May 25th #2
I smile when it suddenly hits me who she’s talking about. “Daine?”
Her eyes get huge over the fact that I guessed right. I roll mine at her because she was fawning over him last night, but I thought it was because of his music.
“Is it obvious that I’m crushing?” she asks with a slightly pained voice.
I shrug. “I just know you well. And I’m really glad you’re interested in someone. It’s been a long road, you know?”
She looks down at the boot on her foot. And I can tell it’s making her relive the night of the car accident she was in with her then boyfriend, Pace. I also realize that even though he was probably invited to the wedding, he never showed up.
And I’m actually grateful for that.
Haley’s been working through some of the trauma—as in Pace was knocked unconscious in the collision and she thought he was dead.
That her chances of recovering enough to achieve her dream of playing collegiate volleyball aren’t great.
And Pace feels guilty about it. Even though he wasn’t at fault in the accident, he cut off all contact with her.
“I know better than anyone,” I tell her. Because it’s me who’s been there for her. And although Chase is my best friend, Haley and I have grown even closer because of it.
She lets out a dramatic sigh. “Tell me it’s never going to work, Damon. Tell me so I can put these silly fantasies out of my mind. Get my head out of the clouds.”
“It’s so very going to work. You’ll be at Nebraska, playing volleyball and dating Daine. ”
“Don’t I wish? But I call bullshit. He’s sort of dating someone. She’s a music artist, too, and they are beautiful together.”
Which pisses me off instantly.
“It’s not like that,” she says, reading my face. “It’s very casual dating. They aren’t a couple. We talked. And talked. I mean, we’ve basically been pen pals for the last three years.”
We’re interrupted when Chase comes back to the table and kisses the top of Haley’s head.
“What’s that for?” she asks him.
He nods toward the table where Ainsley was sitting, only now she’s standing up, hugging Dani and talking to Daine. And based on Ainsley’s body language and gestures, I know she and Dani are gushing over him. Or his music.
Whatever it is, I don’t like it.
One bit.
“Your friendship with Daine made my wife very happy last night,” Chase says to Haley. “She couldn’t believe he was here. And I didn’t get to properly thank you for that.”
“I’m so glad it made her happy,” Haley says to her brother even though her eyes are on Daine.
And the second Chase walks away, she goes, “Obviously, I am glad it made her happy, but I offered to ask him to play for the opening of the resort for one reason only. So I could see him again. I’m also feeling insanely jealous.”
“Me too,” I agree. “Wave at them.”
We do. And while Ainsley nods her head toward her mom again and sits back down, Daine does come to join us .
Champagne is quickly handed out. Chase toasts to his bride. Dani thanks everyone for being here. And brunch is served.
And although Daine and Haley have been chatting happily during our meal and he’s still sitting here, talking to her, now that it’s over and people are starting to head out for all the other activities, certain subjects haven’t come up.
I decide to take action—at exactly the moment that Ainsley plops down in a seat across from me and next to Daine. And when she asks him the question I was going to ask, I smile.
We are so in tune. It’s crazy.
“What are your plans after this?” Ainsley says to him.
“The band is loading everything up, and then we’ll head back to Nashville,” Daine replies. “We have a gig there next weekend.”
“I wish I could see you play sometime,” Haley says.
“You saw him play last night,” Ainsley says, and I want to kick her under the table.
Is she blind to love?
“That she did,” I say, grinning at Daine. “I know you and Haley have kept in touch, but you’re practically family now, so we’d love to see you around more. And you should definitely come experience a Nebraska football game this fall.”
“That would be great,” Daine says, “but only if you agree to come to one of my actual performances. They are a lot different from playing a wedding.”
“I’ve always wanted to go to Nashville,” I say.
“I’m touring this fall. Hitting a lot of college towns. I’m pretty sure Lincoln is one of them. We tour all week, then fly home to play locally on the weekends. Someday, I’d like to open my own venue there. While touring is great, I’ve been on the road a lot lately. Could use a break.”
“Maybe you shouldn’t leave yet then,” I tell him.
“What do you mean?” Daine asks while Haley looks at me with a growing grin, knowing exactly what I’m about to suggest.
“While the wedding festivities are over, the Archibald–Diamond–Mackenzie family reunion is just starting. You’re welcome to stay.”
“I wouldn’t want to impose,” he says.
“No imposition at all. You can have your choice of a room at our family home or here at the hotel. It’s a practice run before the hotel’s public reopening.”
“I do have a few days off,” he says.
I shrug. “Up to you, but we have a good time. Skiing, eating, and that new and improved lazy river is calling my name. Chase and I will be working out every morning. Plus, it’s all free.”
I give Haley a glance, hoping she will add something, but she’s just sort of sitting there—probably silently praying he says yes. I can tell she wants it so bad.
Or him , I think with a chuckle.
And after all that she’s been through since the accident— mentally, physically, and emotionally—she deserves to have some fun.
And from what I can tell, Daine is cool.
But if Haley likes him, I need to find out just how cool.
“Do you mind if I go talk to the band and make a couple of quick calls before I make a decision?” he asks.
“Go ahead,” I tell him.
“Want to come with me, Haley?” he asks.
“Sure,” she says, her eyes lighting up.
He gets up and heads toward his golf cart.
Haley leans over and whispers to me, “You’re bad.”
“And you’re glad I am.”
“Do you really think he might stay?”
“Free vacay? Who wouldn’t?” I reply.
“Talk later,” she says, leaving me alone at the table with Ainsley.
We look at each other. I smile at her.
“I have a family thing now. Um, can we maybe, uh, chat? Like, later?”
“Sure, just text me. The lazy river really is calling my name.”
“That sounds fun,” she says, looking slightly relieved. “I’m surprised you didn’t suggest something more private.”
“Look, I’m sure you’re freaking out about us being in private last night. I’m giving you a break.”
“I’m hungover,” she says. “And I hate that feeling. Although breakfast helped. ”
“I’m glad,” I say, leaning down to kiss her forehead. “Have fun with your family, then come have fun with me.”
Her phone buzzes with a text. We both look at it.
Dad: I’m sorry I didn’t make it to the wedding, but I’m here now. Can you bring your mother and meet me in the hotel lobby?
“It’s my dad,” she says softly.
“That’s good, right?” I say.
“It’s good that he texted, but I don’t like that he’s lying—acting like he just showed up and that he wasn’t here last night, drunk and arguing with his brothers. But I do need to talk to him. With or without my mom.”
“Do you want me to come with you?”
“No, that’s okay. It will be fine. I’m sure it was all just a misunderstanding.”
I take her hand in mine, pulling it up to my lips. “I’m looking forward to seeing you again soon, Ainsley.”
To this, she smiles.
Told her the truth.
Ainsley
I look around for my mom, finding her sitting at a table with Damon’s mom. And they seem to be having a very serious conversation.
“Sorry to interrupt,” I say, “but Dad’s here at the hotel. He wants us to meet him.”
Lori locks eyes with my mom and squeezes her hand. “Let me know how it goes.”
Once she leaves, Mom says, “Take a seat, Ainsley.”
“Just so you know, I asked Dad to come to the wedding. He was here last night. And I overheard him arguing with my uncles about money. Does Dad have a gambling addiction? Is that what your disagreement was about?”
“Not exactly. Our house is about to be foreclosed. And I refuse to stop it from happening again,” she says.
“Again?” I ask, shocked.
“I’ve tried so hard to hide all this from you, but I’m tired. And you’re old enough that I shouldn’t have to do it anymore. Have you ever wondered why your uncles are so wealthy, but we aren’t?”
“Of course I have.”
“You’ve never asked me about it,” she says.
“I asked Daddy about it when I was younger. He told me it was because he was the black sheep of the family. That he didn’t get along with his parents and they left all their money to his brothers.
That he got nothing. But that it was okay because he had us.
You and me. And that was all he’d ever need. ”
“Yeah, well, your daddy is a liar. And a good one. I’ve known that about him for years, and I still get sucked in by his charm. But the threat of another foreclosure is the final straw. I’m sorry to just spring this on you. But I want you to know the truth before we go speak to him.”
“Okay,” I tell her, my head spinning.
She takes a sip of champagne, and when the server brings her a fresh order of fries, I don’t question it.
“You’re so beautiful, Ainsley,” she says to me.
“And I know you had a rough time of it your first year of college. But I’m so proud of you.
It took a lot of guts to switch majors, change schools, and follow your heart.
I know you love your father. And I don’t want to disillusion you or affect your relationship with him because in spite of everything, he’s always loved you—loved us ,” she says, “but he loves something else more.”
“I’m having a hard time understanding all this. He texted me like he just got here, but I saw him last night. He was begging for money. They told him he needed to go to rehab.”