Substitute Bride Read online

  Tammy gasped.

  “Do I need to call the cops?” the woman demanded, shooting Alex a pointed look.

  Without answering, Alex stormed to the front of the store and stuffed the horrible dress into the trashcan. Nita ran behind her and quickly put the dress back on the hook where it belonged before she followed Alex out of the store.

  “Wait up!” Nita called out.

  Alex stopped and turned to her friend, the tears already in her eyes. When Nita finally caught up to her, Alex asked, “How could Kevin sleep with her?”

  “You can’t believe everything she says,” Nita replied. “She just said that to get under your skin.”

  Alex wiped the tears from her eyes. “You think so?”

  “You really have to ask me that question? You know Kevin better than anybody. Do you honestly think he would do that?”

  “Well, he is going to marry her.”

  “No, he’s not! Will you stop saying that?”

  “I didn’t think he’d seriously consider someone like Tammy to begin with. I thought he had higher standards than that, but apparently, he’s making the biggest decision of his life with his penis.”

  “Wow. You’ve always been blunt, but I have to say that is—”

  “I don’t care. And I’m not going tonight. I’m calling Trent and cancelling.”

  “You can’t.”

  “Of course, I can!”

  “No, you can’t. He’s going to be at the country club all day, remember? He won’t be back until he’s ready to pick you up.”

  Alex groaned and rubbed her eyes. “I forgot.”

  “Ask Kevin if he slept with Tammy. If he did, he’ll tell you he did. Then you’ll know for sure.”

  Alex knew Nita was right. “Okay. We can talk about everything else, why not this, right?”

  “Right. Now let’s go eat a boat load of chocolate to make you feel better.”

  Nodding, Alex agreed and they crossed the street to a bakery.

  Chapter Eight

  Kevin dialed Tammy’s number for what seemed like the millionth time and paced back and forth in front of the apartment she and two of her friends shared on the campus. While the phone rang, he peered into the window and sighed. No one was there. When Tammy’s cell phone went into her voice message system, he hung up and shoved the cell back into his pocket. He’d already left a couple of messages. What good would leaving one more do?

  Where could she possibly be? And why wasn’t she picking up her cell phone? He knew she was trying on her bridal gown, but it shouldn’t take all day. With a groan, he reminded himself that she was a woman, and who knew how long women took to do anything? He turned from the apartment and decided to try his luck at sitting on the bench in front of the complex. Maybe he’d get lucky and she’d pull into the parking lot while he waited.

  After a few minutes, he took out his phone and decided to call Alex. Unfortunately, she didn’t have a cell phone, which boggled his mind. In this day and age, he thought everyone should have a cell phone, but Alex said when she was out, she didn’t want to be bothered with phone calls. So he was left calling her parents and hoping she was there.

  When her mother answered the phone and he asked to talk to Alex, her mother said she was out trying on the dress for his wedding and then she was going to pick up something to wear for the engagement party that night. He winced and considered telling her mother he wouldn’t be marrying Tammy after all but then decided against it.

  He didn’t know what he was going to do if Alex didn’t agree to marry him. Up to that point, he assumed she’d say yes, which was a foolish thing to do. Sure, he knew Alex, but he didn’t know her that well.

  He waited for another half hour when Greg drove into the parking lot. Wondering why Greg would bother coming by, he stood up and walked over to his car. Greg rolled down his window.

  “What’s up?” Kevin asked.

  “What is wrong with you?” Greg replied, looking as if he was frustrated with him.

  He frowned as he sorted through everything he just did at their apartment. “Did I forget to take my laundry out of the dryer again?”

  Rolling his eyes, Greg said, “You are a moron.”

  “I’m sorry. I thought I remembered this time. I’ve been distracted with everything that’s been going on. I’m getting married next week, you know.”

  “That’s why you’re a moron. What are you doing with Tammy? The girl’s all wrong for you.”

  “I know. I’ve been trying to get a hold of her ever since I woke up this morning, but I can’t find her anywhere.”

  Greg hesitated. “For real?”

  “I wouldn’t joke about something as serious as my wedding.”

  “Are you going to marry someone else?”

  “I have to if I want to get a million dollars, and right now I need that to pay for the elaborate wedding Tammy wanted.”

  “If you aren’t marrying her, then why are you paying for it?”

  “Because everything’s already been ordered,” Kevin said. “There’s a no refund policy on most of it. Besides, I’m still getting married, so I’ll still use it.”

  “You’re still getting married? To who?”

  “Don’t tell anyone, but I’m going to ask Alex.”

  “No kidding?” Greg laughed. “What made you change your mind?”

  Kevin shrugged. “I don’t know exactly. I guess it just seems right.”

  “That’s cool, man. So does this mean I get to be the best man?”

  “Sure.”

  “Good. You should have picked me for that spot to begin with. I mean, I’ve been your roommate. I’ve dealt with you at your worst.” Greg laughed again. “I forgive you though. Just name your first boy after me and we’ll call it even.”

  Kevin rolled his eyes but grinned. “You wish.”

  “Well, come on. We got to get ready for the party.”

  Glancing at his watch, Kevin winced. “I was hoping to talk to Tammy first.”

  And once Kevin talked to her, the party would be a total bust. Her family and friends, along with his, were supposed to be there. He rubbed his eyes, wishing he hadn’t agreed to something so big and extravagant. Had this been confined to a small gathering, he could make some phone calls and call it off, but no, Tammy insisted that it had to be a big affair to impress others. The more he thought about it, the happier he was with his decision. He didn’t think he could afford to be married to her.

  “Alright. I guess I should get ready for the party.” Even as Kevin said it, he grimaced. It wouldn’t be much of a party once he told Tammy he couldn’t marry her.

  ***

  Alex stared at her reflection in the mirror and wondered if she had the nerve to go out in public in what was supposed to pass for a dress. She brushed her hair over her shoulders. Well, that covered some of her cleavage, but not enough. The only good thing she could say about the red miniskirt, low-cut dress was that it had straps.

  “Nita, this is a bad idea,” she told her friend who returned to her room with her long coat.

  Nita slipped the coat over Alex’s shoulders and patted her back. “If this doesn’t get Kevin’s attention, then nothing will. Trust me, the color red and the percentage of skin you’re showing are enough to get any guy’s attention.”

  “I feel cheap.” She tried to pull the mid-thigh skirt lower, but it was pointless. “I’m glad my family’s not going to be there. They’d die or give me a lecture about dressing like a lady.”

  “Hey—” Nita gave her a pointed look—“not every woman who dresses up in a sexy outfit is a tramp, or cheap.”

  “I don’t dress like this. Ever.”

  “Do you want to get Kevin’s attention or not?” When Alex didn’t answer, Nita said, “What you’ve been wearing up to now hasn’t worked, has it? Remember, if you keep doing the same thing over and over, you’ll keep getting the same results.”

  Alex took one last look at herself and shuddered. “Okay. I’m in this, sink or sw
im.”

  “Good.”

  The doorbell rang, so Alex quickly buttoned her coat, thankful it, at least, reached her knees. “I look like I’m not wearing anything under this coat.”

  “Even better. Make Kevin think you’re naked.”

  Alex’s cheeks warmed. “Nita!”

  “What? If you marry him, he’ll be seeing you naked anyway. You might as well get him used to the idea.”

  “You’re a horrible influence on me.”

  “Why? Because I force you to be a girl?”

  Deciding not to respond, Alex headed out of the bedroom.

  “I can’t help but notice you have this awful habit of running off on me today,” Nita quipped as she trailed after her.

  Alex shrugged but smiled. When she got to the living room, she saw Trent and Jordan talking to her parents.

  Her mom looked her way and blinked. “You are wearing a dress under that coat, aren’t you?”

  “Yeah,” Alex replied, glancing at Nita who breezed by her so she could give her boyfriend a hug. “The coat’s long, that’s all.”

  Her father frowned. “When is the engagement party over?”

  “Nine,” she said.

  He gave Trent a good look. “I expect her home at nine.”

  Alex rolled her eyes. “Dad!”

  “Fine,” her dad said. “Nine thirty.”

  She groaned. Here she was, twenty-two, and her dad was treating her as if she was in high school. Didn’t it occur to him that if she planned to do something with Trent, she could go somewhere other than the engagement party?

  Her mother rubbed her father’s back. “It’s okay, honey. We can trust her.”

  “It’s not her I’m worried about.” Her father turned his gaze to Trent whose eyes grew wide.

  “I’ll be fine, Dad,” Alex quickly assured him, embarrassed they were even having this conversation in front of everyone. “I know how to kick a guy in the groin.” She turned to Trent. “Ready?”

  Trent offered a smile that seemed forced. “Uh, sure.”

  Nita took Jordan’s hand. “Come on. Let’s get this party started.”

  Alex gave her parents a quick hug and kiss and walked with Trent to the doorway. As soon as she saw the driveway, she stopped.

  “What’s wrong?” Trent asked.

  She would have rubbed her eyes, but she didn’t want to ruin her eyeliner. “You drive a corvette?”

  He shrugged. “Only on Saturdays.”

  Alex looked at Nita who fanned herself and pretended to swoon.

  “Didn’t I tell you my family’s wealthy?” Trent asked.

  Alex laughed and strolled to the driveway. “No. I would have remembered that conversation.”

  “Well, now you know.” Trent opened the door for her. “Ladies first.”

  Still overwhelmed, she slipped into the car while he shut the door for her.

  He got into the car and started it. “You must really like this guy to go through all this trouble for him. I don’t have you pegged as a girl who plays dress up often.”

  “I’m not.” She sighed and looked out the window.

  Her parents waved to her, so she gave the obligatory wave back. Her father pointed to his watch and then to her. Glancing at Trent, she breathed a sigh of relief. Good. He hadn’t seen him. This was so embarrassing. She was an adult now, but they were treating her as if she was going to the prom. Had it not been for Kevin, she wouldn’t have gone to the prom, and even though he hadn’t planned on going, he did when he realized how important it was to her. She wanted to go to a prom at least once during high school since other students made such a fuss about it. Smiling, she thought about how he was a good sport about wearing a tux and dancing, even if they were both horrible at it and kept stepping on each other’s feet. She couldn’t imagine being as close to anyone as she was with Kevin.

  “You remind me of my younger sister,” Trent said as he drove down the next block.

  “I do?” she asked, putting the prom far from her mind.

  “Yeah. She had a horrible time getting the right kind of attention from guys.”

  She frowned, unsure of whether or not she liked this particular analogy.

  He glanced her way and chuckled. “I do mean that as a compliment. She’s a great kid.”

  “But she can’t find a date?”

  “She needed help, but it eventually happened. Sometimes the guy has to see that he can lose a girl in order to wake up. I don’t mind jumpstarting a romance.”

  Looking over at him, she grinned. “Is that what you usually do? Go around and look for ways to help people realize they’re meant to be together?”

  “Something like that. I’m a relationship counselor.”

  “Really?”

  “Yep. Started my own business a couple of months ago right after I got my master’s degree.”

  “So you’re an expert in love, huh?”

  Shrugging, he said, “I don’t know if I’d call myself an expert, but I enjoy seeing people happy in their relationships.”

  “Do I owe you a fee for helping me out tonight?” she teased.

  “I’ll tell you what. If I ever need a favor, I’ll give you a call.”

  “Okay. Deal.”

  She turned her attention to the strip on Okaloosa Island where Kevin and Tammy had rented a condo suite on the beach for the party. That idea, no doubt, had been Tammy’s. With the way she spent money, he’d be out of his inheritance before the year was up. Whatever was he thinking when he told Tammy about the money? Well, tonight was her last shot at getting him to ditch her. As Trent drove his car into the parking lot, she straightened in her seat and got ready to “wow” Kevin.

  Chapter Nine

  Kevin entered the suite, blinked, and rechecked the number on the door. It was the right room, but it wasn’t anything he had in mind when Tammy insisted they have an engagement party. The suite was huge. A lot of people—way more than he was comfortable with—had been invited, and there was a ton of finger foods set on the buffet tables.

  He glanced at the hotel employee who had shown him to the room. “How much is this costing me?”

  The employee shrugged. “I don’t know but my wallet would be crying if it was me.”

  Kevin reluctantly entered the room, not surprised when his father came over to him with a concerned expression on his face. “Kevin, isn’t this a little…too much?” His father motioned to the room. “Your aunt didn’t leave you that money so you could be careless with it.”

  “I know,” Kevin whispered, glad the music from the live orchestra in the corner of the room drowned his dad’s complaints. “I let Tammy arrange this.”

  “Son, I don’t think Tammy is wise with money.”

  “I know. Now.” Kevin didn’t feel like explaining Tammy’s plans for the wedding. Thank goodness they were in the middle of a school year and had to delay plans for a honeymoon! “I have to talk to Tammy. Do you know where she’s at?”

  “Over there.”

  Directing his attention to the group of giggly females, he nodded. What fun this was going to be, he thought with dread. He took off his coat and searched for a place to put it.

  “In the other room,” his dad said.

  “Thanks.” After he hung it up, he straightened his suit jacket. He hated wearing suits, but Tammy warned him it was a formal event and darned if she hadn’t been telling the truth. Taking a deep breath, he prepared himself for giving her the bad news. “Be quick and get it over with,” he mumbled and headed out of the room.

  He approached the group of friends and slowed his steps when he realized Tammy had two black eyes and a bruised nose. He didn’t recall the ball causing two black eyes. With a deep breath, he proceeded forward and cleared his throat.

  Tammy looked his way. “Oh, Kevin, look at what your friend did to me.”

  Glancing at her circle of friends, he gave an apologetic smile. “It was an accident. Alex was throwing the football around. Tammy stepped in front of it�
�”

  “She meant to hit me so I’d look like a freak at my own wedding,” Tammy interrupted.

  “No, she didn’t. The angle of the football wasn’t on course to hit you. I get it. For whatever reason, Alex threw the football close to us, but it was never intended to hit you.”

  Tammy crossed her arms and pouted. “Well, she punched me in the eye today when I was trying on my wedding dress.”

  He laughed. “Oh come on!”

  “It’s true!” Tammy motioned to two of her friends. “They saw her do it.”

  “We did,” her friends said in unison. When they realized they spoke at the same time, they looked at each other and giggled.

  Kevin forced back the eye roll and turned to Tammy. “I have something I need to discuss with you, but I’d like to do it in private.” Scanning the room, he saw that the balcony was vacant.

  “No, Kevin,” Tammy said, her voice a higher pitch than it’d been just moments before. “You need to listen to me. Alex attacked me, again. How many bruises do I have to have before you get it?” Her lower lip trembled. “I had to cancel the photographer because of this.” She pointed to her face. “None of the make-up we’ve used has worked. My wedding day is already ruined, and it’s all because of Alex.”

  “What did you do to Alex to make her punch you?” he finally asked when he realized she wasn’t going to let the topic go.

  She gasped and pressed her hand to her chest. “What makes you think I did something?”

  “Because I know Alex, and she doesn’t attack anyone unless they ask for it.”

  “No, he didn’t,” one of her friends said.

  “Oh yes, he did,” another one replied, shaking her head at him.

  “I need to talk to you,” he told Tammy. “Alone.”

  “No,” Tammy snapped and brushed the tears from her eyes. “I will not have you defending psycho chick to me.”

  He didn’t know whether to laugh or be upset that she just called his best friend a psycho. “I hate to break it to you, Tammy, but if you expect Alex to sit back and take your crap, it’s not going to happen. Alex doesn’t go around punching people for the heck of it.”