NICK SWALLOWED THE LAST of his drink and studied the gentle curve of Jennifer’s face as Ethan led her across the dance floor and held her way too close. If his brother’s hand drifted down her back one more time…
“You look good in a suit. You should wear one every day.” Alan Tulane walked over to join Nick at the table closest to the dance floor.
“The dry cleaner wouldn’t be too happy with all the grease and sweat stains.” As it always did, the reminder of Nick’s professional life made Alan Tulane scowl. Some things never changed.
“I’m surprised to see you here tonight. Your mother said you weren’t coming.”
“Gram wanted us to be here. Take it up with her.”
“I wasn’t complaining, Nick—we all wanted you to attend. Mind if I sit down?”
“It’s your club, not mine.” Nick took in his father’s Brooks Brothers suit, picturing his old man among the white shoe boys out on the golf course with their plaid pants and embellished polo shirts, fat Cuban cigars in their mouths.
Without a thought, Nick’s gaze shifted to the rest of his family and the uncomfortable lump in his stomach grew. Alex was wearing designer heels and a too-sexy dress, and Luke, Garret and Ethan all sported suits that cost more than his well-paid employees earned in a week. His family fit in here, and they were perfectly comfortable. But not him.
He was an exception to the Tulane majority. Normally, the club wouldn’t let someone like him through the door without a hefty contribution and a background check, but with his father’s name attached to his, the valet had parked his truck and called him “sir”. Same with the host who’d shown him and Jenn to the table located in the center of the large dining room as if he wouldn’t have been able to find it himself.
“Matt’s wound up.”
Nick focused on his son. “He’s only excited about being in the wedding.”
“It’s more likely due to him being in the punch bowl all night. That probably hasn’t helped.”
Nick’s grip tightened around his glass. “He’s fine.”
“Just thought you might want to have his blood checked, if he’s that thirsty all the time. Can’t be too careful.”
His father was just looking out for Matt. That’s why he was so critical. But what would his father do if Matt’s summer plans became public knowledge? How many lectures had Nick sat through because of his own grades and behavior?
“Matt doesn’t get a lot of sweets. When he has access to them, he enjoys them while he can. That’s all.” Which made it sound even worse. As if Matt was out of control and on a sugar binge. And his father didn’t care. “I think I’ll go save Jenn from Ethan’s four feet.”
Nick stood, more than ready to walk out the door. How long was the song going to go on?
“I’m glad you came, Nick. Christmas was six months ago.”
Nick didn’t remind his father that he knew where Nick lived and worked. That the phone lines ran both ways. He’d given up on Alan Tulane acknowledging anything positive he did a long time ago. If he screwed up, yeah, his father would be there to criticize and point out what he’d done wrong, but when he succeeded? Never that.
Nick stared down at his father’s thinning hair. Would his father like him better if he knew the net worth of Nick’s garage and gym?
“Talked to Cyrus. He and Dorothy are heartsick that they’re going to miss the wedding on Saturday. They appreciate you taking care of things for them at the grill while they’re gone.”
Nick smirked. His father liked to refer to the Old Coyote simply as the grill because he hated the name Cyrus had chosen. He said it reflected badly on the family and called to mind their less than distinguished beginnings in early New York, where their great-great-somebody had owned a pub known for the wild and wanton behavior of its patrons. Nick figured it was better than being a stick in the mud. “It’s not a problem.”
His father tugged at his ear. “Your mother and I worry, though. Matt’s out of school now. Should you be working such long hours over the summer?”
“It never stopped you.”
“Yes, but I had your mother at home to take care of things.”
“And I don’t,” Nick muttered softly. “Matt gets all the attention he needs. He isn’t neglected, and I know where he is at all times.”
“But he spends too much time alone. Under the circumstances I understand why—I think it’s amazing you do all that you do. You should be proud, Nick….”
He would be. If his father hadn’t just turned his accomplishments into a backhanded insult.
“But he’s getting to an age where boys like to stray.”
Nick barely managed to control an angry retort. Meaning boys like Nick? Was he amazing because he ran a business without a degree tacked to a wall? Where did his father get off making that kind of statement? He’d tried so hard to be the son his father had wanted him to be, and here he was, thirty years old and still trying to measure up. And failing. The same with Jennifer. He could flirt and tease, but facts were facts, and the truth was, she wasn’t for him no matter how cute she looked in her snug camisole and those heels that he could picture around his waist.
“Sorry to interrupt, but I find myself without a partner. Nick, would you make an old woman happy?”
Nick glanced down. Gram had placed a hand on his fist, the one he’d clenched in preparation of…What? Decking his own father? That would be a new low.
Recalling the events of the afternoon and thinking about how he’d felt after listening to Matt’s reading, Nick’s throat tightened into a knot he couldn’t budge. Was that what he’d turn into—someone critical and judgmental and shortsighted? His father?
“I love this song. It was one of your grandfather’s favorites. Nick?” Gram’s hand squeezed his and tugged.
Without a word, Nick led her out onto the dance floor. Ethan and Jenn were dancing, as well, which made two songs in a row. For someone who didn’t dance, she appeared to be having a lot of fun with his well-educated brother.
“Take a deep breath,” Gram ordered.
Wry amusement left him shaking his head. That’s what Gram had always said whenever one of the kids had gotten upset. Take a deep breath, think, and then react.
He did as ordered, his gaze fixed on Ethan and Jenn. So what if Jenn was having fun? Wasn’t that the point? She’d been married to a doctor. A jerk, but a doctor. Maybe she and Ethan had some things in common. Nick glanced down, struck by the fact that Gram was starting to show her age. She was still beautiful, but she wasn’t getting any younger.
“I’m sorry I was short with you today at the gym,” she said. “I let my upset get the best of me. But it makes me sad to think you don’t feel comfortable with us—sad that you don’t want to spend time with us because of that.”
He dropped a kiss onto her forehead, careful of her styled hair. “I’m sorry I’ve been such a pain over the years.”
Gram’s rich, warm chuckle filled the air. Nick’s Grandpa had had a way with words and he’d often said when people behaved like a donkey’s behind, they couldn’t be called anything but a pain.
“Oh, I’ve missed you, Nick. So many years have passed and I’ve missed you. You were always into so much and I was guaranteed to get a laugh from your antics.”
“It’s…awkward. After everything that happened.”
The lines on Gram’s face softened. “I know. But regardless of what was said, we didn’t stop loving you. Life has moved on, but you’re still one of us.”
“Sure about that? According to Dad, I’m a bad father because I’m working two businesses and not hovering over Matt twenty-four seven.”
Gram’s fingers tightened in his hand. “Alan is concerned for you both. Things went too far all those years ago. You two have made a habit of taking things too far. I’m sure your father didn’t mean to imply that. Nick, you’re both protective and hardworking. Both of you are perfectionists who want the absolute best for those you love. And you’re both blind as bats because of your pride.”
Nick prepared himself for the lecture that was sure to come.
“You butted heads over whether or not the sky was blue.”
Her expression turned thoughtful. “Maybe he sees you making some of the mistakes with Matt that he did with you, ever think of that?”
Was it possible? “I don’t want Dad criticizing Matt’s every move, the way he did mine.”
“I understand. But Alan has mellowed with age.”
“Have you informed him of that?”
Gram lifted her hand from his shoulder and swatted him gently. “Don’t sass your grandmother.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Nick slowly led her around the dance floor, his thoughts full of difficult memories. Embarrassing trips to the principal’s office, and his father’s dramatic rants about Nick’s many F’s. Cajoling, reluctant words of support that soon turned into shouts and punishments.
He looked down and saw Gram watching Matt with a sad expression on her face. “What’s wrong?”
“He’ll be a teenager soon, and you know good and well what pressures lie there. That’s what’s wrong. Drinking, partying. He needs to know he can come to any one of us for support and help—but how can he when he barely knows us?”
Nick suppressed a curse. “Gram, not tonight. You got what you wanted. We’re here now. Isn’t that enough?”
“No. No, it’s not. While I have your undivided attention on this dance floor, I want to discuss the matter. Matt’s getting older and I can tell he’s picking up on the tension in our family. He’s more watchful, more aware of the goings-on when you join us on these rare occasions. How long before he begins to ask why?” Her gaze narrowed shrewdly. “Or has he asked already?”
Somehow Nick managed to unlock his jaw. “I’ve made some excuses.”
“I see.”
“Cut me some slack, Gram. I don’t want Dad doing to Matt what he always did to me.”
“Why would you worry about that, unless…”
And there it was. Nick kicked himself in the behind as he saw the knowledge form in his grandmother’s eyes.
“When I came to get Matt for his tuxedo fitting he had papers spread across the table, as if he’d been studying. A child doesn’t do that on summer vacation. He said it was a special summer project, but I should’ve known better.”
Nick understood his son’s need for privacy, but lying to Gram wasn’t right. Even though he’d made it clear to Matt that he didn’t want the family to know. As if he was ashamed of Matt? Aw, crap. “He knows how gossip works. If people find out, chances are, his friends will, too,” Nick explained.
The older woman looked sad, her eyes still on Matt as he sat at a corner table with another boy, watching as the kid played a handheld game. “Poor thing.”
“He’ll be fine. He just has some catching up to do.”
“And I’m sure he will. Jennifer seems very nice and quite capable. Thank you for trusting me with the news. I won’t say anything to the rest of the family, although I want you to know they would only be concerned.”
And interfering. “Yeah. But thanks for keeping it to yourself.”
She sighed, and they continued to dance with an awkwardness and tension that hadn’t been there before.
“I think you should go now.”
Nick stiffened. “What?” Gram wanted him to leave? She was that upset over things?
“It appears as if your Jennifer might need you. You should go to her.”
Nick looked around at the mention of his Jennifer, and found Dixon trailing her to the bar. Ethan was nowhere to be seen and none of the other Tulanes were close enough to offer Jenn backup. “You’re the best, you know that?” He kissed Gram on the cheek.
“And you’re a Tulane,” she shot right back, her words firm and direct. “It’s about time you remembered that.”
JENNIFER STROLLED UP to the bar to get a diet soda and stared through the French doors lining the patio, waiting for her turn with the bartender. Outside, a beautiful carved stone railing overlooked the golf course, and she could see the lights from the homes lining the greens twinkling through the leaves.
“What are you doing?” Todd demanded as he came to a stop in front of her.
She stifled a groan. Barely. Talk about ruining a perfectly good view.
Jenn glared at Todd and stepped out of line, her gaze searching the huge room until she spotted an unoccupied spot nearby. She headed that way, all too aware Todd dogged her heels. “You’ve got two seconds. What do you want?”
His hands settled on his hips. “Aren’t you going to congratulate me?”
“No. The better man didn’t win.”
His face tightened. “You’re being petty.”
“I have good reason.”
“Why are you suddenly hanging out with that overgrown busboy?”
“Why do you care? And for your information, Nick is a very successful and honorable businessman.”
“If not for his last name and family connections, Nick wouldn’t be anything in this town. I grew up with him and he’s dumb as dirt, and nothing but a troublemaker who could barely string two sentences together. I thought you were a fairly intelligent woman, Jenn. Why would you go out with someone like him?”
“Because he’s a man and not a jerk?”
“Back off, Dixon. You got a problem with me, take it up with me and not Jenn.”
Nick appeared out of nowhere, walking right up to Jenn and wrapping an arm around her shoulders. He snuggled her close and pressed a soft kiss to her temple.
“You okay?”
Appreciating the supportive gesture of her guy friend, Jenn slid an arm around Nick’s waist and held tight. “Yeah, Todd was just leaving.”
“Nice try. I’m not going anywhere. I’m here to celebrate my promotion.”
“Then get to it. On the other side of the room.”
“Or what?”
“Is there a problem here?” Alan Tulane joined them, followed by Luke, Ethan and Garret. All of them scowled at Nick while Todd simply stood there and smirked.
Jenn wanted the ground to open up and swallow her.