Bait (Wake, #1)(111)

Then I heard her laughter from across the room. God help me, I missed that laugh.

I turned my back and leaned against the solid cherry bar.

She was wearing a fitted black dress and she had a tiny little colorful thing on her head. It was half mini-veil, half hat. It was kind of weird. I'd seen women where them in magazines, but never in person. It covered the left side of her head, the side that was closest to me. She looked so beautiful, smiling and talking.

A guy came to the bar and ordered a Rum and Coke and a Remy Martin on ice.

Remy Martin on ice. It had to be for her.

My attention turned to him. It was him. I recognized him. I was standing next to Grant.

I took inventory of the man. I'd seen him at their wedding, but only in profile, and definitely not this close. He was dressed sharply in a three-piece suit. He had all-American written all over. Freshly cut dark blond hair, a clean shave, and smelled like cologne.

I hated that f*cking rat-bastard.

We shared a brief look as the bartender fixed his drinks.

“Hello,” he said.

I only nodded. I had to keep my mouth shut.

Then I saw Audrey making her way through the crowd.

“Casey! Isn't this nice?” she asked as she sidled up next to me, linking her arm in mine. “You're sitting next to me,” she said.

I watched Grant’s face turn from nonchalance into recognition. His head sharply cocked and his ears drew back like a dog on alert.

“You're name is Casey?” he asked coolly.

I don't know what you would call it, but my machismo swelled, the fact that hearing my name startled and shocked this man meant something. I didn't know what, but it was something.

I gave him my biggest, most cocky smile. “I'm Casey,” then I offered him my hand to shake.

He looked dumbfounded and like he was computing something. Blake's brother was right. He sort of resembled a robot.

Be-boop. Be-boop. I’m in love with your wife. Compute that, asswad.

“I'm Grant Kelly, it's nice to meet you,” he said, but it didn't sound like the truth. I had a feeling like he'd heard my name over the course of the last few years and that I wasn't what he was expecting.

“Enjoy the party,” I said and then walked off to take my seat with my sister.

I sat at our family’s table. Blake and Grant sat at Micah's. Their backs were to us and I was glad. I could feel the pull of my body towards Blake's, but I knew better.

I played the part of happy brother as well as Blake played the part of happy wife.

Appearances were everything. My family knew. All of them, I think. We weren't much for keeping secrets. But they played their parts, too.

It was the one thing I could be thankful for.





Wednesday, December 30, 2009


I WAS THANKFUL THAT we were interrupted by speeches when Grant got back to the table from getting us drinks.

“I just met Casey,” he said as he scooted his chair in and unfolded his napkin over his lap. He draped an arm around my chair. My mind scrambled. I'd been sick with worry all day knowing they were going to be in the same room as each other. “You should introduce us more. Later perhaps?” Grant said quietly to me as Mr. Moore addressed, and spoke about Cory and Micah, on their behalf, to the guests at the dinner.

This was stress.

Having my husband and my lover in the same room. Having the man I wanted and the one that I was with talking was beyond what I could handle.

“Sure,” I said, clearing my throat. “He's Cory's brother.” Like being Cory's brother meant something to Grant.

Food was served.

My palms were sweaty. I willed myself not to bite at my nails.

Music was played.

We mingled a little, but I felt eyes on me from every angle. From Audrey who only smiled at me, to Morgan who smiled, but not for my benefit. It was the first time that real paranoia gripped me.

Then there was the pull Casey had on me. It was exhausting knowing he was in the same room, but I couldn't turn around and look. Every move I made felt like it was both right and wrong.

I didn't have to search for him, I knew right where he was. At least I'd never get caught looking for him, because my body was synced to his.

“Can we say a quick goodbye to Micah and head back to the hotel? I'm getting tired,” I said to Grant. It was still a revelation, him being here. It didn't even register on my radar that he would want to come. The last time I’d invited him to join me in San Francisco was when Casey and I first met. That seemed like such a long time ago. He'd made the decision only a few weeks ago after I'd returned from a quick trip to Cincinnati.

“Sure,” he said and kissed my forehead. “Do you see her?”

My eyes scanned for her and Cory and I found them with Casey and Audrey. By the time I found them, Grant had already started us in their direction. When we got to them it was Grant who extended a hand first to Cory.

“Thanks for having us tonight. It was nice to see you again. Micah, you look beautiful and very happy.” He kissed her cheek.

“Thank you,” she said. No one made eye contact with me.

I leaned in to hug Cory, “Good luck tomorrow,” I said, and then I hugged Micah. Hard. I wanted to cry.

I wanted comfort from somewhere, from someone. I wanted to hug Casey. The saint that she was let me hug her until I was ready to let go.