Chapter 14

Phooey. Kelsey considered the distance between her and the door. Nope, she’d never make it out before he reached her. She looked back at Drew and he smiled. Figures.

She’d known her luck would run out tonight. She’d avoided seeing him after the ceremony and throughout dinner. Now, she had to face him. Too bad Dakota had stopped to talk to Phil Larson about house repairs. She could’ve asked him to dance again. Or, even better, she could’ve asked him to play along that he was her date for the night.

Don’t worry… he won’t ask anything too personal with Ella and Cat around. Pain shot through her side as a chair crashed into her when its occupant pushed it back.

“I’m so sorry,” the chair’s occupant, a woman who shared a family resemblance with Mia, said. “Are you okay? I didn’t realize you were there.”

“Don’t worry about it. It was my fault. I shouldn’t have just stopped like that. I’m fine.” Just an idiot, she thought. Before she got in anyone else’s way, she made her feet move again. The sooner she said hello the sooner he’d go away, and maybe she could enjoy the night again.

By the time she reached the table everyone else had returned, even Grace, Mack’s young daughter, who’d gone off to visit with her cousin. And lucky her, the only seat left empty was next to Drew. Had her friends done that on purpose? She wouldn’t put it past them.

“Hey, Drew.” She took the empty chair. Under the table, she gave Cat’s foot a gentle kick. Cat returned the gesture and continued her conversation with Jessie. “When I didn’t see you during dinner, I thought maybe you went home after the ceremony.” More like hoped he’d skipped the reception.

“I might skip out early, but I wanted to come. Catch up with everyone. See Sean have to dance.”

Under the table his knee bumped into her bare leg, and she jerked it away. Oh, when she got her friends alone she was going to give ’em hell.

“It does seem like the whole town is here tonight.”

“Not surprised. People in North Salem like Sean, and Mom said everyone has nice things to say about Mia, too,” Drew said.

Great, they’d gotten the pleasantries out of the way and talked about the wedding. Now what? She’d prefer to keep talking about non-personal stuff. “Ready for tomorrow’s game?” Football or any kind of sport was a safe topic with guys. “Who are you guys playing again?” Drew, much like her brother, could go on for hours talking about football. All you had to do was get them going.

“Pittsburgh. Why don’t you come? John and Cody will be there. You can hang with them.”

She’d love to go. It’d been a long time since she’d been to anything but high school football games. “Love to, but I’ve got plans.” A shift at the restaurant constituted plans, just not the type she implied. He didn’t need to know that. “Maybe some other time.”

“Name the game and I’ll set everything up for you. It doesn’t need to be a home game, either. Whatever you want.”

She wanted him to leave. “Thanks. I’ll think about it and let you know.”

Gage and his band started another nice, slow song. Kelsey watched Striker and Ella leave and join the other dancing couples. It really looked like things were working out between them. Cat and Tony did the same a moment later. All her friends looked happy and content with the men they loved. She was happy for them.

“Let’s dance,” Drew said.

“Us? Dance?” At the table with Mack, Jessie, and Grace, he wouldn’t ask any super personal questions. Out on the dance floor, she didn’t know what he’d say.

“Yeah. C’mon. I don’t think we’ve ever danced together.”

He stood up and touched her wrist. A shiver wracked her body. If the simple feel of his hand on her arm did that, what would happen when he held her to dance? It looked like she was about to find out, because if she made a big deal about dancing he’d wonder why, especially when she’d danced with Dakota.

Kelsey walked alongside him, all too aware of his hand on her lower back. Stepping onto the dance floor, he put his arms around her waist, leaving her no option but to go with the flow.

She moved with the fabulous music. Once again Gage and his band were showing everyone why they’d finally landed a big recording contract.

“So how much longer before I’m calling you Dr. Bancroft?”

She’d never said she’d gone back to Brandeis after Ian’s death, but during their monthly conversations she’d gotten the impression he believed she had. It had been her plan, after all. She’d intended for her days teaching middle school science to be a temporary thing. But plans changed. Everyone knew that. She’d never seen any reason to tell him differently and didn’t now, either.

“A while.” Let him interpret her answer any way he wanted, because someday she’d go back and finish. Even if it took her another twenty years to get there, she’d get those three little letters attached to her name.

Sadness or disappointment clouded her voice. Either emotion, he could understand. When Ian was sick, her plans had taken a temporary detour. “It’ll happen,” he said.

He’d always admired her determination. Once she put her mind to something, no matter what, she accomplished it. Ian had been the opposite. If he wasn’t good at something the first time around, he gave up and moved on to something else. When Kelsey struggled with something, she only worked harder.

Another couple moved closer. Afraid they’d bump into Kelsey, he pulled her closer, her body aligning with his. A hint of lavender teased him, reminding him of the lavender bushes growing outside Kelsey’s house. They’d been right under Ian’s bedroom window. In the spring, when they hung out there, the scent would fill Ian’s room. He couldn’t smell the scent without thinking back to those days.

“Tony and Cat got married. How’d that happen?” He’d prefer to not have memories of his dead friend invading his thoughts tonight. A conversation on some random topic might help keep them away.

“They met at O’Leary’s Pub one night. She was supposed to go out with Ella’s cousin, but he canceled last-minute. She stopped in there instead and Tony showed up. They got married a couple months later.”

“Never would’ve guessed they’d get together.”

Kelsey shrugged. “Me neither. But Cat’s happy. Tony seems to be, too.”

He caught a glimpse of Dakota still talking with Phil Larson. “Is Dakota your boyfriend?”

Under his palms, her back tensed. “He’s a friend. He moved to North Salem over the summer. Bought the foreclosed property on Union Street. He’s been fixing it up ever since.”

Her answer confirmed his earlier assumption. “Where’s your boyfriend, then? I wanted to meet him tonight. See if I approve.” He tried to make it sound like a joke.

This time her whole body became rigid, and she stopped dancing. “You’re not my brother, so don’t pull any of that big brother baloney.”

Damn, didn’t he know it. His body’s unexpected reaction to holding her so close reminded him very nicely that she wasn’t his little sister. “Hey, I’m kidding with you. Relax.”

“Stick with playing football, because you’re not funny.” She pulled back, forcing him to loosen his arms around her waist, and looked up at him. “I lied, okay? I’m not seeing anyone. I came here tonight with Ella and Striker.”

Everyone lied. Drew figured anyone who claimed never to have lied was full of it. However, when people lied to their friends, they had a reason. And he considered them friends. “Why?”

She went back to dancing. “I didn’t want to drive over alone,” Kelsey answered, either not understanding his question or intentionally avoiding it. He put his money on the second possibility.

Judging by the beat of the music, the slow ballad was almost over. “Why’d you lie?”

Kelsey’s hands slipped from his shoulders, and she stopped moving again. On stage, Gage finished his song. People around them left the dance floor as others took their place. Drew didn’t care. He’d stand there and wait until she answered him. When it came to determination he had a shitload, too. He wouldn’t have gotten to where he was if he didn’t. And, right now, he was determined to get an answer from her.

“Should we dance or just stand here and look at each other?” he asked, annoyed when she kept silent even as Gage started singing another song.

Unexpectedly, Kelsey’s hands returned to his shoulders. Drew took it as sign she wanted to dance again.

“I didn’t want to go with you,” she answered, her voice soft but apologetic. “I knew you wouldn’t push it if I told you I was going with someone.”

He appreciated her honesty, but Kelsey’s answer still stung. “Why not?” He shouldn’t question her. She had a right to her reasons, just like him. But, damn, it bothered him that she’d rather go alone than with him. “Women don’t usually mind spending time with me. Believe it or not, some even enjoy it.”

“Being around you often reminds me of Ian. I didn’t want the reminder today.”

He couldn’t fault her for that one. Didn’t he avoid North Salem for the same reason? “Gotcha.”

Unfortunately, no matter how much she or North Salem reminded him of his friend, he had his promise to keep. And ever since seeing her at the restaurant, Drew sensed he’d dropped the ball. Something was going on with Kelsey. He needed to figure out what and then take care of it.

“Let me give you a ride home tonight.” A quiet car ride might answer his questions, and put to rest the annoying voice in his head telling him Kelsey needed his help.

“Isn’t it out of your way?” she asked.

“Don’t worry about it. I want to drive you home.”

“Sure, whatever. You’re the one who has to do the driving.” She sounded more resigned than enthusiastic, but he didn’t call her on it. He’d gotten what he wanted. Tonight, he’d get his answers. Fix whatever problem Kelsey was having and clear his conscience.

They danced the remainder of the song in silence. When it ended, Drew led them off the dance floor and toward her table.

“Hi Kelsey,” a woman he didn’t recognize said as they passed her table. He did recognize the man seated next to her. Jack Doyle had graduated high school with him.

Immediately, Kelsey stopped and smiled at her. “Hi, Marissa. Jack.”

“I have to tell you, William loves science. Usually he hates it, but you’re his favorite teacher this year. He comes home every day talking about what you did in class,” Marissa said.

Teacher?

Color filled Kelsey’s face. “He’s a great student.”

Kelsey and Marissa exchanged a few other words. The brief conversation created more questions in his mind. Questions he’d get answers to on the drive back to North Salem.

***

She should’ve gone with her first instinct this morning and skipped the wedding. But, nope, she’d convinced herself she’d have some much needed fun. Idiot. Now she had him to deal with. She glanced at Drew behind the wheel. The only upside was getting to ride in this car. Kelsey ran her hand over the soft black leather seat. She’d inherited her father’s love of cars, and “gorgeous” was the only word to describe Drew’s new Mercedes convertible. Yep, this was a beautiful vehicle with all the extra touches. Too bad she couldn’t truly appreciate the ride in it.

Kelsey watched Drew merge into the next lane. He’d kept silent so far, but it wouldn’t last. He’d start with his questions soon. She knew what his number one would be, too. She’d seen it on his face when they spoke to Marissa. Maybe if she got him talking before he started his interrogation, they’d run out of time and she could avoid his questions.

“There were so many people there. I’m guessing four hundred. What do you think?”

“Around that,” Drew answered, his eyes glued to the road. Fog had rolled in, making visibility low.

“I couldn’t believe some of the people I saw. Anderson Brady was there. Did you see him? I love his movies. I read he and Selena Cruise broke up, but they were together today. Guess the magazine article was wrong. Did you and Nikki Reese dance? Cat said she thought it was you dancing with her.”

“Yeah,” Drew said, sounding annoyed. “She asked.”

“Most guys would give anything to dance with her.” Or she guessed. The woman was gorgeous. Guys went for beautiful women with great bodies. At least the guys she knew did. She didn’t see Drew being much different.

“Did Mrs. Mitchell talk your ear off?” After their dance, Drew had said he needed to go back and visit with Mrs. Mitchell. She’d seen him sit down with the older woman, but had forced herself to not look in his direction again. She didn’t know if he’d stayed there for five minutes or an hour.

The corner of Drew’s mouth curved up. “You know her. She loves to talk. She filled me in on a year’s worth of town news.”

“Only a year’s worth? She must have been tired.” Kelsey didn’t know how, but the woman did seem to know everything that happened in North Salem.

“Marissa… is she Jack’s wife?” Drew asked before she managed another sentence.

Kelsey nodded, her insides knotting up.

“William’s their son?”

She wished he’d spit out his real question already. She knew it was coming.

“Technically William is Marissa’s son from a previous marriage, but Jack adopted him after they married. They have a daughter, too. Rachel is in the first or second grade.” Kelsey thought for a moment. “No, she’s definitely in first. William told me she has Mrs. Cunningham this year. Did you have her in school? I didn’t, but Ella and Cat did. I had Mrs. Bush for first grade.”

“And William has you for science,” he stated, ignoring her question.

No point in denying it. He’d heard her and Marissa’s conversation. “Yep. He’s in sixth grade.”

Neither spoke, but she knew Drew would want more answers.

“And you teach while you work on your doctorate part-time?”

A simple yes would end the discussion. She could let him believe what he wanted. He’d go back to Weston and never know the difference unless he asked someone like Tony or Striker. They both knew she taught full-time at the middle school and worked almost every day at the restaurant, leaving no free time for her studies. He’d already caught her in one lie. She’d prefer not to get caught by him in another.

“Not exactly.”

They approached the highway exit for North Salem. Almost home. He wouldn’t linger at her house. He had at least a forty-minute drive home, maybe longer because of the visibility, and a big day tomorrow. He’d want to be well rested before a big game, right?

Drew didn’t ask another question. Instead, he took the off-ramp and headed through the center of town. Was he waiting for her to explain further? Yeah, not happening. She’d let him interpret the answers she gave him however he wanted.

“And that’s it?” Drew asked.

He stopped the car in her driveway. For the second time today she noticed how much the grass needed to be cut. A better use of her time today would’ve been to stay home and mow it. Oh well, too late now. Maybe Monday after school she’d tackle it.

“You’re not going to explain?” He turned off the engine and looked at her.

“Explain what? I teach science at the middle school. Big deal. Lots of people do.” Kelsey retrieved her purse from the floor and dug out her keys. “Thank you for the ride home tonight.” She opened the door. The floodlight on the garage illuminated the inside of the small car, making it easy to see the frustration on Drew’s face. He didn’t like not getting his way. Who did?

“Be careful driving home. And good luck tomorrow. I’ll probably catch part of the game on TV.” She pushed the door open and swung both feet out. She waited for his hand on her arm. Expected it, actually. It never came. He let her exit the car and close the door behind her. Instead, he stood waiting when she walked around the front of the car.

Drew might be a quarterback, but right now he reminded her of a linebacker standing between her and the end zone. Or, in this case, the safety of her house.

“Why are you still teaching? You told me you went back to Brandeis.”

“No. You assumed I went back, and I never bothered to correct you.” She shivered. Since she’d left the house earlier, the temperature had dropped significantly, a clear indication that the calendar might say it was still summer, but fall was quickly rolling into New England. “I’m chilly and tired. I’m going inside.” She moved past him. Since she hadn’t invited him in, she hoped he got the message and left. The footsteps behind her on the walkway told her he planned on following her.

“I knew you took the teaching job to help out your parents when Ian was sick. He told me. He’s been gone for three years. Why haven’t you left and gone back to school?” He stood on the step below her, still managing to be taller than her.

“Because I haven’t.” She wasn’t discussing her personal financial situation with him at eleven o’clock at night while standing on her front step. “And I don’t understand what the big deal is anyway. It’s not like you care whether I teach middle school science or finish my doctorate. Either way, your life isn’t going to change.”

His hands came down on her shoulders, chasing away her chills. “I care, Kelsey. I wouldn’t call every month if I didn’t care. You’re like a sister to me.”

She heard the compassion in his voice and silently cursed. Drew was acting concerned, much the same way Ian would have. Taking in a slow, deep breath, she counted to five before she answered. “Drew, really it’s no big deal. Right now I need a full-time job, so I’m teaching. When I’m ready I’ll finish up the degree I started.”

“Is there anything I can do to help?”

“Nope. I’m good.”

He wanted to push more. Get more out of her. She saw it in his expression and waited for his next question. Instead he said, “If you ever need help, any kind, call me.”

She nodded. She’d let him interpret her response however he wanted.

“We’ll talk soon.” His lips brushed against her cheek. “Goodnight.”

Afraid she’d do the one thing she’d dreamed of doing since she was ten and kiss him, Kelsey opened the door and stepped inside. “Thanks again for the ride. See you later.”

Closing the door, she leaned against it. She’d made it through his questioning without giving up too much information. Assuming he went back to avoiding town and just made his monthly brief phone calls, he’d never dig any deeper.

Never learn just how close she was to losing her home.