by Marie Force
Nikki ended the call, put down the phone and glanced at him. “So I guess my father died yesterday.”
“What? Oh my God. Nik…” When he would’ve hugged her, she held up her hand to stop him.
“You don’t have to comfort me, Riley. He’s nothing to me but a bad memory of a childhood spent in chaos.”
“He was your father, Nik. It’s okay if you feel something after hearing he’s died.”
“I feel nothing for him.”
“What happened?”
“He had a heart attack while driving and crashed on the freeway.”
“Oh my God. Was anyone else hurt?”
“I don’t think so. Kendall didn’t say.” She glanced at her watch. “We should get going so I can see Jordan before the party.”
“You still want to go to the party?”
“I know it’s really hard for you to believe, growing up with someone like Kevin McCarthy as your father, but my father wasn’t like yours. He cared more about winning, about defeating my mother, who had mental health and addiction challenges, than he did about us. We were pawns in his chess match and were forced to live with his new family and to see firsthand how he treated the children he actually loved. So, yes, I still want to go to the party.”
“Okay.”
“I don’t want you to think I’m heartless.”
“I could never think that about you.”
“I feel for his other kids and his wife. They must be shocked and devastated.” She kissed his cheek. “I’ll be ready to go in a minute. We’ll swing by Jordan and Mason’s on the way.”
While she went upstairs, Riley tried to wrap his mind around what she’d told him. Of course he understood where she was coming from, because he’d heard about her difficult childhood and how she and Jordan had been stuck between warring parents. He knew they blamed their father for most of the drama and had hated living with him and his new family during the school year. But to feel nothing at all when learning of his passing… That was hard for Riley to understand, because for him, losing his father would be one of the most devastating things that could ever happen.
He pulled his phone from his pocket, saw Finn’s text and responded. Huge congrats. So happy for you guys. Welcome to the family, Chloe! Then he started a second text to only his dad, so as not to send bad news to Finn when he was celebrating his engagement. Nikki’s father died yesterday. She just heard. They were estranged, but she’s totally calm about it. Hard for me to understand, because if it was you…
He sent the text.
Kevin responded a minute later. Aw, so sorry. That’s too bad. Don’t worry, your old man isn’t going anywhere.
Please don’t. Not done with you yet.
LOL, no worries. Summer needs me.
We do, too. I’m not sure what to make of her non-reaction.
Let her do this her way, son. Her relationship with him was very different from ours. You can’t compare the two. She blames him for what happened to her and Jordan as kids. He put them through hell. She’s not going to grieve for him the way you would for me. Follow her lead on this and don’t expect her to feel things she simply doesn’t.
Good advice as always, Doc. Thanks.
Free of charge, too!
HAHA
There’d been a time, not that long ago, when Riley would’ve resisted his father’s advice with every fiber of his being. He and Finn had always known that people paid for Kevin’s advice, but he and his brother hadn’t been interested in it for themselves. However, the older they got, the more they came to realize that Kevin’s advice was usually spot-on, and they were lucky to have him, in more ways than one.
You going to Charlie and Sarah’s? Kevin asked.
Heading there now, but stopping to see Jordan first.
See you there.
Nikki came down the stairs looking fresh and pretty in a dress that fell to midthigh, leaving her sexy legs on full display. She’d refreshed her makeup and brushed her long dark hair.
“You look beautiful, as always.”
“Thanks. You ready to go?”
“I’m with you, babe.”
They went out to his truck, and as they headed for Mason and Jordan’s house, Riley wondered if Jordan would be as blasé about their father’s death as Nikki was.
Nik adjusted the AC vents to cool herself. “I don’t want you to think I’m a jerk, Ri.”
“What? I don’t. Not at all.”
“I certainly didn’t want him to die, but when I tell you he’s nothing to us… I know that’s hard for you to understand. We haven’t had any contact with him in years.”
“I know, and I get that your upbringing was very different from mine.”
“It was a nightmare, mostly orchestrated by him because he used my mother’s illnesses against her, and we were the pawns in all that. He hired private investigators to track her doctor’s appointments and then used that info in court against her.”
“Damn.”
“He was relentless in the way he dragged her through the mud, when she was working so hard to get better so she could be there for us. Every time she seemed to be making progress, he’d do something else to undermine her. It went on for years that way, and it was never about us or what was best for us. It was about sticking it to her, because she stopped loving him or some other such bullshit. He doesn’t even know what happened to me in college with Griffin, because the minute we were legal adults, we walked away from his madness and never looked back.” She paused before she added, “The worst part about hearing he’s dead is having it drag up all this old shit I haven’t thought about in years.”
“I’m sorry, babe. I know those were tough times for you and Jordan.”
“It was the worst. Coming here every summer with my mother and grandmother was the only thing that saved us. It’s why I love it here so much.”
“I’m glad you get to live now in the place that meant so much to you then.”
“Me, too, but the only reason I’m still here is because of you.”
“You might’ve stayed. You love it here.”
“Nah, I wouldn’t have. I think about that a lot. When I came back last winter, it would’ve gotten very lonely very quickly if you hadn’t come over the minute you heard I was back.”
“I really did come the minute I heard. I was at the bar with my dad and Finn and some other friends, and something came on the TV about Jordan. Seamus O’Grady said he’d brought Jordan’s twin sister over earlier that day.”
“He was so nice to me. Everyone was getting sick on the ferry because the seas were so rough, and I wanted to be outside, but he said it wasn’t safe. He took me up to the wheelhouse so I could get some air and not be stuck inside with the smell of puke.”
“That sounds like him. As soon as he mentioned Jordan’s twin being back on the island, I slapped a twenty on the bar, asked my dad to borrow his car for the first time in years and drove so fast to your house that I fishtailed coming in the driveway.”
Nikki laughed. “I haven’t heard all that before.”
“I told you that.”
“No, you didn’t. I didn’t realize you came here one minute after you heard I was back.”
“I don’t even think it took a full minute. I ran out of there so fast that Finn came after me, asking me what my plan was.”
“Did you have a plan?”
“Hell no. I only knew that you were back, and I had to see you.”
“You had to see me?”
He put his hand on her leg. “It was a need unlike anything I’ve ever felt. I’d been a mess since you left without saying goodbye.”
“I felt so bad about that.”
“I know, and look at everything that’s happened since I came to find you that night. Wouldn’t change a thing.”
She placed her hand on top of his. “Me either.”
They were getting married at the Chesterfield on Thanksgiving weekend and then going to Italy for two weeks. He couldn’t wait to be
married to her and for the trip they’d planned with exacting detail.
When they arrived at Mason and Jordan’s, they saw Mason’s SUV parked in the driveway along with Jordan’s BMW and their friend Gigi’s white Mercedes coupe. Both women had their cars shipped to the island when they realized they were going to be there a while to film the new season of their show.
“The gang’s all here,” Riley said.
“So it seems.”
Nikki got out of the car, and Riley followed her inside, hoping Jordan took this news as calmly as Nikki had. It was all so strange to him, being unaffected by a close family member’s death when something like that would rock his world. The more time he spent with Nikki and Jordan and the more he learned about their upbringing, the more thankful he was for his parents, aunts, uncles and cousins, who’d given him and Finn a dream childhood.
“Nikki,” Gigi said, “get in here and settle a fight.”
“You’d better side with me,” Jordan said, smiling at her sister.
“What’s the fight?”
“Who’s hotter—Justin Timberlake or Ryan Gosling?” Gigi asked.
Nikki glanced at Riley, who rolled his eyes. “Um, well, I suppose if I had to choose… I’d say JT for the win.”
“Oh my God,” Gigi said. “You just did that twin ESP shit again, didn’t you?”
Jordan high-fived her sister. “Thank you very much.”
“I hate you two,” Gigi said. “I have no idea why I even hang out with you.”
“You love us,” Jordan said, giving Gigi a playful shove that had her toppling over on the sofa. That sent them into hysterics.
This was why their TV show was so popular. The two of them were hilarious together.
Mason came into the living room, his hair wet and a towel around his neck. He was wearing only a pair of shorts, with his muscular chest and abdomen on full display, making Riley feel like he needed to get back to the gym—immediately. “Did you ladies decide who’s hotter?”
“I won because I said you’re the hottest of them all, baby,” Jordan said to Mason.
His smile lit up his face. “That’s my girl.”
“Dear God,” Gigi said, rolling her eyes.
“Don’t be a nasty old bitch,” Jordan said. “It’ll give you wrinkles.”
“Um, sorry to interrupt your good time,” Nik said hesitantly.
Riley knew that Nikki hated to do anything to upset Jordan, who’d fought so hard for her happily ever after with the fire chief. The two of them were so ridiculously happy together, and he was glad to know Jordan would have Mason there to support her if she didn’t take the news well.
“What’s up, Nik?” Jordan said. “You’re doing that frowny thing you do when something’s gone sideways.”
Nikki crossed the room to sit on the coffee table so she was in front of Jordan.
Mason glanced at Riley as if to ask, What’s this about?
“So Kendall called me today.”
“Huh? How come?”
“She told me Dad died yesterday.”
Jordan’s face went flat with shock. “What? What happened?”
“They think he had a heart attack while driving.”
Jordan took a deep breath and released it slowly. “I don’t even know what to say to this.”
“I didn’t either.”
“I’m so sorry, you guys,” Mason said. “What can we do for you?”
“Nothing,” Jordan said, her expression still blank.
She’d been so animated only a minute ago that it hurt Riley to see her looking like she had after the hideous breakup with her ex-husband.
“We don’t need anything,” Jordan said. “We haven’t talked to him or any of them in years.”
Gigi moved closer to Jordan and took hold of her hand. She’d been their friend growing up and had lived through a lot of the drama, so she’d understand better than anyone how strangely this news would hit them both. “Do you guys want to go there? I can get a plane…”
“No,” the sisters said as one.
“Absolutely not,” Nik added.
“So, um, you might have to,” Gigi said.
“Why?” Nik asked, sounding horrified.
“Roll with me here,” Gigi said. “The press is apt to catch wind of the fact that your father died, and if you guys don’t show up, that’ll make it a story.”
“I’m not going to his funeral,” Nikki said. “I don’t care who says what about me. I’m not going. I never had a choice back in the day. Now I do, and that’s my choice.”
“And I totally appreciate why you feel the way you do,” Gigi said. “The thing is, though, unless you want to publicly address the estrangement and deal with the questions about that, you have to go. Or at least Jordan does.”
Jordan sat with her arms wrapped around her knees.
“Gigi, could I please sit with Jordan?” Mason asked.
“Sure.” She moved to one of the other chairs. “I’m sorry.”
“Don’t be. She needs all of us right now.” Mason took the spot on the sofa next to Jordan and put his arm around her.
Jordan leaned into him.
When they’d first gotten together, Riley had wondered if they would stick, because they seemed so different. But the more time he spent with them, the more he saw the deep bond they’d formed. After what Jordan had endured with her ex, it was nice to see her happy and settled with a good guy like Mason.
“God, it’s so fucking hot.” Gigi fanned her face with a magazine. “How long does it take to fix the freaking power?”
“The last time?” Mason said. “Four days.”
“For fuck’s sake. I’ll die before then.”
“You’ll be fine,” Nikki said.
“This is why I don’t belong on a remote island in the middle of nowhere,” Gigi said.
They’d spent the summer shooting episodes of their reality TV show Jordan and Gigi: Marooned on Gansett Island. By all accounts, they were funnier than ever when lamenting the limitations of island life. The episodes shot on Gansett were due to air over the winter.
“Do you really think I have to go?” Jordan asked in a small voice.
“Let’s see whether the press figures out he’s your father and make a plan from there,” Gigi said. “Nikki, can you text Kendall and tell her you guys don’t want to be listed in the obituary?”
“Ugh,” Nikki said. “Do we really have to do that?”
“Only if you want to sit out the funeral without causing an uproar.”
Jordan gave Nikki an imploring look, letting her know that she was in full agreement about not wanting to go.
Nikki sent the text to Kendall. “Now let’s forget about it and go have some fun at Sarah and Charlie’s.”
“I’m going home to walk around naked,” Gigi said.
Riley grunted out a laugh. He’d gotten used to Gigi, but she always cracked him up with the way she said whatever she was thinking.
“Are you going to the party, Jordan?” Nikki asked.
“Yeah, we’ll see you there.”
Riley followed Nikki out of the house with a sinking feeling that Nikki and Jordan weren’t going to get through this loss completely unscathed.
Chapter 16
“Talk to me,” Mason said when he and Jordan were alone. “Tell me how you really feel.”
“Numb. I feel nothing. I know I should, but I don’t.”
“You’re allowed to feel any way you want.”
Her phone chimed with a text from Nikki. Kendall says it’s too late. The obituary that includes us has already been submitted to the funeral home and the local papers.
“Damn it,” Jordan said, reading Nik’s message to him. “People will think I’m a jerk if I don’t go.”
“Who cares what people think?”
“I wish I could say I don’t, but my career depends upon people liking me and being interested in my life.”
“What if you and Nik were to release a statement that says
something like, ‘Although we were estranged from our father for many years, we send our condolences on his untimely passing to his family and friends.’ Something like that.”
“That might work. Let me call Gigi.”
“Didn’t I just leave you, bitch?” Gigi asked when she answered the phone.
“Kendall told Nik it’s too late to be left out of the obit, and Mason suggested we release a statement.” She passed along Mason’s wording. “What do you think? Will that cover us in not attending the funeral?”
“I think it might work. Did you ask Nik?”
“I’ll text her. Hang on.” She sent a message to Nik outlining the plan and asking if she was okay with it.
Do it, Nik replied.
“Green light from her,” Jordan told Gigi.
“I’ll write something up and send it over when I get home.”
“Thanks, Gigi.”
“Anything for you guys. You know that. And even though he was an asshole, I’m sorry you lost your dad.”
“Thanks. Love you.”
“Love you, too. Always.”
Jordan ended the call and turned to Mason. “Thanks for the great idea.”
“You would’ve thought of it eventually. You guys are the experts in managing this stuff.”
“I appreciate that you thought of it.”
“I’m being selfish. I can’t go to LA while the power is out, and there’s no way I’d let you go without me.”
“I’m not going to LA. Ever since things happened with Zane, I’ve realized—with a lot of help from my therapist and my grandmother—that I need to protect myself from things that can hurt me. That funeral would hurt me because…” Her voice broke, and she gave herself a minute to gather her composure. “Because in the back of my mind, I always had hope that someday he might see the error of his ways and try to build a bridge with us. And now…”
“Now there’s no chance of that.”
“Yeah.”
