After the Rain (The Callahans) (24 page)

Kylie sighed, doing her best to avoid an emotional breakdown. “Give it a rest, will you? When I left, I was pretty sure this was going to happen anyway. I’m not all that surprised.” She really wasn’t. The look in Trey’s eyes, when she’d walked away from him the night of the wedding, had spoken a thousand words. He was going to let her go. He couldn’t face the idea of commitment. Hell, he hadn’t even been able to look her in the eye when he’d halfheartedly asked her to stay.

“Well, he may be good looking but he’s a coward. No one needs that,” Kate said, matter-of-factly. “If you ask me, you’re well rid of him.”

“I think you should take some time and think things over,” Richard suggested, shooting Kate a look of annoyance. “Give it a few more days. He many not even know you’re home.”

“He knows she’s home, Richard. She doesn’t live in Australia.”

“Well, I think you should give it a little more time,” he repeated, ignoring Kate. “Wait a day or two and then if he hasn’t called you, you have to decide whether he’s worth it to hang on to. And if he is, call him.” He winked at Kylie then reached over and squeezed her shoulder. “I hate to dash but I have to feed Mittens.”

Mittens was Richard’s cat—or rather his
child
, as he so often described the large tabby. When he had left, Kate rolled her eyes.

“What?”

Kate just shook her head. “Nothing.”

Kylie smiled halfway. “Richard thinks you’re cute, you know. He told me that a while back.”

Kate narrowed her eyes. “Kylie, Richard is gay. Even I am not hard enough up to date a gay guy.”

Kylie frowned. “He’s not gay.”

Kate raised a brow. “Did you not hear the advice he was giving you? I couldn’t have said things better to you myself. Not only that, he has more designer shoes than I do.” Kate rolled her eyes. “And let’s not forget Mittens. God’s sake, what kind heterosexual man would ever name his cat Mittens? It’s just not done.”

“He talks about women. He
dates
women,” Kylie argued, still perplexed.

“He is gay,” Kate repeated, taking a swig of margarita. “Maybe he just doesn’t know it yet. Or maybe he just doesn’t want
us
to know it—but he’s gay.”

Kylie mulled that over for a while and then shrugged. “I suppose there’s no changing your mind.”

“Not really,” Kate agreed. “I think it’s time we stop the pity party. Let’s watch some television.” She flipped on the small TV that sat in a corner of the room. She curled up next to Kylie on the couch and they watched an episode of
Oprah
.
Dr. Phil
came next, followed by the local news.

Kate flipped the channels and landed on a baseball game. It was Texas versus Oakland. Kylie immediately thought of Trey’s brother. She’d only met him briefly, but she knew he played for the Rangers.

“Hot men in tight pants,” Kate said, setting down the remote.

“Trey’s brother plays for them.”

Kate squinted at the television set. “No kidding? What’s his name?”

“Beau. I don’t know what his position is.”

“Do they have positions in baseball?” Kate asked, frowning.

“Yes, they do,” Kylie laughed, rolling her eyes. “Like first base and what not. Even I know that.”

“Well, I don’t follow baseball. Let’s see if we can find him.”

They watched the game for a few minutes and eventually Beau Callahan came up to the plate to bat.

Kate let out a whistle of appreciation. “Okay, maybe I was a bit hasty. If his brother looks anything like him you need to call him right away.”

Kylie smiled at that. The Callahan men were good looking there was no denying that.

“He’s probably a whore,” Kate said, flipping the television off. “Most men in jobs like that are.”

“That’s a little judgmental isn’t it?”

“It’s just a fact. A guy like that probably has more groupies than he knows what to do with.” Standing up, Kate stretched. “Are you going to be okay if I head home now? I have some last minute class planning to do before tomorrow.”

School would be starting the next day and Kylie supposed she ought to be planning some things out for her own class. She watched Kate leave and then sat back down on the couch. Seeing Beau had reminded her of the family get-together at Mamaw’s. That had been a good night.

Feeling her heart squeeze, she let out a sigh. She had to get her mind off Trey. This was getting ridiculous.

Turning on the light, she grabbed some reading glasses and went to work writing in her planner.

25

Kylie spent the next couple of days thinking about what both Kate and Richard had said. She had also gotten a little advice from her mother, who was the only one of the group who had actually met Trey in person.

“He’s a good man, honey. But you may have to be patient with him.”

Kylie propped the phone against her shoulder and thought about that. Faye had told her the same thing. “Kate and Richard think I should call him.”

“It couldn’t hurt to try,” Felice said. “Just call the house and talk to Faye first. See how that goes.”

So that was what Kylie was doing now. It took four rings before the phone at the farm was picked up. Faye answered and was delighted to hear from her friend.

“We just got back a couple of days ago and I’ve been meaning to call you.”

“How was the trip?” Kylie asked, sitting down at her small breakfast nook.

“It was awesome. Beaches and blue sky. Everything is so beautiful in Hawaii.”

“I’ve never been,” Kylie said, absently.

“Well it’s worth it to go.” Faye paused. “So how was the trip home?”

“Okay. I had a nice time visiting with my parents. I haven’t spent much time with them in the last few years.”

“I bet Felice was thrilled.”

“She was,” Kylie confirmed. Getting up her nerve, she let out a deep breath. “So how is he?”

Faye seemed to hesitate. Then she sighed. “I don’t know, Kyle. He’s not here. He was gone when we got back.”

“Gone?” Kylie couldn’t hide her surprise.

“Joe said he took off on his bike about three days ago. He evidently took some vacation time and just hit the road.”

“Without telling anyone where he was going?” That didn’t sound like Trey.

“Kylie,” Faye began, obviously at a loss for words. “I don’t know what to say to you. I know I told you to be patient with him. The thing is, I don’t know how much patience you have in you.”

“He didn’t even call me.” The words sounded pathetic and Kylie wanted them back.

“I know,” Faye said, sadly. “He didn’t call any of us either and he hasn’t been picking up his cell. He’s been weird since you left. Joe said he pretty much kept to himself. Then all the sudden he hopped on his bike and split. He’s going through some stuff, that’s all I can say.”

Kylie felt the tears on her face and swiped at them, angrily. “You’re sure he’s okay?”

“He can take care of himself,” Faye assured her. “Dusty has a feeling he went to hunt Beau down. Those two are pretty tight. They always have been.”

“I thought I meant more than that to him,” Kylie began, her voice quiet. “I really thought he would regret letting me go.”

“He does, why do you think he’s running?” Faye stated, more than asked. “Kyle, are you going to be okay? You don’t sound good.”

“I’m okay, Faye. I’ve got to get going though. I have some work to do for tomorrow.”

Reluctantly, Faye hung up.

Kylie sat in silence, staring out into the back yard for several minutes, not sure what she was going to do next. Finally, she gave in to the urge and buried her head in her arms for a good old-fashioned cry.

Trey nursed his beer while he held on to his pool stick and waited for his brother to take a shot. Beau was one slow-assed pool player. It was grinding on Trey’s nerves and he cleared his throat. “Shit, take the shot already.”

Beau looked up, frowning. “You broke my concentration. Shut the hell up.”

Trey rolled his eyes and waited. Finally, Beau took the shot and missed. “All that concentration took you a long ways.”

Beau flipped him off.

Two days earlier, Trey had caught up with the Rangers in Anaheim. He’d gone to the game the night before and sat in the luxury box, which was nothing to bitch about. He’d had a great time watching his brother hit a pair of upper deck home runs. Then he’d gone back to the hotel with Beau and had a few drinks with some of the team. The Rangers had a couple of days off now, before they would be heading to Seattle for a three game stint.

Trey set up his shot and hit it perfectly. Beau swore.

“All that pussy footing around doesn’t get the ball in the pocket.”

“This coming from the king of pussy footing.”

Trey looked up from the shot he was about to take and frowned. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“It means, if anyone pussy foots around here, it’s you. Now take your shot.”

Trey straightened. “I do not pussy foot.”

“Kylie would probably argue with that.”

At the mention of her name, Trey winced. He had almost completely pushed her out of his mind.
Almost
.

“Never mind. Let’s forget about it.” Beau set his pool stick down and slapped his brother on the back. “Let’s grab another round and sit for a while.”

Annoyed, Trey followed. “I don’t want a lecture.”

“You’re not going to get one,” Beau assured him and signaled the bartender. He ordered a round of tequila, which Trey immediately balked at.

“Should you really be drinking during the season?”

“No. But the season’s almost over and I don’t much give a shit. Now drink up.”

Eventually, Trey gave in. Then he gave in again. He knew he was probably in trouble by the fourth round but at that point, he felt just good enough not to give a shit.

“You’re Beau Callahan, aren’t you?”

Trey looked up to see a girl at their table who looked to be about thirteen, but obviously wasn’t if she was in a bar. She was a cute, little thing with blonde hair and big, round brown eyes. The funny thing was, she was looking at Trey—not Beau.

He picked up another shot and indicated his brother. “He is.”

The girl, obviously embarrassed, looked from one brother to the other. Then she shrugged. “You guys looking for a little fun tonight? There’s a party I know about.”

“Oh yeah?” Beau looked at Trey. “What do you think, big brother? You up for a party?”

He wasn’t, but he shrugged his shoulders anyway. “Just hit me again.”

Beau signaled for another round of shots. “How old are you?” he asked the girl, obviously having the same impression of her as Trey did.

“Twenty-two. I just turned today. My name’s Mandy.”

Twenty-two.
Trey rolled his eyes.

Beau just smiled. “Is that right?”

“Yep. I just moved here from Wisconsin. I’m going to be an actress.”

“I’ll bet you are. Why don’t you give me and my brother a minute and we’ll let you know about that party?”

“Okay, but can I at least have your autograph? My little brother back home loves you.”

Beau obliged her by signing a napkin. When she was gone, Trey shook his head. “Rough life you’ve got here, little brother. How do you do it?”

“I’m not complaining,” Beau said, taking a sip of his beer. “You about done with the tequila?”

“Nope.” Trey signaled for another and Beau shrugged his shoulders. “It’s your funeral.”

“Don’t start on me right now. I’m not going to any freaking party, by the way.”

“She was pretty cute, dude. She obviously liked you better than me.”

“She thought I was you,” Trey reminded him.

Beau grinned. “She looked a little disappointed when she found out I’m me.”

Even Trey had to smile at that. “She did, didn’t she?”

They sat in silence for a minute. “All that booze isn’t going to change the facts you know.”

Trey glowered at his brother. “Don’t lecture me. You promised.”

“I didn’t
promise
anything. I just
said
I wouldn’t. I lied.”

Trey cursed and stared into his beer.

“What gives, dude? You were so into her. I mean that is why you’re all screwed up right now, I’m assuming.”

“I don’t want to talk about her.”

Beau stared at his brother, intently. “Why are you running, Trey?”

“I’m not running anywhere. You asked me to come out here.”

“That’s not what I meant. I’m talking about Kylie Rhodes. I know you’re in love with her.
You
know you’re in love with her. Hell,
everyone
knows you’re in love with her. So what gives?”

“I’m not in love with anyone,” Trey lied, reaching for Beau’s beer and taking a long swig.

“She’s a great girl from what I’ve heard. Why are you hell-bent on effing this up for yourself?”

“I’m not
effing
up anything.” Trey stood up and grimaced when the room seemed to get fuzzy. He headed for the door, intent on getting some air. Instead, he got waylaid by Mandy.

“Where are you going, Trey? I thought we were all going to go to a party.”

“No, thanks,” he said, brushing past her.

“Mandy, get your ass over here and get me a beer!” a large man from a corner table hollered at her.

“Go to hell, Sam!” Mandy yelled back and followed Trey. “I’ll buy you a beer. We can sit and talk if you want.”

He looked down at her, briefly. She was cute, he decided. She reminded him a little of Kylie, in a way. But the last thing he needed was another female entanglement.

“I asked for my beer!” The person she’d called Sam walked over and grabbed her by the arm. “Why are you messing with this pretty boy sonofabitch?” The guy proceeded to drop a few racial slurs Trey’s way, his beady eyes full of disrespectful amusement.

Trey saw red before he could stop himself. He’d been spoiling for a fight all night and he figured this guy was as good a guy as any to take his frustrations out on. He folded his arms over his chest and stared up at the bastard, suddenly itching for a fight. “Are you fucking kidding me? Why don’t you back off, shithead?”

“Trey,” Beau said in warning, coming up behind him. “Let’s go.”

“Sam wants a beer,” Trey said, reaching for the nearest beer he could find, which happened to be on a nearby table. Without thinking, he tossed the beer straight into Sam’s face. He heard his brother curse. Had he not drank so much alcohol, he might have seen a large, meaty fist coming straight for his face. It connected with his jaw and he went backward into Beau, who caught him before he hit the floor. Then all hell broke loose.