One Simple Mistake (The Citadel Series Book 1) Read online

  She glanced up at Doug. “Hey, help me out, wouldja? Please?” The look on her face was so filled with exasperation that Doug had to smile.

  “What do you want me to do?” Doug stood and stared down at Anthony, who had begun kicking and screaming, just throwing a general full-scale tantrum.

  “I don’t know! Just pick him up or something!” She was getting angrier by the minute, so Doug leaned down, grabbed Anthony up under his arms, and draped the little boy over his shoulder caveman-style.

  Anthony immediately began yelling, “Hey! Put me down! You’re gonna be in trouble! Abuse! Abuse!”

  Doug snickered. “Oh, you’re going to be abused. When I get you inside and tell your dad how you were acting out here, you’ll get some abuse all right. Right on your scrawny little behind.”

  By the time they got back to the front door, Anthony had changed his tune. “Put me down, please?” he whined. “Don’t tell my daddy, please? Put me down?”

  “Nope.” Doug grinned over at Vivian, who grinned back. “We’re going right inside and tell him how you were behaving, or should I say misbehaving? I don’t think he’s going to like it.”

  “Oh, no. I’m going back to time out, I just know it,” Anthony muttered. Doug started laughing outright then.

  “You think so?” He set Anthony down just outside the front door and squatted in front of the little hellion. “Tell you what, I’ll make you a deal.” Anthony stared into Doug’s face. “If you tell the lady here that you’re sorry . . .”

  “She’s not a lady. She’s an auntie,” Anthony corrected very matter-of-factly.

  “Well, she may be an auntie, but she’s still a lady. So, as I was saying, if you tell her you’re sorry and put your jacket on without a fuss, I’ll keep my mouth shut. But if you give her any more trouble, well . . .”

  “No, no. I won’t. I promise. Scout’s honor.” Anthony held up a hand with crossed fingers.

  Doug cut his eyes at the little guy – that wasn’t even a real scout’s sign. “Scout’s honor? You’re not a scout. Where did you learn that?”

  “TV.”

  “Figures.” Doug pointed at Vivian. “So tell her.”

  “I’m sorry, Auntie Vivian. I was bad.”

  “Yes, you were.” Vivian was grinning.

  Doug stood. “Now, put that jacket on and go play.” He watched as Vivian helped Anthony into his little UK Wildcats jacket, and Doug swatted his butt playfully as he scampered away to play ball in the driveway.

  “Thanks. I appreciate that.” Vivian was still red-faced, but at least she’d stopped panting.

  “S’okay. No problem. You’re Brittany’s sister, right?” Doug held out his hand.

  Vivian shook it. “Yes. And you’re . . .” Good looking. That’s what you are. Really, really good looking, she heard her brain say. I bet you’re a heartbreaker.

  “Doug. Doug Benton. I used to work for . . .”

  “Steve. Yeah. I remember hearing your name. I’ve seen you here before – you were here for Laura and Vic’s wedding, right?”

  “Yep. I was.” Doug opened the door and swept an arm toward it for Vivian to enter. “Thought I’d watch a little soccer with the guys today after the festivities.”

  “That sounds like fun. Well, thanks, Doug Benton. You saved my life!” Vivian laughed.

  Doug’s grin was a mile wide. “Glad I could help.”

  The young Hispanic man twisted and turned in front of the full-length mirror. “How do I look?” Doug had volunteered to help José Flores get ready, and he figured he had the easiest job in the house, seeing as how José was so particular about his clothes.

  “You look good. That color is perfect.” Doug wasn’t lying; José looked stunning. He’d chosen a medium steel gray suit for the wedding. Peyton Stokes, the other groom in the threesome, had chosen charcoal gray, and Molly Walters, Tony’s ex sister-in-law and their soon-to-be bride, was wearing dove gray. “Wonder how Peyton’s doing?”

  José stared into the mirror and adjusted his tie. “I’m sure he’s fine. He’s got nerves of steel. Mr. Stokes is helping him. Who’s helping Steve?”

  “Tony.” No surprise there. Despite the fact that José, Peyton, and Doug had all worked for Steve McCoy, Steve was tight with Tony and had been ever since Tony had contracted with him for legal services all those years ago.

  Without thinking, José said, “Figures. Have you seen Kelly yet?” Doug’s eyes dropped to the floor; he couldn’t shake his feelings for Kelly Markham, but he’d resigned himself to the fact that she was Steve’s. One look at Doug and José instantly knew he’d committed a sad faux pas. “Oh, sorry, man. I forgot. I’m really sorry.”

  Doug shrugged. “It’s okay. Don’t worry about it. Nothing anyone can do. Besides, she’s just a few months along but she already looks about as pregnant as a woman possibly could. Hey, has Steve’s son shown up yet?” Steve had just met Hunter the previous year, and the two men were still trying to get to know one another.

  “Hadn’t gotten here when I was downstairs last. He said he’d be here, though. Seems like a pretty nice guy, even if he is Steve’s son!” José snickered.

  “Yeah. Steve just wasn’t around when he was growing up to ruin him. I’m glad I’m working at the farm now.” Doug swiped down José’s back to brush off some lint. He picked up José’s hairbrush and handed it to him. Instead, José handed the brush back to Doug and turned so Doug could brush his gorgeous Hispanic friend’s waist-length, jet-black hair; Doug did it without even thinking about it. “So who’s standing up with you?”

  “Vic.” Besides both of them being involved in the club at some point, Vic and José shared a bond through their recovery from heroin addiction that had made them more than friends; Vic was José’s sponsor, and he’d made it clear he was honored to also be his best man. “But with the kids, I figured I’d let him off light and ask you to help me with this.”

  “And I don’t mind a bit. Glad to do it.” Doug picked up José’s chain and fastened it around his neck, then helped him get it down and under his collar. “So who’s Molly’s maid of honor?”

  “Her two girls, Angela and Pamela. And Nikki is Kelly’s.”

  Doug smiled. “I’m so glad Nikki’s here to do that.”

  “Me too! There for awhile I wondered. I can’t imagine what life would be like without her.” José handed Doug his boutonniere, and Doug struggled to get it pinned on. José turned and looked in the mirror again. “Perfect. Thanks, Doug. I really appreciate you being here.”

  “You’re more than welcome. About ready?”

  “Yeah. Let’s go.” José opened the door and headed down to the great room in Tony and Nikki’s big house, Doug right behind him.

  The downstairs was bustling with activity, but when José got halfway down the stairs, he stopped and gasped. Marla, Nikki’s former boss and Tony’s new sister-in-law, had knocked herself out with the flowers; they were breathtakingly gorgeous. He spotted Steve right away, and then caught sight of Peyton. His soon-to-be husband was beyond handsome in his custom-tailored Ralph Lauren suit. When Peyton stepped slightly to the side, José caught a glimpse of Molly and his eyes watered. The pale gray dress wasn’t anything fancy – just street length – but it brought out every red highlight in her hair and made her face glow. When she looked up and saw him coming down the stairs, she shot him a smile a mile wide and pointed. He watched as Peyton turned, saw him, and smiled the exact same way. By the time he joined them, his smile matched theirs.

  Steve was wearing navy blue Burberry, and Kelly was decked out in a light blue satin and chiffon number. She was beautiful, and she looked almost lit up from the inside. Doug couldn’t help but wonder where someone could get a formal maternity-sized gown, but it fit her like it was made for her. Then he realized: It probably was. She’d probably had it custom made. Molly’s wasn’t. Hers had come from Nordstrom, a St. John Collection dress off the rack that had been tailored for her. But this was Kelly’s first marriage. He supposed s
he should have whatever she wanted that Steve could afford. While they were waiting, Hunter strode through the door and gave his dad and Kelly both a hug.

  A gentleman in a suit was ushered in by Annabeth. Doug didn’t recognize him, but a lot of other people seemed to. Then he remembered: The judge who’d married Tony and Nikki. Thornton? Yeah, that was his name. Nice guy. Apparently he was doing the honors for both marriages. He watched while the judge, Molly, José, Peyton, and Nikki disappeared down the hallway toward the living room, then heard the doors click shut. Right, Doug thought. Molly and José are being legally married first. They were back in just a few minutes, one of her guys on either side of Molly holding her hand. And they looked so happy.

  Tony called everyone together. The happy couples – if counted literally, it would be four – gathered together in front of the big French doors where Tony and Nikki had exchanged vows two years before. The pain in Doug’s chest was horrific from watching Steve and Kelly smile at each other as they exchanged vows. When Judge Thornton started with Molly, Peyton, and José, what he said was hardly different, except he acknowledged at the beginning that, while it wasn’t a legal marriage, it was no less sacred and important. “Three people are pledging to spend their lives together, loving one another, caring for one another, and being family to one another and three children. There is no greater commitment than that which they make to each other in this union.” Kelly and Steve exchanged rings; then Molly, Peyton, and José each accepted a ring from their two partners. For both men, Molly gave them wavy yellow gold bands, and they gave each other wavy platinum bands. The two bands interlocked and made one solid ring, and Doug had to admit it was a pretty cool idea. They each gave Molly the same kinds of bands, but hers were set with pavé diamonds to compliment the engagement ring they’d gotten for her, a ring that would’ve been considered traditional if not for the two identical half-carat diamonds mounted on the delicate settings.

  More words were said and then there was the kiss. José and Peyton made a big production of each one indicating to the other to go first with a kiss for Molly. Finally, José said, “Age before beauty!” and Peyton smacked him upside the head in jest before kissing Molly. José took a turn, and then the two men looked into each other’s eyes and exchanged what Doug thought had to be the most passionate kiss he’d seen in at least ten years. The room exploded in laughter and cheering, and when they broke the kiss they both looked pretty happy with themselves.

  When everything settled down, the judge made the same pronouncement over Steve and Kelly. As their lips touched, Doug’s heart broke. Well, that was that. No more hope. It was over. He glanced across the room to see Vivian watching them intently, and he detected maybe even a little bit of longing. She’s a pretty girl, Doug thought. Maybe it was time he poured his energies into someone who’d care.

  “So what’s the story with Doug?”

  The reaction Vivian got when she asked the question wasn’t what she expected. A kitchen full of women going silent in a nanosecond was pretty much unheard of. She couldn’t help but notice that almost everyone turned and looked at Kelly, and the buxom brunette’s eyes dropped to the countertop. Vivian waited. Finally, she blurted out, “What? Did I say something wrong?”

  “No. You didn’t say anything wrong,” Kelly mumbled, then turned and left the room. Nikki followed her out. Now Vivian felt bad. What had she said?

  But once the two women had left the room, Brittany, Annabeth, Laura, and Molly turned to Vivian. “You didn’t say anything wrong, hon,” Molly told her. “It’s just kind of awkward.”

  “Awkward? What?” Now Vivian was just confused.

  “While Steve and Kelly were in the process of getting together, Kelly and Doug, well, Kelly and Doug and Steve, um . . .” Molly trailed off, then said, “Brit, help me out here?”

  Brittany turned to Vivian. “You know that Steve has a club, and . . .”

  “Yeah, I’ve heard about it. Fetish club in Lexington.” Vivian had heard Clayton and Brittany talking about it. “What about it?”

  “Well, you know Doug worked for Steve’s security firm and tended bar there too. One night Steve wanted to give Kelly an, um, experience, and he recruited Doug.” Brittany stopped.

  “Experience? Oh! You mean a threesome?” Vivian was proud – she was catching on.

  “Yeah. They were just playing together. But Doug fell for Kelly, fell hard. It’s been really difficult for him, seeing Kelly and Steve together, and it’s really bothered Kelly that he was so hurt.”

  “So what you’re saying is that Doug couldn’t separate the sex from his emotions.”

  “Exactly.” Brittany studied her sister. “Do you know more about this than I thought?”

  “Maayyybeeeee.” Vivian looked sheepish. “I mean, I’ve read some books . . .”

  “Oh! Well, books. Okay. Yeah. Makes you an authority!” Brittany chuckled. That just pissed Vivian off – she didn’t like being made fun of, and Brittany was especially bad about doing that to her. “Well, anyway, that’s what happened. And he never has gotten past it.” Brittany went on cutting up the bell peppers she’d been working on.

  “Yeah. We all feel bad for him. That’s why when Peyton offered him a chance to come to Cabrizzi Farms and work, he jumped at it. It was tearing him up to watch Steve and Kelly,” Molly said, opening a jar of pickles.

  Annabeth, Tony and Nikki’s daughter, nodded. “Yeah, and he’s a really good guy. Dad says he’s a great employee. Too bad he was hurt so badly by all of that.”

  “Poor guy.” Vivian could definitely relate. “Poor, poor guy.”

  “Aw, shit! I can’t believe that!” Vic roared.

  Tony was just shaking his head. “Just gave them the damn goal. Just fucking handed it to them.”

  “I should probably stop watching now. I’m just getting pissed off,” Vic barked.

  Nikki walked through the room on her way back into the kitchen. She’d managed to get Kelly calmed down, and besides, all of the women had forbidden her to do anything that looked even remotely like work. They just wanted her to feel better; her recovery had been nothing short of miraculous, but it had still only been a few weeks since her eyes had fluttered open. She kept insisting she was fine, but they just ignored that claim. She leaned down and gave Tony a kiss. “Guys, I hear some rough stuff coming from in here. You need to remember: There are six kids between three and thirteen here who can hear everything you’re yelling. So watch your mouths.” Before she could even get out of the room, they’d started back in and she just shook her head.

  “You’re gonna owe me some money,” Steve crowed. “Both of you. I told you they couldn’t win this match.” Vic and Tony both glared at Steve. About that time, Katie Reynolds-Walters, Annabeth’s wife, jetted into the great room, baby Lizzie Kate on her hip.

  “Here, Grandpa, have a baby,” she told him as she plopped the little darling down in Tony’s lap and took off for the kitchen. Lizzie Kate turned her sweet brown baby eyes up to Tony, and he melted.

  “Hey, pretty thing! Look at you! Feel better now that you’ve had your nap?” He kissed her cheek; she giggled and waved her arms around, accidentally punching him in the eye in the process. “Owww,” he moaned. Then she burped and spit up something that looked like squash. “Well, damn. Why do they always do that when they get handed to me?”

  “Because you’re Super T. You can do anything,” Vic sing-songed. He reached over to the chair beside the sofa and picked up a cloth diaper, which he then tossed to Tony for wipe up. He thought about it for a second and picked up another one. Even though he was sleeping soundly in his little carrier, Christopher would be waking up just any time, and Vic would have to feed him since Laura was working in the kitchen. Even with all the midnight crying and early morning diaper changes and spit-up on his favorite chair, Vic still marveled that he was somebody’s dad, even if that somebody was teacup-sized.

  “Sweetie, go tell Daddy the new word you learned!” Laura showed up in the doorway wi
th little Sophie and gave her a push toward Vic.

  Vic reached for her, picked her up, and sat her on his knee. “Hey, baby! What new word did you learn?”

  “I wearn futt.” She looked up at him and grinned. “Futt, futt, futt.”

  Vic turned pale. “Uh-oh.” He set her down and she stomped back toward the kitchen and her mama calling out, “Futt, futt, futt, futt . . .” Vic shot Tony a look.

  Tony just grinned. “What? Don’t blame me! Your kid.”

  Nikki stuck her head through the door and fixed Tony with a glare that would melt iron. “As I said earlier . . .”

  “Duly noted, baby, duly noted.” Tony saluted her and she whipped back around the door facing. He shook his head. “Well, I’m fu . . . screwed.”

  It looked like a good time to change the subject. “Hey, what can somebody tell me about Vivian?” Doug asked, trying to act nonchalant.

  Without looking at Doug or missing a beat, Steve blurted out, “Yeah, she’s, um, super-sized.”

  “No, you’re an ass,” Vic snarled toward him.

  “Well, she is,” Steve repeated.

  Tony glared at him. “No she’s not. She’s a beautiful young woman. And you are an ass.” He finished wiping up Lizzie Kate’s mess and looked back to Doug. “She’s Brittany’s older sister.”

  “Older? How old is Brittany?” Doug was confused; he thought she was younger.

  Tony stared upward, calculating. “Um, let’s see, Clayton’s thirty-three now?” His son nodded from across the room. “So I think Brit’s thirty-one. And I think Viv is about, oh, thirty-six?”

  Vic snapped, “So how old are you, Benton?”

  “Um, I’m twenty-eight. She’s eight years older than me.”

  “She’s chun . . .”

  “Shut up, Steve. You say that word and I’m going to come over there and pound you myself,” Peyton piped up. “She is not heavy. She’s a pretty girl.”