"Something going on with you and gofer boy in there? He seems a tad bit attached, if you know what I mean."
"What? God no." I knew Greg's earlier comment about me had perked Olivia's ears. She wouldn't be concerned if she had spent the past ten days in an RV with him. He was only kidding around. The same way my brothers were always causing trouble. "You misunderstood his comment earlier. He's always kidding around like that. Trust me, he's a big goof."
"Maybe, but he seemed awfully touchy-feely in New York too. It's not like I'm judging you. I mean, he is kind of cute. I was just curious if the Love Bus had turned into an orgy on wheels."
"Oh, most definitely," I said, rolling my eyes. "We're all getting it on every night. If anything, I should be worried about you. Has it been so long that you have to live vicariously through my sex life, or let me stress, lack of sex life on the bus?"
"Hey, you don't have to worry about me. I'll get mine when I need it."
"Well, there you have it. Neither of us has anything to concern ourselves with. Now put that out. I'm starving," I said, holding the door open.
"Fine, just be careful. That's all I'm saying." She dropped her cigarette into the receptacle and followed me inside.
We returned to the table to find our drinks and fresh loaves of hot-from-the-oven bread. I was big bread lover, but I always had to reel myself in or I would eat too much and stuff myself before the meal came. Greg, who was chatting with Zachary, turned to me with concern. "Are you okay?"
"Fine. Mind your own business," I said, glancing at Olivia, who shook her head.
"Wow, does she always treat you like this?" Tony said, slapping Greg on the back.
"No worries," Greg laughed. "I thought maybe you pulled a muscle on the way to the restroom and might need a massage later," he teased.
Tony clapped his hands loudly, earning the attention of the rest of the table. "Oh, is that part of your duties? Nic, I didn't know you had turned into such a diva."
"Shut it, jerk. If you must know, he's joking about the other day when I dropped my cell phone in the seat of the RV and pulled a muscle in my shoulder trying to fish it out." Greg had been teasing me relentlessly since it happened. It was all harmless fun, but after talking with Olivia, I suddenly wished he'd shut the hell up.
"That's our girl. Believe me, Greg. She was the princess in the house growing up too," Zachary teased.
"I can cut your steak for you if you want," Greg offered, adding to the laughter.
"Har-har. You guys are so not freaking funny. I'd sleep with one eye open if I were you," I said, threatening Greg. Mom sat watching our exchange without comment. The expression on her face was very similar to the times my brothers and I had screwed up and were about to get lectured.
Chapter 13
Two hours later Mom ambushed me in my hotel room. I wouldn't have thought Olivia had been in cahoots with her, but she did conveniently need to take care of a few things before joining us.
"Is there something going on between you and Greg?" she asked, sitting on the chair in my room. She didn't even bother beating around the bush.
Even though I had a sneaky suspicion as to why Mom had followed me to my room, her bluntness caught me off guard, causing me to choke on the sip of water I had taken. "What?" I finally sputtered after regaining my breath.
Mom didn't answer nor did she move, in spite of my coughing fit. Her steely eyes remained fixated on me, which meant she was one hundred percent serious.
"Mom, I love Alec," I said incredulously.
"Honey, I realize that, but I also know when a man is interested in a woman, and Greg has it bad for you."
First Olivia, then my own mother. I had no idea why I seemed to be the only one capable of seeing Greg for who he was. I shook my head in denial. Greg and I were just friends. There was no way he thought of me as anything but that. "Seriously, Mom, he treats me like I'm one of his buddies or something. Being around him is like having Riley or Zachary on the trip. He hasn't gotten as annoying as Tony yet," I laughed at my own joke, trying to get her to smile.
She responded by shaking her head. "Do you remember when Dustin Taylor wouldn't stop pushing you down on the playground in second grade? How upset you were?"
"Really? You're comparing this to something that happened on an elementary school playground when I was eight years old?"
Her argument was silly. First of all, I was scrawny for my age and a stiff breeze could have easily blown me over. Dustin Taylor knew that, which was why he chose to torment me by pushing me down whenever the opportunity arose. At the time, Mom tried to comfort me by telling me that sometimes when a boy liked a girl he would do all kinds of silly things to get the girl's attention. Pushing me down wasn't silly. It was mean and it hurt, a lot. Six years later, a slightly more mature Dustin continued to bother me by tugging on my hair while he sat behind me in science class right before asking me to the spring social. I turned him down flat. I had been holding a grudge over all those skinned knees and raw palms.
This was different. Greg was my friend. Sure, he teased me relentlessly, but Olivia and I were snarky with each other. "Mom, you're not going to try and convince me that the reason Greg teases me is because he really likes me, are you? I mean, aren't we supposed to be a little more mature as adults?"
"Yes, you are, which is why I'm having this conversation with you. You need to put a stop to this before things go too far."
Her words hit me like a two-by-four to the face. I could only sputter as I tried coming up with a response that wouldn't hurt my own mother's feelings. "Mom, listen," I said, exhaling. "I am more than capable of maintaining a friendship with a guy without it turning into something more. I mean, give me some credit." I felt dirty. Cheating went against every fiber in my body. I was crushed she would even think I'd ever do that to Alec. He was my soul mate, my peacock. Okay, so lately I'd been struggling with the idea of commitment, and our schedules seemed to be conflicting at the moment, but it was only a rough patch. Many couples went through an adjustment period. It didn't mean I was looking to hop into bed with the next guy I met.
"I know you are, honey. I'm just trying to protect you."
Tears sprang to my eyes. "He's just a friend," I repeated.
"Honey, it may feel that way, but as an outside observer, it looks like something more. That boy has feelings for you. I may seem old and out of touch, but I still know how to read signals. As far as you and Alec, they say absence makes the heart grow fonder, but I've always said that's a pile of crap. A relationship stays strong by open communication and a healthy sex life."
"Oh my god, Mom," I implored. The last thing I wanted now was a sex talk from my mother.
She rolled her eyes. "Don't Mom me. Your father and I have always had a healthy sex life."
"Ugh, make it stop," I groaned, pretending to vomit as I plugged my ears.
Mom ignored my theatrics, waiting for me to finish before continuing. "You were saying something about being a mature adult? I'm just saying, I know this break has to be hard on you and Alec. No couple wants to be separated when they're so new into the relationship. A separation like this could put a strain on the both of you."
I pulled my bottom lip into my mouth while I processed her words. She was right. Being away from Alec was hard. A constant dull ache had taken up residence in my chest that only seemed to intensify when I was alone and allowed myself to dwell on it. Deep down in my confusion of my mixed-up feelings, I struggled over whether the pain was about missing Alec or about how scared I felt at the idea of becoming a family at such a young age. I wanted to express the latter feelings with my mother, but I couldn't bring myself to do it. They felt like feelings of betrayal.
"The separation is hard. I have no idea how military families do it. You know me. I've always done better when I get to see my loved ones on a regular basis."
"You're like me, honey. Why do you think I insist on Sunday dinners? I need at least one day each week where all my lovely chicks are back un
der my roof. Sunday dinners just haven't been the same without you."
I mulled over her words before confirming my earlier claims. "I know, but that doesn't mean I'm going to replace any of you. That goes for Alec too. I'll make sure Greg understands that."
She accepted my promise and changed the conversation to her joining me on the West Coast during the latter half of the tour. We were a month out from her trip and we still planned on driving to Forks, Washington, to pay homage to our Twilight fandomonia.
Eventually Olivia joined us and Mom decided to head out to find Dad and drag him to their room for a little alone time. I made gagging noises again and shooed her along, making Olivia chuckle.
"Thanks a lot, whore, for filling my mom's head with your ideas about Greg and me." I threw a pillow at her as she continued to laugh. "Where were you?" I asked, popping the tab of a fresh Diet Coke. I grabbed a couple chocolates from the supply I always made sure was replenished.
Olivia batted the pillow away before snagging a couple chocolates for herself. "For your information, I didn't say shit to your mom. She asked me if I knew anything and I got the hell out of there before she could start grilling me." Olivia and I never kept secrets from each other. That had been the basis of our relationship, so I had no reason to think she was lying. It just seemed awfully coincidental that my mom would want to talk about Greg when Olivia had mentioned it before dinner. I continued eyeing her skeptically as she made slow work of unwrapping one of her chocolates.
"I can feel you watching me," she said, keeping her eyes down. "I know how your mind works, and I'm telling you I didn't say a word to her. You need to accept the fact that two people have seen something going on that you claim is nothing. What does that tell you?"
"That my mom and best friend are lunatics."
"Well, it must take one to know one because you'd have to be crazy to not see that Greg wants to get a taste of you."
"Why do you have to be such a perv? Look, would it make you feel better if I told you I promised Mom I would talk to him?"
"I already told you, I'm not judging you either way. Do what you feel is right." She tossed the piece of chocolate on the bed, still unwrapped.
"All right, spill it then. If you don't really care about my supposed problem with Greg, what else is bothering you?" Olivia liked to tease that she knew me better than I knew myself, but after years of friendship, I could read her like a book.
She looked up from staring at the unwrapped chocolate sitting on the pillow. Whatever was on her mind must be serious because Olivia wasn't the type to dance around a subject. "Spill what?" Her feigned innocence was as transparent as a plate-glass window.
"Nice try. I know when you're hiding something."
"Fine, whore. While you were talking to your mom, I went back to the restaurant to have a drink with someone."
"After dinner? Who? The only people you know are—oh wait. Holy crap in a Dixie cup. You mean Tony."
She shot me a look of uncertainty that was so out of character for her that it floored me. "Is that wrong?"
My heart ached for Olivia. I loved her so dearly, but her track record with guys had always mystified me. Just when I thought she was ready to settle down into a relationship that lasted more than a couple dates, she'd dump the guy. As a bystander, I never had a vested interest in any of her relationships. I supported her as any friend would. But this was Tony. Sure, he drove me batty, but he was still my brother, which meant I loved him unconditionally and I didn't want to see him get hurt.
"It's only wrong if you're toying with him," I answered. I was stuck between a rock and a hard place. Honestly, I would love to see Olivia throw away all her hang-ups about relationships and give Tony a real chance, but I knew that was never going to happen. "I don't want to see him shredded." My answer was harsh but had to be said.
I expected her to retaliate with a typical snarky reply, but she shocked me again. "I'm not toying with him, and I don't want to hurt him. Hell, I don't know why I said yes for once. Maybe I felt like throwing him a bone." Her shoulders sagged as she sank into the pillows.
I had no idea what had happened to my hard-as-nails friend. The one who never seemed to care if the guy's feelings were hurt as long as he left without a word. "Oh my god. You like him."
She turned her head to look at me.
"You like him a lot," I repeated. "Don't you?"
"Don't get your happy panties on just yet. I don't not like him. That's where we're starting." Olivia could say what she wanted, but I could see it written all over her face. Tony had finally managed to weasel his way beneath her defenses.
"Does he know you don't not like him?" I asked, using her words.
"All Tony knows is we had a drink together. That's all he's going to know for now, and I would appreciate it if you kept it that way." She pulled a pillow from behind her head and chucked it at my head.
"Fine, but when you announce your engagement I'm definitely the maid of honor, right?" I laughed as she flipped me off.
"Don't even joke about that. Just because I opened the door for him doesn't mean he's in yet. Like I've said before, I want to make sure this won't lead to something that ruins our friendship."
I was relieved to hear Olivia stating the same concerns I had. It meant she was at least looking at Tony as something other than a one-night stand. "Liv, you should know that nothing is ever going to change our friendship. I don't want to see you get hurt any more than I do Tony. I love you both."
"I love you too. Just keep quiet for now," she muttered, climbing on the bed with me. We lay back on the king-sized bed, studying the texture of the popcorn ceiling. The silence stretched on for several minutes. "What am I going to do, Nic?" Olivia asked, finally breaking the silence.
I reached over and linked my pinkie with hers. "It's time you finally followed your heart."
Chapter 14
Normally I shared a hotel room with Michelle during the tour stops, but she switched rooms with Olivia after our dinner earlier that evening. We continued talking about our man woes late into the night, polishing off all my chocolates and two slices of cake we ordered from room service. Olivia didn't seem at all shocked when I told her the details of my mom's ambush about Greg. Maybe they were right and my head was the only one stuck in the sand.
Neither Olivia nor I came up with an easy solution that didn't involve me confronting Greg. The volume on the TV was low, playing one mindless infomercial after another. I was convinced I needed the Bacon Bowl. Eventually, we fell into a sugar coma, somewhere between the amazing expanding hose and the latest fitness workout that was sure to help me shed fifty pounds in ninety days.
I woke up the next morning in an all too familiar position—Olivia's hand lying across my face. For someone who hated displays of affection, she had no problem invading my personal space anytime we shared the same bed. I was tempted to bite her, but I tossed her hand to the side instead, waking her up.
"Are you trying to hold my hand?" she asked without opening her eyes.
I snorted, reaching for the hair tie I'd left on the nightstand table. "You're the one who was trying to get fresh with me," I said, stretching. I pulled my hair up into a messy bun and yanked open the heavy curtains. Olivia groaned, pulling a pillow up over her face to block the sun that was streaming through the window. Last night our binge eating seemed harmless, but glancing around at the remnants scattered about the floor, we had clearly overdone it. "You need to get up, bum," I told her. "Mom wants us all to meet for brunch in an hour."
"I'm not going," she replied in a muffled voice beneath the pillow.
"Don't be a baby. You can't hide from Tony after one drink together. Besides, if I have to face Greg, there's no way you're getting out of going. I need you for moral support."
"Did you decide what you're going to do about that?" Olivia lifted the pillow from her face and propped herself up on one elbow.
"No," I sighed, picking up my phone to text Alec. I'd been so wrapped up in my fa
mily and the drama that came with them, I'd forgotten to call him.
Sorry I missed our call. Went to dinner with my family and time got away from me.
His reply came almost instantly. That's okay, beautiful. Candace took pity on me and invited me over for dinner when I dropped Lily off. How was the signing?
I stared at his message for a moment before answering. He had eaten dinner with Candace four times in the last ten days. A mature adult would give him the benefit of the doubt, but four times in less than two weeks seemed a little excessive. I could hear the jealousy dragon whispering in my ear, taunting me. I had met Candace a couple times and liked her, but I couldn't help wondering if she'd been waiting in the wings to swoop in and claim Alec. It was aggravating.
You still there? Alec texted when I didn't answer.
Yeah. The signing was good. My answer was passive compared to what I really wanted to say.
That's good, babe. I'm sorry I had to miss it. Eventually things will get back to normal.
Me too, I texted, pushing the dragon back to the pits where it belonged. I'm supposed to meet everyone for brunch so I better go. I'll call you later.
Okay, love. Tell your family I said hi. I love you.
Ok. Love you too, I typed. I tossed the phone on the edge of the bed in frustration. How ironic that Mom and Olivia were worried about me when my boyfriend was back at home spending every evening with someone he'd slept with. Someone he shared a child with.
"Everything okay?" Olivia asked as my phone slid off the bed and landed on the floor.
"Fine," I grumbled, stomping into the bathroom and slamming the door behind me.
I hoped the shower would cool me off, but my sour mood still lingered after getting dressed. Olivia remained quiet while she got ready. I rarely had bad moods, but when it happened I didn't want to talk about it.
Everyone was already waiting in the reception area of the restaurant when Olivia and I arrived. Greg smiled broadly, making a move toward me, but I squeezed myself between Mom and Dad as the hostess showed us to our table. I managed to snag the chair between them and thankfully Greg was stuck at the far end of the table. In my current state of mind I wasn't ready to tackle that problem. Olivia wasn't as lucky. Tony gave her no option but to sit next to him when he all but bumped Riley out of the seat next to her. The look on Olivia's face might have been funny if I wouldn't have been stewing over Alec.