“Looks like there’s more here than I remembered. If you could bring it into the living room, we’ll get started on the wedding favors right after we eat. I have to leave soon. Brandon’s expecting me,” she said and walked past her sister without saying hello.
Four
WHEN HIS MOTHER showed up on his doorstep, Brandon was relieved Olivia was gone. He didn’t feel he owed it to his stepbrother to stay away from her or anything like that. After what Kyle had done, Brandon considered Olivia fair game for any guy, even him. But he knew his mother would get involved if she saw Olivia at his place—and if there was any way to keep his mother from getting involved, it was always best to go that route. Otherwise, she’d give him no peace.
“Hi, what are you doing here?” he asked as he swung the door wide. She rarely came over. But he’d let her past few calls go to voice mail. He’d heard enough about the wedding, hadn’t wanted to hear any more.
That had been a mistake. Instead of leaving him alone, she’d come to harangue him in person.
“I was on my way home and thought I’d stop by,” she said.
Sure, that made sense. Except his place wasn’t on the way to or from anywhere. Only teenagers and hikers bothered to visit the old mine or the trails he loved so much.
“Can I come in?” she asked, sounding slightly miffed that he hadn’t already offered.
Belatedly he realized he was still blocking the entrance. “Of course.” He stepped aside so she could move past him. Then he placed his arms around her in the obligatory hug.
“Have you picked up your tux for the wedding?” she asked as soon as he released her.
“Not yet.”
“Brandon!” Cocking her head, she gave him that searching look that said he was about to get a stern lecture. “You’re not going to do anything to ruin this wedding, are you? Because I’m counting on you. Just once I’d like you to go along with what we have planned and behave yourself. Can you do that? For me?”
“No problem.” He tried to play it straight, but it was difficult not to grimace. He hated the way she catered to Kyle and Kyle’s father. Maybe if she’d give them hell every once in a while, he wouldn’t have to establish their boundaries on his own.
“Good. I’m glad to hear it. I’ll grab your tux when I hit town. If you wait too long, they’ll be closed.”
“There’s always tomorrow, Mom.”
“The wedding rehearsal is tomorrow. There’ll be a lot to do as it is.”
“I can get my own tux!”
Obviously put out by his refusal to let her take control, she sniffed. “And you’ll make the rehearsal?”
“Of course.”
“On time and sober?”
“When have I ever shown up anywhere drunk?” he asked. As an athlete, he worked against the clock as it was. Age would slow him down fast enough; he wasn’t about to destroy his body with alcohol.
“I’m just covering all the bases,” she told him.
For Kyle.... “Maybe I’m not the one you should be worried about,” he said.
“What do you mean?
“Maybe you should pay Kyle a visit instead, see if you can get him to call off the coming travesty.”
She looked as though he’d just stuck her with a pin. “Why would I do that?”
He made a face that suggested she was crazy for even asking. “Because he’s about to ruin his life?”
For a moment, she seemed torn, but ultimately took the party line. “We don’t know that.”
“Maybe you don’t, but I do.”
“Granted, Noelle isn’t the woman Olivia is,” she said, relenting, “but...it’s his choice. We have to respect his wishes.”
Brandon leaned one shoulder against the wall. “Were you aware that Olivia’s been planning the wedding?”
She slid her purse farther up her arm. He wasn’t sure how, at five-two and a hundred and twenty pounds, she managed to haul that thing around. It had to weigh thirty pounds. But she didn’t go anywhere without it. “Nancy mentioned she was helping, yes.”
“I can’t believe they’d expect her to do that.”
“They told me they thought it would be cathartic for her.”
“To plan the wedding of the man she loves—to her sister? Come on! I think it was just cheaper.”
“It wasn’t my place to make that decision, either,” she said, but at least her tone of voice acknowledged that she agreed with him.
“Someone should’ve told them to plan it themselves,” he grumbled.
“I’m sure it’s fine. Olivia’s a very forgiving, wonderful woman. And someday she’ll find an equally wonderful man.”
Brandon pictured Olivia sitting on the side of the road, tears streaming down her face as she gazed up at him. Even completely disheveled, she was the prettiest woman he’d ever seen. “How wonderful would he need to be?” he asked.
His mother frowned at him. “Excuse me?”
“Never mind.” He’d known all along, ever since he’d held Olivia in his arms at prom, that he couldn’t have her. If he was going to get involved with a woman, she had to be like him, able to enjoy a quick, passionate affair and then move on.
Because, as soon as ski season arrived, he’d be gone again.
Noelle was angry during dinner. Olivia could feel her sister’s animosity. She wasn’t sure why Noelle felt she had the right to be upset. She wasn’t the injured party. But every few seconds she’d glance over at Kyle, who was keeping his eyes on his plate, before sending Olivia an accusing glare.
What did she think happened before she came upon them outside?
Olivia didn’t care. Not really. Most of the slights Noelle perceived were imagined. It’d always been that way. Olivia just wanted to get the wedding favors assembled so she could leave. She couldn’t stay here, as planned. The unspoken hurt and anger were too agonizing.
But she wouldn’t go to Brandon’s. Sacramento wasn’t that
