Stripped

  “You can’t know what it means that you’d ask, that you’d really want me here. It’s a good reminder that I’m loved. But I need a quiet place to work. And someday I might actually have sex again so my own place is a good thing. It’s not like I’ll be far away. Oakley is still a small town. No matter where I live, I’ll be less than ten minutes from you.”

  “I want you to be here with me,” Kelly repeated, but with resignation. With a sigh she opened the closet doors and pulled out hangers. “Mom and Howard are anxious to see you, too. She’s pissed you aren’t staying with them.”

  Rori left that alone as she began to unpack. Kelly hung clothes while Rori folded and placed things into the nearby chest of drawers. “I know. Mom gave me the lecture already over the phone last week. What a treat it would be to stay with her and Howard, huh?” She’d need to get a local therapist if that happened.

  “Anyway, if I stayed with her, I’d rob her of her righteous indignation. She’s determined to be offended no matter what I do. I may as well oblige her and make myself happy in the bargain. She was offended when I went away to college. She was offended when I went to graduate school. She was offended when I moved to Paris. Now she’s happy that I’m moving back but offended I’m not staying with her and her new husband in a two-bedroom condo.” She shrugged. “She’ll be offended no matter what I do. Anyway, if I didn’t give her something to be upset over, she’d just turn to you. I figure you and I need to take turns.”

  Kelly’s long sigh reflected Rori’s emotions regarding their mother. “I’d say she means well. We both know she does. But I also know she doesn’t spend enough time thinking about the way she talks to you and how what she says affects you. God, it still makes me so mad to think about the way she used to go on and on about your looks!” Kelly fumed. Then, with a resigned shrug she blew her hair out of her eyes and grinned. “Wait until she sees you.”

  “It’s not about her. Clear skin, a better hairstyle and a smaller dress size don’t make me a better person. Doesn’t make me noble or special. It just means my outer package is nicer to look at, but it has nothing to do with the kind of person I am now. I don’t want to ever give her the impression that my life is better because I’m prettier now, or whatever.”

  Rori had left Oakley ten years before, with braces, glasses, sporting an awful case of acne, and carrying the evidence of the way she ate her fucking feelings. Gotten away from a mother who either cooked meals laden with cream or deep fat fried them all while constantly picking at her younger daughter’s appearance.

  Being away from that constant assault on her self-esteem and undermining of her body had been a big healing point. Emotionally, Rori began to shed her old self within weeks. Getting the braces off and a pair of contacts had been the first physical changes. The acne had cleared with the absence of her mother and the crappy diet.

  Her exposure to the rest of the world had helped Rori understand a lot of the crap she’d been carrying around belonged to her mother. School helped her remember she was smart and capable. Dating had helped with the insecurities about her appearance and desirability.

  Now she bore very little resemblance to the painfully shy girl she’d been when she left town. The biggest change though, was on the inside; she finally loved herself and it showed. She’d set goals for herself and had met them. She’d survived. She’d believed in herself and that was the best thing of all. It was important that she not let anyone reduce it to having lost some weight and being prettier on the outside. She was more than that and she’d never let anyone put her back in that place of doubt again.

  “Of course it’s not about that. Or even about her. You look great, Rori. Why should you diminish that you’re beautiful and sexy as well as smart and accomplished? She will only see the outside, you know that. We know better.”

  Dealing with her mother, even just talking about it always made Rori tired.

  “Anyway—” Kelly went back to hanging things up, “—you’re a vixen now and the male inhabitants of Oakley are most definitely going to notice that.”

  “I had to catch up with you. Five years older than me, and you have two kids, it’s not like you’d know it to look at you. It’s like you get more beautiful each time I see you.”

  “Another reason why I’d like it if you lived here. The constant compliments. Makes an old lady like me all happy.”

  Kelly had always been beautiful, both inside and out. Where Rori was tall and had been gawky and heavy, Kelly was small, like a little doll with giant blue eyes. She’d married her high school sweetheart, Max Harris, who was, of course, the quarterback to her head cheerleader. They were a really lovely couple and their sons were big, like their daddy, with his black hair and Kelly’s blue eyes.

  If Kelly hadn’t been her best friend as well as her sister, Rori probably would have hated her. Instead, the two sisters, as different as they could be, had always been there for each other, always supporting and loving when needed. Without Kelly, Rori didn’t know if she’d have been able to get past her mother’s constant carping on her appearance.

  Kelly hung up the last sweater and closed the closet. “Come on downstairs, then. The boys will be getting home from school soon and they’ve been talking about you nonstop since your announcement about moving back to town.”

  Rori followed her sister downstairs.

  “Today’s paper is on the table there. Why don’t you look through the ads for places to live if you’re determined that way.”

  Rori hid her smirk and settled in at the breakfast nook in the sunny kitchen and caught up on gossip as they drank iced tea and looked through the ads for rentals.

  “I hear the bus. Prepare yourself.” Kelly sipped her tea as they both angled their attention toward the front door.

  Shane and Alex burst through the door and suddenly there was a jumble of arms and legs and backpacks as the boys jumped onto Rori, hugging her.

  “My goodness, who are these handsome men? Wait, are these my nephews? These brawny dudes? It can’t be!” She greedily soaked up all the hugs, kisses and love. These boys were a huge part of the reason she’d come back to Oakley.

  There was talk of baseball games and schedules, friends, school and other gossip they both needed to fill her in on until she tossed Alex her keys and told them presents awaited them in her trunk.

  They scrambled out of the room and through the front door.

  “You spoil them.” Kelly refilled the teas before getting up to move around the kitchen.

  “Of course I do, it pays to have good-looking men who adore me. Your boys are true to me, it’s more than I’ve had recently.”

  “Speaking of that, Jude is still single.” Kelly shot her a sly look.

  Jude Callahan, the guy who’d been the star of every one of Rori’s girlhood fantasies. Despite his bad boy behavior, he’d always been nice to Rori. He’d flirted and stopped when they were at school to chat and catch up. He’d made her feel like an actual girl instead of a shy lump. He was also Max’s half brother.

  “That so?” She smiled at Kelly, not even bothering to hide her interest. Jude had been that unattainable ideal. The boy whose name she’d written probably ten thousand times on countless sheets of notebook paper.

  “Yep. He’s working with Max.”

  She burst out laughing. “Jude Callahan is a cop?”

  “Yep.”

  “Hmm. I can only imagine what he looks like in a uniform.” Rori raised an eyebrow at her sister.

  “Oh yeah.” Kelli nodded, fanning her face.

  The boys came back into the house clutching their presents. Paper flew and she got more hugs and kisses in thanks. She could only understand one in every five words because they both spoke at the same time, but she got the gist.

  “All right, boys, go and do your homework.” Kelly barely stifled a grin, her voice mock-stern. “It’s game night so we’re eating early. Daddy will be home in half an hour. Go on.”

  They ran off up the stairs, still talki
ng about the presents.

  She shot Rori an annoyed look that was ruined by the slight curve at the corner of her mouth.

  “Don’t begrudge me the only male attention I’ve had in six months.” Rori laughed at her sister’s put-upon face and brushed her hands off. “Now, let’s get dinner started shall we? I’m going to call these people about the ads.”

  Rori called and made appointments for the next day to go out and look at two apartments and a small house. Afterward, she cut up tomatoes and other salad fixings while Kelly made a quick spaghetti sauce and boiled noodles. She also called her mother and made plans for a dinner at her condo on Sunday afternoon.

  “I’m home.” Max’s deep voice sounded from the front hallway.

  “Hey, Max, we’re back here. Dinner is just about ready. Grab the boys will you?”

  He poked his head into the kitchen. “Hey, you.” He swept Rori into a hug, kissing her cheek. “Glad you made it in all right.”

  Leaning forward, he gave his wife a far less platonic kiss than Rori had just received. The two of them always looked at each other as if no one else existed. “Mmm. I’m headed upstairs to change. I’ll deal with the boys and be back down shortly.”

  Dinner was far more raucous than the last time she’d eaten with them. Both boys were a lot older and had plenty to tell their aunt about their lives. Competitive. Shane was so bold and vibrant, Alex the shyer of the two, but more intense. Each carried the best parts of their parents. She didn’t envy Kelly and Max’s job over the next years as the boys got into teenagerhood.

  “You reconsidering moving back here yet?” Max helped clear the dishes. “I figure a few hours’ exposure to my sons and suddenly Paris is looking a lot better.”

  “Ha! Your boys are a million times more appealing than Paris. Anyway, you two are raising some amazing kids. I’m in awe.”

  Her brother-in-law ducked his head. “Thanks. It’s harder than I ever imagined it would be. Raising kids. I can’t take the credit though. It’s all your sister.”

  “You know I think my sister is an awesome mom, but there’s a lot of you in them too. You’ve got a great house. Great kids and a fabulous wife. Not a bad life, eh?”

  He gave her a one armed hug. “Not at all. I’m glad you’re back. Kelly needs you around and the boys are thrilled to have you back. Me too.”

  * * *

  When they got to the park, the boys scampered off to talk with friends and Rori took an appreciative look around. Things had changed in the time she’d been away.

  “Dude, this place looks pretty posh compared to the old days when your ass would be flat and aching by the seventh inning stretch,” Rori told her sister as they moved into the bleachers to sit and watch the game.

  “You’re making so many people’s day.” Kelly looked around. “They know you, but they don’t quite know you. Who is that new girl?” She laughed. “I bet you there’s a lot of texting and phone calling about you right now.”

  “Gotta get used to that again.” Rori should have expected people would start recognizing her. It was a small town and anyone new automatically stuck out, especially at an event like this one.

  “Oh my lands! Rori Simon? Is that you?”

  Rori turned to catch sight of a small woman with bright red hair and blue eyes. “Becky! Hi, how are you?” Becky Helm had been a pretty good friend back in high school, but they’d lost touch when Rori had gone away to school.

  “Oh you know, same old. I love what you’ve done with your hair. What are you doing in town? We should get together before you leave and catch up.”

  “I’d love that. I’m actually here in Oakley for good now. I missed Kelly and the boys so much. I thought I’d try living back here. I’ve thought about you often and wondered how you were.”

  “Are you staying at Kelly’s?”

  “Yes, for now. I’m looking for a place of my own, though.”

  “Well I have her number and I’ll call you. We should grab a drink, go dancing. I just got divorced and I need to kick up my heels.” Becky said this bluntly, with only a hint of sadness.

  Rori didn’t know what to say. Divorce was an unimaginable sorrow to her, although she could identify with coming out of a long relationship. “Oh really? I’m sorry. I didn’t even know you got married.”

  “Paul Prentice. The sorry, drinking, cheating jerk.”

  Rori winced. “Ah. Well.” Paul Prentice was all of those things even back in high school.

  “Yeah, I know, it’s not like that’s news.”

  Maybe so, but it hurt like hell to be the person who got a big wallop of truth right to the heart. “Honey, if making perfect choices was a requirement for living I wouldn’t be here. I’ve just ejected my own sorry, cheating, jerk from my life. We’re better for it.”

  “True, but the bed gets cold.” Becky sniffed.

  “Yeah, it does.” Rori added, “But that’s what down comforters and sex toys are for.”

  They chatted for another minute or two before turning their focus back on the game. Rori didn’t want to miss anything Shane did on the field below.

  After a while she leaned across Kelly to talk to Max. “Dang, he’s just like you, Max.” Max was Mr. Sports back in the day and Shane looked to be a natural, too.

  “He loves sports but I don’t push. I had enough of that myself. He chose soccer over football this year—he’s really good. Alex is, too.” Max nodded in the direction of the youngest Harris son who was—Rori’s attention snapped back—oh good Lord, walking over with his uncle Jude.

  Kelly gave her a subtle pinch and Rori put on her nonchalant face as he approached.

  “Hey, Max, Kel. What’s the score?” he asked absently, handing hotdogs and sodas down the row. “Sorry I’m late, got a call. Jerry Wallace again.” He rolled his eyes, bringing a laugh from Max. Jude looked at Kelly and then at Rori, flashing a saucy smile before turning back toward the field. Moments later he jerked his head back around, really seeing her.

  “Rori? My God, is that you?” He quickly got up and pushed his way past Kelly, plopping down next to Rori.

  Rori took a deep breath. Don’t drool or yank off your shirt, and remember to breathe.

  “Hey yourself. How are you?” Oh, nicely done. Impressed with herself, she relaxed a little, happy her shirt was still on and she hadn’t grabbed that notable bulge in his lap.

  “Max said you were moving back here from Paris. I guess I didn’t think it would be so soon. Why? Not that I’m not happy to see you and all. I’m just curious.”

  “I missed Kelly and the boys and even my mother. I can work just about anywhere, so I let Kel talk me into moving back here. Once I got everything tied up, I just came straight back. ”

  “That’s some decisiveness right there.” He gave her a slow, sexy smile that set off her hormones like pinball machine lights. “It’ll be nice to have you back in town. Max said you write books.”

  “Yes.”

  “Is it the good stuff?” The way he looked at her just then let her know what he meant.

  She leaned in and whispered in his ear, “Of course.” Unable to resist, she breathed him in. Damn, he smelled good. He looked good, too. His hair, which used to be long and blond, was now much shorter—had to be, she supposed, to be a cop. Short or long, it was still very sexy.

  He had a different mother than Max, so while Max had his mom’s blue eyes, Jude bore his mother’s green ones. He wasn’t as broad or tall as Max, either, but he still stood at six feet and had, from what she could tell, and from a very detailed set of memories, nicely defined arms.

  “That so?” he drawled with a sexy grin. “I’ll have to read it sometime. You look really good. I like your hair.”

  “Oh thanks.” She resisted the urge to run her fingers through it and give it a shake. She’d do it later. “It was always naturally curly, it just needed the right cut and products to get rid of the frizz and…never mind. That’s probably more than you wanted to know.” She broke off her explanat
ion with a laugh.

  “Isn’t anyone going to introduce me to the beautiful woman?”

  Jude and Rori turned to see Ryan Lassiter standing there grinning. “Hi, Ryan. How are you?” She waved.

  Ryan cocked his head.

  “It’s Rori Simon, Ry,” Max helped. Ryan Lassiter was another one of those big corn-fed boys who was easy on the eyes. Rori knew a lot of them because of Kelly’s relationship with Max. Many of them had treated her like a little sister, which made things a little more tolerable when she had no date for the prom. At least she had some positive male attention.

  “Nuh uh! Get out. Damn, girl! How are you?” He hugged her, sitting down on her other side.

  “I’m good.” Her attention moved back to the game. “Oh, way to go, Shane!” she called out when her nephew struck out yet another batter. “And you?”

  “Working.” He leaned closer, bumping her playfully. “Playing when I can. We should catch up. Max is always bragging on you, so we hear updates, but it’s been forever since I’ve seen you last.”

  “She’s moving back to Oakley.” Kelly passed a bottle of water to Rori.

  “I’m in the process of looking for a place now.” The two men on either side of her were so delicious she forced herself to keep watching Shane. It was either that or take a bite out of one or both of them. Man, she needed to get laid.

  “You know, there’s an apartment in my complex for rent. Just opened up. A two bedroom.” Jude shrugged. “You should check it out. The complex is nice. Quiet. Decent rent, the landlord is a good enough guy.”

  “No crime because half the police force lives there—Ryan, Sean, several of the other guys too,” Max added.

  “Fine, just push my sister out the front door, Max,” Kelly said with a pretty pout.

  “Hey, I was just trying to help. She knows she’s welcome at ours as long as she wants to stay. She’s a grown woman, honey, she’s going to want her own place.” Max bent to drop a kiss on his wife’s lips.