Page 54 of Players Like Us
“People talk. I listen.” Laughter filled the line and was that joy that snuck through? Yes, it certainly sounded like it. “The restaurant business is a difficult one, and yet you pulled it off. I’ve been reading the reviews and I must say, they’re very impressive. I might have to make a trip to Virginia and try Matilda’s out myself.”
Please don’t. But Neal would not voice that because doing so would only make the old man determined to come. “Maybe you will.” Please. Do. Not.
“Imagine finding all of this out in that ridiculous little diner? I didn’t even have to hire an investigator for this. Good old hometown gossip. The whole town’s buzzing about it.”
Neal blew out a long sigh, pictured what that would look like. “I’ll bet they are.” Were they lining up praise alongside all of his misdeeds? Were they comparing and trying to determine if good outweighed bad?
“It does appear you have an aptitude for the restaurant business. Who would’ve thought?”
“Certainly not you.”
More laughter skittered through the line, tightened Neal’s resolve to be done with the man who had damaged his belief in goodness. “I like your spunk. Had I known of your capabilities, I might have employed your services. Your brother is a bit too unbending and caught up on his principles at times, but you? There are occasions when you and I would work well together.”
“I see. Are you going to offer me money again for some sort of suspicious activity? Or do you have another pregnancy where you want me to pretend I’m the father? I’m good for ‘bad’, right? Not good enough to be treated with any level of decency, but fill in for a deed like that? I’m your man.”
“Tsk-tsk. Why so contrary? Match the person with the qualifications. I wouldn’t suggest that again, but you must admit, my choices were limited.”
The man wasn’t fit to be a human being, let alone a father. “What about tagging that responsibility to the owner? Your brother?”
“He had too much to lose, and he did not have the leverage of being underage.”
“So, lies packed on top of lies are fine as long as they serve a purpose? And that purpose is to protect you and your money?” If he never spoke with the man again, he’d be fine with it.
“Money that you accepted, let’s not forget that.”
Neal was not going to let his bad choices mark the rest of his life. “What do you want?”
“I wanted to congratulate you on your success. Isn’t that enough?”
“With you, it’s never just about one thing. What else?” With Harrison Alexander there was always something else.
A chuckle, followed by “Maybe you are more like me than I thought. Since you asked, stay away from the girl. One Reese infiltrating our blood line is enough.”
32
McLean, VA
Eight weeks later
Dominic would knock on the office door any minute to signal it was time to start. Neal glanced at the letter he’d written last night while Rachel slept. When had he ever not known what to say or how to say it? But this was big and he had to get it right. After so many years of screwing up and getting it wrong, this had to be right.
“Neal?” His soon-to-be-wife slid the paper from his fingers.
“Thank you all for coming to our rehearsal dinner. It’s a huge ‘ask’ for you to travel here, take time away from work and family commitments, and we truly appreciate it. McLean is where Rachel and I wanted to exchange our vows because this is where we really got to know each other and where we plan to make our home. We hope you’ll visit more often and we definitely plan to make it back to Reunion Gap more than once a decade.
I’ve screwed up too many times, but I’ve learned a few very valuable lessons lately:
One: Family is important. And family isn’t always just about blood. Good friends, communities, they can be family, too.
Two: Follow your own path, not the one other people choose for you. If you aren’t true to yourself, you’re in for a lot of misery. Trust me on that one.
Three: Accept our differences and stop making excuses. My brother taught me that one.
Four: Find the right partner, like I’ve found in the woman I’m marrying tomorrow. That can make every part of your life better, brighter, worthwhile. Oh, and don’t be afraid to show her who you really are, because she already knows and loves you anyway.
Rachel folded the paper and handed it back to him, eyes filled with tears. “Oh, Neal.”
It was one thing to spill his guts on paper, but to share it? He was still getting used to the whole “sharing your soft and vulnerable side” with Rachel, but he was getting better. This sharing stuff was all part of the relationship and marriage gig and he was not screwing this up. “Too much touchy-feely? Should I tame it down a bit? I can take out a few lines or—”
