The Fiction of Forever (A Stand By Me Novel Book 2) (19 page)

C
urrent Day

Gunner

“
I
s there
a reason we’re meeting in the airport parking garage? We’re driving, not flying,” I say. I grab Kiley’s overnight bag from the bag seat.

“So I can leave my car without the paparazzi noticing. See how empty it is?”

“You don’t come here alone do you?”

The corners of her mouth tip down. “All the time when I fly.”

“It looks dangerous.” I open the rear door on my Jeep and place her bag inside. “You have any mace?”

“Don’t worry. I’ll protect you,” she says.

I rest my hand on the small of her back while opening the passenger door for her. “I’m serious.”

“I go places all the time.”

“I don’t want anything to happen to you.” I close the door behind her and jog around to my side.

We pull out of the secured parking garage and drive toward the interstate. It’s early enough on a Saturday morning that there’s not much traffic.

I glance at Kiley. “I appreciate this.”

Her brow crinkles. “It’s no problem. I really do love weddings. Did you get along with your stepsister? What was her name?”

“Veronica and yes,” he says.

“What about your stepmom?”

“What about her?”

“Did you like her as much as your stepsister?”

“I don’t know. She wasn’t much to like or dislike.” I loosen my white-knuckled grip on the steering wheel.

“I always wanted a sister.”

“Veronica’s special. Good and sweet. She never deserved the shit life that her mom gave her.”

My protests sound extreme even to my own ears. The silence continues for several miles.

“What about you?” I ask. “Do you see your mom?”

Kiley tenses, her rigid posture indicating I’ve hit a nerve I should avoid like a buried gas line.

She doesn’t answer.

“It’s not important,” I say, not sure how to salvage the tenuous friendship we have. Kiley coming with me is so much more that I’d expected. I’d been sure she’d say no.

“No. I don’t see her.”

“Hm.” I rest a finger on the stereo button. “Music?”

“No.”

I drop my hand. “I’m going to stop for fuel. Want a drink?”

“My mom thinks I slept with her husband,” she blurts out. “So, we don’t talk. She’s not part of my life anymore.”

Her confession surprises me and doesn’t. I didn’t think she’d tell me, even though I’d guessed as much from what Josie hinted.

“I know that hurt you.” I reach over and place my hand on the edge of her seat. “I don’t know how it went down, but sometimes people do crazy things. Maybe someday your mother will apologize.”

Kiley stares out the passenger window at the landscape. “I don’t know. I kind of think it made her feel better if she had a reason for her failing marriage.”

“It sounds like you’re better off without her in your life.”

“Mom is now on husband number five. I’ve never met him and don’t plan on it.”

“Good. I like that plan.”

She laughs at me. “Glad you approve. Thanks.”

“So how does a girl who grows up with a serial divorcee end up believing in marriage and a show called
Forever
?”

“Because I have to. There has to be more than my dad’s lonely existence and my mom’s desperate one.” She pauses and licks her lips. “I’m scared Gunner. Maybe I’ll never find it. Maybe I’m screwed up.”

“No, you’re not. There’s nothing wrong with you.”

“I want that feeling, the kind you don’t doubt. What if I don’t know what to look for?” Her voice wobbles at the end.

She’s so afraid. I know how it is to want safety and love.

“Hold my hand,” I say.

“What?” She looks over at me, alarmed. “Why?”

“I’d like to pretend for today that we’re what you imagine is out there.” Maybe I should tell her I’m crazy about her. Pretending might lead to reality. If I can do this thing with her for one day, maybe I can take a step toward more.

I glance at her and see a flush rising in her cheeks. “Are you mocking me, Gunner Parrish?”

“No. I’d like to see what it feels like for a day—that thing you have in your head.”

“I’m not playing.” She shakes her head at me.

“Please. One day. Hold my hand. Pretend I hold your heart and you hold mine.”

“Oh my. The cynic wants to take a walk on the wild side.”

“You’re contagious. If you don’t humor me, I’ll refuse to go on any more dates on
Forever
. I’ll also tell the viewing public that you snore. Loudly.”

She stretches her fingers out and wiggles them as if she’s testing the thought. “Holding hands. That’s it.”

“All day. Like we’re in love and can’t keep our hands off each other.”

“This isn’t a license for you to cop a feel when you get the chance.”

I nod in agreement. “That applies to you, too. No grabbing my ass.”

Her mouth quirks. “If you can keep it PG, I can.”

“OK. Good, clean handholding like we’re going to a church social.”

“I’ve never been to one, so I guess.” Kiley skims her hand along the console. “When does this fantasy end?”

I shrug. “Does it matter?”

“Yes. Let’s say the coach turns into a pumpkin at midnight,” she says and then slips her hand into my outstretched one.

Her hand feels right in mine. It’s the same sort of right as seeing a perfectly shaped tree, a sunset of oranges and reds, or the blue sky of a cloudless day.

We ride in silence and I reluctantly release her hand while I get fuel. She runs inside to the restroom, returning with a bag of snacks. I make sure to grab it again when I get back into the Jeep. She grins at me and rolls her eyes.

“I’m starting to feel a little claustrophobic,” she says.

I frown. “That was fast. You’re tired of me already?”

“I’m not used to this.”

“You and Moneyclip didn’t hold hands all the time?” Now why in the hell did I bring up the douchebag?

“No. We didn’t.”

“Tell me your favorite thing we’d do if we were actually dating.”

“Maybe movies.”

“Ah yes. Movies with popcorn. Lots and lots of popcorn. Would we make out at this movie? I never did that with a girl, but it sounds like the best part of going to the theater.”

“No. We’d watch the movie and eat lots of popcorn—you got that part right. And you’d put your arm over the back of my seat and hug me close during the scary parts so I could hide my eyes.”

“Horror flicks? All right. I could do that. Then what? What comes after the movie?”

“Then we’d take a midnight cruise on the river.”

“I’m not sure I can afford you. You’re an expensive date. Movie tickets
and
riverboat cruises,” I tease.

“I can go Dutch,” she says.

“No. That doesn’t work in my book. I’ll be paying for all the tickets.”

“Then don’t complain.”

“Do you let me kiss you at the door?”

“You aren’t coming inside?”

“Are you going to hit on me?”

“No.”

“Then why do I come inside?”

“To see my place.”

“I’ve seen Ed’s place.”

“We’re pretending I have my own place.” She pokes me in the ribs. “I am going to find a place soon.”

“Is this pretend talk or real talk?” I ask.

“Real. I can’t live with Dad forever.”

I don’t like the thought of her moving into a place by herself. Man, I’m too overprotective and I know it. Plus, what if she moves farther away?

What if she moves somewhere besides Nashville?

“Ed can’t be all that bad. I imagine he’s gone a lot.”

“Yes, but I never planned to move back in with him. I only wanted a temporary place until I got married…”

“But you’ll be local, right?”

She shrugs. “I have no idea what my future holds now. When I thought I’d marry Mason, I pictured a career for a couple of years. Maybe a kid or two sometime in the next ten years.”

I don’t like talking about her with Mason, even though the wedding didn’t happen. “What’s after the show? You ever think about working in your dad’s studio?”

She tilts her head and leans back in her seat. “Maybe. I’ve always wanted to work in television.”

“But you want to get married.”

“Let’s not talk about this anymore, OK? Tell me about you.”

“Nothing to tell.”

“Come on, Gunner. Give me something. I’ve told you my life story and you’re blowing me off.”

“I was a happy kid. You know about my mom. My dad pretty much checked out on me and started doing drugs. Actually, he was doing them before she passed. Then he met a woman online and we moved to Arkansas.”

I’m silent then because it’s not something I talk about with people. Is this what she wants to know?

She squeezes my hand. “Your dad met Veronica’s mom online?”

“No. He met Jodie after we’d moved.”

“Jodie is Veronica’s mother?”

“Right.”

“How old is Veronica?”

“Nineteen.”

“And did you get along with Veronica?”

“Yeah.”

“That’s all you have to say about her? It’s not convincing me.”

“She…” I pause, not knowing how I want to finish. “She’s a good girl. The best. I’ve missed her.”

Kiley stares at me. “I can tell.”

I don’t take my eyes off the road. “She’s the only family I have left that I care about.”

“We are such a pair.”

“Aren’t we?” I chuckle. “Damn. Can we talk about anything positive?”

“Yes. Tell me what you’re going to do with the money if you win
Forever
.”

“Ah, now you’re talking. I want to open a storefront.”

“What? Seriously?” She gapes as if I’ve said I want to open a brothel.

“Yes, I want to have a store with outdoor furniture, pottery, and fountains. You know. Customers could come in and pick out merchandise to go with their landscape plans. I’d like to draw up plans for people on the fly and price the projects so they can get excited and see they don’t have to be rich to do it.”

She grins and tightens her fingers laced through mine. “You want to make people happy.”

“I guess.”

“You do, you big softy.” She looks out the window. “That’s what I want on
Forever
. To see people happy.”

We’re silent for a while. I turn on the satellite radio and we listen to some country music. The song we danced to plays and I glance across to see her smiling.

C
urrent Day

Kiley

W
e arrive
at the address in St. Louis for Veronica’s wedding. Although the wedding happens at 4:00, we’re supposed to arrive by 2:00. The house is gorgeous.

I don’t tell Gunner how much I dread attending a wedding today. Usually, I’m the one who wants to attend, even if I barely know the bride and groom. There’s nothing more beautiful than a bride walking down to meet the person she’s to spend the rest of her life with.

Gunner’s fingers tighten around mine, his grip making my rings bite into my flesh.

“I’m not going anywhere,” I say. “Loosen up.”

He relaxes his fingers. “Yeah. Sorry.”

I nod. “Let’s have fun. Don’t break my fingers. You’ve got me. I’m sure you could catch me if I made a run for it. And remember that I agreed to pretend for today. I’m all yours.”

He gives me an uncomfortable smile bordering on a grimace. “Sure. OK.”

The door opens before we ring the doorbell. The dark-haired girl who answers it tilts her head. “You must be Gunner.”

“Yes. Is Veronica here?” He looks over her shoulder into the house.

“Come in. I’m Malerie,” she says, stepping back so we can enter.

“Thanks.” He walks inside and releases my hand. Before I can miss it, he places his hand on the small of my back. “And this is my girlfriend Kiley.”

I love the sound of the introduction—fake or not—and restrain my goofy grin.

“Hi,” Malerie says and walks backward. “I know Veronica will be so happy you’re here. She’s been antsy that you wouldn’t show.”

“Of course I’d come. Where is she?” he asks. His gruff tone surprises me.

Malerie doesn’t seem to notice. “She’s upstairs. You guys make yourselves at home.” Malerie waves in the general area of a room to the left. “I’ll get her.”

We walk into the next room and take a seat on the sofa. “What a great house,” I say.

“Hm,” he answers. He sits arrow straight and uncomfortable.

We’ve returned to the monosyllabic Gunner, and I try not to let it bother me.

I rest my hand on his knee and squeeze. “Relax.”

He leans back to recline with me on the sofa. “I’m fine.”

“Liar,” I say, my mouth curving into a smile at his denial. Men. So weird.

“Gun?” A blonde stands in the threshold, looking like an angel in a long, white dressing gown with a mass of curls waving gently down her back.

He doesn’t answer, but stands.

She runs forward and flings her arms around his chest. “You came.”

“I said I would.” He smiles down into her face. “Nicky-girl, everything OK?”

“Better than OK,” she answers. She places her head against his chest. “I’ve missed you.”

The moment stretches out for hours, a definite figment of my imagination as I wish it were me in Gunner’s arms.

He pulls his head back and looks at her. “I want you to meet Kiley.”

She lets her arms fall and takes a step back. “You brought a girl. I’m so glad.”

Then she does the most unexpected thing. She grabs both my hands in hers and kisses me on the cheek. “Hi,” she says. “I’m Veronica.”

Her friend Malerie steps forward. “I hate to break up this reunion, but Gunner needs to go out back with the guys so he can get instructions on giving away Veronica. Ace and Collin are in the pool house.”

“OK.” Gunner can’t take his gaze from his sister. “You look beautiful.”

“Gun! I’m in my robe. Go on so you’ll know what to do and I can get into my gown.” Veronica gives him a friendly shove.

“Kiley?” he asks.

Veronica grabs my hand. “Kiley comes with us. I need help with my hair and getting into the dress.”

I gulp past the giant lump in my throat. This scene isn’t anything like I’d expected. I’d thought we would be ushered into a place to wait for guests to arrive. It’s also a surprise that he’s giving away the bride. Had I missed that detail when he invited me?

Somehow, I don’t think so.

Veronica rushes away and talks the entire time. Malerie walks behind her and throws glances over her shoulder to make sure I’m still following. She gives me looks that say she’s amused at her friend’s non-stop chatter.

“How long have you known Gunner? Did you know he’s on a television show? I really can’t believe he would agree to do such a crazy thing. Do you watch it?” Veronica doesn’t even pause to listen to my answers.

We walk through double doors at the end of a long hallway. The suite is huge with clothes strewn everywhere.

Malerie closes the door. “You’re Kiley Vanderbilt,” she says.

She knows who I am. So much for pretending to be dating Gunner. A set of French doors lead to the back lawn, framing a wonderland that I can see from across the room. The decorations seem elaborate for a small backyard wedding.

I hadn’t thought through how I’d be received or if anyone would recognize me.

Veronica twirls around. “I know that name. You’re Kiley from the show? The Matchmaker?” She frowns.

“The one and only.” I stand awkwardly to the side of the door. “Gunner asked me to come along as a friend. I went to school with him,” I add awkwardly.

Malerie examines me with a knowing look, but doesn’t say a word. I’m so paranoid that I imagine everyone has seen the social media. Maybe not.

Veronica sits on a long chaise at the end of the bed. “You went to school in Shelby City?”

She seems unfazed by the fact that I’ve been named the harlot tempting her brother.

“No. I’m from Nashville.” I walk to the window and look out at the lawn. There’s an area at the far end with gas lamps lined up on each side of a purple velvet runner. At the end, massive standing floral decorations in apricot and white mark both sides of a trellis wrapped in white lights.

Beyond, white tents shelter tables with covered serving platters. Lanterns hang from all the trees. Even in the daylight, it’s enchanting.

A stage flanks the right side of the tents.

“How many guests are there?” I begin to panic.

“Only a few. Veronica wanted it to be small.” Malerie studies me. “Beautiful, huh?”

Veronica sighs happily. “I’m surprised Gunner brought you. You must be very special to him.” She hands Malerie her hairbrush and several clips while tilting her head back to look at her friend. “Do your magic.”

“He thinks you’re pretty special.” We make eye contact in the mirror.

Veronica gives me a tight smile. “I worry about how he is. Since I left home, he doesn’t talk to me much.”

I raise an eyebrow. “Did you guys fight over something?”

She lowers her gaze and searches through the makeup on the countertop. “No. Gunner had a fight with my ex-boyfriend. You could say I ran away from home after it happened. Gunner didn’t deserve that, me shutting him out. We’d been close.”

“I can tell he’s happy to be here.” I stare at this beautiful girl and experience an overwhelming desire to be in her place. Ready to join lives with a man she loves.

She looks up and smiles. “There’s not a better wedding present in the world he could’ve given me. I think he’s forgiven me for letting him down. I’m so glad he’s here. And so happy he has you.”

Heat rises into my cheeks. “We’re only friends.”

“You’re more than that. Gunner wouldn’t bring someone who’s only a friend.”

I want more. This girl is the key to everything I want to know about Gunner. “I think you’ve got the wrong idea. I’ve matched him with Melanie on the show. She’s so into him. And I think he’s into her. They’ve had more than one date.”

Veronica wrinkles her nose. “Oh, sorry.” Her brow wrinkles. “Melanie from the show is OK, I guess.”

Now, my curiosity’s peaked. “You don’t think she’s the one.”

Veronica hands Malerie a hairclip. “I know she’s not. Watch the last show of their date. He smiles at her like he would his teacher. You know, respectfully.”

“Oh,” I say.

“Has he touched her back like he did yours?”

“I don’t know. They went on a date. Surely he touched her.”

“He likes you a lot.”

I give her a tight smile. “No, I told you. We’re—”

“Just friends,” she finishes. “OK. Maybe I’m making all that other stuff a bigger deal than it is. But the truth is he’d have found a way to bring her to my wedding if he really saw a future with her. Instead, he brought you.”

“You’re sweet.”

“So you really like him a lot, too. Gunner needs someone who can be true to him and never waver. He needs someone special. He deserves someone devoted to him. I hope that person is you.”

My heart slams against my chest. “A girl would be lucky to have his love. It’s my job to find her.”

“Maybe you’re looking too far.” Veronica pulls a strand of blonde hair down to curl along her neck and Malerie shakes her head at the unsolicited help.

“I have a job to do.” I look out the window so I won’t have to meet her gaze.

Veronica inspects her hair in a hand mirror. “Some things in life are more important than a job. Now, I need help getting into my wedding gown without messing up my hair or makeup.”

Malerie exits the room and returns with an apricot colored creation, a breathtaking swath of fabric. “Let’s get this girl married today. Kiley? Can you help?”

Veronica stands and removes her dressing gown. “I’m ready.”

L
ess than twenty
people sit in the chairs to witness the wedding. I sit on the front row beside Malerie. I’ve never been to a wedding without bridesmaids or groomsmen.

Only the groom stands underneath the trellis with the woman minister.

A wedding song begins and we turn. Gunner escorts Veronica down the outdoor carpet runner leading to them. My breath catches in my throat. Veronica’s a vision with her arm linked through his elbow. He occasionally glances down at her with overwhelming affection on his face.

Such love in the way his eyes crinkle in the corners.

I’ve attended hundreds of weddings, yet this single moment surpasses the sweetness of all the others. Veronica’s focus is on two men today—Gunner at her side and the dark-haired man standing beneath the trellis.

I should be enjoying all the tiny details of the wedding—the flowers, the fairy lights hanging from trees, the rock ballad playing as they walk.

But instead, I’m mesmerized by Gunner.

Malerie sniffles beside me. It would be totally ridiculous to cry at the wedding of someone I’ve only met today.

My eyes water and I quickly blink back threatening tears. I thank the cosmetic gods for waterproof mascara.

Gunner turns his head. The moment his gaze meets mine, I lose my ability to hold back. I feel the weight of the world on my chest, smashing into my ribs and crushing my ideas about my future beneath an overwhelming realization.

I cannot take my eyes off Gunner. His crooked, jubilant smile feels like helium in my heart.

He could be the one, my forever.

We’ve both chosen to play a silly game of matchmaking for money or fame or whatever reason, and I don’t want to play anymore.

Because my heart can’t understand why he feels so right when others felt so wrong.

My previous vision of my future
was
clear.

My future husband woos me and knows I’m the only woman in the world for him. We talk until dawn because we have so much in common. He introduces me to his friends as the woman he knew he’d marry from the moment we met.

None of this fits Gunner.

Gunner scoffs at the institution of marriage and the idea of love.

I try to get out of the crazy thoughts in my head. The tears flow down my cheeks. I’m going to be a mess.

Someone hands me a tissue.

Gunner puts Veronica’s hand in her future husband’s. He nods at the man I know is Collin.

An empty chair waits for Gunner beside me. When he sits, he places a hand on his knee. He flips his hand up indicating he wants to hold mine. I thread my fingers through his, but return my attention to the couple reciting their vows.

“You may now kiss the bride,” the minister says.

As Collin kisses Veronica, a loud rock song from Jelly Bean Queen blasts from hidden speakers and Malerie hops up from her seat. She begins clapping and gives a few wolf whistles.

“Time for champagne!” she yells. She and her husband Ace wave us to follow them. I begin to stand, but Gunner pulls me to stay.

He leans forward and puts his lips to my ears. “I’d like to go.”

His hot breath tickles the shell of my ear. “Already?” I ask.

“Yes. I want to be alone with you. They won’t expect us to stay.” He strokes his thumb along my hand he still holds.

A thrill of anticipation dances in my belly. “OK.”

He’s still holding my hand as I use my free one to wave at Malerie. She seems to accept that we’re sneaking away. This is far from my normal concept of a wedding with mandatory congratulations and tradition.

What about the cake? And the first dance?

None of that matters. I catch a last glimpse of Veronica embracing her husband, kissing him as if there are no guests.

Gunner releases my hand, but flings his arm around me and hugs me to his side. “Trust me?”

“Scary things come after a phrase like that.”

“Everything worth something is scary. So, I’ll ask again. Trust me?”

“OK. I guess.”

He laughs. “You don’t trust me one bit, but I can deal with it.”

As we drive away, he reaches across to grab my hand again. He brings my knuckles to his lips and places a soft kiss on them.

“Are we still pretending?” I look out my window instead of at him. It’ll be dusk soon and time to head back to Nashville. It will be a long drive if he plays with my heart the entire way back.

“I think I’m getting better at it,” he says and leaves a kiss on the back of my hand. “Am I doing this in-love thing right? Guys aren’t born knowing the rules of romance.”

“Practice makes perfect,” I say under my breath as we pass a small-time carnival.

“I’m very competitive.”

“Stop,” I yell and point at a Ferris wheel, its festive lights glowing in the dimming evening.

“Lord, woman. What is it?”

“That!” I wrest my hand from his and point like a kid. “Please Gunner. I haven’t been on one in years. That’s romance.”