Empty Net (42 page)

“Baby, that was the best damn cupcake I have ever tasted. You need to make more.”

“Will they lead to counter sex again?”

With a grin, Tate nodded against her back. “Absolutely.”

A couple days later Audrey stood in the middle of the crowded bar, waiting for Piper. Her friend had disappeared to the bathroom again, leaving Audrey to be hit on by every single male in the bar. It figured. Before, she couldn’t get a guy to look at her twice, but now that she was completely and utterly in love with Tate, everyone wanted a piece of her. She missed Tate so much and hated that he wasn’t there, but he had promised to call her a few minutes before the new year began, so they could at least be on the phone together when the clock struck twelve. Moving into a seat, she took her phone out of her purse to text him.

I miss you
.

When he didn’t answer, she frowned. Surely he didn’t fall asleep. That would just suck, she thought as she put the phone down in her lap. When Piper returned, Audrey smiled. She was decked out for the evening, and Audrey was glad that Piper had invited her out. “Gosh, this place is packed,” Piper complained as she scooted into the seat beside hers.

“Well yeah, it is New Year’s Eve,” Audrey explained as she looked around the crowded bar, then at her gorgeous date for the evening. “So how have you been?” she asked.

Piper had been working and taking care of Allison, which was why Audrey hadn’t seen her much lately. It wasn’t as if she had much time herself either, between Tate and looking at places for the cupcakery. It was weird because she used to have all the time in the world.

“Okay, you know, I’ve been busy,” Piper said with a shrug of her shoulders.

“Well that sucks. I’ve been busy, too.”

“Yeah, I know. I bet you are excited, though. I am so proud of you for quitting Rocky Top and doing something that means something to you,” Piper said with a warm smile.

“Thanks,” Audrey said with a nod. “I’m glad I did, I’m so ready to get Audrey Jane’s up and running, you know?”

“I bet it’s going to be epic! I just know it.”

Audrey grinned widely as Piper took a sip of her water. “Are you sure you don’t want to drink with me? I can get us a cab, no big deal.”

Piper shook her head quickly. “Nah, I’m good. I haven’t been up to drinking lately. My stomach hasn’t been right. I think I caught that stomach bug that’s going around. Allison had it last week.”

“Oh, that sucks.”

“Yeah, I’ve been queasy, but there was no way I was missing New Year’s with my girl.”

Audrey smiled. “I’m glad you convinced me to come out. I was gonna sit at home and be depressed ’cause my boyfriend wasn’t here.”

Piper giggled. “No moping, my dear friend.”

“Nope! Only a good time!”

The two women clinked their glasses together, and while Audrey downed her margarita, Piper sipped her water. The rest of the night, they danced and drank and enjoyed themselves. When it was close to twelve, they made their way down Broadway until they were in a good place to watch Nashville’s version of the ball drop. It was a music note, and at the stroke of midnight, it fell onto a guitar. Then the river would light up with fireworks as everyone sang and kissed their date for the night, or maybe a random stranger. It still bothered Audrey that Tate wasn’t there, but it would be okay. He promised he would call. That’s all she could hope for.

She hadn’t heard his voice all day, they’d only been talking through texts. He had texted that it had been a busy day in Chicago, with practice and preparing for the game. She had her phone in hand now, waiting for Tate’s call so she could tell him she loved and missed him and to wish him a Happy New Year. Looking over at Piper, she found her friend waving her arms in the air like a crazy person.

“What the hell are you doing?” Audrey asked.

Piper giggled. “My arms are freezing!”

Audrey laughed, nodding as she moved her hands up and down her arms. “I know, right? Sheesh.”

Piper moved closer to her, probably for warmth, and Audrey said, “So, have you been talking to anyone?”

Piper shook her head. “Nope.”

“Why not?”

“Still caught up on Erik,” she said simply, as if it was already known. She smiled as she shrugged. “But don’t worry, my New Year’s resolution is to change that, to find someone who wants me.”

“Good for you,” Audrey encouraged.

“Thanks. What’s your resolution?”

“To open Audrey Jane’s and succeed. I might try to convince Tate to take me to Sweden. I wanna see his home country.”

Piper smiled. “Wow, Audrey, I’ve never seen you like this.”

Audrey’s brows came together. “Like what?”

“So in love, it’s refreshing. I’m totally jealous.”

Audrey’s face warmed, and she knew it had to be bright red. Piper was right. She had never felt such a love in her life. Whenever Tate had a chance, he was always saying he loved her, and she did the same with him. She loved him so much and was so lucky to have found him. “I am in love,” she said. “I’m not gonna lie.”

Piper leaned into her as they both laughed. “I’m happy for ya, babe.”

“Thanks. Your time is coming.”

“You think?”

“I know,” Audrey said with a smile. “We will both be deliriously happy and married by next New Year’s. I bet you a hundred bucks!”

Piper giggled. “I hope to God you’re right!”

The two women laughed and continued to lean against each other for warmth. When
Audrey’s phone started to ring, she let out a squeal when she saw Tate’s face smiling up at her from the display. Hitting talk, she exclaimed, “Hey baby!”

“Hey, love, sorry I didn’t text you back, been busy.”

“No big deal,” she said, smiling from ear to ear. “I miss you. I wish you were here.”

“I know you do, but I have a question for you before the clock strikes twelve.”

“Okay,” she said with a grin. She assumed it was about her resolution, and couldn’t wait to tell him her plans.

“Did we ever decide if it was creepy to watch the other person without them knowing?” he asked.

It felt like the world froze around her. As she slowly turned, her gaze met Tate’s. He wore his thick green beanie hat, his puffy brown jacket, and jeans. His eyes were tired but his grin was unstoppable. Within a second she was in his arms, her phone, Piper, and everything else forgotten as she kissed him hard against his cold lips. His hand came up her neck, holding her close as he took over the kiss, using his tongue to play with hers. When they finally broke the kiss, he smiled down at her, cupping her cheeks.

“How’d you know where I was?” she asked.

Tate smiled. “Piper has been texting me, and when I got here, she waved me down. I’ve been waiting for the right time to tell you I was here.”

“The right time would have been when you first got here!” she said, smacking his chest. “You flew in just for New Year’s?”

He smiled as he nodded. “I knew it was important to you.”

“Come on, guys! It’s starting!!” Piper yelled at them. Tate took Audrey’s hand and they moved next to Piper to count down to the new year. The three yelled with the rest of the crowd,
counting down, and when the music note hit the guitar, Broadway was boisterous as everyone cheered and snuggled up close to their dates. Audrey looked up into Tate’s eyes, seeing the reflection of exploding fireworks in his eyes. He smiled and wrapped her up in his arms, kissing her passionately, as if they weren’t in the middle of Broadway with tons of people around them.

She brought her hands up to his cheeks, nipping at his full bottom lip before smiling up at him.

“Resolution?” he asked.

Audrey’s smile grew. “Open Audrey Jane’s and go home with you to Sweden.” He nodded as she asked, “Yours?”

“To marry you,” he said with a wink, “and win the cup, and maybe MVP.”

She had lost her breath at the “marry” part. Surely he was just joking. But he didn’t seem to be. He smiled down at her, kissing her again on her lips. When they parted, she gasped out, “Happy New Year, Tate!”

“Happy New Year, love. I love you.”

“I love you too.”

Tate leaned against the wall that led to Audrey’s kitchen.

“Are you sure you’re not settling, Audrey?”

Tate watched as Audrey pinched the bridge of her nose. Her laptop was open in front of her, and paperwork lay everywhere across the counter. In her hand was her phone with Fallon on speakerphone. “Fallon, I promise. Everything is fine. I’m not settling for anything but perfection.”

“He was questioning and reconsidering something that you can’t change,” Fallon persisted. “The guy tells you he loves you, and you’re back being putty in his hands. How is that fair, Audrey Jane?”

Tate leaned his head against the wall, shaking his head as his heartbeat picked up. Things had been fine between him and Audrey, but he knew Fallon wasn’t happy with him. Neither was Lucas. Luckily the Assassins were on a minibreak and Tate didn’t have to worry about dealing with Lucas, but it didn’t keep Fallon from calling Audrey and harassing her.

“Thank you for the reminder, sister dear, and also, if it was such an issue then why does he still want to be with me and love me?” Audrey asked.

“Audrey, I have no doubt that he loves you, but he isn’t thinking. He is letting his love for you cloud his judgment, and ten years from now, he’s gonna break your heart.”

“So you’re a fucking psychic now,” Audrey yelled. Tate could tell she was getting irritated. “He is a grown man who was thinking about his future and had a momentary pause. I remember
you
not thinking clearly about your future, either, not too long ago. Why is it that
when I find a guy, you find every one of his flaws? Why don’t you go examine Lucas and leave me and Tate alone?” Audrey said, before she slammed the phone down and shook her head. She looked back at the screen as her eyes pooled with tears, she still hadn’t noticed him. He hated that he had caused this between her and her sister. They were so close, and he wouldn’t be the wedge between them. That’s not how family works.

Coming off the wall, Tate walked around the counter and wrapped her up in his arms from behind.

“Hey,” she said, startled. “I didn’t know you were back.”

“I sneaked up on you, didn’t I?” he asked as she smiled.

“Yeah, I’m glad you did, too,” she said, moving her hands over his, “but I lost track of time. I wanted to be ready when you got back.”

“It’s okay, baby, what I got planned for us doesn’t start until three, you have time,” he informed her, kissing along her neck. “I have to run out for a few, okay?”

“Where to? I’ll only be a moment.”

Tate scoffed, “Yeah right, you’ll be at least an hour.”

She smiled sheepishly as she nodded. “Yeah, so? I gotta look good for my man.”

Tate shook his head, kissing her lips. “You always look good. I’ll be back, okay?”

“Okay.” Audrey kissed him once more before closing up her computer. He knew he had a good hour until she would be ready for the surprise date he had planned, and he knew just how to use that hour.

And it involved Fallon Brooks.

Since he had a purpose, he was able to get into the truck and drive off with only a few hiccups. He was getting better, or at least he thought he was. Who knew? He only drove when he had to, and it still took him a few times to get into the truck, but at least he didn’t want to run back into the house anymore. Pulling into Rocky Top Wines, Tate parked and made his way out of the truck. Tucking his hands in his pockets, he ran into the warmth that the building offered him. It was uncommonly cold this January; Tate was learning that with Tennessee you just go with the weather. Nothing was set in stone when it came to weather in this state.

Tate rode the elevator up to Fallon’s floor, and then walked down the hall to where a man in a yellow suit was grinning at him. He looked behind him to see if the guy was smiling at someone else, but Tate was the only one in the hall. He wasn’t sure if he should smile or run, so instead he said, “Hey, I’m looking for Fallon Brooks.”

The guy smiled. “She’s right in there, but before I let you go by, aren’t you Audrey’s boyfriend?”

Tate nodded, a real smile coming over his face at the mention of Audrey’s name. “I am. Tate Odder,” he said holding out his hand.