The Player (34 page)

She sat up and sighed. “I need to go home and change. But my car’s still at the church. And I have to find out who has my purse.”

He sat up, snatched his phone off the nightstand, and handed it to her. “I’ll drive you home, but why don’t you call him to set up a time? I’m sure there are arrangements that need to be canceled.”

She cringed, overwhelmed by the enormity of the task.

He smiled at her and gave her a kiss. “It’s going to be okay. I’ll help you. I’m sure Megan and Libby will help too.”

She nodded. “Thank you.”

He put the phone in her hand and stood. “I’ll go into the bathroom and give you some privacy, but come join me in the shower when you’re done.”

“Okay.”

She watched him walk into the bathroom and shut the door. When she heard the water come on, she took a deep breath to steady her nerves as she placed the call.

“Where is she, Garrett?” Neil answered. The obvious hate in his voice caught Blair off guard.

“It’s not Garrett,” she said. “And I’m right here.”

“Blair.” His tone softened. “God, I’ve been so worried about you.”

“I’m fine.”

He paused, and his voice was cold when he spoke again. “I’m sure you are, since you’re calling me at nine in the morning on our wedding day from your ex-boyfriend’s phone.”

She cringed but didn’t respond. It was deserved. “I need to see you, Neil.”

“It’s bad luck to see your groom on your wedding day.”

She rested her elbow on her knee and pressed her hand against her forehead. “
Neil.
”

“Okay. I’ll meet you.”

“Thank you.”

“You know I love you, Blair. If you need reassurance, and I’m sure you do after your . . . night—I’ll be more than happy to give it to you. Do you want me to come to the condo?”

“I’m not there.”

“I see.” He paused. “Can you come to my loft?”

Something in his voice sounded off, not that she blamed him. He was handling it better than she would have if their situations had been reversed. “I’d rather meet somewhere neutral.”

He was silent for several seconds. “Garrett’s staying at the Omni, and I know for a fact your car is still at the church. There’s a bakery a block away from the hotel, close enough for you to walk there. Can you be decent in a half hour?”

She cringed again, but she deserved that too. “Yes. I’ll meet you then.”

“I know you’re worried about sparing my feelings, but I fully expect you to show up in the dress you wore last night.” His voice broke. “So don’t worry about changing. I just want to see you. I can overlook what you’re wearing.”

“Neil,” she forced past the lump in her throat. “I’m sorry.”

“It’s going to be fine, Blair. Just come see me.”

She hung up and set the phone on nightstand. It dinged, so she picked it back up.

There was a text on the screen from BD:
The contract still needs some work. We
’
ll try to have it done in time.

She cringed when she realized she’d read a professional text. Then it dinged again, and a new one popped up.

That
’
s a lot of money to give up for a woman. I hope she
’
s worth it.

Was that text about her? What money was he giving up?

Garrett found her sitting on the bed when he got out of the shower. He pulled her up and into his arms, his body still damp.

“Blair? Are you okay? Did he—”

Her mouth twisted to the side. “He was more understanding than I would have been.” She paused, then looked into his eyes. “Why did you go to see Neil at his office?”

He swallowed. “I’m not sure what bullshit he told you, but from your reaction when I confirmed going there, it couldn’t have been good. But I promise you, I only went to find out if he really loved you.”

“And?”

His jaw tightened. “I was unsatisfied with his answers. Do you believe me?”

She wanted to ask about the texts too, but she worried she’d come across as defensive or snooping. Bottom line, she trusted him or she didn’t, and she wholeheartedly did. “Yes.”

He cradled her head to his chest. “So you and Neil are done?”

She pulled away to look at the clock on the nightstand. “No. I have to meet him in twenty minutes, and I still need a shower. I can’t meet him smelling like you.”

“If he knows, then you don’t need to see him.”

She slid off the bed. “I do. It’s the right thing to do.”

He stood up and stared into her eyes. “I love you, Blair. I’ll do anything I can to help you. Just tell me what you need.”

She shook her head. “This part I have to do alone. Then when I’m done, we’ll figure out the rest together.”

“You might not have to do it at all.”

Blair groaned. “I just told you that I did.”

“No. He might end it without you going.”

She narrowed her eyes. “I just talked to him on the phone, Garrett. He knows I called from your phone, and he very much still wants to get married.”

His face contorted with anger. “He’s up to something. Let me go with you.”

“I’m a big girl. I can handle myself.”

He looked torn, but he pulled her close and gave her a soft kiss. “Okay.”

She took a quick shower and dried her hair before putting on her dress. Garrett gave her privacy, but he was waiting for her when she emerged from the bathroom.

He pulled her into his arms. “Are you sure you want to do this? At least let me walk you there.”

She pushed him away and broke free. It didn’t feel right to let him hold her before she went to see Neil. “I don’t want to do it, but I
need
to do it. And I have to hurry, or I’m going to be late.”

Worry filled his eyes. “I wish you had your phone.”

A low laugh escaped her, and she forced a smile. “I’m walking all of a block to see a mild-mannered man. What do you think is going to happen to me? Physically, I’m perfectly safe. Emotionally, I deserve everything I’m going to get.”

“Blair. Don’t say that. You don’t deserve the stress he’s putting you through.”

“Why not? I knew I didn’t really love him. Not like this. The relationship wasn’t fair to him. And now we’re both paying the price.”

“Neil is hiding something from you. Something big.” Indecision flickered in his eyes. “Make him tell you what I found out when I went to see him.”

She shook her head. “What are you talking about?”

He gave her a soft kiss. “You’re a good person, Blair. No matter what you believe right now. Make him confess, and you’ll realize you’ve made the right decision, even if you take me out of the equation.”

That sounded ominous. “What is he hiding, Garrett?”

He shook his head. “I want him to be the one to tell you.”

Five minutes later she made the walk of shame to the bakery and found Neil sitting at a table, two cups of coffee in front of him.

He stood when he saw her, wariness in his eyes. “You came.”

“I said I would.”

He gave her a soft smile. “You’re a woman of your word. I’ve always loved that about you.”

She sat in the chair across from him. He sat back down and slid one of the cups toward her. “I got you a vanilla latte. No whip. Just the way you like it.”

She grasped the cup with a shaking hand. She wished she were more confident, but was that a positive character trait when you dumped your fiancé on your wedding day? “Thank you.”

“I know that about you,” he said in a low voice. “Just like I know you hate wearing socks in the winter, and you like to eat mac and cheese with a spoon instead of a fork.”

She swallowed, fighting back tears. “Neil.”

He leaned forward and grabbed her hand. “We’ve been together for two years now, Blair. That’s more time than you spent with him.”

She looked up at him. “But I don’t love you.”

“You keep telling me that, but I think you’ve confused love with lust.” He shook his head, his eyes pleading with her. “Remember when I had the flu last year? You took off work and stayed at my loft for three days to take care of me.
That
’
s
love. And when you pick up those cheese crackers at Trader Joe’s, just because you know I love them—
that
’
s
love.”

“Neil.”

He shook his head. “No, Blair, it’s true. What you had with Garrett last night is lust, and lust fades,” he said. “Where will you be when that happens?”

Her cheeks burned with shame.

“Darling, I understand that you got scared last night. Especially after my mother’s tirade and my temper. I don’t blame you for running off, and I’m not surprised Garrett took advantage of your vulnerability.”

She thought about telling him he ran off before she did, but there was no point. Still, there was no way she’d allow him to treat her like she was a biddable and naïve woman incapable of making her own decisions. “Garrett didn’t take advantage of me. I’m a grown woman. I made my own choice.”

“I called you a terrible name. I hurt you, and I’ll never forgive myself for that. But Garrett saw an opportunity and took it. He’s an opportunist.”

She remained silent, telling herself it was pointless to argue with him.

“What about your job, Blair? If we don’t get married, you’re going to be fired.”

“I know.”

His face turned red, and he took several deep breaths before continuing. “So you’re going throw
everything
away after one night with the man who broke your heart? You’re going to regret this decision when he leaves you for some other woman. And we both know he will.”

He was giving voice to the fears that niggled at the back of her brain. But the night she’d spent with Garrett had only pointed out all the inadequacies of her relationship with Neil. Deep down she’d always known she was settling, and now she had the proof.

“Blair. I still love you,” Neil pleaded, tears in his eyes. “I’m begging you to think this through. I can’t stand back and let him do this to you.” He paused, his eyes searching hers. “I’m willing to overlook your indiscretion. I understand why you did it, and I forgive you. I still want to marry you today.”

She groaned. “How can you say that? I wouldn’t be so understanding if it were the other way around. I’d be handing you your ass on a platter.”

“I know. It only proves how much I love you.”

“I can’t marry you, Neil.”

He took a breath and looked at her with eyes full of understanding. “Darling, don’t make a decision of this magnitude based on
one
night with a man who is determined to break us up. How can you be sure that this isn’t part of his plan?”

“He wouldn’t do that.” She pushed on. “In fact, Garrett said you’re hiding something from me.”

He paused. “What exactly did he say?”

“He said you were hiding something big.”

Neil paused and then shook his head. “If he’s talking about Layla, that’s his story to tell. I won’t hurt you that way.” When she started to protest, he said, “You’re still wearing my ring.”

She glanced down at her hand. This ring had been nothing but trouble. She’d gladly take it off and give it to Neil, but according to Garrett, it belonged to him, not Neil. Which meant it wasn’t hers to return.

“Why are you still wearing the ring, Blair? Why not just take it off and give it to me?”

“I can’t.”

He grabbed her hand and held tight. “Because you really do love me, even if you can’t admit it. You still want to marry
me.
”

“Garrett says the ring is his.”

“And yet you’re still wearing it.” His tone was harsh.

She took a deep breath, her voice wavering. “I’m sorry.”

“He asked you to marry him and you said yes?
After one night?
”

She cringed. “Yes.”

His face reddened, his hand holding hers tighter. “You made me wait months to propose—you said you weren’t ready. Yet you accept his proposal
after one night
?”

“Neil.” Her voice broke. She might not love him, but it still killed her to hurt him like this. “I’m sorry.”

He released her hand and sat back in his chair, staring out the window for several seconds before pulling out his phone and glancing at the screen. He stuffed the phone back into his pocket and gave her a soft smile. “All I want is for you to be happy. If this is what you want, you have my blessing. You’re sure?”

“Yes.”

“Then I wish you the very best. Both of you.”

Her mouth dropped open.

“Don’t look so surprised. I care about you . . . and despite everything, Garrett is my cousin. He’s family.”

There was no way he could be handling this so well. What was he up to?

“Why don’t you let me walk you back to his room, and we can sort this all out.”

She shook her head. “I don’t think that’s a good idea.” Was that why he was taking it so well? Did he want to go over to confront Garrett?

He grimaced. “Blair, this entire situation is incredibly awkward. Not only are we canceling a wedding, you’re planning to marry my cousin. The least you can do is help come up with some kind of story that will allow me to save face with my family.” When she didn’t answer, he added, “This affects Garrett too. If you really don’t care about how this is going to affect me, at least consider
him.
”

“I really think this is a terrible idea, Neil.”

“I’m trying to be the bigger person here, and I’m willing to let bygones be bygones. Are you really going to refuse me?”

He was right. This
would
be awkward. If they could come up with some kind of understanding now, it would go a long way toward keeping their family from being torn apart. Over her.

“Okay.” She looked into his face. “Thank you.” She still wasn’t certain it was the right decision, but she had to admit he was being reasonable. Still, she hated springing this on Garrett. She now wished she had brought his phone so she could warn him by calling the hotel room phone.

Neil stood and looked impatient as he waited for her, ushering her toward the door. “Thanks for being reasonable, Blair. I’m sure you’ll appreciate it later.”

She only hoped Garrett saw it that way.