“You would have missed a lot without the dramatic retelling,” Christy said. “I’m sure you can understand that Maddie and Nick aren’t comfortable around Cassidy and Marla. Marla has been going out of her way to stir the pot because she’s always had issues with Maddie.”
“It’s called jealousy,” Aaron said. “She’s also always had a crush on Nick. I’ll just bet she didn’t tell Cassidy that little tidbit. How did my mother miss all of this when she was giving me the gossip last week?”
“I don’t know,” Christy said. “It was the talk of the town.”
“I don’t doubt it.” Aaron looked back at Marla and Cassidy again. “I’ll handle this.”
“Wait,” Maddie said, grabbing his arm to still him. “What are you going to do?”
“I’m going to kick them out.”
“Don’t do that.”
“Why not?” Nick asked, making a face.
“That’s just going to let them think they got to us,” Maddie said. “I’m tired of having to change the way we act when they’re around. Maybe we should make them adjust to us for a change.”
“Are you sure you’re up for that?” Nick asked.
“Of course she is,” Aaron said. “Look at her. She looks like a Victoria’s Secret model. Why would she care what the bitter twosome think?”
“She’s sensitive,” Nick said.
“Nicky,” Maddie warned.
“What?”
“Stop trying to protect her,” Christy answered for Maddie. “She’ll be fine. I’m here. You’re here. If Marla gets out of hand there’s a river right out the back door for me to drown her in.”
“I’m still not sure,” Nick said, rubbing the back of his neck. “I thought we were going to get a chance to relax this weekend. Marla and Cassidy are anything but relaxing.”
“Hey, man, if this Cassidy chick can’t understand that you’ve been in love with Maddie since you were kids, that’s on her,” Aaron said. “Everyone in town knew about your dating schedule. I’m sure a couple of those chicks thought they were going to be the ones to break the cycle. It’s not your fault they deluded themselves.”
“Listen, I’m not particularly proud about what I did to Cassidy,” Nick said. “She has a right to be angry … at me. She tends to go after Maddie, though.”
“Maddie already won the game,” Aaron said. “Quite frankly, it was always rigged in her favor. I think this weekend could be a great way for you all to talk about things on neutral ground and get all your issues out in the open.”
“That sounds like a good idea,” Maddie said.
“That sounds like a terrible idea,” Nick argued.
Maddie glanced at Christy for support.
“Oh, Maddie, it’s a terrible idea,” Christy said. “I can’t wait to watch it, though. I’m still rooting for Marla to get doused in the river.”
“We all are,” Aaron said. “We’ll make that our weekend pool.”
“Good idea.”
Nick sighed, but when Maddie squeezed his hand reassuringly, he gave in. “I guess we’re staying,” he said. “I’m reserving the right to put an end to this the second I feel like it’s getting out of hand, though.”
“Dude, if it gets that far I’ll toss Marla out myself,” Aaron said. “I figure one more night with her is all Max is going to be able to take. He said he liked the sex. It was her insistence on talking afterward that irritated him.”
Nick grinned. “Okay. I need a drink if I’m going to be expected to make small talk with Marla and Cassidy, though.”
“I guess it’s good Max bought out the liquor store then,” Aaron said. “Something tells me we’re all going to need a bunch of drinks before this night is over with.”
“SO, MADDIE, I was sorry to hear about your mom.” Lauren Bishop brushed a strand of her dark hair behind her ear and fixed Maddie with a sympathetic look from across the dinner table. “I always liked Olivia. Last time I was in town, I guess it was two years ago now, she gave me a great reading at one of the fairs. She told me I was going to be rich and famous.”
“Are you rich and famous?” Marla asked, making a face.
“No.”
“It doesn’t sound like a very good reading then, does it?”
Lauren placed her tongue in her cheek and narrowed her eyes in Marla’s direction. “I see you’re exactly the same as you were in high school. You’re even wearing the same training bra if I’m not mistaken.”
“What’s going on?” Maddie whispered, leaning over so only Christy could hear her. “Does Lauren dislike Marla? I thought they were friends.”
“They were friends junior year,” Christy said. “Senior year Marla slept with Lauren’s brother, and when he broke up with her, she told the girl he took to prom that he knocked her up. The rumor got back to Lauren’s mom and it was a whole big thing. Then, the day before graduation, Lauren beat the crap out of Marla and Marla had to go to graduation with a black eye.”
“How do you know all of this?”
“I got an A in gossiping,” Christy said. “You can imagine how disappointed I was when I found out I couldn’t major in it in college.”
“Ah.” Maddie sipped from her glass of wine and then shifted her eyes to Nick. From all outward appearances he looked relaxed, although Maddie knew he was poised to spring into action. “Are you okay?”
“I’m fine, Mad,” Nick said, slipping his arm around her shoulders and giving her a brief squeeze. “I’m actually enjoying Lauren taking Marla down a peg or two.”
“You just want to see if they’re going to wrestle.”
“We all want to see that,” Max said, leaning between the two of them and smirking. “Why do you think I invited Marla? I knew there was a chance one of the women here would wrestle her. I’m hoping it’s in underwear and bras.”
“Thank you for that visual, Max,” Nick said, making a face.
“Hey, I think that sounds like an awesome visual,” Brian said, winking from across the table.
“What are you guys talking about down there?” Aaron asked from the head of the table.
“We were talking about … how great this house is,” Maddie lied.
“Actually, we were wondering how long it would be before Marla pissed off one of the ladies here enough to get the wrestling going,” Max replied, guileless.
“We’ve got a pool going,” Aaron said.
Marla’s gaze bounced between Max and Aaron, her eyes slits as she decided how angry she should be at the suggestion.
“Maddie, you reopened your mom’s shop, didn’t you?” Lauren asked, directing the conversation back to a safer topic.
“I did,” Maddie said. “It’s been going pretty well. Although, we have construction going on upstairs and in the garage, so it has kind of been a pain to have customers in there with all that noise. I’m going to be so happy when everything is finished.”
“Oh, I’ve always loved your house,” Lauren said. “It’s beautiful. I hope to be able to afford a Victorian of my own one day down the road. What are you having done?”
“We’re turning the garage into an apartment for Granny,” Maddie said. “Then I’m having the floors buffed in the master suite.”
“We’re upgrading the bathroom, too,” Nick added. “It was pretty obsolete. We’re having one of those garden tubs put in, and we’re having the whole thing repainted.”
Lauren lifted her perfectly manicured eyebrows. “We?”
“I’m moving in with Maddie,” Nick said.
“That was quick,” Max said, settling in the chair beside Marla.
“Very quick,” Marla griped, making a face. “Some people might even call it rude it was so quick.”
“What people?” Brian asked. “They’re in love. They want to live together. I don’t see who it’s hurting. If Maude is fine moving into the garage, I don’t think anyone else should care.”
“Yes, I’m sure that poor old lady is perfectly fine being shuffled off into the garage,” Marl
a said.
“Poor old lady?” Aaron laughed dryly. “Maude Graves doesn’t do what she doesn’t want to do.”
“It was actually her idea,” Maddie said. “She’s been having trouble getting up and down the stairs, although she hates admitting it. My mother had plans to do the same thing before she died. I do love the house, but I never realized how dangerous those stairs could be for someone who is elderly.”
“That’s a convenient excuse,” Marla said.
“Shut up, Marla,” Christy said. “Unless someone invited you to act as a house designer for Maddie and Nick, you should probably keep your trap closed.”
“You shut up, Christy.”
“No, we all want you to shut up, Marla,” Lauren said. “Why don’t you let the adults talk for a few minutes?”
Marla crossed her arms over her chest, irritated. “I don’t like being talked to like this.”
“Then shut up,” Max said, keeping his attention on Maddie and Nick. “What are you going to do with your house, Nick?”
“I’m selling it to my brother,” Nick replied. “His house is on the market right now. He thinks he’ll be ready to move six weeks from now. I wanted to keep the place in the family because I love to fish out there. This really is the best of both worlds.”
“It sounds like you guys have it all planned out,” Lauren said. “I’d love to see it when you’re finished with the renovations.”
“Whenever you want,” Maddie said, smiling.
“When are you officially moving in, Nick?” Aaron asked.
“Technically I’m not moving in until the master bedroom is done,” Nick said. “We spend every night together, though, so it’s not like it will be a big change.”
“You guys seem happy,” Brian said. “It only took you … what … twelve years to admit you were madly in love with each other? That must be some sort of record.”
“It doesn’t matter how long it took them,” Christy said. “It just matters that they finally got all the obstacles out of their way and admitted they were soul mates.” It took Christy a moment to realize what she’d said, and she cast an apologetic look in Cassidy’s direction. “I didn’t mean that the way it sounded.”
“It’s fine,” Cassidy said, waving her hand stiffly. “I’m used to hearing how I was the last obstacle to Maddie and Nick’s happily ever after. I’m not embarrassed about being dumped in the dirt and treated like crap at all.”
“You tell them,” Marla said, spurring her on.
Nick and Maddie exchanged a brief look.
“So, where is that dinner?” Nick asked.
Eight
“I can’t believe how close the river is to the back of the house,” Maddie enthused, slipping her shoes off so she could wade into the slow-moving water.
Nick followed suit, bending over so he could roll up his pants before joining her.
“I would think this is against building regulations,” he said, his gaze bouncing between the water and the back patio where everyone was milling about with cocktails. They were far enough away to speak freely, but they were close enough to still be considered part of the group. Nick was just happy to have a few minutes alone with his girl without Marla and Cassidy glaring at them like they’d been kicking kittens all night.
“I think, when you have as much money as Aaron’s parents, you get around building regulations,” Maddie said, her gaze focused on the river.
“Are you looking for a turtle?” Nick asked.
“No.”
He didn’t believe her. “Don’t get that dress wet and ruin it,” Nick warned. “I’ll catch you a turtle tomorrow. We’ll wear stuff that can get dirty and wet.”
“I wasn’t looking for a turtle,” Maddie protested.
“You’re always looking for a turtle,” Nick said.
Maddie rolled her eyes and shifted her attention to the expansive lawn rolling down the other side of the river. “How did Aaron’s family make their money? I don’t think I even know what Mr. Denton does.”
“They have family money,” Nick said. “The grandfather was one of the initial investors in IBM, and Aaron’s father continued the tradition by getting in early with Apple.”
“Wow,” Maddie said. “I guess they’re smart when it comes to business.”
“I would definitely agree,” Nick said. “Still, as cool as this house is, I like the idea of something a little smaller. I like knowing that when I call your name you’ll be able to hear me. The same goes for when we have kids. Can you imagine trying to wrangle little ones in this house?”
“I can barely imagine wrangling little ones in our house,” Maddie replied.
“I guess it’s good we don’t have to worry about that for a little bit, isn’t it?” Nick’s question was pointed. He knew Maddie was worried he was anxious for kids, even though nothing could be further from the truth. “I’m happy it’s just going to be the two of us for the next few years, Mad. We can have kids, but we don’t need them right away.”
“I know,” Maddie said. “I just like dreaming sometimes. Is that so wrong?”
“No, love,” Nick said, grinning. “I like dreaming, too. The thing is, we’re already living our dream come true, so try to enjoy it.”
“Then find me a turtle,” Maddie said.
“I knew you were looking for a turtle,” Nick grumbled.
“THEY really look happy,” Lauren said, sipping her martini and settling next to Christy as she watched Nick and Maddie cavort in the water. “I always knew they were destined to be together, but they’re really adorable.”
“They’re so sugary sweet it’s sickening sometimes,” Christy said. “Can you tell I’m jealous?”
“I’m jealous, too,” Lauren said. “Every little girl dreams of finding the perfect man. Maddie actually found hers.”
“It’s too bad they couldn’t have realized that back in high school,” Aaron said, joining them. “They would probably already be married and have kids if they hadn’t been so scared to admit how they felt back then.”
“I think they’re better off,” Christy said.
“Why do you say that?”
“Think about it,” Christy said. “We were all idiots when were eighteen years old. If they’d tried to make it work then, they probably would’ve failed and missed their chance. Now they’re both older, they’re both more mature … things just fit together perfectly for them.”
“Other than the woman they crushed on the way to their own happiness,” Marla said.
Christy ran her tongue over her teeth as she turned to Marla. Cassidy was standing next to her, and the look on her face was murderous. “Can’t you just let it go, Marla? Everyone in this town knew Nick was pining for Maddie. No one is saying what happened to Cassidy was right – especially Nick – but it’s over and done with. It’s not like anything is going to change. Maddie and Nick are happy. They’re not going to break up.”
“Until the six-month mark when Nick gets bored and decides he’s ready to move on and start another cycle,” Marla said.
“Oh, please,” Max scoffed, brushing past Marla and sitting in one of the patio chairs. “Nick is never going to get bored with Maddie. Those two were always in their own little world. No one else was even allowed to visit their world.”
“I thought Nick was popular,” Cassidy interjected. “Wasn’t he on the football team? How was he locked away in a world with Maddie if he was part of the popular clique?”
“Nick was on the football team, the basketball team, and the baseball team,” Aaron replied. “Those were things he did, though. Maddie came to each game and cheered him on, and then as soon as it was over, they left together.
“Nick didn’t go to team parties, and he really didn’t hang out with us that much off the field or court,” he continued. “All he cared about was running around the woods with Maddie. I swear, I always thought they were out there doing it. I was so disappointed when I spied on them and found out they really were just wishing on star
s.”
“I spied on them, too,” Brian said, chuckling. “I wanted to see Maddie naked something fierce. I still wouldn’t mind seeing Maddie naked.”
“I wouldn’t say that when Nick can hear,” Max said.
“You wouldn’t say what when Nick can hear?” Nick stepped up onto the patio, his gaze busy as it moved from face to face.
“We weren’t talking about you,” Lauren said hurriedly.
“Yes, we were,” Christy said, knowing right away that lying was the wrong way to go. “We started out by saying how jealous we were of the two of you, and then Aaron and Brian admitted they snuck out to the woods behind Maddie’s house to spy on you guys when you were in high school.”
“Why?” Nick asked, confused.
“We thought you two were doing it,” Aaron admitted sheepishly.
“They also wanted to see Maddie naked,” Christy added.
“Brian wanted to see her naked,” Aaron said, pointing. “I didn’t. I’m not a pig.”
Nick rolled his eyes. “You all wanted to see her naked,” he said. “I’m not stupid. And, if you want to know the truth, it’s fantastic and you have no idea what you’re missing.” He shuffled over to the drink cart and grabbed two beers. “She looks like a goddess without her clothes on.”
Max snickered. “I knew it! She looks like a goddess with her clothes on. Nudity must be like Heaven where you two are concerned. Wait … that makes it sound like I want to see Nick naked, doesn’t it?”
“Don’t worry, you’re not the only one,” Lauren teased.
Nick’s cheeks colored. “You guys need to pick another activity,” he said. “The gossiping is getting old.”
“Then you and Maddie should stop being so cute,” Lauren challenged.
“That’s impossible,” Nick said. “Maddie was born cute and she’s going to die cute.”
“I’m going to puke,” Marla said.
“The bathroom is in the house,” Aaron said, not missing a beat.
“Now, if you don’t mind, I think I’m going to rejoin my girl in her turtle hunt,” Nick said.
“Turtle hunt? Is that what she’s doing?” Brian asked, leaning forward so he could study Maddie. “She’s never going to catch a turtle sloshing around like that.”
Grave Misgivings Page 6
