Empty Net

by Toni Aleo

  Audrey let another aggravated sigh leave her lips before she took a long pull of her champagne. Maybe if she stayed drunk through the next couple of days, it wouldn’t hurt as bad. The jealousy would stay at bay. What kind of sister was she to be jealous of her older sister, her best friend? It was disgusting and Audrey needed to quit. Now, because Fallon was coming towards her with a radiant smile on her face and looking so unbelievably beautiful. It was hard not to feel like the biggest piece of crap for being so jealous of her. Fallon’s hand was joined with Lucas’ of course, and they both looked like they had just stepped out of some high fashion magazine.

  Only Fallon could pull off a shiny silver disco-ball style dress where the bust dipped down almost to her belly button. How she kept that dress closed would always be a mystery to Audrey but she did, and she looked stunning. Her long brown hair was in big curls and pulled up on one side with a silver clip. She wore black stilettos that had two-inch silver glitter platforms on them. They made her legs look long and tan, complementing the outfit in just the right way. It was hard to take her eyes off her beautiful sister, but not that hard when Lucas Brooks was in the room. When her eyes met her future brother-in-law’s deep gray ones, she found herself breathless. Lucas was devilishly sexy in a white button up shirt that he had rolled up to above his elbows, showing off his many tattoos. He also wore a dark black vest with a silver tie. He wore tailored black slacks and, of course, he hadn’t shaved in days. Something Fallon loved and really, it wasn’t fair how sexy it made him. They were a beautiful couple who were meant to be with each other.

  And it just wasn’t fair!

  Audrey put on a grin as Fallon leaned against the same railing while Lucas leaned in close, wrapping his arms around Fallon’s waist as they both grinned over at her. “I have a feeling you’re hiding.”

  Audrey laughed. “Your feeling is right. Those people are nuts,” she said cocking her head in the direction of their family, “If I have to hear, one more time, that everyone thought I was going to be married before you, I am going to kill them…or myself.”

  Fallon laughed as she rolled her eyes. Lucas smiled as he shrugged his shoulders looking at Fallon, “I don’t see why no one thought you would ever get married.”

  Fallon smiled before cupping his jaw in her fingers, “When I said there wasn’t anyone else after you, I wasn’t lying.”

  Audrey rolled her eyes at Lucas’ perplexed expression, “There really wasn’t, while I have been with man after man after man.”

  A cocky grin went across Lucas’ face, giving Fallon a sexy look before he looked over at Audrey. Shrugging his shoulders again, “You just haven’t found the right one yet.”

  Audrey eyed him before shaking her head, “Fallon told you Levi and I broke up.”

  Fallon look sheepishly at Audrey as Lucas laughed. “She tells me everything.”

  “There was a time when that wasn’t true,” Audrey countered.

  Lucas continued to chuckle, his eyes full of love for her sister, “Things change babe, but don’t worry, it’s his loss.”

  Fallon nodded with a hopeful look on her face while Audrey felt like crying. How many times had she and Levi talked about coming to the wedding together? How many times did he tell her that she was going to be gorgeous at the wedding, even prettier than the bride? Audrey knew it wasn’t true, but it would still be nice to hear again, especially now, with all the jealously she was feeling.

  “I just wish you’d let me hook you up with someone, AA. There are ton of guys on the team,” Fallon said speaking of the hockey team Lucas played for, the Nashville Assassins. Audrey knew the team, she cheered for them, she also knew that they were probably the hottest team in the NHL but she’d be damned if she was going to let Fallon hook her up on a pity date!

  Fallon ran her fingers down the front of Lucas’ vest before tucking her hand into his pocket. Lucas glanced down at Fallon, and tightened his grip on her hip, while both of them looked lovingly at each other. They were so in love, so happy, that while standing there, being subjected to their love, Audrey felt ever more horrible for being jealous. She should be happy; she should feel blessed that her sister had found her happiness.

  She shrugged her shoulders, looking away from the happy couple. “I told you, I have a date.”

  Lucas chuckled as Fallon rolled her eyes, “And I said a date of the adult variety. Aiden is the perfect date, but he is also your nephew, and he’s seven.”

  Audrey giggled; she loved Aiden more than she loved anything in the world, other than Fallon. He was the perfect kid, her best friend. Audrey had a special bond with the little booger since she basically helped raise him. She had always been his second person. That was until Lucas came along, but again, she couldn’t hate Lucas for taking her family away. He was what they needed and she did love him. Audrey’s smile remained as she said, “He’ll be the best.”

  Fallon shook her head, “Let me hook you up with Phillip, or even Sergi-”

  “No not Sergi, he’s a man whore,” Lucas interrupted, “There is a new guy, Jakob Titov’s brother, Erik. He’s a good guy.”

  Audrey wanted to bash her head in. Another reason why being single sucked. Everyone wanted to hook you up with someone. “I’m fine.”

  “I just wish that Tate was a little older,” Fallon said bringing Audrey’s attention back to her. “He is such a great guy, sweet as all get out.”

  Lucas nodded, “He really is. Best guy I know. Have you guys met yet? He said the other day he hadn’t met you.”

  Audrey shook her head, “Nope, my infamous neighbor is still hiding, but not for long. I took him some cupcakes today.”

  Fallon tensed up, her eyes filling with worry. “What kind?”

  Audrey rolled her eyes. She hated the way Fallon thought she only made cupcakes when she was depressed. Yes, she did make them a lot more when she was upset but that wasn’t the only reason she made them. They made her happy. “Red Velvet.”

  Fallon smiled as if Red Velvet cupcakes didn’t mean Audrey was on the verge of killing herself.

  “He will love that.”

  Lucas’ face perked up, “I want some red velvet cupcakes.”

  Audrey giggled, “I’ll make you some for when y’all come home.”

  Lucas smiled his lady killer smile, “Sounds good to me.”

  Audrey was about to tease him about his sweet tooth when Molly, Lucas’ mom, called him over to where she stood with family members. Lucas kissed Fallon’s temple and then he flashed Audrey a smirk, before making his way over to his mom. Audrey loved Molly. She was the perfect mother-in-law for Fallon, and a great grandma for Aiden, too. She looked beautiful in a short light blue dress that had a nice champagne colored sash on it. She had her long dark hair up in a barrette that James, Molly’s late husband, had gotten her, from what Fallon had told Audrey. Molly’s eyes were full of joy and love, and when Lucas wrapped his arms around her, Audrey swore her eyes became brighter.

  “You know, Tate is super hot.”

  Audrey giggled before looking over at Fallon, “I wouldn’t know anything about that. I haven’t been graced with his presence yet.”

  Fallon smiled, “Oh, but you will be tomorrow. He’s young, but good Lord almighty, if he was ten years older, I would be all over that!”

  Audrey continued to giggle, “We both know that isn’t true! You have eyes for one man and one man only.”

  Fallon’s eyes glazed over as her gaze cut to where Lucas stood. Her left hand came up to cup her neck as a dreamy smile came over her face. “You got that right. I can’t believe it, I’m getting married tomorrow.”

  Audrey looked down to where workers were slowly fastening lights to the umbrellas. “Me neither,” she said sadly.

  When she looked back up, Fallon was looking down at her with compassion all over her face. “I’ll always love you, A.”

  Audrey smiled nodding her head, “I know. I’m just jealous,” she said with a shrug. “Where the hell is my Lucas Brooks?”r />
  Fallon nodded, taking Audrey’s hand in hers. “He’s out there, I promise, and when you meet him, you’re never gonna let him go.”

  Audrey squeezed Fallon’s hand before enveloping her in a hug. Fallon squeezed Audrey close to her, and Audrey closed her eyes basking in the love only a sister could give. With her chin on Fallon’s shoulder, Audrey said, “You got that right.”

  Fallon nodded as they continued to hold each other close. Fallon knew Audrey inside and out. She knew how much Audrey wanted that man, the one who would love her for the rest of her life. She also knew that when Audrey found him, he wasn’t going anywhere. Audrey would love him with everything inside her. She had yet to feel that soul deep love with a man, but like her sister said, she knew it was going to happen. Audrey knew her Happily Ever After was right around the corner. It had to be.

  She needed it to be.

  ~*~

  “You look amazing, Fal,” Audrey gushed from beside her gorgeous sister. Fallon glanced over at Audrey through the mirror with a nervous look on her face. She was basically shaking with nerves, and Audrey had no idea what to do or say. All she could do was gawk over the beauty her sister was exhibiting.

  She was breathtaking. Fallon’s dress fit her better than it did the day before for some reason. It brought out her hips, her shoulders, her breasts, and when she turned, her back looked spectacular. Long and lean. Maybe it was the whole package, the hair, the makeup, the dress, but she looked amazing. Her hair was done in an intricate bun with her veil tucked in underneath it. The veil itself was to die for. It was their grandmother’s, and had been passed down to each girl who got married after her. It matched Fallon’s dress perfectly with the lace design along the edges of it. Fallon wore no other jewelry but her heart shaped diamonds earrings and her large engagement ring, not that she needed anything else. She was spectacular the way she was, and Audrey knew for a fact that Lucas was going to flip when he saw her.

  “I’m so nervous,” she gasped, placing her hand along her stomach.

  “Why?” Audrey asked handing over her bouquet of large white hydrangeas. She took them with a shaky hand and looked down at them.

  “I had this awful dream last night that I got to the end of the aisle and, Audrey, he wasn’t there!”

  Audrey rolled her eyes as she chuckled, “Well that’s just plum silly, he is there. I saw him earlier.”

  She had, and boy, was he gorgeous. In a black fitted Armani suit with a champagne silk dress shirt and no tie. With the buttons opened, showing a little of his chest tattoo, Lucas was to die for. Fallon was going to flip just as much as Lucas would when they saw each other. They were both so gorgeous, that really, it wasn’t right. Audrey was still green with envy, especially after getting a look at the wedding hall and reception.

  It was a fairytale and Audrey wished it was hers.

  “Oh gosh, what if he doesn’t like the dress?” Fallon gasped, taking in long strangled breaths interrupting Audrey’s pity party.

  “He will,” Audrey said annoyed.

  “What if he thinks everything I picked out for the wedding is stupid? What if he hates the theme? Jesus, why didn’t he look at anything when I asked him too? He’ll probably hate the food; he’ll hate the music and, most of all, the fake fucking rain! Why did you let me do this!? I should have just flown to fucking Vegas and gotten married! What the hell was I thinking!!”

  Audrey blinked a few times as Fallon continued to freak out. She knew that she had to wait it out. Let Fallon have her crazy moment before reassuring her that everything was going to work out. This was the Fallon she knew and loved, the girl was tip toeing on a thin line between crazy and sane, but thankfully, everyone loved her for it.

  When Fallon looked over at her with crazed eyes, Audrey smiled.

  “Are you good now?”

  Fallon nodded slowly, taking in a deep breath, “Yeah.”

  “Good, Lucas will love it. Love it all. Most of all, you. You look fantastic babe, amazing. I promise.”

  Fallon continued to nod slowly as she reached out for Audrey’s hand, “Thank you.”

  “Of course.”

  “I love you, you know,” she said looking over at Audrey with a watery smile on her face.

  “Not as much as I love you,” Audrey said simply.

  They shared a long, loving look before they were interrupted by a knock at the door. They both looked towards the bright yellow door as it opened and their father entered. William looked dashing in a tailored black suit with a champagne vest. His dark hair seemed to have more gray in it, and he had shaved for the occasion. He looked nervous as he glanced over at them, a shy smile on his face, but really, what was he doing in the bride’s room?

  Unlike Audrey, Fallon didn’t want him to give her away. Well, really, they were both hardheaded and no one would swallow their pride to ask the other to be the one to walk Fallon down the aisle. It was sad really, even though their father had been hard on them, and made them both feel like they were worthless, she still loved him. William took good care of Audrey, but that was only because she never went against what he said.

  She was the doting daughter, unlike Fallon.

  Audrey grinned as she glanced back at her hardheaded, strong, beautiful sister. Fallon never backed down to anyone, well, except maybe Lucas. But now, she looked just as worried as William did. She was probably wondering the same thing Audrey was; why was he there and they didn’t have to wait long for the answer.

  “You both look spectacular,” William said in his strong deep voice.

  Audrey smiled as she swished her dress back and forth. Fallon really did do a good job picking her dress. Audrey loved it. “Thank you, daddy.”

  “Thanks,” Fallon said as he took a step forward, “Isn’t the wedding about to start? Shouldn’t you be out there with mom?”

  William stopped in his place, his eyes filling with sorrow as he looked down at them.

  What the hell was going on?

  Audrey had never seen her father look at them like that. He always had love in his eyes for them, but at that moment, to her, it seemed that his eyes held regret.

  “I know, but I wanted to see you before you went out.”

  Fallon moved her free hand down the side of her dress, moving it out so that the dress was full. Audrey glanced back at their father waiting for him to go on. Just as he was about to say something the door opened again, and Grace Justice entered.

  “Fallon, Audrey, we’re ready to start,” she said with a smile on her face.

  “We’re com-”

  “It will be a minute,” William said sternly interrupting Fallon.

  Grace looked taken aback before she retreated out the door while Fallon glared up at William and Audrey looked at him confused.

  Again, what the hell was going on?

  “Audrey, will you excuse us, honey?”

  Audrey nodded but Fallon dug her nails into her wrist, causing Audrey to shriek at the pain. “Fallon!”

  “Anything you need to say to me can be said in front of Audrey,” Fallon said with her chin a little higher. Audrey looked back up at William, and saw that his neck was flushed. He was getting mad and for some reason he was controlling it.

  That was new.

  “Fine,” he said clearing his throat, “I wanted to say that you are beautiful, Fallon. Lucas is a lucky man to have the opportunity to make you his wife.”

  Fallon took in a deep breath as William continued, “I am proud of everything that you have accomplished in the last couple months. Most of all, I am proud of you for becoming the woman I knew you were destined to be, which is a great mother, a wonderful wife, and one hell of a business owner.”

  Audrey eyes filled with tears as Fallon continued to take in deep breaths. When she glanced back at her sister and saw the tears also filling her eyes, Audrey let go of hers. She knew that Fallon always wanted William’s approval and to get it on the most important day of her life was the perfect addition to her Happily Ever After
.

  “Thank you,” Fallon said in a whisper, “that means a lot.”

  “It’s the truth. I love you two very much,” he croaked out.

  “And we love you, Daddy,” Audrey cried as she wrapped her arms around him. She felt William move, and then Fallon’s tear streaked face was beside hers, hugging their father tightly. They held onto each other for a long time before Audrey backed up, taking Fallon’s hand in hers.

  “This is gonna be a great day!”

  Fallon smiled as William wrapped an arm around her shoulders.

  “I only regret that I’m not giving you away to that knucklehead you’re marryin’.”

  Fallon smiled as she glanced up at him, “It’s not too late, Dad, we haven’t left the room yet.”

  For the first time ever Audrey watched her father’s eyes fill with tears, “It would be an honor, honey.”

  Yup, this was going to be the best day ever.

  ***

  Tate was convinced he looked dumb in his fitted dress suit. He was too tall and thin and it made him look like a noddle. For that reason, he only owned one suit, and he wore it to everything he needed to. Lucas was lucky Tate loved both Lucas and Fallon, or he would be at home, eating cupcakes and watching TV in a pair of shorts; not wearing a stuffy grey suit that made him look stupid.

  Tate ran his hand down the front of his suit and took in a deep breath as he looked around for either of his friends, and teammates, Phillip or Erik. They said they would meet him there so he wouldn’t have to do the whole wedding thing alone. He had never been to a wedding, this was his first, and for some reason, he felt uneasy. He didn’t know why. Thankfully, he wouldn’t have to think about it, because Erik and Phillip came into view.

  Phillip Anderson was the guy on the team all the girl fans lusted over, a lot of the guys didn’t like him, but Tate did. Anderson was a good guy, funny. With his dark blonde hair, baby blue eyes, and easy smile, Tate had no problems getting along with him. Erik Titov was the complete opposite of Phillip. He was dark featured, with dark black hair and dark green eyes. He was new to the team, after being brought up from the Rays. Tate and Erik were friends back in Florida, and Tate was more than glad to see him when he joined the Assassins. He was a great guy, quiet and a little obsessed with Xbox but all in all, a good guy.