“And why aren’t you that man?”
“C’mon, Roni,” Kent stood up, frustrated, then started to pace around his living room. “You know the things I dealt with growing up, and the things that I’ve done. I’m not that man.”
“Now you’re pissing me off,” Roni began, standing herself and walking over to him. “Nicole would be lucky to have you. You’re the most loving, generous, and protective man that I’ve ever met. You would be there for her and give her everything you are capable of giving. Don’t talk about yourself as if you’re not good enough. Do you think that I wouldn’t be good enough for a nice man or a man who was raised with money?”
“No, Roni, of course not,” Kent replied as he ran his hand through his already disheveled hair. “You deserve the best.”
“So do you, and so does she.” Roni put her arms around his waist and looked up at him. Into his eyes. “You guys deserve each other. Don’t be a horse’s ass, Kent.”
She hugged him to try and soften her harsh words, then pulled back to look at him again.
“What was your good news?”
He kissed her on the top of her head, then smiled wryly down at her.
“Now you want to hear my news? You tear me a new one and now you want to hear it?” He laughed softly as he said it, but the smile didn’t quite reach his eyes.
“Yup,” Roni grinned back up at him.
“Chuck offered to let me buy the paper from him. He wants to retire.”
“That’s wonderful, Kent,” Roni broke free and did a little happy dance around the room. “You said, “Yes”, right?”
“I did,” Kent admitted. “I think I can be happy here, and you’re here, so as long as you think this is somewhere that you would like to stay, then I think it would be good for us to have a solid home.”
“I like it here,” Roni said with a smile. “I’m so happy for you!”
She ran back to him and gave him a hug. He put his cheek on the top of her head and asked, “Is she okay, Roni?”
Roni was about to answer when the doorbell rang once, then the door opened and Rich walked in.
“Ugh,” Roni groaned when she saw him.
“Nice to see you too, Sunshine,” Rich said with a grin and a wink as he walked in. “What’s up, Man?”
Kent walked over and gave Rich a slap on the back, then paused when Colin walked in behind him.
“I hope you don’t mind, I asked Colin to come with me.” Rich explained. “He called to say he was in town, and there’s something I want to talk to the both of you about.”
“No problem,” Kent said, then walked over and held his hand out to Colin. “How’s it going, Colin? How’s Austin?”
Colin shook Kent’s hand and said with a smile, “It’s great, Man. Nice house.”
“Thanks.”
“Hey, Colin,” Roni greeted her friend’s tall good-looking boyfriend. “So, if you’re here, does that mean Bree is too?”
“Hi, Roni,” Colin responded with a flash of his dimples. “Good to see you again. Yeah, Bree was actually headed over to your apartment to see you and Nic. I think Kara’s meeting her over there too.”
“Awesome,” Roni said as she turned to her brother. “You’re off the hook for now, but you’d better come to your senses soon. I’ll see you later. Bye, Colin. Rich,” She said dryly when Rich winked at her.
“Your sister really likes me,” Rich grinned at her retreating back, then laughed out loud as she flipped him off before closing the door behind her.
“How long are you both here for?” Kent asked as he walked into the kitchen. “You want a beer?”
They nodded, then followed Kent out onto his back deck and sat down to catch up.
“’Til Sunday after Halloween,” Colin answered first.
“Yeah, me too,” Rich replied. “But I’ll graduate in December and be back for good. I’m so ready to be done with school.”
“What are your plans when you get back?” Kent asked the slightly younger man.
Rich set his beer down and looked at the two of them, his hazel eyes flashing with excitement.
“That’s what I wanted to talk to the two of you about, actually. This may sound like it’s coming out of left field, but I have been doing my research for a little over a year now.” Rich ran his hand through his shaggy brown hair, then took a deep swig of his beer before finishing. “There’s an old warehouse over on Fifth Street, and… Well, I bought it.”
“You did?” Colin asked. “I know the place you’re talking about. What are you going to do with it?”
“I’m going to make it into a Rec center. For kids,” Rich began to talk more quickly. “You know how we spent all of our time shooting hoops and playing catch growing up?” This he directed at Colin.
“Yeah.”
“Well, I want to build a place where kids can come hang out, and be active, in a safe and controlled environment. I plan to have a baseball diamond out back, courts inside, and different areas for classes.”
“What kind of classes?” Kent asked eagerly, getting caught up in Rich’s excitement.
“Karate, music, dance… I don’t know everything. I haven’t worked it all out yet, but it’s going to be great.”
“That sounds amazing, Man,” Colin said. “I would have loved a place like that growing up.”
Kent nodded in agreement, “Me too. And I’ve noticed that there isn’t a Y or any sort of Boys and Girls club here, so that would be great.”
Kent went in to get another round of beers. He could see the enthusiasm his friend had for this idea and agreed one hundred percent that the kids in this town needed and would utilize a Rec Center like that.
He believed in the idea so much, that when he got back outside with the guys he said, “I want in. Not as an owner or anything, that’s your deal, Rich, but I want to help. Be a silent partner or something, and maybe offer a journalism course or something.”
Colin looked up at him with a grin as he handed him a beer. “Dude, I was just saying the same thing. I would love to be involved, and although I’m not here full time right now, I’d love to help out when I am.”
“You guys are awesome,” Rich said as he cleared his throat. “I’m just glad you didn’t laugh at me.”
“Hell no. Why would we laugh, it’s a great idea. And, I know an amazing dancer that could help you with classes, but she may be a hard sell.” Kent said with a chuckle.
Chapter Nineteen
The girls surrounded Nicole on the living room floor. They had blankets, throw pillows, and a pitcher of margaritas.
“Okay,” Briana began, as she lifted her margarita to her lips and brushed her freshly cut bangs from her forehead. Her long chestnut hair was pulled back in a ponytail and the bangs framed her pretty face. “Tell us exactly what happened at the party.”
The other girls nodded their encouragement to Nicole, who sat cross-legged in her yoga pants and an oversized sweatshirt.
“Well, it was okay in the beginning. My dad wasn’t bad, but as soon as Kent met my mother, things started to go downhill. It’s funny; I forgot what a snob she can be. I guess I’ve been away from her for a while. Anyway, I could tell right away that they didn’t like each other,” She paused to take a deep drink.
“Why do you say that?” Kara asked as she turned over to lie on her stomach, “Kent’s a pretty likeable guy. I’d think he’d be a parent’s wet dream!”
Nicole giggled at that, the tequila slowly starting to take effect.
“Not my mom, her idea of a suitable guy is someone exactly like Jake. From an upstanding Dallas family, with deep roots in the church, and someone who thinks social status is important.”
“Well…that’s definitely not Kent,” Roni said with a snort.
“No,” Nicole agreed with a small smile. “Kent is so much better than that.”
“What happened to make him leave?” Briana asked softly, laying her hand on Nicole’s arm.
“My mom was rude to him from the get go, and once he
r friends arrived, she ignored him all together. He overheard her gossiping about someone from the parish who’d been arrested for domestic violence, and he just walked out. When I followed him outside, he told me some stuff about his childhood,” Nicole looked over at Roni, her compassion apparent in her eyes, then looked down at her glass as her eyes began to fill. “He said that we were too different, that we’d never work out, and he thought it was better to walk away now than drag it out.”
Roni’s arms came around her as the tears began to spill down her cheeks.
“My brother can be such an idiot.”
“It sounds like he’s just scared,” Kara said quietly.
“What do you mean?” Nicole asked with a sniffle.
“We all know that Kent’s the best. He’s built himself into the sexy metro-sexual that he’s today. He’s a total sweetheart, and you can’t deny that he’s a wonderful brother to Roni. But…”
“But what?” Nicole asked as she sat up straighter and wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand.
“He’s never been in a serious relationship,” Roni answered. “Bree was the closest he ever got, and you see how that turned out.” She looked over at Briana and said sadly, “Sorry.”
“It’s okay,” Briana replied.
“We didn’t have a good example of marriage, or love, growing up. Kent doesn’t want to end up in a terrible situation like that, which would never happen, because Kent is the complete opposite of our father. But, because of them, he’s never allowed himself to really trust a woman with his heart. He’s afraid of being hurt and of not being the man that he wants to be.”
Kara got up to grab the pitcher and poured them each another round. “Kent doesn’t realize what a catch he is.”
“He said that I deserved better than him. Nicole admitted.
Briana shook her head sadly. “You’re going to have to tell him that he’s the one you want.”
“I tried, and he just walked away and left me there. What if I put myself out there and he still says no?”
“Do you love him?” Kara asked softly.
“Yes,” Nicole smiled through the tears and nodded emphatically. “So much. I never thought I’d feel this way about anyone. He’s the most amazing person I have ever met, and I feel stronger when I’m with him.”
“Then you’re going to have to take that chance,” Briana said. “You might get your heart broken, but if you don’t try, you’ll never know.”
“I know he loves you,” Roni encouraged. “He’s buying the paper. He’s putting down roots here, and I know you’re a big reason for that.”
“He’s buying the paper?” Nicole asked with wide eyes. “He’s going to stay?”
Roni grinned at her, “Yes. I know he’s stubborn and can be a total block head, but you’re just going to have to make him see that you love him and you’re not letting him get away that easily. Fight for him, Nic. I promise he’s worth it.”
Roni’s eyes began to fill and Nicole leaned over to give her a big hug.
“I know he is. I love you,” Nicole told the other girl as she pulled back. She looked around her living room at Roni, Briana, and Kara and her heart felt fuller than ever. “I love you all so much. You are the family that I always wanted.”
“Awww,” Briana said her emotion evident on her face. “I love you too.”
“I’ll drink to that,” Kara exclaimed loudly. She lifted her glass and realized it was empty. “Time to make another pitcher. Let’s fill up and figure out how we’re going to help Nicole land her man.”
They all laughed and stood up. They made their way to the kitchen to blend margaritas.
“I think we’ll have to get you in a sexy costume for the Halloween party,” Briana said with a wicked grin.
“Yes!” Roni agreed. Her face lit up as an idea began to form. “How about a sexy angel? Kent wants to put you on a pedestal and thinks that you’re too good for him. Let’s play with that.”
“An angel?” Nicole asked skeptically.
“Perfect,” Kara said with a smile as she put the ingredients in the blender. “He’s not going to know what hit him!”
Chapter Twenty
The bar and grill was decorated with wall to wall Halloween decorations. There was a DJ in the corner spinning spooky hits, and there was a mass of monsters, sexily clad women, and people wearing simply a mask with regular clothes. Then there was Nicole.
She stood out in the room like a vision in white. Her hair was fluffed out and spilled over her back and wings in waves. Her ample bosom was showcased in the low cut slip dress. It fell well above her knees and her legs were covered in white fishnet stockings. She was wearing heels that looked like ice pics, and her face was made up dramatically with smoky eyes and ruby red lips.
She killed him.
When he’d walked through the door he’d seen her instantly, and had felt a simultaneous surge in his heart and in his pants. He’d never had a woman affect him the way that Nicole did.
He must have stopped and stared when he’d seen her, because Rich ran right into his back, causing him to stumble forward.
“Dude,” Rich chuckled as he put his hand on Kent’s arm to steady him. “You alright?”
Rich looked up and followed the direction of Kent’s gaze.
“Wow, she looks fuckin’ hot!”
Rich just chuckled again when Kent shot him a dirty look. He adjusted his hood to drape the way he wanted it, and checked his shorts to make sure they were in place.
“Is it on right?”
Kent looked at Rich’s boxing costume and shook his head. “You look like a piece of meat, like you’re just looking to get laid.”
Rich gave him a big grin and a wink, “Then, mission accomplished!” He said as he sauntered off towards the bar.
Kent adjusted his cowboy hat and followed Rich. He stopped when he saw Colin and Briana at a nearby table. They were cute in a Top Gun themed matching outfit. Colin wore a flight suit and Bree had on a sexy little bomber jacket and short skirt. They both looked really happy.
“Hey, how’s it going?” Kent asked. He shook Colin’s hand and accepted Bree’s hug when she leaned in to him. It had been a while since he’d seen her, but he was happy to say that he no longer felt a tug of longing when he held her.
“Great,” Briana yelled over the music. “How are you? You look good.”
“You guys look good too,” Kent shouted back. “I’m gonna grab a drink. You guys need anything?”
He got their orders and went to join Rich at the bar. He couldn’t help but notice that Nicole was surrounded by a group of horny monsters, and he felt sick to his stomach when he saw a tall dark vampire leaning in to speak in her ear. He forced his eyes forward and kept moving towards the bar.
He couldn’t help but wonder if he’d been hasty in his decision to cut things off when he did. He still thought that she could do better than a guy like him, but he really missed being with her. He missed the sound of her laugh and the way she smiled to herself when she was writing. He missed her soft lips and the sweet smell of her hair.
He almost walked in to Rich when the other man called his name and snapped him out of his thoughts.
“Dude, you’re out of it tonight. Let me get you a drink.”
Kent thanked him and ordered the drinks for Briana and Colin.
“Gonna be a busy one tonight, eh Pete?” He yelled to his ginger haired friend. Pete nodded in agreement and turned to grab a couple beers. “Who are you supposed to be?” Kent asked when he saw the bow strapped to Pete’s back.
“Hawkeye,” Pete yelled, then he nodded towards the swinging door where Kara was coming out of the back with a full tray. She had on a red wig and a tight black body suit.
“Black Widow?” Kent guessed, and grinned when the other man nodded and handed him his drinks. “See ya in a bit.”
When he got to the table to pass out the drinks, he noticed Rich was flirting with a hot blonde in a Grecian outfit. When he heard the snor
t and the sarcastic remark, he whirled the girl around and found Roni standing before him.
“What in the hell are you wearing?” Kent asked loudly.
“It’s a costume,” Roni answered wryly.
“Barely,” Kent retorted as he took in the sexy shoes and what appeared to be a twelve year olds dress.
Roni just rolled her eyes at him and said, “Calm down. I’m going to go see Nicole.”
He watched her walk away and then turned to see Rich was doing the same thing. “Hey. Stop it.”
Rich just shrugged his shoulders and smiled at him, then tipped his head back to take a swig of his beer.
Kent watched Roni walk up to where Nicole was still talking to the lame vampire guy, and saw Nicole say something him, then turn to follow Roni. When he saw the guy put his hand on her arm to stop her, he saw red.
Kent walked quickly through the crowd and heard Nicole asking the jerk to let her go.
“Can you please let go of my arm,” She asked loudly. “I’m going to go with my friend to get a drink.”
“I’m not ready for you to go yet,” the vampire replied, not letting go.
Kent walked right up to the shorter man and towered menacingly over him.
“She said let go.”
The vampire looked up at him, his eyes already bloodshot and sneered. “Back off, Man. Find your own bimbo.”
“Kent,” Nicole put her hand on his arm, as if to hold him back. “He’s not worth it.”
Kent looked down into her eyes and felt himself grow calm. He nodded at her, then reached over and peeled the guys hand off of her arm.
“Walk away.” He said to the other man, then turned and dismissed him.
Nicole took her hand off of his arm, then turned to follow Roni.
“Nic, wait,” Kent said quickly. “Can we talk?”
Nicole looked up at him, the hurt he had caused her apparent in her eyes, and for a second, he thought she was going to say no, but instead she held out her hand to him.
“Why don’t we go over and say hi to everyone first and enjoy the party a bit,” Nicole said as he took her hand. “We do need to talk, but just give it a little time, okay?”
I Choose You Page 10
