Gemma Rules

by Mel Curtis

  “The same reason you always jump backward.” Randy took Gemma’s cold hands beneath the clothes and gave them a gentle shake. “We’re both scared we’re going to lose something that’s really great. But we’re scared for all the wrong reasons. This shouldn’t be about jobs or how you’ve been cast aside by selfish people in the past. This should be about love lifting us higher.”

  Her gaze softened.

  A woman in the bridal shop called to Gemma.

  He felt her pulling away. “Don’t go.”

  “I’m in the middle of a crisis.” She gave him a soft look, the one that made him feel as if just being by her side made her day better. With a sigh, she tugged her hands free. “I need to free Cora and Trent from those dressing rooms.”

  “You owe your father an apology,” his mother said stiffly after Gemma left. “He’s under a lot of stress.”

  His father had disappeared.

  Weeks of training, of ignoring fatigue and burnout, settled heavily in Randy’s limbs. Despite knowing he’d stand behind his words, he regretting hurting his dad.

  “Your father is a proud man,” Tessa continued. “He wants you to take over the farm. Anytime you succeed on the court, he feels as if he’s letting generations of Farrells down.”

  “You want me to give up my dreams for his?” He’d known it. He’d listened to his father say as much for years. He just hadn’t ever heard the truth voiced. His father would never give up hoping Randy would fulfill his family obligations on the farm. With their hopes so divergent, Matt would never admit to being proud of Randy.

  I’m proud of me.

  Proud, yes. But he had to acknowledge that he’d been lying to himself about who he was playing for. Gemma, Dad, Trent, Evan, Cy, the press. He’d been playing to prove something to everyone but himself. Randy had loved the game of basketball since he’d first tried to put a blue rubber ball in a miniature basket. He played because he loved the strategy, along with the mental and physical challenges of the game. He should have been like Evan, playing because he loved the game for what it was, not what it might get him.

  His mother laid her palm on his cheek. “I want you and your father to be happy.”

  “I’m sorry. That’s impossible. We want totally different things. I’ll see you guys tomorrow.” Randy followed Gemma.

  “I told you, they left,” a store clerk was telling Gemma in a frustrated voice.

  “Wearing what?” Gemma demanded, holding up Trent and Cora’s clothes. “Going where?”

  “The Elvis and Morticia costumes.” The guy shrugged. “Lucky for the groom, his wallet fell out when I took his pants. He paid and said the ceremony tomorrow was a bust.”

  “I am so dead.” Gemma glanced at Randy, horror-stricken. “I ruined the wedding.”

  Chapter Seven

  Gemma showed up to Randy’s early afternoon game alone. Mimi was at the spa getting her nails done. No one had been able to find Cora or Trent. She’d hoped to see Cora in the front row, across from the team bench where Trent was coaching.

  Only Trent wasn’t coaching. Archie was.

  She darted across the court, risking a second run-in with security in as many days.

  “What’s wrong?” Archie asked in his southern, smoker’s voice, waving the dogs off.

  “Where’s Trent?” Gemma asked.

  “I thought you’d know.” The older man’s eyes narrowed. “He’s not answering my texts or calls.”

  “That’s because I have his phone.” Guilt, that vindictive B, clamped an icy hand on Gemma’s neck.

  “Any word?” Randy leaned in to plant a kiss on her forehead.

  “No. But you’ll be awesome. You always are.” She brushed her fingers through his hair. She wanted him to hold her and tell her everything would be all right. But she needed to be calm, not spread panic about two missing persons through the team. “Play hard. For yourself.” He’d told her about his revelation last night—that he loved the game more than he realized, that his need to prove himself constipated his game. She couldn’t be happier for him and his epiphany. If Randy was willing to give their love a second chance, she’d stand bravely next to him. “Promise me. This game is for you and only you.”

  Randy nodded. “Today’s game is dedicated to me. But that doesn’t mean I love you any less.”

  The verdict was in. He was a keeper. She’d been looking for reassurances that her love for him wasn’t selfish. Love didn’t provide physical evidence. When things slowed down in a day or two, they’d have time to talk about their future.

  Archie pushed Randy’s shoulder. “Get back on the court, lover boy. My son may have started his honeymoon early, but that doesn’t mean we won’t play to win. Play for yourself or play for me, as long as you play like a champion, I don’t care.”

  Gemma searched the arena once more.

  “And you, young lady, walk the long way around to your seat this time.”

  She wanted to linger by the bench so she could apologize to Trent when he showed up. “But—”

  “Now.” Archie gentled his tone. “Mary Sue Ellen will need help with the baby. Beth Ann is teething. She stayed up with her most of the night so I could sleep.”

  Gemma sighed and did as he asked.

  Randy played brilliantly. His body moved with a grace and power that had Gemma’s heart swelling with pride.

  She walked the baby up and down the bleachers during the first half of the game. Beth Ann picked the darndest time to discover her lungs. When the little one finally fell asleep, Gemma returned her to Mary Sue Ellen’s arms, only to find Randy’s parents seated in her row.

  “He’s really good,” Gemma said, sitting next to Randy’s dad. “It’s a rare thing when people can make a living doing something they love.”

  Matt grunted.

  “That’s Dad’s way of saying he was wrong,” Lindsey said cheerfully. “He finally listened to me last night when I said I wanted to be a farmer. I want to major in agriculture at college and everything.”

  Gemma’s smile felt as bright as a sign on the strip. “I’m glad. I’m so very glad.” Her phone rang, the number unfamiliar. She hoped Cora had purchased a Go-phone.

  It wasn’t Cora. It was the wedding coordinator and she sounded stressed. “I have several questions for the happy couple. They haven’t been answering their phones.”

  Gemma’s heart sank. She’d hoped Trent and Cora would recognize their argument was baseless and turn up in time for the wedding. No one other than Randy knew the wedding had been cancelled. Gemma hoped she wouldn’t have to make an awkward announcement this evening. “I’ll be right there.” Gemma stuffed her phone into her purse. “Can you tell Randy he did a great job today? I’ll see you later.”

  “Can I tweet that I’m going to a wedding with Glitterfrost Gem?” Lindsey asked, grinning when Gemma nodded.

  After all, tweeting ran in Randy’s family. He’d tweeted Gemma as his Woman Crush Wednesday. If it wasn’t for a missing bride and groom, the day would have been awesome.

  Archie had taken Randy out of the game. He sat on the bench, drinking water. Gemma made the call me gesture, waved, and left.

  Hours later, Gemma paced in the bride’s ready-room, while Amber and Mimi listened to her confession. “I pushed them too far. It’s all my fault.” She’d been so worried, she’d dressed for the wedding, but left her hair in its wayward curls and wore her glasses instead of the dreaded contacts Cora had made her buy. But she’d slipped into the uncomfortable heels, hoping the choice would bring her good bride-finding karma.

  “Maybe they had a case of the wedding jitters.” Mimi sounded doubtful. “Maybe they needed some time alone together. They’ve been working so hard.”

  “Cora’s always been headstrong. If she decides not to marry Trent today—or ever—we’ll support her.” Amber sank deeper into the couch, massaging h
er large baby bump and moaning softly.

  “Do not have that baby now,” Gemma commanded. “We’ve lost the bride and groom. The last thing we need is to have you go into labor.” She blew out a breath. This fiasco with Trent and Cora only proved she had no idea what she was doing as a life coach. “You don’t have to fire me. When we get back home, I’m handing in my resignation.”

  Before Amber could answer, someone knocked on the door.

  Gemma ran to open it. “Oh, it’s only you.” Randy. She softened her reaction with a quick kiss. “You look very handsome.”

  “You look gorgeous.” Randy’s gaze promised everything her childhood had lacked—unbreakable loyalty and unconditional love. Whatever they’d face, they’d face it together. “I scored thirty points today.”

  Needing to touch him, Gemma fussed over his tie. “I wish Trent had been there to see you play.”

  “He knows what I’m capable of, Gemma.” He wound a finger through one of her curls. “Do you?”

  “I do.” The seriousness of his tone, his hand in her hair, and the intense look in his eyes, made Gemma want to lose herself in his embrace. But now wasn’t the time. “I was just telling Amber that I’m going to look for a different career. My siblings have made excuses for me long enough. I majored in finance. I want to work with numbers, not people.” Seeing as how she sucked working with people.

  “Not so fast.” Amber pushed herself into a sitting position. “Dad thought you should be C.E.O. one day. I won’t be able to keep up the pace of running the company and life coaching once this baby comes.” She groaned and arched her back. “I want you to be our Chief Operating Officer. I want you in charge of all our contracts, billing, and financial decisions.”

  For a moment, Gemma didn’t know what to say. And then words started spilling from her mouth like a punctured bag of Cheerios. “You can’t. Why would you? I just received my degree. I’m not ready.”

  Amber sank back into the couch, waving her protests aside. “You told me months ago you were already doing the work of an executive.”

  She had. She was. “So…No clients?”

  Amber shook her head.

  “Say thank you,” Randy murmured in her ear.

  “Thank you.”

  The door burst open and in walked Elvis and Morticia, otherwise known as the missing bride and groom, followed by Evan and Blue. Evan hurried to Amber’s side.

  “Where have you been?” Gemma nearly collapsed with relief. As if anticipating her weak knees, Randy looped his arm around her waist and tucked her close against him.

  “We’re married.” Cora giggled. They waggled their be-ringed fingers. “And we have Gemma to thank for it.”

  “Are you high?” Gemma demanded. “You’re supposed to get married now.”

  “We went to Graceland.” Trent tugged Cora’s arms around his waist.

  Gemma gasped. “Tennessee?”

  “The Graceland Chapel here in Vegas,” Trent clarified.

  “You were married by Elvis?” Amber couldn’t believe it.

  “No, but he escorted me down the aisle.” Cora drew Gemma out of Randy’s embrace and into a hug. “You gave us a very sensible lecture about our clothes being the least important thing in this marriage.”

  “Yes, but you got married as Elvis and Morticia?” She wanted to see pictures, yet Gemma couldn’t discard her practical nature. “What are we going to do with all these guests?”

  Before anyone could answer, there was a rustling noise to her left. Gemma turned to see Randy pulling a small velvet box from his pocket and drop to one knee.

  Gemma thought she might faint. “What are you doing?” she whispered.

  “What I should have done weeks ago when you said we should break up. I’m asking you to marry me.”

  “But —”

  “No buts, Gemma. I’ve lived without you and I don’t want to do it anymore. I love you.” He took the ring from the box and reached for her hand. “I put basketball first these past few weeks because it was all that I had after you left. But I shouldn’t have. I should have told you when I said I loved you that I’d love you no matter what. I may end up being a farmer and coaching a middle school basketball team.”

  “Not likely,” Evan said wryly.

  “I proved I can make it at this level.” Randy’s intense gaze never left Gemma. “I love basketball, but I can quit today and be happy if you’ll be my wife. Maybe Trent will hire me back as a coach. Maybe not. It doesn’t matter as long as we have each other.”

  Gemma’s breath came in shallow gasps. Her face felt hot enough to cook an egg.

  “Wait a minute.” Trent, otherwise known as Elvis, jabbed his finger toward Randy. “Have you lost your mind? You’re going to be on the Flash roster.”

  “Am I, Gemma?” Everything hinged on her answer. His happiness. Their future.

  Trent tossed his hands. “Is there any answer other than yes?”

  “Marry him now, Gemma.” Cora wrapped her arms around her husband. “When a guy is willing to give up everything for you, you don’t waste time planning a wedding.”

  “Now?” Gemma squeaked. “But this is your wedding.”

  “I don’t need it.” Cora grinned. “Do you? My hunk of burning love?”

  Trent gathered his bride in his arms, scowling at Randy over her shoulder. “No. Although I’ll accept Randy as a player for a wedding gift.”

  Gemma still wasn’t convinced Cora wouldn’t regret her decision to forgo her dream wedding later. She’d been meticulous about every detail. “Cora, the guests. The flowers. The cake. The—”

  “I’ll wait for you, Gemma,” Randy said in that steady voice she loved. “You know, I’ll wait for you. But this seems like fate, doesn’t it?” He ran his thumb over her cheek. “Marry me. Tonight. In front of your family, my family, and our friends.”

  She’d wanted a small wedding. She’d wanted to have time to plan, to talk her mother into a return to civilization. But this…these people…they were more accepting of her than her mother was. They were her family. Randy was her love. It was time to be brave.

  “Yes.” She’d marry Randy. Gemma met Trent’s inquiring gaze. “Yes.” Randy would play in the NBA. How could he not? He was good enough to give Lebron James a run for his money.

  But she had one condition for this wedding.

  L.A. Happenings by Lyle Lincoln

  …Did you hear! Cora Rule didn’t marry Coach Trent Parker at the Aria in Las Vegas! Her kid sister, Gemma, walked down the aisle in a beautiful gown and army boots. That’s right. Glitterfrost Gem married her beau, one of the groomsmen, Randy Farrell. Apparently, Cora and Trent couldn’t wait for the grand nuptial stage. They were married at a little chapel in Vegas a day earlier. We all partied like we were rock stars anyway.

  …It’s a girl! Amber and Evan Oliver welcomed a seven-pound bundle of joy in Las Vegas. Amber very nearly delivered that baby at the wedding reception.

  …Just because I’ve been gone doesn’t mean rumors haven’t been flying in Hollywood. Did you hear the latest about Isabelle Chavez?...

  Thank you!

  I hope you enjoyed reading Gemma Rules. The idea for this story came from two events - one was a celebrity romance that started when an N.B.A. player kept tweeting to an actress on #WomenCrushWednesday (a short affair); the other from a boy I knew who played Division I college basketball (he crashed and burned under the pressure). If you'd like to learn more about the N.B.A.'s Summer League in the west, CBS aired a nice documentary called Summer Dreams.

  I try to use well-known hotels and restaurants in this series to capture the tone of the celebrity world with few alterations. For example, some of you may notice there is no bridal shop within the Aria in Las Vegas. I needed one in the hotel.

  Would you like to know when my next book is coming out? Sign up for my book release ema
il list at www.MelindaCurtis.com, follow me on Twitter at @MelCurtisAuthor, or like my Facebook page at https://www.facebook.com/MelindaCurtisAuthor.

  Reviews help readers find books. I appreciate all reviews, whether positive or negative.

  Gemma Rules is a series of sweet mini-novellas in The Hollywood Rules series. The rest of the series has the same fun tone, plus sex. Amber Rules launched the fun and sexy, full-length novels, followed by Blue Rules and Cora Rules. Daisy Rules is a full-length, sexy novel due out in Summer 2014. Look for another Rule novella, Breaking the Rules, Jack and Viv's story, in Fall 2014.

  Jayne Anne Krentz says of Blue Rules: "Sharp, sassy, modern version of a screwball comedy from Hollywood's Golden Age except a lot hotter."

  I also write sweet romances for Harlequin Heartwarming. The Harmony Valley series launched with Dandelion Wishes, and was quickly followed by Summer Kisses (book 2), and Season of Change (book 3). Four more books are planned in this small town, fun, contemporary series.

  Brenda Novak says of Season of Change: "Reading Slade and Christine's story reminded me of why I enjoy romance. SEASON OF CHANGE has found a place on my keeper shelf!"

  Acknowledgements

  Anyone who knows me, knows I believe in good vibes, good karma, and the power of positive thinking. The Hollywood Rules series is a way for me to blend those vibes with young, sexy, fun Hollywood. I couldn't have finished this novella without the love and support of my family and friends. As always, Mr. Curtis was patient during the completion of this project (bringing pizza and ice cream when I pushed to finish). My undying thanks to my writing group—the Tiny Killer Bees! Readers can thank Anna Adams, A.J. Stewart and Cari Lynn Webb for the redemption of the Hollywood heroes/heroines. Chelsea Elizabeth, Annissa Turpin, and Aileen Fish, I love your covers for the Hollywood Rules series! Thanks to Purple Papaya LLC for helping spread the gospel of The Hollywood Rules. And thank you, dear reader, for reading.