One Wicked Night

Chapter Four

Margot and Kaelin sat at the kitchen island drinking coffee the next morning. Margot had slept restlessly and her head throbbed this morning. She rubbed her temples.

“I’m not really into this spa thing,” Kaelin said to her. She glanced at her watch. “But Avery wants to do it for us.”

“It’ll be fun,” Margot said with a smile. “Just you girls. And you’ve worked so hard on the wedding plans, you deserve a day of relaxation. What time is Maddie coming?”

“About ten thirty. Our appointment is at eleven.”

Giving in to the pounding at her temples, Margot slid off the stool and moved to a cupboard where she shook a couple of pills out of a bottle and into her hand. She caught Kaelin’s eye. “Just a little headache,” she said with a smile. She washed the tablets down with coffee.

“I’m sorry again about the scene last night,” Kaelin said.

Margot bit her lip, tension zooming back at the memory. She’d so hoped that Tyler’s homecoming was going to be a reunion full of hugs and long talks about his life. It hadn’t worked out that way. He hadn’t even wanted to stay in their home, instead had gotten a hotel room. She’d hidden her deep disappointment with frantic efforts to serve drinks and food and make cheerful small talk with guests. And then Tyler had somehow managed to antagonize sweet little Kaelin.

She and Kaelin had spent a lot of time together the last few months, working on wedding plans, and a connection had built between them, an understanding that Margot suspected was one-sided. Over the years Margot had learned to hide her feelings deep inside her, to keep that careful, perfect façade in place at all times, so it wasn’t surprising that Kaelin wouldn’t know how she felt, but Kaelin was young and Margot easily recognized that same kind of restless yearning she herself kept hidden. She didn’t think anyone else saw that in Kaelin—she was a sweet girl, well liked at the law firm, loved by the seniors she visited with her little dog, regarded with affection by everyone in town. But for both of them, the wedding had been something in their lives out of the ordinary, something they could throw their energy and creativity into.

There was no shortage of money in the Wirth household, something Margot realized she had come to take for granted, especially when she thought the almost unthinkable thought of leaving her husband. She knew she’d tried to go overboard with the wedding plans. Avery was her only daughter, this was the only chance she was ever going to have to do this, and she wanted it to be so special for her baby. Tyler—would Tyler ever marry? The fact that he’d shown up with Nick in tow resurrected all those crazy doubts she’d had years ago. But Avery had invited Nick to the wedding, and he and Tyler were business partners now, so it wasn’t incongruous that he would be there too.

“Don’t worry about it,” she said now to Kaelin, though she felt how tight her lips were as she spoke. “Tyler has this way of getting under people’s skin.” She immediately felt disloyal, as if she should have defended her son, not blamed him, but Kaelin was sitting right there in front of her, clearly feeling awful about what had happened, and she wanted to make Kaelin feel better.

“That’s true,” Kaelin said quietly. She stared at her coffee.

Avery burst into the kitchen then, with her usual exuberance. “Oh, coffee, good! I need caffeine.” She poured herself a cup. “Isn’t Maddie here yet?”

At that moment the front doorbell rang and Avery popped out to answer it.

“Maddie seems very nice,” Margot said to Kaelin.

Kaelin gave a small smile. “Yes. She is.”

“Well, you girls go and enjoy your day.”

“What are you doing today?” Kaelin asked, rising from her stool and heading toward the dishwasher to put away her mug. Warmth expanded in Margot’s chest, that Kaelin felt enough at home there to do that. Kaelin hadn’t had an easy life, and since her parents had died, Margot had felt almost a responsibility, a maternal need to look after her.

Which was silly, because Kaelin was an adult and capable of looking after herself, but still… Margot knew Kaelin had had to give up hopes and dreams, just as she herself had. When Margot had gotten pregnant at age twenty, had given in to the pressure to marry, which mostly came from Ken, and to drop out of college, her life had changed forever from how she’d always envisioned it, and she knew Kaelin’s life, too, wasn’t what she’d always thought she’d have. With Margot’s own children gone, perhaps it was natural that she’d look for someone else to transfer those maternal feelings to.

Margot smiled. “I have some last-minute things to look after for the rehearsal dinner tonight. Dry cleaning to pick up. A few other errands.” Trivial, boring errands, but at least it was something to take up her time until the dinner that evening when once more her family would all be together and they’d have another chance at coming back together as a family.

Tyler and Nick carried boxes of decorations up to the house Kaelin had grown up in, a small white bungalow in a nice neighborhood. Tyler eyed the neatly painted dark green shutters, the bright flowers in the flowerbeds and the grapevine wreath adorning the front door. He rested the box on the railing of the steps and pressed the doorbell. Immediately a dog started barking incessantly from somewhere in the house, the noise getting louder as the animal apparently charged at the door. Tyler lifted a brow at Nick.

A moment later the door opened and Kaelin stood there holding a small black-and white-dog, some sort of terrier mix, Tyler guessed. The dog still barked its head off, but now that he saw it, he was amused at the difference between the ferocious sound of it and the small size of it.

His gaze moved up to Kaelin’s face, completely bare of makeup, making her look about fifteen years old, sweet and innocent.

“We brought the decorations,” he said. “There are more boxes in the car.”

“Oh. Thank you.” She stepped aside, the dog still growling at them, so they could carry the boxes in.

“Where do you want them?” Nick asked.

Tyler glanced around at the neat interior with shiny hardwood floors, the modern décor of the living room with funky red leather furniture and stainless steel tables catching his eye. How very un-Kaelin-like. It would be like seeing her in a red leather miniskirt and stilettos.

Which would be extremely hot.

Jesus.

“You can just set them here in the hall,” she said. “I’m going to put Taz down, but don’t worry, he doesn’t bite.”

“Like I was worried,” Tyler said, dropping the box to the floor. The little dog ran up to him, but now he was free, he became much less aggressive. Tyler bent and held out the back of his fingers for him to sniff. “Hey, pooch.” He looked up at Kaelin and realized she was wearing nothing but a silky robe, and he meant nothing, because he could clearly see her bare breasts outlined through the thin fabric, her sharp little nipples poking out. His groin tightened and he had to swallow and look back at the dog. “What’s his name?”

“Taz.”

He scratched Taz’s head. Damn, he was pretty cute.

“Why Taz?”

“He does this thing when I get home. He gets so excited he spins around in circles. Like a—”

“Tasmanian Devil.”

“Yeah.”

She scooped him up again, and Tyler wasn’t sure if she was protecting the dog, or hoping the dog would protect her, at least by covering her nearly naked body.

They carried in the other boxes. “You gonna need help with this tomorrow?” Nick asked.

“Oh no, I’ll be fine. I have all day to get stuff over to the hotel and pick up the flowers. I’ll be fine. Thanks for doing that today.”

“How was the spa?” Tyler asked. “All buffed and polished?” And he dragged his gaze down her body. Her cheeks lit on fire.

“I suppose,” she said. She held out one hand, her nails all shiny pink with white tips.

“Pretty. Let’s see the toes.”

Her cheeks got even redder, if possible, but she extended one foot out to show her pink toenails. Her feet were as adorable as the rest of her.

What the fuck was he thinking?

“We gotta go,” he muttered, earning a startled glance from Nick. “I need a beer before the rehearsal.”

“Okay,” she said, still holding that little dog, which was looking up at her adoringly. “See you there.”

“I don’t want anyone to walk me down the aisle.” Avery’s voice was low but strained.

“But your father wants to do it,” Mrs. Wirth said.

They stood in the hushed vestibule of First Presbyterian Church, an exquisite building of honey-colored stone and stained glass. Kaelin watched Avery and her mother having their low-voiced argument, her hands clasped tightly.

“I’ve lived on my own for a long time,” Avery said through tight lips. “Nobody owns me to give me away. I’m walking down the aisle alone.”

“But, Avery—”

“That’s it, Mom. Let’s get on with it.”

Kaelin licked her lips and moved to the door to give the signal to the guitarist and pianist. Avery had eschewed the traditional organ for these two musicians, who began Vivaldi’s Guitar Concerto in D Major. Maddie started down the aisle, and Kaelin followed her at the appropriate interval.

The rest of the rehearsal went smoothly despite the faint tension buzzing in the air. When they were done, Avery and Scott went and spoke to the musicians while the rest of the group left the sanctuary. Kaelin paused and looked back at Avery. Did she need help with something? Was there a problem with the music? Avery had never decided on a song for the recessional, so maybe that’s what they were discussing. Avery caught her eye and waved for Kaelin to go on to the hotel for the dinner.

Throughout dinner, Kaelin’s nerves felt stretched taut at the tension that still zinged between Tyler and his parents, and between Tyler and her. Avery chatted brightly and nonstop, fueled by nervous energy and several large glasses of wine, and Kaelin had to make an effort for her sake to keep conversation going, but it was exhausting her.

It would help if Tyler would say more than two words, sitting there grim-faced and silent, drinking red wine. She wanted to kick him under the table, but he was too far away from her and she didn’t have the courage to give him hell in front of everyone else. Could she get him out of the room for a minute somehow? She nibbled her bottom lip then remembered that Avery had given her Tyler’s cell phone number earlier when he’d been a few minutes late showing up at the church. She’d just started to call him when he’d arrived.

She pulled her phone out of her purse and, holding it on her lap below the table, she thumbed in a message and sent it. “U R acting like an asshole again. Cld U at least pretend U R happy to be here.”

His phone must be on vibrate because she didn’t hear a thing, but he reached for it on his hip and pulled it out. He read it, read it again, and then his blue gaze zeroed in on her. His mouth twitched.

She lifted her chin and then her wineglass, tilting her head, holding his gaze.

He bent his head and she waited, knowing he was replying.

Her phone vibrated on her lap and she flipped it open discreetly. “I am a dick,” she read. Laughter bubbled up in her throat and her fingertips flew to her mouth. “Sorry.”

She tightened her lips in to keep her amusement from showing. “Don’t think apologizing makes it okay for U to act like a dick,” she sent back, a feeling of satisfaction sweeping through her. She could text message him the things she wanted to say but didn’t have the nerve.

She shot him a glance as he read her next message, anticipating his response. He read it, sat back in his seat and looked at her again, this time thoughtfully. Oh-oh. Had she pissed him off?

He slid his phone back into the case on his hip, picked up his wineglass, then set it down and reached for the phone again. He was typing in his message, when Avery said, “Tyler. What are you doing?”

He looked up guiltily. “Uh. Sorry.” His thumbs made a couple more quick moves and he shoved the phone back on his hip. “A…uh…business call.”

Kaelin’s phone vibrated again. She glanced around the table to see if anyone was looking at her, but no, everyone was frowning at Tyler. She sighed. She’d gotten him into trouble again, dammit. One handed, she flipped open the phone to read the message. “U R right. Did I tell U how hot U look tonite?”

Heat flooded her, rushing from her chest up over her face to her hairline, all the way down to her toes. When she looked at him, he wasn’t looking at her but was smiling wickedly.

She so wanted to message him back, but dammit, she had to stop it. What was he doing, telling her she looked hot?

Just trying to push her buttons, as usual, most likely. He’d always been like that, charming apologies and flattery dripping off his tongue—or thumbs, in this case—to make up for the stupid things he did. And since it always worked for him, he knew he could get away with pretty much anything with anyone. Well, except for his parents.

She swallowed some wine. Well, he couldn’t make up for what he’d done to her ten years ago with a cheesy compliment. Sent by text, no less. Geez.

Margot poked at the chicken with prosciutto, rosemary and white wine, her appetite nonexistent. The rehearsal had gone well, although she knew Avery’s refusal to let her father walk her down the aisle had disappointed him. She glanced at her husband, talking to Scott’s father about the stock market. She suspected the only reason he wanted to walk his daughter down the aisle was so that people would see him doing it, because that’s what people expected, and not out of any real sentimental feelings of giving his little girl away. She sighed.

Now Tyler was sitting there, scowling and looking bored and, for god’s sake, sending text messages on his cell phone that were apparently business. Then he snapped his phone shut, smiled that devilish charming grin that had gotten him his own way too many times, but that still melted her heart. And he too started talking to his father and Scott’s dad about the stock market, sounding impressively knowledgeable.

The stock market was probably the last thing Margot was interested in, but she was happy to sit and listen to her son talk, warmth and pride swelling inside her. And then Scott’s dad asked Tyler a question about his business, and she was even more happy to listen to him talk about that, so smart and talented and articulate.

“New platforms—mobile, internet, gaming—are definitely changing the dynamic of the business,” Tyler said. “But that just makes it more exciting. Lots more opportunities for creative talent to really stand out.”

She almost trembled with maternal pride, smiling and listening.

Soon the dinner was over and it had gone off without a hitch, which of course it would after her careful planning, attention to detail and numerous phone calls to the hotel to check on things. And then she heard Tyler talking about taking Scott and his best man, Hardeep, out somewhere for a drink. Oh dear lord.

Kaelin focused on the dinner conversation again, Tyler now looking interested and actually participating. Apparently Scott wanted to go out with the guys for a last single night and Tyler was agreeing to take him and Hardeep and show them the local watering holes.

Oh dear lord.

Kaelin looked anxiously at Avery, but she was all for it. “That sounds like a great idea!” she said to Tyler. “It would be good for you and Scott to get to know each other better.”

“Yeah,” he agreed, seeming sincere. “I’ll call Nick and see if he wants to come too.”

“I don’t know,” Mrs. Wirth said, a hand at her throat. Her eyes darted around. “That might not be a good idea. You don’t want to be tired tomorrow, or…”

“Hungover?” Tyler supplied.

She frowned. “Well, yes.”

“Don’t worry, Mom, I’ll behave. We’ll just go have a couple beers somewhere.”

Mrs. Wirth chewed on her bottom lip.

“Kaelin and Maddie will come back to our place,” Avery said. “And we’ll have some girl time.”

Kaelin smiled and nodded. “Sure.” As if they hadn’t had enough girl time earlier that day. But it was Avery and it was Avery’s wedding.

Back at the Wirth house, the girls curled up on couches and chairs in the family room with more wine. Well, Maddie and Avery had more wine, Kaelin had had enough, and she had to drive back to her place. It wasn’t long before Maddie and Avery started talking and laughing about things that had happened and people Kaelin didn’t know. She tried to smile and look interested, but that left-out feeling swept over her.

“Hey,” Avery said to Kaelin. “When are you going to come visit me in Los Angeles again?”

Kaelin smiled. “Well, obviously not right away. You’re leaving on your honeymoon tomorrow night.”

“You should move there, Kaelin.” Avery sat up and leaned forward. “Seriously. I miss you so much. We could have so much fun living in the same city again.”

“I can’t move, Ave, you know that.”

“Why not?” Avery’s full lips pouted a bit.

“My whole life is here.” Kaelin gave her a crooked smile and lifted one shoulder. “My job. My family. My house.”

“Your only family here is your Aunt Lara. Your cousins have left. Your parents are gone. And with your experience, you could easily get a job at a law firm in L.A.”

“I have Taz,” she added feebly. “I can’t move to an apartment with him, and I’m sure I’d never be able to afford a house in Los Angeles.”

They’d had this conversation before, but the last time Kaelin had genuinely dismissed the idea. Now, though, she actually let herself think about it. But just for a minute. Leaving everything she knew, everything that was safe and secure and stable, to move across the country to a strange city where she knew no one—that was terrifying.

But once again, that feeling of vague dissatisfaction nudged her. She wasn’t close with Aunt Lara. Her job was fine. She enjoyed it. She had friends in Mapleglen. But not close friends. Her best friends had moved away, all over the country. And her relationship with Brent hadn’t worked out so well. Her insides twisted a little thinking of what she’d wanted from him but had been too afraid to ask for.

She was safe here. Better to stay with what she had and what she knew than to risk it all by leaving.

She shook her head, still with that smile pasted firmly in place. “Well, you never know,” she said. “Maybe someday.”

Avery’s eyes widened. “Well, at least that’s not an out-and-out no. You know I’d love it if you moved closer.”

“I’d like to be closer,” Kaelin admitted. Though she wasn’t sure how well she’d fit into Avery’s new world. She and Scott, and Hardeep and Maddie, formed a neat little foursome and she’d be a…what? A fifth wheel?

“Think about it,” Avery urged her. “I know it’s a big decision. I’m not saying quit your job tomorrow. But think about it.”

And Kaelin found herself agreeing to that, although she suspected it was mostly just to keep Avery happy. She couldn’t seriously think about doing something so life-altering.

“So tomorrow, what time will you come over, Kaelin? To get ready.”

“I don’t know. I have lots to do tomorrow. We have to decorate, pick up flowers, and make sure the cupcakes are delivered and—”

“I’ll help,” Maddie said.

“I will too,” Avery added.

“No, you don’t have to.” Kaelin smiled. “You’re the bride.”

“Thank you, Kaelin. You’ve been so sweet about all this.”

Kaelin just shrugged and smiled, uncomfortable with the praise.

They planned the schedule for the next day. The ceremony was at four o’clock. Kaelin knew she could not get into the hotel ballroom where the reception was being held until noon, so she could pick up the flowers in the morning and bring them to the Wirth house. There were also decorations for the church, and she had to make sure the flowers were delivered there and arranged properly.

A few hours later, Maddie left to go back to the hotel where she and Hardeep were staying and Kaelin smothered a yawn. “I should go too,” she said just as Avery’s cell phone buzzed.

Avery set down her wine and picked it up. “Hi, hon,” she said, surprise tingeing her voice. Then she frowned. “What?” Her voice changed to sharp. “Are you serious?” Then Avery bit her lip and glanced at her mother. “Oh, honey, okay,” she said, smiling, but Kaelin could see how tight that smile was. “Um…okay, we’ll be there in a little bit.” She listened, her eyebrows drawing down and her eyes flickering. “Yes. Yes. Got it. Okay, bye.”

She closed her phone, still smiling toothily. “Kaelin, hon, are you okay to drive?”

“Yeah. Of course.”

“The guys want us to join them for a drink.”

Now it was Kaelin’s turn to frown. “You’re kidding. Now?”

“Yes. Come on.” She grabbed Kaelin’s hand and yanked her up off the couch. Kaelin stumbled a little and scurried after Avery’s long strides.

“Avery!” her mother called. “Where are you going?”

“Just out for a drink,” Avery snapped over her shoulder. “Don’t worry, Mom, won’t be late. You go on to bed. It’s a big day tomorrow.”

Kaelin grabbed her purse and Avery hustled her out the front door. Her car was parked on the street and she dug for her keys in her purse. “What’s going on?” she asked.

“Hold on. Get in the car.” Avery’s voice was tight.

Kaelin started the car and put it into gear. “Where are we going?”

“To the police station. Scott’s in jail.”