The Fiction of Forever (A Stand By Me Novel Book 2) (23 page)

“Tell us,” Bob says. He prods her with a nod.

“Gunner, Gunner.” She says my name and shakes her head. “You put up this wall against people. But I know you love hard and true. I never doubted for one minute that you’d protect me from all the bad things in the world. And even though you never said how you felt, I knew. I felt this incredible love. I felt it every time you worked overtime at the store to put food on our table. I knew it when you helped me with algebra when I vowed to quit school over math.”

I look away from her to the audience, mostly women, who all grin. Heat flushes up my neck and into my face.

“I couldn’t ask for a better brother,” Veronica says. “But you’re also dense as concrete when it comes to picking out a match for yourself.”

The audience laughs.

She continues. “You and Melanie have zero chemistry. So what if you like to fish and shoot guns with her? Are you looking for a pal or the love of your life? Do you want to touch her right now? Do you want to tell her when something good happens to you? Do you want to make sure she’s happy, because it makes you happy?”

Bob holds up a hand. “Let’s give Gunner a chance to answer.”

He looks to me and I exhale, attempting to relax so I can answer the damned question. I should get paid triple wages for this inquisition.

“So many questions. I’m not sure where to begin.” I say. “Melanie’s easy to be with. I care about her.” I know I’m not choosing Melanie at the end of today’s show, but I don’t want to embarrass her, either. She’s been a trooper—hanging out with me so I can get through the rest of the season.

Veronica’s brow crinkles in disbelief. She’s planning to scold me on national television.

Bob motions off stage to someone. “Let’s bring on one more guest.”

I turn slowly, daring to hope. It has to be Kiley. She’s the only one from this show who hasn’t been on stage. I need to see her, touch her.

Ed strolls out and takes the seat beside Veronica.

Disappointment cuts through me.

Bob sits in the chair and says something to Ed. It’s all background noise in my head as I glance back to the stage entrance again. I’d been so sure she would walk out.

My gut clenches. Something is wrong. Maybe all my worst fears will culminate in this moment and I won’t see her ever again. “Can someone please tell me where Kiley is?”

Ed turns to face the camera instead of me or Bob. “I’m the producer of
Forever
. It’s been a good long run of this fantastic show in its eighth season. But this is the end. It’s not because I don’t believe in it, but because I think it’s time. And because I don’t want it to end on a sour note, I’d like to clear the air.”

The women on the sofa all look to one another. Veronica keeps her gaze on me. Bob doesn’t look surprised at all.

“I allowed my daughter to serve as Matchmaker this season because she’s good at it, not because she’s my daughter, although she’s wonderful in that role as well. She asked that I pull her from the show because she didn’t want to compromise the production’s integrity. It seems she’s become involved emotionally.”

Bob signals to the wall behind my back. “Our Matchmaker, Kiley Vanderbilt, and Gunner have known each other since they were young.”

I turn in my seat to face a giant projection screen filling the entire wall. A class photo of little kids appears on-screen. It’s a photo I don’t recognize. A drawn heart appears around a little boy. It’s me. Me, back when I didn’t worry about anything but playing outside with my friends.

When I had a whole family and a carefree life.

Next to me, another heart pops up framing the face of a dark-haired beauty.

Wow. Even at second or third grade, Kiley was beautiful. Her huge smile and shining eyes glow so brightly, it draws the eye.

Another photo of Kiley on stage in a school play. She’s the Statue of Liberty. The girl didn’t need a torch to look regal.

I can’t stop smiling. She’s always been so vibrant. No wonder the kids at school gravitated to her. She’s like the sun. Always has been.

“Let’s take a look at some footage that made headlines.”

A montage of images from the camping trip flicker in boxes. Kiley smiling at me. Me watching her.

Kiley’s face as she focuses on my every move while we hike. When did that camera guy film this? My shoulder muscles bunch.

Ed motions to the screen and doesn’t seem phased by what he’s about to reveal. “We had to mount a special action camera to get some of this. Then a night camera. No one but Roy even knew about the extra cameras. Cameras tend to make people uncomfortable and we wanted genuine moments. The real deal. At first, we hadn’t planned to use any footage.”

Ed folds his arms over his chest and sits back like he’s going to watch some home movies.

Hell, this guy is going to show real moments all right. Moments between me and Kiley. Things she’ll hate being televised. How could he do this to his daughter?

Then her face fills the screen. Her wet hair sticking to her high cheekbones. Man, she’s beautiful. My lungs stop functioning.

We’re inside the tent talking about my mom. I’m not embarrassed about the emotional timbre to my voice. I’m never ashamed of loving Mom. I focus on what we’re saying.

Kiley: “She’d be proud of the man you are.”

Me: “She would sometimes. Right now she’d whip my ass.”

Kiley: “Why is that?”

Me: “She’d want me to be more honorable than I am.”

Kiley: “Honorable how?”

Me: “I’m trying to think of a way to tell you I pissed Addison off on purpose so she’d leave.”

There’s the sound of Kiley smacking my arm.

Kiley: “You’re kidding. Right? Tell me you didn’t do that. I can’t believe you admitted it.”

Me: “On the other hand, maybe Mom’s looking down on me and is proud of my ingenuity.”

The film grows dark and our heads pulls together. It’s tough to tell what’s going on from the angle, but I know.

Me: “Maybe she’d want me to do whatever makes me happy.”

My pulse ratchets and blood rushes into my ears. I’m always happy with Kiley. Deliriously happy.

Fear sinks deep into my soul, so leaden I can’t move for a moment. Can’t breathe.

I shake it off.

“Ed, I—” I get to my feet.

He continues like I haven’t said a word, like he hasn’t been watching me make out with his daughter. “And I’m so very proud of her moral compass, her spirit, and her belief in love. It’s a hard world out there and hard to find the right one,” he says. “She knows love isn’t measured in time. People sometimes simply know when it’s right.”

One person in the audience begins applauding and the studio fills with the sound. It dies, but I still stand, wanting to get off the stage and find her.

“Where is she, Ed?” I take a step away from my chair.

Veronica nods as if encouraging me. “Finally.”

“Patience, Gunner. I also want to point out an unscrupulous contender who unwisely blackmailed my staff.” He stands and points at Addison. “Criminal charges will be filed for theft of property. You took computer files of this footage from the home of our director. Those files belong to Rolling Hills Productions. Lady, I want it on national television that you’re scum.”

Addison’s face turns bright red and she attempts to stand. Melanie grabs her arm. “You should stay,” she says. Melanie nods toward two officers waiting off stage.

Bob nods as if this is all part of the show.

“Gunner,” Melanie says to me. “It’s been a good run, Buddy. I think you and I don’t have to pretend. We’ve both known all along what you really want. I’m disappointed that Bob didn’t bring Gunner’s real match on the show today.”

The studio audience cheers deafen me.

I step closer to Ed. “I need to go talk to her.”

Ed smiles and looks to me. “Kiley went back to the house for some boxes. If you hurry, you might be able to stop her from moving to Dallas.”

He winks at me and I run off stage to prevent the thing that scares me the most in my life.

Losing a chance with Kiley Vanderbilt again.

C
urrent Day

Kiley

I
sit
with an empty bag of miniature candy bars in one hand and a glass of wine in the other. Westley romps around the obstacle course of boxes in my bedroom.

A torrential rain outside matches my mood. Lightning flashes, illuminating the dark room.

Dark except for the glow of the television.

Melanie looks so pretty. She dressed up today in a blue short skirt with spiked heels. It’s a good look for her. She should do it more often. I’ve never seen her dress like this during the entire season.

Bitch.

I sigh, knowing it’s not true. She’s one of the nicest people I’ve met this year.

Does she really think Gunner’s going to propose or say they have a future together? Probably.

I barely hear Veronica’s questions as I stare hard at Gunner. He’s wearing black slacks with a gray dress shirt. Fresh haircut. Purposeful stubble along his jaw makes him look even more masculine.

The camera zooms in on his face, caressing the sharp angles of his cheekbones and his square jaw. “So many questions,” he says. “I’m not sure where to begin. Melanie’s easy to be with. I care about her.”

I suck in a breath. He might propose. He might do it after I’d assumed he wouldn’t this entire time.

Black panic bleeds over my vision. I’m dizzy with fear.

Lightning streaks across the sky and a loud boom immediately follows. I jump at Westley’s barking. He hates any loud noises, but especially thunder.

Pop. The television blinks and goes black.

I frown at the blank television screen. “No, no, no.” I scramble around for the remote at my feet. I press the ON button.

Nothing.

Looking up, I realize all the lights are out. Power outage. How much bad luck can one person possess?

I sit on the floor, thinking about Gunner’s last words. He cares about her.

A storm of grief threatens like dark clouds.

He must be in love with her. He said he wouldn’t, couldn’t, didn’t believe.

Self-pity sneaks up on me. I roll the cool wineglass along my flushed forehead. Another glass of wine will help me feel less. Hurt less.

I’m another half glass in when I realize the wine won’t numb the pain of knowing he didn’t want me.

Putting my unfinished drink on a dresser, I curl up on the carpet. Westley licks my face.

“Yes, I know. I know you love me.” I stroke his body until he relaxes.

My eyes drift closed and my breathing steadies. Hot tears slide down my face, and I wipe them away. Rain lashes against my window and thunder vibrates through the house.

Bam. Bambambambam.

Someone pounds on the door downstairs. Disoriented in the dark, I get to my knees and then stand. It’s probably Josie, feeling sorry for me and coming in like the cavalry to save me from my pity party.

Taking a quick step, I stub my toe on a twenty-pound free weight, a reminder of my good intentions about doing squats.

Someday. Someday, I’ll do those squats and quit eating chocolate bars with my wine, and I’ll find a guy who thinks I look beautiful without mascara. The tears come harder.

I’ll find someone, but he won’t be Gunner.

“Just a minute,” I yell and walk down the stairs. “Coming!”

I peer through the front door glass. Lightning streaks across the sky, illuminating the outline of the man outside. Gunner stands in soaking wet clothes with his back to me, but I’d know those broad shoulders and that compact butt anywhere.

“Shit-shit-shit-shit!” What is he doing here?

I back away from the closed door. Maybe he didn’t hear me. I can’t talk to him now.

Darkness envelopes the house and I stumble along the corridor, using my hand to guide me toward the back. The pounding on the front door continues.

My head feels stuffed with cotton due to the excess wine and crying.

I love Gunner Parrish and I hate him.

Hate him for not falling in love with me.

And I love him for being a man who said he wouldn’t fall, but does.

Westley runs around my feet while barking. I stride to the back of the house, as far from Gunner as possible.

“Shush,” I scold and hug my arms around my chest.

Westley runs and jumps along the back door. Gunner appears, his clothing drenched by the rain. He tries turning the back handle, but it’s locked. He spots me. “Open the door!”

I shake my head at him. “Go away.”

“You’re not getting rid of me.”

We stare at each other. He’s come to thank me for putting him with Melanie and there’s no way I can keep my chin up when he does.

I unlock the door anyway. Might as well get it over with. He immediately opens it, stepping inside. Water drips from his hair into his eyes. He uses his forearm to draw it from his face. Westley steps back, out of the growing puddle, but doesn’t attack.

Gunner takes a step forward. “Why weren’t you at the finale? I needed to tell you something.”

“Leave me alone. If you even care about me a little bit, you’ll leave me alone.”

Gunner grabs me and pushes his body against mine. Then he places both hands on the sides of my face. “Are you drunk, woman? I’m sorry for not telling you sooner. I need you. I’m here to lay it all out in plain English. No more hiding from what I really want.”

“Not Melanie? I saw you on the finale telling her…”

“I don’t know what you thought you saw. Are you sure you’re not drunk?” He leans in and sniffs.

I shake my head, tears clouding my vision. “No. A little wine to get me through the show. OK. A lot of wine. But not drunk.”

He sweeps a finger along my cheek, catching a tear. “I can’t promise you that I’ll be easy. I need to take this slow. People in relationships need to spend more than four weeks to get to know each other. But I’m not letting you get away. I know it sounds crazy, but I’ve spent my whole life waiting for you. I’m begging you to take a chance on me. I’m sorry I don’t know how to say all the romantic things, you’ll have to teach me. I’m trying to figure it all out. I even watched The Princess Bride to see what this Westley guy is all about.”

I blink away more tears. I think this is the most he’s ever said without taking a breath. “Gun…” My lips tremble and I smash them together. Hot tears drip down my chin. “You big jerk. You
are
romantic.”

He takes his thumbs and wipes them away. “Nope. I was an idiot. You were my dream girl at sixteen and nothing’s changed. I’m just saying whatever’s necessary to make sure you never get into the backseat of a car with anyone but me.”

I pull his mouth to mine and kiss him hard. “I’m parked by the garage,” I say against his mouth.

Gunner lifts me to him and I wrap my legs around his waist. He carries me all the way there.