The Player (23 page)

“Yes,” Blair said, heading for the door.

“Not yet!” Megan yelled, blocking the door. “We’re still working on the cake.”

“Well, okay . . .”

They heard her clomp off and Libby hopped onto a barstool. “The sooner we get our answer, the sooner we’ll let you out of here. Why don’t you start with what’s going on between you and Garrett?”

Blair’s preservation instinct sprang into action before she even realized what she was doing. “You want do to the sharing thing? How about we start with what’s going on with
you
and
Noah?
”

Her friend folded her hands on the table and rolled her eyes. “Fine, if you want to start with me, we will, but you have to agree to answer our questions too.”

Blair put her hands on her hips. “Fine.” She figured she’d badger Libby with enough questions to exasperate her into giving up her witch-hunt. “Now tell us about Noah.”

“Quit trying to make something out of it that’s not there. We’re just friends.”

“A friend who spends the night?” Megan asked.

“He sleeps on the sofa,” Libby protested good-naturedly. “
That
’
s
not the topic of discussion. And don’t help her deflect, Megan.”

“Why not?” Blair asked, leaning against the bar counter. “I thought we were having
girl talk
.”

Megan shot a glance out the back windows, her brow wrinkling with worry. Despite all her posturing, Megan would soon cave to the societal demand to appease her mother and her guests. Blair crossed her arms, feeling a bit evil. Better to feel evil and in control than on the verge of a panic attack.

Suddenly she realized how much the three of them had changed. Once they’d known everything about each other. It made sense that their friendship had changed—they all had their own lives, their own careers—but both Megan and Libby had found close relationships with other people. Blair had been stuck in the same place for years: alone.

The thought of being alone forever was suddenly terrifying, but then she reminded herself she wouldn’t be alone. She’d have Neil. Why didn’t that make her feel better?

Libby groaned. “I don’t expect you two to understand, which is why I haven’t told you much about it. I knew you’d react exactly this way.” She shrugged. “We’re friends, end of story. Other than this week, we haven’t seen each other since last month when he was here for business.”

“And Mitch is good with this?” Blair asked, intentionally sounding judgmental.

Libby gave them a tight smile. “Mitch trusts me, while you two obviously don’t.” Strangely enough, she didn’t sound offended. It was more as if she were stating a fact. Then she turned her attention on Blair. “But it’s easier to focus on my relationships than your own, isn’t it?”

Blair lifted her chin. “There’s nothing to discuss, and there is no plural ‘relationships.’ Just the one.”

“What’s going on with Garrett?” Megan asked.

She waved her hand in frustration. “Nothing you don’t already know. He’s Neil’s cousin, so he’s a groomsman now, thanks to their domineering grandmother . . . who, by the way, creeps me out. She watches everything like a damn eagle. What woman drags her grandson to a wedding shower? And why did he agree to come?” Her voice rose, and she knew she was losing control once more.

Megan leaned forward. “We all know his grandmother dragged him here. That’s not why we’re hiding in my kitchen while Neil’s niece and nephew destroy my parents’ backyard. How do you
feel
about him being here?”

She kept her voice cold. “I’m unhappy about it, and I have every right to be. What woman wants her ex-boyfriend at her wedding shower?”

“Blair,” Megan protested. “Josh told me it was pretty obvious there were some major sparks between you and Garrett. You can’t ignore that. Especially since you and Neil have none.”

Her eyes narrowed. “We have sparks.”

“Oh, please!” Libby snorted. “We all saw that kiss with Neil. Talk about awkward. If we counted on your chemistry to start a fire in a blizzard, we’d freeze to death. There is
nothing
there.”

“He caught me off guard,” Blair said in defense. “Besides, there’s more to a relationship than sparks.”

“Surely you don’t believe that,” Libby said softly. “Why won’t you tell us how you
feel?
”

“Again with the
feelings,
” Blair moaned. “Why do we have to discuss
feelings?
”

Megan frowned. “Because no matter what front you present to the world, you are not a cyborg. We’re your friends; we know you are actually capable of emotion.”

Blair lifted her eyebrows. “Cyborg?”

Megan shook her head and made a dismissive gesture with one hand. “Josh’s influence, but so not the point.”

“But it is the point,” Blair protested. “It’s
exactly
the point.” She put her hand on the counter and leaned forward. “Since when have you ever paid attention to anything the least bit sci-fi?” She turned to Libby. “And when did you start having guys as friends?” She waited for a moment, then pressed on, as if delivering a rousing closing statement in court. “You two have relationships I don’t understand. Have I been judgmental?”

“Yes,” both of her friends said simultaneously.

“Okay,” she agreed. “I have. But you still have them anyway, right? Live and let live—isn’t that your motto, Libby?”

She grimaced. “Not exactly . . .”

“Close enough. But isn’t it hypocritical of you guys to judge me when you’re doing exactly what you want? Why can’t I?”

They exchanged exasperated looks, then Megan turned to Blair. “You’re right, in a way. But we’re both happy. You’re not.”

“I am—”

Megan’s eyes narrowed. “Please don’t insult us. We know you too well for that.”

Blair sighed and stood upright. “Just because Neil and I don’t hold hands and make out in public doesn’t mean I’m not happy. Everyone has their own definition of happy.”

“And what’s yours?”

She’d never really asked herself that question before. “Winning every case and making partner.”

“And?”

She shrugged. “Probably buying a house and doing some traveling.”

Megan’s eyes pierced hers. “Where does Neil fit into this?”

Blair groaned. “He’s part of it.”

“Yet you made no mention of him.” Megan held up her hands when Blair started to protest. “Do you love him?”

Blair didn’t answer. She knew Megan and Libby didn’t understand her feelings for him, but she wasn’t like them. She didn’t expect them to understand.

Megan looked hopeful. “And what about Garrett?”

Blair’s back stiffened. “
Why are we back to him?
”

“Even if Josh hadn’t caught you guys in this kitchen, it’s plain as day he’s still interested in you. And I can tell you still feel something for him. So can Libby.” Megan continued to stare at her, waiting for some sort of response. “What are you going to do about it?”

A molten core of anger erupted in her then. “I’m not going to do a damn thing about it. I’m getting married, Megan, in case you didn’t get the clue from the gold embossed invitation and the taffeta bridesmaid dress.”

Libby exchanged a look with Megan before turning toward Blair. “We want you to rethink this wedding.”

“Why?” she asked, sounding snotty. “Because you don’t approve of the way I reacted to Neil’s kiss?”

“Blair,” Libby sighed.

She shook her head. “Our relationship isn’t based on passion and hormones. I’ve already told you that. Many times.”

“And each time I keep hoping you’re pulling my leg. That’s no kind of relationship at all.”

“I’ve done the whole
can
’
t eat or sleep, let the guy consume your every thought
relationship, and look how that turned out.”

“Blair,” Megan said, lowering her voice. “You can’t give up on love because you got your heart broken one time.”

“Yes, I can.”

Silence and tension hung heavy between them.

“You never told us much about Garrett,” Megan said. “You were busy in law school. Libby was in graduate school. I was out in Seattle. All we knew was that you were dating this really awesome guy, and then he dumped you to play the field.”

Blair shrugged. “What more is there to say?”

“Surely there’s more to it.”

“What do you want me to say, Megs? That I must be a bad lay?”

“Blair!” Megan gasped. “No.”

“Look,” Libby said. “I think what Megan is trying to say is that the guy is still very interested in you. He couldn’t keep his eyes off you the entire evening.”

Blair tilted her head back and groaned. “He’s only acting like that because Neil’s my fiancé. They hate each other. Garrett Lowry doesn’t do relationships. Remove Neil from the equation and he’s gone.”

Megan looked into Blair’s eyes. “So remove Neil from the equation.”

Her body stiffened. What if she
did
remove Neil from the equation? What if she said to hell with it all? So, she’d lose her job. She’d earned a reputation she could use to her advantage. True, it wouldn’t be in Kansas City, which would mean she’d have to move. It wasn’t the end of the world. But the moment she let herself really consider it, paralyzing fear overcame her. To cancel the wedding now would humiliate her in front of everyone. And Blair couldn’t willingly risk humiliation.

This was beyond ridiculous. A week ago she was perfectly content with her life. Wasn’t that proof enough to leave things the way they were?

Her jaw tightened as she stared at her friends. “I’m getting married this weekend. My career depends on this wedding going smoothly. This is
not
up for discussion.”

“Your
job
depends on this wedding, not your career. You can go somewhere else, Blair,” Libby said, echoing her thoughts of a moment ago. “In fact, maybe you should. What kind of company forces their employees to get married in order to make partner?”

Blair took a step backward. “I know you two don’t understand, but I ask that you support my decision. Can you do that?”

Both women looked up at her with sadness and sympathy, which killed her even more. Sympathy meant they saw her as weak. Weak meant vulnerable. She couldn’t afford to be either.

“Yes,” they finally said in unison.

“We’re here for you, no matter what,” Megan added.

“Thank you.” Blair picked up the cake on the counter and headed for the back door. “Now it’s time to go back to the party.” And back to the nightmare that had become her life.

Garrett watched the three women practically run into the house. Maybe he’d gone too far.

Noah patted his arm and tilted his head toward the back door, chuckling. “That’s a good thing.”

Was it? He knew he had to knock Blair out of her comfort zone to reach her, but it killed him that he was hurting her in the process. If he only had more time . . . but he didn’t.

Lost in thought, it took him a moment to realize that Neil was standing in front of him, his eyes dark with anger. “We need to talk.”

Garrett rose from his chair and stood face to face with his cousin. “I agree.”

Josh and Noah got to their feet as well. “I’m not sure that’s such a good idea,” Josh said.

“No,” Nana Ruby barked. “You two go talk out your differences.”

“Oh, for goodness sake,” Dena groaned. “Please tell me that you two aren’t going to duke it out over that stupid ring.”

Neil’s eyes hardened. “We’re fighting over something, all right.”

Josh glanced around the yard, worried. “Maybe you should go in the front.”

“I think by the shed is good enough,” Neil said with a toothy grin. “I want to be here when Blair comes out.”

“Sounds good to me,” Garrett forced out, stomping over in that direction.

Neil followed him, and as soon as they rounded the corner, he lost all pretense of playing the nice guy. “What the hell do you think you’re doing, Garrett?” he asked in a low voice. “What are you
really
doing here?”

“I already told you. Nana made me come.”

“Bull shit. Nana didn’t make you write that answer.”

“At least I was being truthful. And what would your answer be? That you saw her and got dollar signs in your eyes?”

Neil rolled his eyes. “There’s more to us than that.”

“You don’t love her, you prick. You don’t deserve her.”

Bewilderment covered Neil’s face. “And now you think you do? You’re only hurting her more.” He swallowed, his eyes turning cold. “What happened in the kitchen before I walked in, Garrett?”

“Why don’t you ask Blair?”

“Because I’m asking you.”

Garrett refused to answer.

Neil poked Garrett’s chest. “You keep your hands
off
my fiancée.”

“How would you notice? You’re too busy screwing other women to give her the attention she deserves.” He fisted his hands at his sides. “I intend to make sure she knows she has a
choice
.”

“With you?” Neil laughed. “You’re delusional if you think she’d go back to you.” He shrugged. “If you want to break us up so badly, why don’t you just tell her about Layla?”