Another Mazzy Monday (11 page)

We’re both startled by a knocking on the guest bedroom door. Mazzy takes in a sharp breath and her eyes are as wide as mine feel.

“I wonder who it is,” she whispers.

“I have no idea,” I whisper back.

My heart begins to race when the knocking persists, but we don’t have any choice but to answer it. I’m not that surprised to see Drew standing outside the door when I open it.

“Have you seen Mazzy?” His voice sounds a little frantic like he’s been searching for her for a while.

I’ve never lied to my brother or to anyone in my family for that matter. I’m usually a straight shooter when it comes to speaking my mind. But I don’t want to embarrass Mazzy or get her in trouble.

Before I have a chance to lie to protect her Mazzy steps right beside me and says, “What do you want, Drew?”

To say my brother looks shocked would be an understatement. His face actually turns sheet white he’s so surprised. He looks back and forth between the two of us for a few long moments as if he’s trying to assess what’s going on between us.

“I—um—I—” My brother is rarely at a loss for words, but this seems to have him stumped. There’s not a single way in which I’ve ever been better than my brother. He’s always been smarter, better looking, and more successful at everything from sports to music to being liked. I’m sure he’s having a difficult time wrapping his head around the fact that Mazzy left his side to spend time with me.

When she pushes past me and takes her place next to Drew it nearly kills me. Even though I know that nothing romantic is going on or ever will go on between the two of them it still hurts when he takes her hand in his.

Drew clears his throat and he’s finally able to say, “Mom and Dad have called for a toast to us.”

Mazzy nods, but her expression is completely neutral. And it cuts deep when she won’t look at me. Not even a glance or a sneak peek.
Nothing
.

I’m not surprised that my brother doesn’t ask any questions. It’s almost like he doesn’t want to know. He’s content as long as Mazzy is there by his side for the photos and speeches. She just has to look pretty, smile and pretend to be his happy fiancée.

I wonder if he even knows anything about her other than her dress size, or if he even cares.

I follow them as they head towards the formal staircase. I’m surprised when I’m struck with jealously over a stupid staircase. But I am. He gets to march down the giant showpiece with Mazzy at his side for the world to admire while I’m relegated to sneaking her up the back stairs, afraid of being seen.

But I’m not the one running for governor. I’m not the celebrity. I’m the one who gets mentioned in the paper as
Drew’s younger brother
, if I’m mentioned at all.

Once the toast is made and all of the guests have their chance to wish the new couple all the best I breathe a sigh of relief when the crowds start to disperse.

I’m not sure how much more of seeing Mazzy and my brother arm in arm I can take.

“I’m so proud of you.” My dad pats Drew on the back. “And we’re thrilled to have you as a part of our family,” he says to Mazzy.

My mom gives her an uncomfortable hug. She’s never been very affectionate, so even this hug, as awkward as it is, means she must really like Mazzy. This is both comforting and disconcerting at the same time. Would she like Mazzy as much if I was the one who brought her home to meet Mom and dad?

“It’s not too early to start thinking about wedding venues. I’ve heard that many of the nicer spots are booked a year or more in advance.”

I notice Mazzy glance in Drew’s direction. Her eye is twitching slightly. Maybe the lying is already getting to her.

Of course it doesn’t rattle my brother one bit. “Let’s wait until after the election to start planning the wedding. It’s still a very tight race and we’ve got to put all of our energy into winning.”

“You’re right,” my mother concedes. But her pursed lips seem to indicate that she’s not too happy about it. “I just don’t want you to wait too long to tie the knot.”

And there’s the kicker. After all this time waiting for her beloved son to finally bring home a mate she doesn’t want Drew to let her get away. Little does she know…

When my mom pulls Mazzy aside I make an effort to stand as close as possible without being completely obtrusive. But I need to hear what she’s saying.

“We don’t have to wait until after the election to start looking at wedding dresses. You and I could have lunch next week and visit a few shops.”

Mazzy looks about as happy as a death row inmate on her way to the electric chair. Not that I can blame her. I wouldn’t want to spend an entire afternoon with my mother, and she gave birth to me.

It takes every ounce of restraint I have not to pull Mazzy into my arms and tell her everything is going to be alright. But is it? I don’t even know anymore. I have a sinking feeling in the pit of my stomach that this lie is going to grow to epic proportions and then explode all over us, leaving nothing but heartache in the rubble.

Seven

Mazzy

“You need to help me,” I yell frantically into my cellphone.

“Mazzy?” My sister’s voice is groggy with sleep. “What time is it?”

I glance at the clock on the nightstand. “Eleven.”

“Why are you calling so late?”

“I’m sorry. I just got back from the engagement party. If you could call it that. It was more like a press conference with bad food. The catering company they hired really sucked. But that’s beside the point. I need some kind of excuse not to have to go wedding dress shopping with my future mother-in-law. She scares the hell out of me and I don’t want to be alone with her. Not to mention the fact that there’s not even really going to be a wedding.”

“Okay, slow down. You have a genuine excuse. Harley’s baby shower. Did you forget?”

“Oh, my God. I can’t believe I forgot. We have like one friend. How could I forget her shower?”

“You obviously have a lot on your mind with the fake engagement.”

“This is why I never lie. One lie always leads to another and then it becomes impossible to keep them all straight.”

“And I’m sure it doesn’t help that you’ve got a major crush on your fiancé’s brother.”

I shift awkwardly where I’m standing. I’m not sure how to respond to that. It’s turning into a lot more than a crush and it’s a huge problem.

“Mazzy? What are you not telling me?”

I heave a deep sigh. “I almost slept with him.”

“No!” she screams so loud that I have to move the phone away from my ear. “We need that money. You cannot…I repeat…CANNOT…have sex with Austin Graham. Everyone will find out. You know it’s inevitable.”

Sleeping with him is probably just as inevitable, but I don’t tell my sister that. So I change the subject instead. “What time is Harley’s shower?”

“Three o’clock. Don’t forget. And I already got a present from both of us. A very nice one. We could afford it with the fake engagement money. That’s why you need to smile, look pretty, be a good fiancée and stay away from Austin.”

“Yes, Sir,” I tease. “Do you have any other orders for me?”

“Just one thing. Don’t wear a pink headband.”

***

  Haymakers never changes. The country bar has been in the Wilde family for generations and it’s one of the few places in Old Town where people can go for entertainment. Stepping inside the place is like stepping back in time. I swear there are several bottles of alcohol behind that bar that haven’t been moved in fifty years. 

One thing that has changed, though, is that there are men behind the bar serving drinks and they’re not Wilde brothers. Jake Wilde, the oldest Wilde brother and bar manager, rarely hires anyone he can’t have a quick fling with in the back room. And he always had a preference for well-built blondes, just like Harley. I guess he really is a changed man since they got married.

As soon as I spot Harley I take in a sharp breath when she turns around and exposes a very pregnant belly. It’s obviously been a while since I’ve seen her because she’s huge and absolutely glowing.

Suzie and I have known Harley since high school and she’s always had a reputation of being a tough girl who you didn’t want to cross. I’ve never seen her look so soft and completely serene.

But her newfound peace only lasts a few seconds before she grabs what looks like a newspaper from one of the tables and marches over to me.

She opens the paper and practically shoves it in my face. “Care to explain this?”

My face is plastered on the front page of the paper with a headline:
Sorry, Ladies. New Jersey’s Most Eligible Bachelor is Off the Market
.

“I—um …”

She doesn’t wait for me to continue. “How is it possible that you got engaged and I didn’t even know you were dating?”

I swallow the lump in my throat. For the first time in my life I’m actually glad that Suzie and I were never popular and that we don’t have friends. This is probably the only time I’ll have to go through this scenario.

Then it occurs to me that I should have probably at least phoned my dad. He reads the paper every morning with his coffee and donut.

“Everything happened so fast,” I explain. “It was a whirlwind romance.”

“Is Drew Graham as hot as they say he is?” she asks.

I nod. Truth be told all I can think about is how hot Austin is, but I also know that kind of thinking will only get me in trouble. “We’re not here to talk about me,” I say in an attempt to change the subject. “We’re here to talk about you and the baby.”

Harley narrows her eyes at me. “Whatever you do just don’t rub my stomach.”

“Do people really do that?” I have to admit I’m a little disgusted by the thought of random people rubbing my belly, so I’m certainly sympathetic to her plight.

“All the time,” she replies. “Even people I don’t know. I’m not sure what it is about being pregnant but everyone wants to touch the baby, even while it’s still inside of me.”

As I scan the bar I notice my sister is talking to one of the bartenders, a good looking, very muscular guy who seems to be quite taken with her. He can’t seem to take his eyes from hers.

“What is it with all the male bartenders,” I ask Harley.

She laughs. “You know Jake always had a difficult time keeping bartenders and servers. We decided to see if he’d have better luck with male employees. So he got a list of recent graduates from his former football coach at Old Town High School. Guys who played football like he did and never went to college. And that’s who he hired. It’s worked out great. The male customers love it because they can talk football with the new employees and we’ve seen a huge increase in females coming to the bar, for obvious reasons.”

“They are eye candy,” I admit.

“There’s someone I definitely want you to meet.” Harley grabs my elbow and drags me over to a table where her sister-in-law, Gracie, is sitting.

“This is Gracie and Tucker’s baby, Rose.”

Tucker is one of her husband’s younger brothers and also one of the employees at Haymakers. Gracie worked at Haymakers until she got pregnant and then had to go on bed rest as she got further along. Looking at the baby I’m not surprised. Gracie is a tiny wisp of a girl and her baby is huge, more like her husband.

“She’s an angel,” I say as Gracie shows off her daughter.

“Where are Tucker and Jake?” I look around the bar, but I don’t see them anywhere.

“They went to pick up the cake and some ice cream. I can’t seem to go a day without ice cream. But I’m going to enjoy it while I can because once the baby is here I’ll be back to my strict diet and working out.”

When my sister catches sight of me she excuses herself from the bar and hurries over join us.

“Isn’t she a doll?” Suzie exclaims when she sees Rose.

“Would you like to hold her?” Gracie asks.

I can see by the way Suzie’s eyes light up that she would absolutely love to hold the baby.

Just as Gracie is about to hand Rose to my sister Tucker sweeps in and takes the baby from Gracie.

“I don’t mind holding her,” Tucker says as he puts the baby to his chest. Even though the baby isn’t small for her age she looks tiny next to Tucker’s massive chest. The way he’s beaming he’s obviously a very proud, but also very protective daddy. I’m not surprised. He’s been just as protective of Gracie since the first day they met.

“Let Suzie hold the baby,” Gracie pleads.

Tucker bites his bottom lip seemingly reluctant to give her up. Then he places little kisses all over Rose’s face and she giggles in response. Finally after staring at his precious daughter for a few more seconds he finally hands her over to Suzie.

I have to laugh when he doesn’t step away. He’s got his arms underneath my sister’s as if he’s just waiting for her to drop the baby so he’s there to catch her.

Gracie is smiling too. “Tucker. It’s okay. Please relax. Suzie is fine. She knows how to hold a baby.”

She’s right. My sister is fine. She actually looks like a natural holding the baby. I think I would be a lot less comfortable. And I’m not sure I even want to try.

A few moments later Jake marches over with an enormous blue and white cake. “Where do you want this?”

“There’s a table set up right near the stage,” Harley instructs.

Jake nods and takes the cake to the back of the bar, where live bands perform on Friday and Saturday nights.

“You’re having a boy?” I ask Harley.

She nods. “Jake Junior. We’re going to call him JJ.” As she scans the bar she says, “I wonder where he put that ice cream?”

When she goes off in search of her ice cream I have an urge to look over at the bar’s entrance. At that moment the front door swings open and in walks Austin Graham.

My heart starts to race as he glances around the place. And when our eyes meet I get goose bumps all over.

I hurry over to him before he has a chance to move any further inside the place.

“What are you doing here?” I hiss.

He narrows his gaze. “Is that a trick question? What do people normally do in a bar?”

Lips pursed I continue my interrogation. “How did you know I was here?”

“Don’t flatter yourself. I had no idea you were here.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Oh, really? Is that so? Have you ever been here before?”

He shakes his head.

“And you just happened to come by Haymakers, a bar you’ve never been to before, at the exact time I’m here for a baby shower?”

He shrugs. “I guess so.”

“I was born. And I was born at night. But I wasn’t born last night.”

“You can believe whatever you want to believe. I’m just here for a drink.”

I can see by the mischievous twinkle in his eye that he’s most definitely not here just for a drink. George must have spilled the beans and told Austin that he dropped me off here.

“I was bored by myself at the lake house,” he adds. “And this seems like the only entertainment in town.”

“You could have gone to a movie,” I offer.

He frowns. “They don’t have beer there.”

“I’m here for a baby shower, not to entertain you.”

He grins. “Well you’d better get to it then.”

“Fine. I will.”

I turn on my heels and march back over to the table where Harley is seated with a few other guests. I notice that her other sister-in-law, Riley, has joined her. She’s married to Cooper Wilde and the two of them live in New York and work on Wall Street.

Riley gives me a friendly wave when she sees me. “Great to see you again!”

“You seem to be the only Wilde wife who doesn’t have a baby or one on the way,” I tease.

She smiles. “We’re going to wait a few years. We both have to make our first million. Then we’ll think about starting a family.”

Riley’s best friend, Patti, is also seated at the table. She’s stayed at the resort a few times on business and she’s a fantastic tipper. Is it terrible that I’ve always been jealous of her absolutely killer body? The woman could give any runway model a run for her money. She gives me a wave as well when she spots me.

I notice Harley is looking over at the bar and when she glances back over at me, she’s frowning. “Why is that guy at the bar staring at you?” she whispers to me. “Do you know him?”

I’m not sure what to say. I’ve never lied to Harley but I also don’t want to get into all the drama, especially at her shower. But I also know if I don’t say anything, there’s a strong chance she’ll ask Jake and Tucker to eject him for being creepy.

“I know him,” I admit. “He’s my fiancés brother.”

Her eyes go wide. “That guy is Drew Graham’s brother? They look nothing alike.”

“They are nothing alike,” I add. “They’re almost complete opposites in every way.”

Of course this doesn’t appease Harley. She always has to get to the bottom of everything. “Is there something going on between the two of you?”

I don’t want to lie so I sidestep a little. “What makes you say that?”

“He hasn’t taken his eyes off of you, for starters. And I know that look. I’ve seen that look on every one of the Wilde brother’s faces: when Tucker met Gracie; when Cooper met Riley and when Hunter introduced us all to Katie. And Jake has that look on his face all of the time when he’s around me. It’s a look like he wants to completely possess you and God help any other man who gets in his way. That guy seated at the bar is looking at you that way. Care to explain that?”

Harley has a way of just putting things right out there. She certainly never minces words.

I heave a small sigh. “I’m really not sure what to say.”

When Suzie plops down next to me I pray for a change in the direction of the conversation. But no such luck. “What’s Austin doing here?”

“Apparently he’s bored and wanted to get a drink.”

She lets out a slight cynical laugh. “Yeah, right. The guy hasn’t taken his eyes off of you since he sat down.”

“That’s exactly what I said,” Harley pipes in.

Great. Now both of them are ganging up on me.