Chapter 6

CHAPTERSIX

The soundof the water lapping against the boathouse dock helped to ease some of the tension in Trey’s shoulders. Unfortunately, not all of it. He’d decided to rip the bandage off quickly and cleanly by beginning his visit to his grandfather’s estate with the place that held the most memories of those few weeks spent with London. He didn’t figure on the sting being so painful, however.

Images of her hair flying in the wind as she jumped onto the dock had his throat tightening. Remembering the way that same riotous hair looked spread out beneath him on the cushions of the chaise lounge had him hard. He swore violently as he stormed out into the sunshine.

This was a stupid idea. He should have stuck to the house. There wouldn’t be any lingering flashbacks there because he’d never brought her inside. He’d have to come up with some excuse to avoid this part of the estate when the bachelor weekend rolled around.

Or find himself another woman to help him cure this insane lust that had resurfaced after seeing London again. Except his ex-lover’s tell-all wasn’t doing him any favors in that department. The older he got—and the larger his bank account grew—more and more women began to look at him through a marriage lens rather than just as a casual fling with a famous sports star. It wasn’t likely he’d find relief easily.

“Who are you?” A young voice interrupted his disquieting thoughts.

Shoving his sunglasses up on top of his head, Trey turned to find a boy of about seven or eight standing on the dock, a hockey stick in his hand. He’d been so absorbed with trying to vanquish thoughts of London, he hadn’t heard the kid approach.

“Whoa.” The boy grinned. “Never mind. I know who you are. Pops said you were coming for lunch.”

Pops?Since when were strangers using the nickname Trey had given his grandfather?

The boy dropped a red rubber ball onto the dock and began to dribble it with his hockey stick as if he’d done so in this spot many times before. Not only that, but he was freakishly good.

“My dad says I’ll never be big enough for football. But that’s okay because I love hockey. It takes a lot more skill to play a game on ice skates, you know?” He grinned sheepishly. “No offense.”

There was something so achingly familiar about that grin it had Trey leaning a shoulder against one of the posts to steady himself.

“None taken,” he said. “But it seems you have me at a disadvantage. Who are you?”

And what the hell are you doing here calling my grandfather Pops?

“I’m Kyle,” the kid said matter-of-factly. He stopped his dribbling abruptly. “Hey, do you know Alek Bergeron?”

“We’ve met.” Milwaukee was a small city. The hockey goalie and Trey ran in the same dating circles in addition to sharing the same agent.

“I’m going to his sleep-away camp next week. In Canada! I’ve met him once. He likes my sister. He sent her flowers to her office the other day.”

“Kyle! That’s my private life!”

Trey wasn’t sure which stunned him more: The sight of London standing at the edge of the dock wearing short shorts and a T-shirt, her long hair whipping in the breeze as though she’d just jumped off the mail boat. Or the fact that fucking womanizer Alek Bergeron was sending her flowers.

“Look who’s here,” Kyle was saying.

London stayed where she was, her hands on her hips defensively. “I see that. Mom and Dad are waiting for you. We’re going to lunch.”

“We’re not having lunch here?” Kyle glanced over at Trey then back to his sister.

His sister. That explained the familiar smile.

Kyle wasn’t going without an argument. “Pops is always talking about Trey, and I’ve never met him before.”

London shook her head. “Not today. It’s a family lunch.”

“But we’re family,” Kyle insisted.

What the ever-loving fuck?

“There you are, Trey.” Pops’ voice boomed in the distance. “We’ve been waiting for you up at the house.”

Trey’s grandfather ambled down the wooden stairs leading from the terrace surrounding the mansion to the dock. Two women and another man trailed behind him. Kyle raced over to them. Smiling broadly, Pops palmed the top of the boy’s head.

“Can we stay for lunch?” Kyle asked.

Pops tousled Kyle’s hair. “You’re always invited for lunch, young man. But today you’ve got to get ready for your big trip. Besides,” he said with a stage whisper. “We’re serving only healthy stuff this time. We’ll plan a gentlemen’s lunch at the club where we can eat junk food. Just you and me. When you get back from your grand adventure. I want to hear all about it.”

Kyle’s shoulders slumped briefly. “I guess.”

Pops chuckled. “Of course, I’ll just be a boring old man after two weeks with The Alek Bergeron.”

“Never.” Kyle threw his arms around Pops’ waist and hugged him.

Everything about this scene was making the back of Trey’s neck squeeze. “Who the hell are all these people, Pops?” he demanded tersely.

A stunned hush fell over the dock. Kyle’s bottom lip began to quiver. London leveled an angry glare in Trey’s direction as she pulled her young brother’s back against her chest. Not exactly Trey’s finest moment.

His grandfather’s eyes narrowed. “Trey Van Horn. That’s no way for you to speak to my guests.”

“We should get going,” the younger of the other two women said.

“No one is going anywhere until my grandson apologizes for his rude behavior.” Pops gestured to the woman who just spoke. “You’ve met your father’s ex, Kim.”

Ah, ha. That was the woman’s name.If she aged in the previous ten years, she hid it well. She had the same build as her daughter, long, trim limbs with just enough curves. Where London’s hair was strawberry blonde, her mother’s was dark. Kim’s gray eyes were an exact match to her young son’s.

Of course he’d met his father’s former wife once before. In Chicago. The day she and his dad returned from Las Vegas, both of them wearing wedding bands and love-struck smirks. It was then that she told him about her daughter. It was then that Trey’s life changed in an instant. The woman he believed he’d fallen in love with was now his stepsister.

His stomach lurched recalling the episode.

The caretaker for his grandfather’s estate snickered as she watched the scene unfold. “Won’t that be awkward,” she murmured to Trey. Obviously, he and London had not been as discreet as they thought. “I wonder if the girl will be disappointed that she didn’t get you to the altar first.”

“She has no idea who I am,” Trey growled.

“Don’t be a fool. That girl’s no dummy. You’re college football’s golden boy. She’s delivered half a dozen sports magazines to the house with you on the cover. She knows exactly who you are,” the caretaker said. “Both mother and daughter have lived in Lake Geneva all their lives. Kim has been scheming to land a big fish forever. I’ve no doubt she pushed her daughter in your direction.”

Heart in his throat, Trey skipped out on the celebratory dinner and took the first plane back to California.

Fast forward tenyears and the woman he’d rudely snubbed was standing in front of him with her hand out and a serene expression on her face.

“Nice to see you again, Trey,” she said. It even sounded like she meant it.

Surprised at the embarrassment he felt, he hesitated briefly. The low rumble emanating from his grandfather’s throat propelled Trey into action, shaking her hand. “Same here.”

The man standing behind her reached his hand around and stuck it in Trey’s direction.

“Chuck Prince,” he said. “Kim’s husband. And dad to this little imp.”

Prince.Trey glanced over at London as he shook Chuck’s hand. She met his look head on with a superior smile and a sassy shrug.

“I don’t think you had the opportunity to meet Kim’s daughter.” Pops gestured to London.

Oh, no way was he playing that game. “We’ve met,” he bit out.

Pops looked between them wearing a perplexed expression before the lines on his forehead smoothed out.

“Ah,” he said. “Of course. London works with all sorts of famous people in Milwaukee. She doesn’t share her client list with us, though. Except we know about Alek, certainly.”

For fuck’s sake. Not Bergeron again.

“I’m a little perplexed to see you all here today.” Trey directed his comment at Kim. “You and my dad were only married briefly.”

“True,” Kim replied. “But we parted on good terms and we’re still friends.”

Her words surprised the hell out of him. But he figured the number of zeros in her alimony checks likely kept her on “good terms” with his dad.

“It’s been nice having some family around when I’m here,” Pops added. “Especially since you never visit.”

Trey felt a lot like he’d been blindsided. And damn if it didn’t hurt just as much as when it happened on the football field. These people were no longer a part of the Van Horn family tree. Why was his grandfather still hanging around with them?

The woman he hadn’t met yet edged up next to Pops. “Don’t I deserve an introduction?”

Pops’ eyes crinkled at the corners. “Of course, my dear. Trey, this is Olivia.”

“Kim’s mother, I presume,” Trey said as he took her hand.

Everyone laughed.

“Oh, my, no.” Olivia tittered. “Although I’ve known her all her life, so I could be. And, were I allowed to pick out the perfect granddaughter, it would be our sweet London.”

“Hey!” Kyle interjected. “What about me?”

Olivia reached over and stroked his cheek. “I was getting to you, dear boy.”

Pops draped his arm around Olivia’s neck. “If you had come straight up to the house, you could have enjoyed the champagne toast with the rest of us while your father was on the satellite phone.” He and Olivia shared a bemused smile. “After much cajoling, Olivia has done me the honor of agreeing to be my wife.” He pointed to the woman’s hand. “We did the deed at the courthouse yesterday.”

* * *

Later that evening,Trey sat out by the pool of his sprawling Tudor situated on the shores of Lake Michigan. He’d bought the place on a whim five years earlier because it reminded him of Pops’ estate. He’d hoped living in a similar type of home would bring him some peace about his decision to avoid Lake Geneva. He realized today it hadn’t.

He kicked a pebble across the flagstone patio and took a pull from his vitamin water, wishing like hell it was bourbon and Coke instead. To say the past few days had not gone as expected was an understatement. Starting with the publication of the tell-all. Then discovering London lived in the freaking same town as him, followed by the bombshell today at his grandfather’s.

Make that bombshells.

In spite of everything, London and her mom had somehow wormed their way into his family. To what end, he couldn’t figure out. He just knew he didn’t like it.

Then there was the shocking announcement of his grandfather’s marriage. Pops. Who never missed an opportunity when Trey was growing up to reinforce the idea that love wasn’t worth the pain.

His grandfather had certainly done an abrupt about-face given the adoring looks he showered on his new wife throughout the awkward lunch. Trey had been so shell-shocked by Pops’ declaration, he didn’t notice London and her family slip away. Part of him wished they’d stayed. Kyle would have been a welcome distraction from the stilted get-to-know-you conversation Trey had to endure.

Not that he learned anything about the woman who’d just become his grandmother. The two had eloped, for crying out loud. Pops made some comment about life being too short and not wanting to waste another day. Still, it stung that his grandfather had up and married a stranger without so much as a word. Both Olivia and Pops had been very evasive about her background, saying only that they’d met at the club. She’d obviously been a longtime resident of the area given her affection for Kim and her family.

Trey sat up straighter in the chair. Could that be it? Was Olivia a third player in their little con to marry into the Van Horn family?

He swore savagely.

This was ridiculous. Surely his grandfather could see through such a scheme. Yet, every time Trey attempted a private conversation with the man this afternoon, Pops rebuffed him. Except of course for the little lecture about Trey needing to “have a care” how he was portrayed in the media. According to Pops, Trey’s exploits shouldn’t reflect badly on the Van Horn image. Not to mention any future political hopes Pops had for Trey. That one had smarted. Especially since Trey took great pains to keep his image intact.

Too bad Pops hadn’t given Trey’s father the same lecture. Jay Van Horn’s life had been played out in the tabloids ever since he got a young Palm Beach socialite pregnant at her cotillion. He’d been nineteen at the time. Trey’s mother, Reese, barely eighteen.

The pair believed themselves in love. Their lavish wedding filled an entire issue of both Bride’s magazine and Town and Country. Two years and one young son later, their wedded bliss met a fiery conclusion. There were rumors of infidelity on Jay’s part, but the paparazzi were never able to substantiate them. Knowing his father like he did, Trey had no doubts.

Jay was racing somewhere off the African coast, well out of cell range. Trey wanted to speak with his dad not only about Pops’ news, but he was curious about the continuing relationship with Kim. Why would his father let it continue, especially when he married again? Nothing seemed to make sense anymore.

He called his mom instead.

“Sweetheart,” his mother drawled after picking up on the second ring. “You’ve been a naughty boy.”

Trey massaged the back of his neck with his free hand. “Don’t believe everything you read, Mom.”

She laughed. “Where the Van Horn males are concerned, nothing said about marriage surprises me. But believe it or not, I would like grandchildren one day, you know. Please don’t make it so no woman will have you.”

Despite their frequent trips to the altar, neither of his parents ever had more children. That didn’t surprise Trey. His mother was proud she could still strut through South Beach in a bikini with the coeds. Jay’s reasons were a little harder to figure out. Perhaps it was just luck.

“Speaking of marriage,” Trey began.

“Oh, for heaven’s sake. Who has your father proposed to now?”

For the first time in his memory, neither of his parents was presently hitched. Jay’s three-year marriage to an Australian actress ended a few years earlier. His mom’s seven-year stint as wife of a young Argentinian polo player fizzled out last year. But that didn’t mean she wouldn’t be out seeking a new Mister Right if Jay was planning to wed again. It felt to Trey like they always had to be one-upping the other on the matrimony front.

“Not Dad. Pops. He freaking eloped.”

His mom was quiet on the other end of the line for a long minute before she responded. “Well, isn’t that wonderful. Lars is getting up there in years. He deserves another great love in his life.”

What was it about women and “great love?”

“Just as long as her real intent isn’t to take him to the cleaners.”

“Really, Trey? How is it that you are so cynical about marriage?”

Seriously?She of all people was asking that question?

“Gee, Mom. I have no idea.”

His quip was met with a heavy sigh. “How is your father, by the way?”

It was the same every time he spoke with either parent. No matter what the conversation was about, they’d always steer it around to asking him about the other one. His father seemed to be on speaking terms with at least one of his exes. Why not his mom?

“Dad’s doing great. His yacht is leading in the standings for the Cup. Ironically, I met one of his ex-wives today. She and dad still speak all the time, apparently.”

He regretted the dig as soon as the words left his mouth. Especially when the line went silent.

“She lives in Lake Geneva with her husband and young son,” he said, attempting to soften the blow. “I think she checks in on Pops for dad. I assume that’s probably why they’re still in touch.”

His backpedaling did the trick.

“Which one is she?”

“Kim,” he replied, grateful he remembered her name this time. “The flight attendant.”

“Ah. Well, that’s nice of her. I guess she wasn’t with your dad long enough to be too disgusted with him.”

An awkward silence followed, and Trey felt the guilt ripple through his belly. He tried to alleviate it by reminding himself of all the holidays where both parents had used him as the go-between in their incessant squabbling. It didn’t work, though. He loved both his parents despite their ridiculous relationship.

“You promised you’d come to see me this summer,” she said, adding to his guilt.

“I’m still planning on it. How does the day after tomorrow sound? You can make reservations at some swanky restaurant where you can show me off to your friends.”

That made his mother laugh. “You’re getting too old for me to parade you around. I can’t have everyone knowing I have a son so mature.”

The teasing tone in her voice took away the bite of her words.

“You just said you want grandchildren.”

“I do. But I want you to be happy more.”

“I am happy.”

He’d spouted that lie so many times to his mother he almost believed it.

His phone buzzed with a text from Collin.

Are you free?

If it meant getting out of this line of questioning from his mom, hell yes, he was free.

“Mom, my agent is on the other line. I’ll call you tomorrow with my flight info. See you in a few days.”

She blew a few kisses before hanging up. Trey texted Collin back.

Sure.

“Hey, man,” Collin said when Trey answered. “I’ve been trying to call you all day.”

“I was out at my grandfather’s lake house. The reception out there is pretty poor.” It wasn’t. Trey just didn’t need his agent’s annoying son adding to the shit-show of this day. “What’s so important?”

“Nothing. I just thought we could grab a bite before I left town. Bergeron’s contract is all firmed up and my work here is done.”

Bergeron.There was a name he didn’t want to hear again today.

Or ever.

“But I’m already at the airport so it will have to be another time,” Collin said.

Trey tried to sound disappointed. “Yeah, sure. Next time.”

“By the way. An offer came in late last night. Some cheese company here in Wisconsin wants you to be their spokesman.”

“I’m not taking on any new sponsorships until after the season. And anything having to do with cheese wouldn’t be on my radar anyway.”

Collin laughed. “Yeah. You and that nutty diet you’ve adopted. That’s what I thought, though. Besides they’re offering chump change. I would normally send them a proforma ‘no thanks’ but one of the contact names on the email is London Headley. I thought it was a funny coincidence since your long-lost little sister has the same name.”

Trey shot up in his chair, his pulse racing.

“What’s the name of the agency?”

“Uh, West-something. Why?”

“Email me the info, Collin.”

“What the hell? Does that mean you’re actually considering it?”

Was he?

No. But it would give him an opportunity to find out what London knew about Pops’ new wife.

At least that was the excuse he was giving himself.

“Just send it to me before you get on the plane. I’ll turn them down in person.”

“It is the same woman, then. What’s with you two anyway? I was picking up some very serious vibes the other day in the dragon lady’s office.”

“Nothing.” It was the first truthful thing he’d said to Collin the entire call.

“Good, because I’m pretty sure Bergeron has a picture of him and her on his phone.”

Well, fuck.