on me when I would have stepped away. “This is only the beginning. Let’s get you home.”

He led me toward a shiny blue sports car, and I wondered if I could bribe him to hit a drive-thru.

As if he could read my mind, Reece looked down at me. “Did you get to eat?”

“No, I mostly picked at a salad.”

He shook his head. “You need protein. C’mon, wifey, I’ll buy you a queso burger from Johnny’s.”

I let the nickname go since he used the magic words. Queso burger . “Can I get fries too?”

My stomach growled as he tucked me into the passenger side of his fancy car then leaned down so we were face to face. “After the humiliation you just delivered to Kane, you can have anything you want.”

He winked at me and shut the door. I laid a hand over my racing heart and reminded myself Reece didn’t do repeats. No matter how well he faked wanting it.