Page 14

14

LACEY

I feel Théo’s startled twitch, but he smiles and turns his gaze on me. And oh my Gaga, he does look like he wants to bang my brains out. The heat in his eyes and the sexy curve of his mouth make my belly flutter. He lifts a hand and cups my cheek so gently, his thumb brushing at the corner of my mouth. “Did I tell you how beautiful you look?”

“Um, sort of.” I flutter my eyelashes at him, our gazes connected. Heat expands around us.

It’s not a pretense. Except neither of us is going to act on the lust blazing up inside us.

He slides his hand around to the back of my neck, pulls me closer, and kisses my forehead, and I melt even more inside. Gah.

Get a grip, girl.

I don’t look directly at Emma, but I know she’s still watching us and I can feel her displeasure. Good.

Gazing around the room, I see that the conversational groups are along family lines—Théo and I are talking to his mom and dad, JP and Emma are talking to Mark and Riley, and a small group has formed of Bob and Chelsea and their four kids, and the girlfriend who’s with one of the boys ... Harrison, I think.

As if she’s noticed too, Aline steps away and moves over next to Chelsea with a smile.

Théo follows his mom’s lead, whether consciously or not I don’t know, but I stick with him as he approaches Asher.

“Hey, man. I was reading your article today about the Condors.”

Asher lifts a brow. He has the same Wynn bone structure in his face and build, his hair a lighter brown, cut short. “Don’t punch me.”

Théo laughs and claps a hand on his ... um, his uncle’s shoulder. “Not gonna. It was good stuff. I mean, it was bad, but honest. I make a point of reading your articles.”

“Thanks.”

“Why would you waste your time reading that?” Harrison says with a sardonic grin at Asher.

Asher shakes his head. “Asshole,” he mutters to his brother.

“What do you get if you cross a sportsreporter with a vegetable?” Théo asks. After a beat, he says, “A common tater.”

Everyone groans. I laugh, though, ’cause it’s dorky but kind of funny. Théo shoots me a grin.

“That’s why he’s the writer, dude,” Harrison says, earning laughs from all.

“Writer,” scoffs Noah, Asher’s other brother. “What kind of job is that? He watches sports all day in his underwear, then writes a blog post about what he watched.”

Asher takes this in stride with a good-natured grin. “Sounds like the perfect job to me.”

Somehow I suspect if anyone other than his own brothers made these jokes, he wouldn’t be so laid back.

“Congratulations on the new job, Théo,” Noah says. “I was surprised to hear you agreed to work for Dad.”

Théo just smiles. “It’s a great opportunity.”

“Your dad can’t be happy about it,” Noah adds in a low voice.

“Nope.” Théo shrugs. “It’s my life. Besides ... you play for the Eagles’ farm team.”

“I gotta take my jobs wherever I can get them,” Noah says wryly.

“ Your dad can’t be happy about that.”

“The trade happened before all this shit went down, so there’s not much he can say now.”

“True.”

“Chelsea, would you help me bring out the food?” Aline asks.

Chelsea nods quickly. “Of course.” I watch the two women walk over to the kitchen. Should I go offer to help as well? I’m torn between wanting to help and make a good impression on Théo’s mom, and being terrified of leaving Théo.

I’ll be brave.

I move away from Théo and join Chelsea and Aline. “Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Oh, thank you, Lacey. There are a lot of us so I’m going to serve dinner buffet style. Could you take this baked brie and put it on the sideboard in the dining room?”

I take the dish she hands me. “I can handle more.” I grin. “I’ve worked as a waitress. Load me up.”

Aline laughs. “Well, okay, here.” She gives me a platter of Caprese salad skewers—cherry tomatoes, bocconcini, and basil leaves drizzled with balsamic vinegar.

I easily balance the two dishes. “These look delicious.”

Chelsea follows me with more dishes. “Aline is a fantastic cook.”

“Oh my gosh, she made all these herself?”

“Most of it. I brought a few appetizers as well. But she made the entire dinner.”

“Wow.”

Chelsea and I help Aline load up the sideboard with some amazing-looking food, and then Aline announces everyone should come help themselves. The huge dining table is set, with flowers and candles in the center.

Théo’s involved in a quiet but intense conversation with his father across the room. I hesitate to join them, as it looks private, but they end it and Théo approaches me with a grim smile to take my hand and lead me to the dining room. We fill plates and take seats at the table.

“Well, it seems like a long time since the whole family has been together,” Bob Wynn says once everyone is seated. “Maybe my birthday was the last time.”

“Some of us weren’t invited to that,” Théo’s uncle Mark says with an edge.

“You wouldn’t have come anyway,” Bob retorts.

“Because you fucking fired me,” Mark snaps.

I swallow and look down at my plate.

“Let’s toast to Aline for all this amazing food.” Matt lifts his glass.

Everyone toasts, then begins eating. For a while, things seem to be going well, with polite conversation about hockey, what the hockey players in the group will be doing over the summer, and compliments to the food. Several bottles of wine disappear as we eat, although Théo is nursing one glass of Merlot. I’m on my third. God.

Then Bob speaks up from the end of the table. “Seriously, JP, what are you thinking? You can’t date your brother’s girlfriend.”

Awkward silence descends. I want to laugh. Emma sucks on her bottom lip.

“It’s against the rules,” Bob adds.

“So is stealing money from your sons.” Mark Wynn stabs a piece of chicken on his plate.

The atmosphere thickens even more.

“Well, at least I don’t steal girlfriends. Or cheat on my wife.”

JP sucks in an audible breath. So does Mark. “Is that right?” Mark says tightly, glaring at his father.

“What are you saying?” Bob scowls back at him.

“I’m saying you remarried pretty damn fast after Mom died.” He gives Chelsea a narrow-eyed look, and she flinches.

I reach for Théo’s hand beneath the table and squeeze it. His fingers grip mine tightly.

Everly speaks up. “Well, I for one don’t care who JP goes out with, but it is kind of inappropriate to bring her to Théo’s welcome dinner.”

“Don’t be a bitch, Ev,” mutters Riley.

“Don’t call her a bitch,” snaps Harrison.

Everly shakes her head at Harrison. She appears quite able to handle herself.

“Inappropriate?” Bob barks. “I’ll tell you what’s inappropriate. Inappropriate is two sons suing their father.”

My eyes fly open wide. I glance between Matt and Mark. Their faces contract into lines of annoyance.

Théo stiffens next to me and picks up his wine. “Let’s not talk about that here,” he bites out.

“Good idea!” Aline looks around. “Does anyone want seconds? Please help yourselves.”

“It’s all delicious, Aline,” Chelsea says.

“Thank you.”

“What the hell are these?” Bob holds up a Caprese skewer.

Chelsea sets a hand on his arm. “Tomatoes and mozzarella cheese,” she murmurs. “You like it.”

“How’s your mom, Riley?” Aline asks.

Riley glances at her dad. “She’s great. She’s been doing some work with the football team in Toronto. She has quite a few high-profile clients now. A couple of Olympic skating champions, a champion diver, and a few NHL guys.”

Seeing my curious look, she adds, “My mom’s a sports psychologist.”

“You screwed that woman over,” Bob says to Mark.

More uneasy glances are exchanged around the big table. Mark’s jaw hardens.

Aline nibbles her bottom lip and closes her eyes briefly. I sense her distress.

“I’d like to make another toast,” Bob says.

“No,” everyone says at once.

Silence swells again.

“I’m so happy to have Théo living so close.” Aline speaks with determined cheer. “And especially now he’s married! I’m looking forward to getting to know you, Lacey.”

I smile at Aline.

“What do you do, Lacey?” Riley asks.

“Well, I’ve had a lot of different jobs,” I say. “I’ve worked in the hospitality business, also as a freelance makeup artist. I even worked as a budtender for a while.”

There’s a beat of silence as everyone takes that in.

“I need some good weed,” Harrison says. “Can you hook me up?”

“As if you need her help for that,” Everly says.

“You better not be smoking dope!” Bob bellows. “That’s really against the rules.”

“Come on, Dad, it’s legal here now,” Harrison says.

“I don’t care if it’s legal!”

“So, Emma, what do you do?” Aline interjects swiftly.

“JP, apparently,” Everly mutters.

I hide my smile in my napkin while others all choke on laughter or maybe outrage.

“Everly.” Chelsea chides her daughter, her fingers rubbing her throat, eyes darting around the table.

Everly’s lips tighten.

“It’s okay.” Théo speaks up. “It’s fine that JP brought Emma to dinner.”

“Don’t be such a pussy, boy,” Bob snaps.

All the women at the table straighten.

Théo, to my surprise, grins. “Grandpa, that’s not really an insult. Pussies are amazing.”

I turn my head and stare at him.

Aline drops her head, fingers to her eyebrows.

“Yeah, Grandpa, that’s not really woke,” Harrison offers.

“Woke? What the hell?” Bob frowns.

“If pussy means weakness, that’s just not right,” Everly says. “A woman’s vagina is incredibly strong and resilient.”

“Not to mention powerful,” Riley adds. “It has the ability to control men.”

Asher and Noah snort.

“Seriously,” she adds. “Pussy can make men do things like nothing else. And don’t tell me differently, after the dumb things some of you have done for women.” She levels a look at JP with raised eyebrows.

Théo clears his throat.

“I can’t believe we’re having this conversation.” Aline looks to the ceiling.

“A penis isn’t exactly a symbol of strength,” Everly adds. “It may be strong and powerful, but it only lasts for a few minutes.”

“You’ve obviously been with the wrong men,” Théo says, earning laughs.

I nod in support of his stamina, although I sadly have no personal knowledge of it.

The tension has eased a little, but not for long.

“Anyway, I mean it,” Théo says. “JP and Emma’s relationship is their own business. I just hope they’re as happy together as Lacey and I are.” And he leans over to kiss my cheek. I flash him what I hope looks like a loving glance and briefly rest my head on his shoulder. But my insides burn at the thought that Théo’s heart was broken by his brother and the woman he loved—loves? Ugh.

“Aw,” says Everly, but she’s smiling.

Théo stands. “If everyone’s done, JP and I will clear the table.” He shoots his brother a stern look. JP pushes back his chair.

“I’ll get the desserts.” Aline rises too.

Everyone pitches in and I plant myself in front of the dishwasher to help also, until we’re all back in the dining room.

“Did you make all these, too?” I ask Aline, surveying the assortment of sweets on the sideboard.

“No.” She smiles wryly. “I love cooking, but I hate baking. These are from La Belle Madeleine.”

I have no idea what that is, but it sounds lovely. I take a selection of treats—something chocolate, a mini apple pie, and a pretty cookie. I love sweets.

Aline offers coffee and more wine. She’s trying so hard to make this a nice evening.

Then everyone moves back to the living room. Aline shoos people away from the kitchen, telling us to relax. Like that’s possible with this group. Théo takes a seat in a big armchair and tugs me down with him. There’s room enough for both of us, but it’s ... cozy. I catch Emma’s unhappy expression.

Okay, what the fuck is up with that? She’s here with JP. She cheated on Théo with JP. Does she still want Théo? Does she want both of them? This is pissing me off.

Also I’ve had a lot of wine.

“I think we’ll go soon,” Théo says in a low voice near my ear. “Not sure I can handle much more of this.”

“I know what you mean. Holy crap.” This was crazier than I imagined.

“Gonna use the bathroom before we go. Be right back.” He sets his empty glass on the small table beside the chair.

Everly, sitting near me on the couch, leans over. “It’s good to meet you,” she says to me with a smile. “Théo seems really happy with you.”

I’m not sure what to say to that. “Thanks.”

“We didn’t know he’d even been seeing anyone,” she continues. “Which is why we were all so surprised. I hope we didn’t make you feel uncomfortable.”

“This whole evening made me feel uncomfortable,” I say without thinking.

She laughs, shaking her head. “You’re not the only one. No wonder we’re all single. None of us want to bring anyone into this madness. Théo’s got guts.”

If she only knew the truth. I shift in the chair and drain the last of my wine. “You know, I’m going to find the bathroom too before we leave.”

Everly points the direction Théo went, down a hall.

I hike across the big room and turn down the hall, then stop dead.

Emma and Théo are standing in the dimly lit hall, close together, their faces nearly touching. She has her hand on his chest.

My stomach clutches and my breathing arrests. I put a hand on the wall beside me to steady myself. It feels like time freezes and this moment goes on and on. My head empties.

Théo spots me, his head whipping around. Emma’s gaze follows.

“Lacey,” Théo says calmly, moving around Emma toward me. “Are you ready to go?”

“I just need to use the bathroom first.” Somehow I manage to speak.

Théo gestures to the room and I walk past him and Emma, giving Emma a hard look. Then I shut and lock the bathroom door and drop onto the closed lid of the toilet, burying my face in my hands.

I’ve never been so confused in my life.

I’m jealous.

How can I be jealous? Our marriage is fake. I don’t really care about Théo that way.

I’m just doing such a good job acting, I convinced myself things are real. That’s it.

If Emma still wants him, maybe Théo is happy about that.

Ugh.

Well, I can’t hide in here forever. I use the toilet, wash up, and arrange my expression into relaxed and cheerful.

Théo is standing at the edge of the living room near the front door, talking to his mom and dad. He extends a hand to me as I walk up to them, taking mine and drawing me near to him.

So confused!

“Thanks for a lovely evening,” I say.

“It wasn’t really lovely,” Aline replies wryly. “But you’re welcome. I look forward to getting to know you better.” She moves and hugs me.

Théo’s dad hugs me too, then turns to his son. “I still don’t understand how you could take a job working for that asshole. He’s the enemy, for Chrissake.”

My eyes widen.

“Mark. That asshole is your father.” Aline nudges him.

“He’s losing his fucking mind,” Mark mutters. “You have no idea what you’re getting yourself into, Théo. It’s a no-win situation. You’ll never be able to run that team. The minute you do something he doesn’t like, he’ll fire you too.”

Théo grimaces. “Well, thanks for the vote of confidence, Dad.”

Mark scowls.

“Théo’s super smart,” I say, even though I’m in shock from what I just saw in the hall. “And talented and hard working. He can do anything he sets his mind to.”

I feel Aline’s pleasure at my words. Mark gives me a sharp, assessing look and I meet it head-on. He nods slowly.

Théo slides his hand into mine and squeezes it gently. We say good night and make our escape into the fresh night air.

“Jesus Christ.” Théo blows out a breath as we walk to his car. “Sorry about that.”

“Don’t apologize. You were the sanest one there. Well, you and your mom.” I pause. “And Chelsea.”

“Chelsea? Are you kidding me? She’s nothing but a gold digger.”

I frown as I slide into my seat. I tug on the seatbelt while Théo goes around and climbs in. “I didn’t get that impression of her.”

“You don’t know her.”

“True. But ...” I trail off. I guess I don’t know her.

“She married a man twenty years older than her. What other reason would she marry him than for his money?”

“Maybe she loves him?”

He snorts.

“No really. It seems to me like she cares about him.”

He dismisses my opinion with a shake of his head and turns on his GPS to direct us back to the freeway and his place.

“And what about Emma?” I ask, annoyance rising. “What were you two talking about in the hallway? Does she want to get back together?”

“Yeah.”

I’m stunned into silence. I didn’t really expect that. I sit quietly for a few minutes, as Théo doesn’t offer up any more details. I watch city lights slide by outside the car.

I don’t think he should go back to Emma. She fucked him over with his own brother. That doesn’t bode well for their future together. I didn’t get a good impression of her tonight, although we barely said two words to each other. I don’t think she’s good enough for Théo. I don’t want him to be hurt again.

I guess showing up with me made her jealous enough that she realized she wants him back.

But if that’s what he wants, I’m happy for him. So, I guess I’m not needed here anymore, if they’re going to get back together. My stomach cramps up as I try to figure out what I’m going to do. Obviously, I can’t stay with Théo. That would not make Emma happy. Back to Vegas it is then!

Pressure builds behind my eyes and I blink tears away, staring out the side window.

I’m going to have to go back there someday. I have an apartment there, other belongings. My brother, who I’m still worried about. My best friend. It’s probably best if I just pussy up and deal with things. I’m not sure exactly how I’m going to deal with those thugs Chris owes money to, but I’ll figure something out.