Page 47 of Players Like Us
Of course, the man was only concerned about himself and his commitments. One more reason a person like this was so distasteful, and so easily played. “Does Neal Alexander intimidate you?”
A flash of red spilled over his cheeks, and he stumbled for an answer. “Him? No, of course not. But…he friggin’ owns part of this restaurant and other businesses, too? That man’s got to have serious street cred. You don’t just go from partying in Buenos Aires to owning a place like this without doing the work. Who the hell is this guy? What don’t I know about him?” He rubbed his jaw, muttered, “What do I need to know about him?”
Rachel studied the man across from her. Why couldn’t people live by their principles? Why couldn’t they just do the right thing and be decent to another? Truthful? She hadn’t thought about those questions too often because that would require self-examination and she hadn’t wanted to do that. Much too uncomfortable. Too overwhelming. Too revealing.
Who wanted to be accountable when deep down they knew they weren’t trying to be a better person? They were simply making excuses for mistakes and disappointments, always blaming someone else. Never taking the hard look, the honest look. Never admitting the truth to themselves or anyone else. Rachel had accused Neal of settling so no one ever expected anything from him. Hadn’t she been doing the same thing and wasn’t it time to stop?
28
Reunion Gap
5 days later
“We are so sorry we weren’t in town when you visited.” Rachel’s mother swiped at her eyes, sniffed. “Of all the times for us to be taking that darn cruise…” Her voice dipped, and she hugged Rachel, whispered, “I checked with the cruise line to find out what the cancellation policy was but when your father found out, he looked so disappointed, I couldn’t back out. Oh, I wish we could have spent time together.”
When Rachel decided to visit Reunion Gap for her meeting with Tate and his partner, she’d debated whether to stay with her parents or Daniel and Meredith. There were good and not so good aspects of both. If she stayed with her parents, she could sit on her old bed, go through pictures and belongings from her teenage years. There would be home-cooked meals and a dessert every day, but there would also be questions. So many of them.
Do you like Virginia?
Daniel said you’re doing interior design work?
There would be just the slightest hesitation and probably doubt before her mother added How wonderful.
Her father would nod, his voice gruff when he added Finally.
Her mother would shoot him a look, follow it with Are you seeing anyone?
One more look from her father, a raised brow and then Anyone we should know about?
Rachel would have to paste a smile on her face, hold it until it hurt. And no matter how many questions they tossed at her, when the topic of a “man in her life” came up, oh, that smile could not wobble, her voice could not crack.
No, she’d answer. No one.
There would be too many questions, ones she did not want to answer, but if she stayed with Daniel and Meredith, those questions would be more direct, more demanding. Her brother would not sugarcoat his words and he would expect an answer.
What’s up with you and Neal Alexander?
Is he bothering you?
He’d better leave you alone.
He’s no good for you… That kind of guy never changes…
He’d just a pretty boy with a wad of cash and a pack of lies. Don’t fall for it.
Of course, Daniel wouldn’t make these comments when his wife was around because Meredith would not tolerate him talking about her brother that way. She would be equally curious, but her approach would be gentle, encouraging.
So, what’s my brother been up to these days?
I know everyone thinks he’s misguided and misdirected, but he’s not.
He just needs somebody to believe in him. And then the most painful question of all. Do you believe in him? Do you think you two have a chance?
Rachel battled with her decision regarding where to stay, decided her parents would be the less invasive choice. She arrived in Reunion Gap with just enough time to freshen up, have some lunch and prepare for the 3 o’clock meeting with Tate and Jameson Price. They were meeting at Tate’s house a.k.a. mini mansion where she’d heard his office there was larger than the Reunion Gap town hall meeting room.
Her mother cut into her thoughts with a critique of her crab cakes. “Do you like them? I added an extra pinch of paprika. I think it gives them a nice pick-me-up, but maybe it could use a tad more Dijon mustard?”
Lorna Reese was an excellent cook, and Rachel wished she’d spent more time in the kitchen as a teen. But she’d been so anxious to break out of the good-girl persona and opt for the free spirit that she’d avoided the kitchen, her parents, and anything resembling the establishment. How foolish she’d been. Young, impressionable, determined to be different, not because she believed in any particular cause. No, she’d just wanted to stand out. Well, she stood out all right and her brother noticed every time she picked the wrong guy, tried to sneak alcohol out of the house, or sent an extra-long look at one of his friends. It wasn’t like she’d know what to do with any of them if they’d looked back, but it didn’t matter. No doubt, Daniel had warned them to stay away and nobody dared go against Daniel Reese unless they wanted repercussions, which could range from a warning to a punch, though the warning usually worked.
