Chapter 26

CHAPTERTWENTY-SIX

Trey debated cancellingthe bachelor party, but Jay wouldn’t hear of it.

“I’ve been looking forward to this all month,” his dad insisted. “It will be a welcome distraction.”

Too bad Trey was the one distracted. His friends greeted Jay with open arms, falling for the ridiculous yarn his father had spun about losing his ear in a yachting accident hook, line, and sinker. They were all a bunch of imbeciles.

Case in point, his idiot father was racing Pops’ Chris-Craft across the lake at a speed well above the limit, towing an innertube carrying two geriatric thrill seekers. One who’d already lost his glasses to the lake when the tube hit a bump. The other guy—the grandfather of the bride—looked to be holding on for dear life. At this rate, the man would be paralyzed before he could walk Luke’s fiancée down the aisle.

Trey stormed to the end of the dock, frantically waving at Jay when he sped past. Jay only grinned wider as he waved back.

“Oh, for fuck’s sake.”

Fletcher laughed. He and one of the other geezers were playing chess in the boathouse. Trey wasn’t sure how they could concentrate, though. Brody and McGraff were tossing a football out on the floating dock. Their rap music was blaring so loudly, the ducks in Canada were probably ready to fly south.

“You sure you’re not the dad and Jay the teenager?” Fletcher quipped.

His observation was apt.

“I just want everyone to leave here in the same condition they arrived,” Trey said. “I should have had everyone sign a damn waiver.”

Luke’s future brother-in-law, Sterling, looked up from his computer. “Too late now. It will never hold up in court after the fact.”

Trey glared at the attorney. “It’s on you, then, if anything happens. You should have warned me ahead of time.”

A football whizzed past Trey’s ear and landed with a splash in the water just beyond him. He redirected his glare to the two morons on the floating dock.

“For crying out loud, Brody! Are you trying to ruin your shoulder before you even play a down of college ball?”

“How many yards was that?” Brody demanded. “At least fifty, right?”

“Nah, my guess is somewhere in the thirties,” the geezer at the chessboard said.

Sterling got to his feet. “I don’t know. I’d say it’s closer to the forties.” He turned to Trey. “You got a tape measure?”

The old man joined Sterling at the edge of the boathouse before looking at Trey expectantly.

“Yeah! Let’s measure,” McGraff hollered.

Trey shook his head before turning on his heel and heading up to the house. Let them all think he was coming back with a tape measure. They’d be waiting until hell froze over.

“What’s with him?” he heard Sterling ask.

“That’s what no sugar looks like on a man.” The old guy clicked his tongue. “My guess is he’s not getting any sort of sugar, if you get what I’m saying.”

Their laughter followed him up the wooden stairs leading to the terrace where Luke and several of the other receivers were playing a rousing game of bocce ball.

Hell, maybe the old guy was right. Trey should have made a pit stop at London’s for some ice cream before he headed to the lake last night. God knows losing himself in her soft curves would have taken the edge off his ugly mood. She’d made plans with clients, though. And the last thing he wanted was to get too dependent on her body. Or her. Besides, he didn’t feel comfortable leaving his dad. Which was ridiculous because his father had chosen a woman over him every opportunity he got.

He was into the great room before he realized Fletcher had followed him up.

“What? You don’t trust me not to come back with a tape measure?” Trey asked.

The kicker groaned. “I came up here to ensure you don’t. These guys have all been drinking since ten this morning. A tape measure will turn everything into a contest. Hell, they’ll be measuring the length of their dicks by night’s end.”

Trey laughed as they entered the kitchen. Carter, Pops’ cook, was supervising the caterers as they put the dinner together. Corn on the cob was soaking in a big pot, readying it for the grill where it would be cooked beside fresh salmon on seasoned wooden planks. Brody had talked two guys from Texas into hauling their trailer a thousand miles north to smoke some brisket. Based on the amazing scent wafting his way, Trey had to admit it was worth it.

“There’s likely to be another potato famine somewhere based on the variety of spuds these people are preparing,” Fletcher quipped.

He was right. The caterers were assembling a huge baked potato bar along with pounds of French fries and several pans of scalloped potatoes.

“Kessler played his college ball in Idaho,” Trey replied. “I decided to make that the food theme.”

“Well, this ought to soak up the liquor in everyone’s bellies right nicely.”

The sound of Pops’ boat roaring past had Trey grimacing toward the window.

“Everything okay with Jay?”

“Sure,” Trey lied. “Why do you ask?”

“You’re strung awfully tight for a guy who’s getting regular sex, for one. And the giant bandage on the man’s ear for another.”

“He explained that. It was⁠—”

“Jaysus, Mary, and Joseph, no one bought that shite he was shovelin’, you dummy.”

Trey glanced back out the window to watch the boat circle and head back out to the center of the lake again.

“Not to mention that troubled look you get whenever he’s around. It speaks volumes,” Fletcher added.

Not for the first time, he wondered if the Scotsman was part soothsayer.

“Jay has advanced melanoma. His odds aren’t great.”

Fletcher whispered something in Gaelic. “I’m sorry. Which always sounds wholly inadequate to say in this situation. How can I help?”

Trey sighed. “It is what it is. I’m good.”

“I disagree, but I know better than to argue with your stubborn arse.” Fletcher clapped him on the shoulder. “Just know I’m here for you, man. Whatever you need.”

“Thanks, Dex. That means a lot.” And it did. The weight on his shoulders felt a little lighter sharing the news with his teammate. His friend. “This won’t affect my play this season, though. We’re going all the way to the championship.”

Fletcher let out a pacifying grunt and gave him another pat on the back. “Of course it won’t. You’re the MVP at compartmentalizing. I wouldn’t expect anything less.”

* * *

Dinner was a raucous affair.The food seemed to give everyone a second wind after a day of sunshine and beer. Kessler stood and tapped a knife against a glass to get everyone’s attention.

“I’d like to propose a toast.” He raised his glass. “To QB One for hosting today. Who is going to have to toast with water because he’s already on his training diet of abstaining from anything fun.”

“Someone has to be the designated driver for when one of you gets hurt,” Trey teased.

The guys laughed before toasting.

“Is this the part where we get to give Kessler advice on marriage? Because I’ve got a few things to say,” one of the offensive linemen asked.

“I’ve got a marriage tip,” Jay called out. “Don’t do it!”

A few uncomfortable chuckles followed.

“Take my word for it. Love is messy,” Jay continued. “And painful. My son agrees with me. What was it that you said, Trey? Marriage is a trap.”

Ah, hell. He had to go there, didn’t he? Just when Trey was beginning to relax and enjoy the comradery of his teammates.

“For me and you, Jay. The rest of these guys aren’t cursed in the matrimony area like us Van Horns.” Trey raised his water glass. “How about a toast to the lucky groom-to-be?”

The guys saluted Kessler with their drinks. One of the old farts began the advice giving with the age-old remark about never going to bed angry. That was followed by numerous suggestions of how to placate a pissed-off woman. Several of them should have given the old men a heart attack. Except they were among the guys making the most scandalous suggestions.

Satisfied he’d diverted a crisis, Trey leaned back in his chair, only to find Fletcher staring at him.

“What?”

“The puzzle pieces are starting to fall into place,” the kicker replied.

“What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Why you date women who you’d never fall for in a million years. Women who are immature. Women who are vain. Women who aren’t afraid to use you to get ahead. You gravitate to that type so you won’t fall for them. Because you believe some shite about being cursed.”

Trey shrugged. He could care less that his perceptive teammate thought he had him figured out.

“Surprised it took your MIT brain so long to solve the equation,” he said.

“You’re a fool.”

And just like that, Trey was starting to care what his friend said. Fletcher was pissing him off, in fact.

“If you’re going to give me some Highlander bullshit about how to live my life, save it. Just because it worked for you, doesn’t mean you can paint me with the same brush,” he bit out. “I’m perfectly happy with my life the way it is.”

The Scotsman had the nerve to lift an eyebrow at him. “So you say.”

He was happy, dammit. Trey was at the top of his game. The situation with Jay wasn’t perfect, but he was going to get into that drug trial if Trey had to fund it himself. Everything would work out.

And then there was London. Reconnecting with her again was like finding a piece of him that had been missing. He’d never felt freer to be himself around anyone else. Ever. Not only that, but the sex was off the charts. His body began to hum just thinking about her.

Best of all, she was happy with the casual state of their relationship. It worked for both of them. She’d put her career in the top spot of her priorities and so had he.

“What are you two debating over there?” Kessler asked.

Trey looked up to see the expectant gazes from the men in the room zeroed-in on him and Fletcher.

“The Highlander was just recounting the finer things about marriage.” Trey tossed the kicker under the bus. “Why don’t you share your pearls of marriage wisdom with the boys, Fletcher.”

Dex shot Trey a ruthless grin before speaking.

“Van Horn is almost right. Marriage isn’t necessarily a trap. It is a gamble, however. And love is certainly messy.”

Jay chuckled, but the rest of the guys eyed Fletcher intently.

“But nothing worth having is ever easy, right boys? A good marriage takes work. For starters, you’re going to have to learn a new language. That’s so you can decipher that most of the time she’s not actually mad at you. It’s just all her clothes are dumb. Or her hair didn’t turn out the way she wanted. Maybe she’s peeved you’ve left your socks on the floor. Or she’s hangry but she has no clue what she wants to eat.” He grinned at Kessler. “Here’s a little pro tip. Chocolate always works.”

“Yeah,” one of the geezers chimed in. “And saying ‘yes dear’ will usually get you out of the dog house even if you have no idea why you’re in there in the first place.”

“Ain’t that the truth,” a teammate called out.

“Marrying the woman you love can be challenging, but it can also be rewarding, fulfilling, and healing,” Fletcher rambled on. “In my opinion, it’s worth every bit of effort, no matter how messy. Sharing my life with Andi has forced me to grow, learn, and connect with others. It has without a doubt made me happier, healthier, and more resilient. Best thing I ever did.” He raised his glass at Kessler. “Good on you for gambling on it.”

“Here, here,” the guys cheered.

“It’s navigating the love part that is the biggest gamble,” Fletcher said just loud enough for Trey to hear him. “I was a fool to go so long thinking I didn’t deserve it. And I’ve never taken you for a fool, Van Horn.”

The rapid clicking of high heels on the wood floor saved Fletcher from the litany of choice words Trey would have regretted uttering later. He shot from his chair when he recognized who was storming in.

“Mom?”

“Where is he?” his mother demanded.

“Reese?” Jay stood so fast his chair tipped over backwards.

She jerked her head in the direction of Jay’s voice, gasping when she laid eyes on him.

“Your ear! They really did cut it off,” she nearly sobbed. “I always loved your ears.”

What the ever-loving hell?

Trey tried to navigate the chairs around the room, filled with grown men entranced by the little tableau playing out before them. “Uh, Mom⁠—"

“Ah, I’m sorry, Reesey,” Jay said.

Trey had the profound sensation that his father was apologizing for a lot more than just losing his ear to cancer. His suspicions were confirmed when his mother threw herself into Jay’s arms. He stood there in shock watching the two people who’d tortured each other for nearly three decades hug one another as if nothing had ever kept them apart. Behind him, there was a chorus of scraping chairs and clearing throats. He wanted to slink out of the dining room with his guests, but his feet refused to move.

“We’re going to beat this. You and me, together,” his mother said against Jay’s chest. “My cousin is the director of the Miami Cancer Center. He pulled some strings to get you into the drug trial. You can stay at home while you are being treated.”

Stay at home? You and me together?

Trey pinched the bridge of his nose. “Is someone punking me right now? Because this has to be some kind of a joke. You two haven’t said a civil word to each other for practically my entire life. And suddenly you’re back together? Just like that?”

His parents continued to stare into each other’s eyes. Well, at least the part about them thinking of themselves first hadn’t changed. His dinner rolled around in his stomach.

“Your father needs our help right now, Trey,” his mom announced more to Jay than him. “He needs our love. I’m ready to put the past behind us and do that.”

“Thank you,” Jay whispered. “I don’t deserve it, but you can’t take it back. And you won’t regret it. I promise.”

They were kissing now. Trey checked behind him to make sure their audience had scattered because the way his parents were going at it, somebody was bound to shout “get a room!” In the end, it was Trey who said it.

“Maybe you two would like to take this somewhere private,” he suggested. “I’ve got a house full of guys tuning up for a bachelor party tonight.”

His mother pulled out of the kiss and laughed. “Are we embarrassing you, Trey?”

More like scaring the hell out of me.

He should be elated by this turn of events. At the very least, they’d both stop using him to mediate between them. It was just so out of the blue that none of it seemed real, though.

“He’s right.” Jay shot him an apologetic grin. “We need to go somewhere quiet where we can talk.”

“Among other things,” his mother cooed.

Argh! “Really, mother. I can’t unhear that now.”

She hurried over to Trey and wrapped her arms around him. At least the scent of her perfume was familiar. Maybe this wasn’t a dream after all. He relaxed into her hold.

“Everything is going to be okay, sweetheart. Your dad is going to get better and we’re finally going to behave like a real family. You’ll see.”

Behind her, Jay donned a sad smile. Trey knew his father wasn’t optimistic about his chances. He also knew how much Jay loved his first wife. Maybe, just maybe, that love would be the thing that would ignite his father’s will to fight harder.

God, he hoped so.

His throat was suddenly tight. He hugged his mother a little more firmly. It didn’t matter how crazy and spontaneous his parents’ reconciliation was. It only mattered that it happened.

“Thank you,” Trey whispered to her.

“I love you,” she replied.

Trey was pretty sure she loved his father more, but that was okay. He wasn’t a child any longer. Jay needed all the love he could get right now.

Besides, she’d done him a favor. He’d been feigning confidence earlier when he told Fletcher his father’s condition wouldn’t impact his performance on the field. The truth was Jay’s illness had rocked him. But with his mother taking the lead, he could direct his focus squarely where it needed to be—on the game.