I Choose You (17 page)

             
“That’s what I wanted to talk to the two of you about, actually. This may sound like it’s coming out of left field, but I have been doing my research for a little over a year now.” Rich ran his hand through his shaggy brown hair, then took a deep swig of his beer before finishing. “There’s an old warehouse over on Fifth Street, and… Well, I bought it.”

             
“You did?” Colin asked. “I know the place you’re talking about. What are you going to do with it?”

             
“I’m going to make it into a Rec center. For kids,” Rich began to talk more quickly. “You know how we spent all of our time shooting hoops and playing catch growing up?” This he directed at Colin.

             
“Yeah.”

             
“Well, I want to build a place where kids can come hang out, and be active, in a safe and controlled environment. I plan to have a baseball diamond out back, courts inside, and different areas for classes.”

             
“What kind of classes?” Kent asked eagerly, getting caught up in Rich’s excitement.

             
“Karate, music, dance… I don’t know everything. I haven’t worked it all out yet, but it’s going to be great.”

             
“That sounds amazing, Man,” Colin said. “I would have loved a place like that growing up.”

             
Kent nodded in agreement, “Me too. And I’ve noticed that there isn’t a Y or any sort of Boys and Girls club here, so that would be great.”

             
Kent went in to get another round of beers. He could see the enthusiasm his friend had for this idea and agreed one hundred percent that the kids in this town needed and would utilize a Rec Center like that.

             
He believed in the idea so much, that when he got back outside with the guys he said, “I want in. Not as an owner or anything, that’s your deal, Rich, but I want to help. Be a silent partner or something, and maybe offer a journalism course or something.”

             
Colin looked up at him with a grin as he handed him a beer. “Dude, I was just saying the same thing. I would love to be involved, and although I’m not here full time right now, I’d love to help out when I am.”

             
“You guys are awesome,” Rich said as he cleared his throat. “I’m just glad you didn’t laugh at me.”

             
“Hell no. Why would we laugh, it’s a great idea. And, I know an amazing dancer that could help you with classes, but she may be a hard sell.” Kent said with a chuckle.

Chapter Nineteen

             
The girls surrounded Nicole on the living room floor. They had blankets, throw pillows, and a pitcher of margaritas.

             
“Okay,” Briana began, as she lifted her margarita to her lips and brushed her freshly cut bangs from her forehead. Her long chestnut hair was pulled back in a ponytail and the bangs framed her pretty face. “Tell us exactly what happened at the party.”

             
The other girls nodded their encouragement to Nicole, who sat cross-legged in her yoga pants and an oversized sweatshirt.

             
“Well, it was okay in the beginning. My dad wasn’t bad, but as soon as Kent met my mother, things started to go downhill. It’s funny; I forgot what a snob she can be. I guess I’ve been away from her for a while. Anyway, I could tell right away that they didn’t like each other,” She paused to take a deep drink.

             
“Why do you say that?” Kara asked as she turned over to lie on her stomach, “Kent’s a pretty likeable guy. I’d think he’d be a parent’s wet dream!”

             
Nicole giggled at that, the tequila slowly starting to take effect.

             
“Not my mom, her idea of a suitable guy is someone exactly like Jake. From an upstanding Dallas family, with deep roots in the church, and someone who thinks social status is important.”

             
“Well…that’s definitely not Kent,” Roni said with a snort.

             
“No,” Nicole agreed with a small smile. “Kent is so much better than that.”

             
“What happened to make him leave?” Briana asked softly, laying her hand on Nicole’s arm.

             
“My mom was rude to him from the get go, and once her friends arrived, she ignored him all together. He overheard her gossiping about someone from the parish who’d been arrested for domestic violence, and he just walked out. When I followed him outside, he told me some stuff about his childhood,” Nicole looked over at Roni, her compassion apparent in her eyes, then looked down at her glass as her eyes began to fill. “He said that we were too different, that we’d never work out, and he thought it was better to walk away now than drag it out.”

             
Roni’s arms came around her as the tears began to spill down her cheeks.

             
“My brother can be such an idiot.”

             
“It sounds like he’s just scared,” Kara said quietly.

             
“What do you mean?” Nicole asked with a sniffle.

             
“We all know that Kent’s the best. He’s built himself into the sexy metro-sexual that he’s today. He’s a total sweetheart, and you can’t deny that he’s a wonderful brother to Roni. But…”

             
“But what?” Nicole asked as she sat up straighter and wiped her cheeks with the back of her hand.

             
“He’s never been in a serious relationship,” Roni answered. “Bree was the closest he ever got, and you see how that turned out.” She looked over at Briana and said sadly, “Sorry.”

             
“It’s okay,” Briana replied.

             
“We didn’t have a good example of marriage, or love, growing up. Kent doesn’t want to end up in a terrible situation like that, which would never happen, because Kent is the complete opposite of our father. But, because of them, he’s never allowed himself to really trust a woman with his heart. He’s afraid of being hurt and of not being the man that he wants to be.”

             
Kara got up to grab the pitcher and poured them each another round. “Kent doesn’t realize what a catch he is.”

             
“He said that I deserved better than him. Nicole admitted.

             
Briana shook her head sadly. “You’re going to have to tell him that he’s the one you want.”

             
“I tried, and he just walked away and left me there. What if I put myself out there and he still says no?”

             
“Do you love him?” Kara asked softly.

             
“Yes,” Nicole smiled through the tears and nodded emphatically. “So much. I never thought I’d feel this way about anyone. He’s the most amazing person I have ever met, and I feel stronger when I’m with him.”

             
“Then you’re going to have to take that chance,” Briana said. “You might get your heart broken, but if you don’t try, you’ll never know.”

             
“I know he loves you,” Roni encouraged. “He’s buying the paper. He’s putting down roots here, and I know you’re a big reason for that.”

             
“He’s buying the paper?” Nicole asked with wide eyes. “He’s going to stay?”

             
Roni grinned at her, “Yes. I know he’s stubborn and can be a total block head, but you’re just going to have to make him see that you love him and you’re not letting him get away that easily. Fight for him, Nic. I promise he’s worth it.”

             
Roni’s eyes began to fill and Nicole leaned over to give her a big hug.

             
“I know he is. I love you,” Nicole told the other girl as she pulled back. She looked around her living room at Roni, Briana, and Kara and her heart felt fuller than ever. “I love you all so much. You are the family that I always wanted.”

             
“Awww,” Briana said her emotion evident on her face. “I love you too.”

             
“I’ll drink to that,” Kara exclaimed loudly. She lifted her glass and realized it was empty. “Time to make another pitcher. Let’s fill up and figure out how we’re going to help Nicole land her man.”

             
They all laughed and stood up. They made their way to the kitchen to blend margaritas.

             
“I think we’ll have to get you in a sexy costume for the Halloween party,” Briana said with a wicked grin.

             
“Yes!” Roni agreed. Her face lit up as an idea began to form. “How about a sexy angel? Kent wants to put you on a pedestal and thinks that you’re too good for him. Let’s play with that.”

             
“An angel?” Nicole asked skeptically.

             
“Perfect,” Kara said with a smile as she put the ingredients in the blender. “He’s not going to know what hit him!”

Chapter Twenty

             
The bar and grill was decorated with wall to wall Halloween decorations. There was a DJ in the corner spinning spooky hits, and there was a mass of monsters, sexily clad women, and people wearing simply a mask with regular clothes. Then there was Nicole.

             
She stood out in the room like a vision in white. Her hair was fluffed out and spilled over her back and wings in waves. Her ample bosom was showcased in the low cut slip dress. It fell well above her knees and her legs were covered in white fishnet stockings. She was wearing heels that looked like ice pics, and her face was made up dramatically with smoky eyes and ruby red lips.

             
She killed him.

             
When he’d walked through the door he’d seen her instantly, and had felt a simultaneous surge in his heart and in his pants. He’d never had a woman affect him the way that Nicole did.

             
He must have stopped and stared when he’d seen her, because Rich ran right into his back, causing him to stumble forward.

             
“Dude,” Rich chuckled as he put his hand on Kent’s arm to steady him. “You alright?”

              Rich looked up and followed the direction of Kent’s gaze.

             
“Wow, she looks fuckin’ hot!”

             
Rich just chuckled again when Kent shot him a dirty look. He adjusted his hood to drape the way he wanted it, and checked his shorts to make sure they were in place.

             
“Is it on right?”

             
Kent looked at Rich’s boxing costume and shook his head. “You look like a piece of meat, like you’re just looking to get laid.”

             
Rich gave him a big grin and a wink, “Then, mission accomplished!” He said as he sauntered off towards the bar.

             
Kent adjusted his cowboy hat and followed Rich. He stopped when he saw Colin and Briana at a nearby table. They were cute in a Top Gun themed matching outfit. Colin wore a flight suit and Bree had on a sexy little bomber jacket and short skirt. They both looked really happy.

             
“Hey, how’s it going?” Kent asked. He shook Colin’s hand and accepted Bree’s hug when she leaned in to him. It had been a while since he’d seen her, but he was happy to say that he no longer felt a tug of longing when he held her.