Rumors: Megan & Vinnie

by Rachael Brownell

  Now, if I didn’t like Emerson and was opposed to their engagement, that would be a different story. It’s not about me, though. Their relationship is about them, just like what Vinnie and I have is about us. If Ryder doesn’t like the fact that Vinnie and I are together, I wouldn’t know it. He keeps his personal feelings on the subject to himself just like I do.

  It’s a respect thing.

  Most divorced couples forget about the respect they once had for each other. I’m glad we’re not those people.

  Brianna and I go our separate ways as the after-work crowd starts to invade the mall. Women in shirts and heels. Men with loosened ties but still in their suits. They’re all moving with a sense of purpose.

  Get in. Get out.

  No one really likes the mall. It’s a horrible place.

  When I pull into my driveway, I notice Vinnie’s car is parked on the street behind Emerson’s car and Ryder’s truck. The fact everyone is here brings a smile to my face.

  Two months ago, this wouldn’t have even been a thought. I used to dread seeing Ryder. I’d avoid it at all costs. Seeing him reminded me of the pain I had caused, of the destruction. Now that the truth is out there and things are moving forward for each of us, seeing each other doesn’t feel weird.

  “Hello!” I holler as I close the front door behind me.

  “Mama! Mama! Mama!” I hear Amara yell back as she rounds the corner, narrowly missing the edge of the couch, and barrels into my legs. “Where were you?”

  “I had to go shopping with Aunt B. Wanna see what I bought?” I ask, handing her the bag.

  “Is it for me?” she asks, taking a seat on the floor and dumping the bag upside down. “A unicorn!”

  “Do you like it?”

  “I love it. Thank you, Mama. I’m gonna go show Daddy.”

  Scrambling off the floor, Amara’s running back around the corner in seconds, Vinnie jumping out of her path just in time.

  “Hey, babe. How was your day?” he asks as he saunters over and pulls me in for a long, slow kiss.

  Every day since I’ve moved in, this is how he greets me. Approaches slowly with purpose. Pulls me close and bends to capture my lips in the softest of kisses. The kind of kiss that is restrained. It holds an unspoken promise that more is to come.

  Normally he’s the one coming home, though, not me.

  “Where is everyone?” I ask as our lips finally part.

  “Out back. Emerson is moving the furniture around.”

  All I can do is roll my eyes. She’s moved every piece of furniture we own this week. The couch, tables, even our bedroom furniture was moved. I get that people are going to be coming through our house and that it needs to look presentable, but this is the third time she’s moved the patio furniture.

  “She’ll probably move it again tomorrow,” I say, wrapping my arms around his waist and melting into him.

  God, he smells good. Even after working all day, he still smells like he just stepped out of the shower. It’s intoxicating and makes me wish we could lock ourselves behind closed doors, even for a few minutes.

  One more day and we’ll have the place to ourselves. For the first time since moving in together.

  Amara is spending the night with Margoret and Herman tomorrow night. Then, Ryder is picking her up on Sunday, and she’s spending the week with him so he can give her the good news. On top of that, according to Vinnie, he’s planning on being sick on Monday. He already told his assistant to reschedule his meetings.

  Just the two of us. In bed. For two whole days. Reminding each other why we decided to move in together. Why we’re good for each other. How much we love the other for the person they are.

  It’s going to be perfect. If we can survive the next two days.

  Chapter Twenty-Four

  The party’s in full swing. Vinnie’s at the grill, Tyler’s manning the bar, and Ryder is handing out pamphlets to Vinnie’s neighbors. Emerson and Justine are catering to everyone’s needs. Ally’s pretending to do the same, a fake smile plastered on her face.

  The other little assistants, I can’t remember their names, are wandering, attempting to look busy. The three of them keep whispering to each other and then looking over here in unison. Not very stealthy girls. If you want to talk about someone, be a little more discrete.

  Actually, learn to be better people. That would solve a world of problems.

  I’m sitting on the front porch, sipping on a glass of iced tea, talking to B while everyone else schmoozes the neighbors. Not because I don’t want to get to know the people who live near me, but because the presentations are about to begin. From the looks of it, Hunter and the Melman team are gearing up to start. That would be my cue to keep an eye on Emerson.

  When everyone first arrived this morning, I almost freaked out. In less than an hour, the road in front of the house was closed. There were tables and chairs set up inside the barricade. A bar on wheels and an enormous grill in the driveway.

  I felt trapped. I couldn’t leave.

  When Herman and Margoret came to pick up Amara, I had to walk her down the block to meet them. They weren’t getting any closer to the house.

  Of course, all of this was approved by the homeowners’ association earlier this week. No one bothered to mention it to me, though.

  Now, fifty or sixty of our neighbors are gathered around the once-empty tables, eating ribs and burgers, talking amongst themselves. It’s actually kind of nice. To be a part of a neighborhood where people get along. I’m sure not everyone does, but the ones who are here do. And most of our neighbors are younger, like us.

  Mid-thirties, with kids.

  In fact, we like the neighborhood so much, Vinnie is considering buying the house if he can. As much as I’m not a fan of living in a community where every house looks the same, it’s more important to live surrounded by people you love. A place where Amara can have friends to play with.

  “Are you ready?” B asks, pointing the where Hunter is tapping on a microphone.

  “What’s there to be ready for? All I have to do is keep her distracted. Ryder’s the one that should be worried.”

  “He looks a little nervous,” she notes, nodding her head in his direction.

  He’s standing behind Emerson, a stack of pamphlets trembling in his hand, staring at her. She’s oblivious, facing the other direction, listening to Hunter’s introduction. As soon as he hands the microphone over, you see the entire Dixon team spring into action.

  Tyler and Vinnie head past us, inside the house. Ryder and Hunter are hot on their heels. Ryder is headed to the backyard to set up while the other three make sure the presentations go well. Emerson, Justine, and Ally begin gathering the neighbors in small groups. There’s a team of security experts inside, waiting to give their presentation.

  Emerson’s group head inside first. Ten minutes later, they’re walking back out, the next group heading inside.

  This continues for around an hour until the last group exits my house along with the security team.

  Some of the neighbors have already left, others are talking with reps from the company. Emerson and Justine are helping answer questions while Ally and the other assistants pick up the tables. I would feel bad for them, getting stuck on garbage duty, but they each have a glass of wine in their hands, and they’re laughing.

  That’s when I notice Emerson headed this way, a look of concern on her face. B and I share a look and stand, blocking the entrance to the house.

  “What’s wrong?” I ask as she approaches.

  “Have you seen Ryder? The rep is asking for him.”

  “Last time I saw him, he was out here.”

  “I thought he went inside,” she states, attempting to take a step around me.

  “No one’s inside,” I reply quickly.

  “All the guys are inside,” she retorts, attempting to step to the other side of me, but B is quick and blocks her path. “What the hell, guys? Why won’t you let me through?”

  “Um
, because. The house is off limits right now.”

  Really? That’s the best I could come up with. Vinnie and I ran a few scenarios last night after Amara went to bed to make sure I was prepared for today. We didn’t anticipate her looking for Ryder. There was no reason she would be. We figured she would be too busy with the event to even notice he wasn’t around.

  “To who? Me? My purse is in there.”

  “It’s off limits to everyone,” B says. “They’re testing the security system—changing codes and making sure that all the demonstrations they did earlier didn’t confuse the system. We can’t open the door right now.”

  Ryder should have enlisted B for help instead of me. I’m a horrible liar, ask anyone who knows me. And B is quicker on her feet.

  “Fine. I’ll just call him.”

  “Sounds good,” I sing as she walks away. “Thanks for that. I was failing miserably.”

  Before B can even respond, I hear the sound of Ryder’s phone ringing. It’s close. The problem is, Emerson hears it, too, and immediately turns toward the backyard. She has a head start on us and is rounding the house before we can stop her.

  As B and I step into the backyard, it feels like we’ve stepped into a different place. There are lantern lights hanging everywhere, strung from the house to the trees that surround the property. Ryder is on a ladder, one end of a banner in his hands, the words “Will you” unhidden by his body. He hasn’t noticed Emerson yet. She’s looking around, clearly confused, just inside the backyard, so I gently pull her back around the side of the house.

  “Don’t say anything. He was trying to put together a surprise for you. Go back out front, finish up with the clients, entertain your guests, and then when he’s ready for you, I’ll let you know,” I whisper loudly. When Emerson doesn’t make any attempt to move, I nudge her, and in a state of confusion, she walks away.

  “That was close,” B says as we watch Emerson begin to help Ally and the other girls pick up. “Do you think she knows what’s going on?”

  “She might.”

  “Ryder’s going to kill you.”

  “It’s not my fault. I kept her out of the house like he asked me to.”

  B and I share a skeptical look before returning to our chairs on the porch and watching as the party dies down before our eyes. The sun is close to setting, shadows blanketing the front yard. Just as Justine and Emerson fold up the last of the tables, I get the text from Ryder I’ve been waiting on.

  RYDER: Ready. Send her in alone. You guys can come around the side a few minutes after.

  I want to laugh. If he only knew she’d already walked that path.

  ME: Five minutes. Things are almost cleaned up.

  The rest of the guys came out to help a few minutes after Emerson almost ruined her surprise. Thankfully, they found ways to keep her busy. I’m guessing he finally told everyone what was going on. They were all smiles as they ordered her around, asked her to do things for them, and pretended to look like they were helping. Anyone that was paying close attention would have noticed that they weren’t really helping. In fact, I saw Tyler unfold a few chairs just to have Emerson fold them back up minutes later.

  They were finding ways to stall her.

  “I’m beat,” Justine says, taking a seat on the steps in front of me.

  “You guys did a great job, though,” I praise. “Was it worth it?”

  “Yeah. As far as a first event goes, I think Emerson is happy. The neighbors were grateful for the information. The client was happy with the turnout, and they had more people sign up for service than not. This was a great idea. Thanks for letting us use the house.”

  “Thank Vinnie. That was his doing. I’m just glad it’s over and I can put my furniture back the way I want it,” I remark as Emerson walks up.

  “You don't like the way I put things?” she asks, pouting.

  I’m saved from having to answer by Justine’s laughing. “Em, it’s not about where you put the furniture. It’s the ten times you probably moved the furniture to get it where it is. She probably saw a way she liked it better just to have you move it thirty seconds later.”

  “Whatever. I’m indecisive,” she replies, flippantly. “Can we go inside yet? I have to pee.”

  “Sure,” I say with a smile, motioning toward the door.

  When Justine gets up to follow her, I grab her wrist and shake my head. “Give them a minute.”

  “Them?”

  “Ryder’s inside.”

  “So.”

  “He’s about to propose,” B whispers.

  All the guys have assembled in front of the porch. None of them seem surprised at what B said, confirming my suspicions that Ryder finally told them. Ally and her crew of minions as I’ve started calling them are clearly in shock, their jaws dropping open. The only person missing is Angela.

  Shit!

  She should be here.

  “Ty, where’s Angela? She should be here for this.”

  “She’s here.”

  “Where? I haven’t seen her all day.”

  “She’s been out back helping. She told Emerson she couldn’t be here last week, before she knew what Ryder was up to. When he found out she wasn’t coming, he called her and let her in on his secret. She canceled her trip but didn’t tell Em so she wouldn’t be suspicious.”

  And that is the definition of a best friend. Someone who would drop everything to be there for their best friend to celebrate with them.

  “Shall we?” Vinnie asks, extending his hand for me.

  Nodding, the group of us quietly makes our way around the side of the house, bumping into Angela on the way. I can hear Ryder’s voice and music softly playing. When we round the corner, the backyard is illuminated in the soft glow of the lantern lights. Vases of red roses are on every available surface. There are even a few candles burning.

  He did good. Really good.

  The ambiance has nothing on the sight of Ryder, in a suit, down on one knee. He’s holding Emerson’s hand, the ring poised at the tip of her finger. Her other hand is covering her mouth, tears streaming down her cheeks, sparkling against the lights.

  “All my life, I’ve been searching for someone like you”—

  OUCH!

  —“and I’m so lucky that I’ve finally found you. I know our life isn’t perfect. It’s messy and crazy and, from time to time, things get beyond complicated. It’s also fun and exciting and unpredictable. I have no idea what our future holds, and that scares me. The one thing I do know is that I don’t have a future if you’re not by my side. You make me a better man. You make me a better father”—

  Again. OUCH!

  I know he’s not doing it on purpose or slamming me as a wife and mother, but it feels that way inside.

  Not that I let anyone see that. I keep my composure. There’s still a smile on my face. Why? Because I truly am happy for him.

  I’m happy for both of them. That they found someone that they are happy with.

  I’ve found someone too. Someone who makes me happier than I ever was with Ryder. Not because I didn’t love Ryder or because being married to him was hell. It’s different with Vinnie. As I’m sure it’s different for Ryder when he looks at Emerson.

  “Will you be my wife? Spend the rest of your life with me? Let me take care of you when you need me to, hold you when you cry, and love you with all my heart?”

  That was good, Ryder. Really good. The girls behind me let out an aw in unison as we wait for Emerson to answer.

  “Yes!” I hear her finally squeal.

  Sliding the ring on her finger, Ryder attempts to stand, but Emerson’s already jumping in his arms, both of them landing on the patio with a thump. It doesn’t seem to bother either of them as they share a long, intense kiss while the rest of us clap and cheer.

  “It was really sweet of you to help,” Vinnie whispers in my ear, kissing me on the cheek.

  “No big deal.”

  “I don’t think you understand how big of a deal it
is. Most people wouldn’t want anything to do with their ex getting remarried. This just goes to show how big your heart is, Meg. One of the many reasons I love you.”

  Popping up on my tiptoes, I kiss Vinnie softly on the lips while the rest of our friends congratulate Emerson and Ryder. Lifting me by the hips, I wrap my legs around his waist and hold on tight as he carries me to the porch.

  That’s when my eyes lock with Ally’s.

  Chapter Twenty-Five

  We’ve barely spoken today. Actually, we haven’t talked that much since I announced I was moving in with Vinnie. Sure, we’ve texted back and forth every day, but it’s not the same as it used to be. I’ve been spending most of my time with B and here at home, settling in.

  Tapping Vinnie on the shoulder, he releases me, and I slide down his body.

  “Don’t start that or we’ll turn into the worst kind of party hosts on the planet,” he teases.

  Tempting. Very tempting, but right now, I need to talk to my best friend.

  Tyler pops the cork on a bottle of champagne as Ally and I descend to the depths of the backyard, out of reach of the lights.

  “What’s going on with you?” I ask, taking a seat in the grass.

  “Nothing.” Her defenses are up, that much I can tell.

  “Really? I feel like you’re mad at me.”

  “Nope.”

  “Can I get more than a one-word answer?” I persist, knowing if I push hard enough, I’ll break her.

  “What do you want me to say? I’m happy for you. You found someone. Congrats.”

  In the blink of an eye, everything becomes clear as day.

  Ally’s not mad. She’s not even jealous. She’s lonely. Left behind.

  When Ryder and I were having problems and then eventually getting divorced, we stuck together. At first, Justine was part of our little circle, but then she met Devon. It was me and her against the world. Now it’s just her, or at least that’s how she feels.