Sunkissed (12 page)

After rehearsal was over, Trista drove home. When she pulled up to the house, she saw a familiar car in the driveway. An old, dark-green Ford F-150 pickup truck that needed a good wash and detail job. She smiled to herself. What a surprise to come home to. The front door was unlocked, and she let herself inside.

“Trista? Is that you?”

A plump gentleman with thick grey hair and an olive complexion came walking toward her.

“Dad! What a surprise!” Trista gave her father a hug. “I thought you were gone until the end of the month.”

“When I heard my little girl had moved back home, I decided to cut my trip short.” He returned her hug and gave her a kiss on the cheek. “It is so good to see you.”

“You too, Dad.”

“Where’s your sister? I’ve been trying to call her all day.”

“She didn’t tell you?”

“Tell me what?”

“She moved out.”

“What? When?”

“A few days ago. She’s buying a new house.”

“I knew that. But I thought she was doing renovations first.”

“Well…” Trista shrugged.

“You two had another falling out?”

She pushed her index finger and thumb close together. “A little one.”

“All I ever wanted was for you girls to get along…”

“Sam?” A woman’s voice called out. “Where are you?”

Trista looked around, startled. “Who’s that?”

“Madeline! I’m in the living room. Come here and meet Trista.”

“Dad?” Trista asked again.

“A very nice lady who I met while on vacation in Greece.”

“She came home with you?” Trista whispered.

Madeline came into view. She was an attractive lady in her late sixties with rich auburn hair and hazel eyes. The first thing Trista noticed was that Madeline wore hot-pink lipstick, which matched her hot-pink pantsuit and shoes. Instead of clashing with her reddish-blonde hair, she somehow made it work. Lots of gold bangles jingled on both of her arms when she hugged Trista.

“Your dad has told me so much about you and your sister…I feel like I already know you.”

“I wish I could say the same about you,” Trista said, laughing.

Her dad shot her a warning look. “Words cannot describe this beautiful lady, Trista. I thought you girls should meet her in person.”

An awkward silence ensued for a moment. Trista stared between Madeline and her father. Even though she hadn’t seen her father in a while, it was not like him to bring home a woman he had just met. However, it was his life—who was she to interfere? She had enough problems going on without adding her dad and his new fling to it.

Her father cleared his throat. “I thought we could all have dinner together.”

It was just then that Trista noted the smell of garlic and tomatoes wafting through the house.

“I hope you haven’t eaten yet.”

“No, actually I’m starving.”

“I’m calling your sister again. I want her to come meet Madeline as well.”

Good luck with that
. She wondered if Nicolette had come by and cleaned out her closet yet. She watched as her father dialed the number.

“Why don’t we go have a glass of wine? Sit outside on the deck and talk?” Madeline said.

Something about Madeline rubbed Trista the wrong way. This was her house. Shouldn’t she be offering Madeline a glass of wine? “Okay,” Trista answered. “I’m just going to freshen up. I’ll meet you outside.”

As she ran up the stairs, she heard her father talking to Nicolette. Arguing with her was more like it. She didn’t need to hear the outcome of the conversation. She knew her dad would give Nicolette no choice but to come over and eat dinner. Nicolette couldn’t say no to her father any more than Trista could.

Trista stopped on the second floor and peeked into Nicolette’s room. Everything looked the same. She opened the closet door. It was empty. So she had officially moved out.

What would Nicolette’s reaction be when she told her about Riker? Now that she wasn’t living here, it was probably as good a time as any to tell her. There was also a good possibility they would never speak again after having that conversation. Was that a chance she was willing to take?

“Everything okay?” A voice behind her startled Trista. She turned to find her father standing in the doorway.

Trista quickly shut the closet door. “Um, yeah. Everything is fine.”

“Are you doing okay?”

Trista shook her head. Tears welled up in her eyes. Her father walked over and gave her a hug.

“I know things haven’t been easy on you, baby girl.” He continued to hold her in his arms. “I don’t have to tell you that it’s going to take some time with Nicolette.” He pulled back and took her face in his hands. “Do you want to talk about it?”

“Not really.”

“Why don’t you go freshen up? Have that glass of wine with Madeline while I get dinner on the table. We’ll talk about everything in the morning.”

“Okay.” She looked up at her father, and he planted a kiss on her forehead.

***

Trista was getting to know Madeline. They were working on their third glass of wine when she heard voices coming from inside.

“It sounds like your sister is here,” Madeline said.

They both stood up from the couch. Trista took one last view of the gulf. The waves were growing as storm clouds threatened the horizon. Angry black clouds were gathering with quickening speed. The wind was picking up and blew the unlatched screen door shut with a loud thud. Trista secured the latch as they walked by.

“Even with the storm approaching, the gulf is still beautiful. There’s something about its quiet strength and determination to thrive under all kinds of conditions. Have you ever noticed how gorgeous the beach is after a tropical storm? There’s a kind of peace and serenity,” Madeline observed.

Trista took one last look at the beach and nodded. She wasn’t sure what message Madeline was trying to convey to her. “Let’s take this inside. Smells like dinner’s ready.” Hearing Nicolette’s voice, she wondered what kind of mood her sister was in tonight.

When she arrived inside, she found another surprise guest in the living room with her father. Riker. He was standing next to Nicolette.

What the hell is going on?

“We have another guest for dinner,” her father said. “Trista, have you meet Nicolette’s boyfriend yet?”

Trista stopped dead in her tracks. What the hell was Riker doing here? After rehearsal was over, he said he was going home to pack for their trip. His last words were, “See ya in the morning, babe.” So what the hell was he doing in her kitchen? With her sister?

Nicolette pulled Riker closer to her. “Dad, they’ve met before. Remember I told you about James’s surprise birthday party? The night that Trista arrived in town?”

“Right. I just forgot. Your old man is getting old. Well, Madeline hasn’t met him yet.”

Trista watched as Madeline’s eyes lit up. She was staring Riker up and down like he was going to be the meal tonight.

“Nice to meet you, James.” She glanced at Nicolette. “What a catch, dear.”

Trista could feel her blood boiling. Her sister didn’t even try to explain that Riker wasn’t her boyfriend anymore. And Riker didn’t even bother to correct her. It also grated her nerves that Nicolette called Riker by his first name. It sounded so formal…not at all like the person he was. Nicolette gave Trista a smirkish grin.
Just what the fuck was happening here?
She waited for Riker to say something. Anything. He definitely looked uncomfortable.

“Well, let’s eat.” Her dad pointed to the spread on the dining room table. It was covered with all kinds of delectable Italian dishes. Spaghetti and meatballs, lasagna, Italian pork sausages, garlic bread, and salad. Normally a nice home-cooked meal like this would whet Trista’s appetite. Her dad was known for his legendary Italian dishes. But instead her stomach was tied in knots. She felt sick. All the wine she had just drunk was going straight to her head—muddling her thoughts and fueling her desire to beat the shit out of her sister and give Riker a good ass-kicking as well.

“I haven’t had a chance to talk to you in a while, Daddy. I have some good news!”

“You’re getting married!” Madeline blurted out.

Apparently she had too much wine as well
. Trista looked over at Riker. His face was turning all kinds of pink and red shades.

Her father set down his wine glass.

Nicolette laughed.
She is thoroughly enjoying this.
Trista had to wonder what if Nicolette had any idea about her and Riker. She was enjoying this moment a little too much. Something was definitely brewing in that sinister head of hers.

“Not yet,” Nicolette finally said. “I bought the townhouse down the road; I told you about it. We closed yesterday.”

“Well, congratulations.” Her dad raised his wine glass. “Salute.”

Everyone clinked their glasses together. Riker’s face was returning to a normal shade.

“I’ve rented the unit next door so I can oversee renovations. James has been helping me get all the contractors together to start the work.”

“Is that what you do? Build houses?” Madeline asked, eyeing his muscular arms. “I bet you get quite a workout.”

Riker choked on his wine. “I’m a bartender by trade. I have my Florida contractor’s license, but I just do odd jobs here and there.”

“Don’t be so modest, honey.” Nicolette leaned into Riker. She turned her attention to Madeline and her father. “He could run his own business if he wanted to. Instead he likes working at the bar.”

Riker shrugged. “It’s a stress-free job.” He looked at Trista; she could tell he was trying to get her attention, but she looked away.

Her father must have noticed the awkwardness between the three of them. “Trista, try some of my lasagna. It’s meat free.”

“Meat free!” Nicolette said loudly. “What’s up with that? You’ve never made anything meat free in your life.”

“The doctor said he has to start watching his cholesterol and high blood pressure,” Madeline interrupted. “I’ve been trying to get him to start eating more vegetables and fruits.”

Trista watched as her dad loaded her plate with spinach lasagna. The dish was loaded with cheese.
Not sure how that’s going to help matters
. She looked around the table. Had she been living a dream the last couple of months? Because it sure felt like it. Who were these people? Her dad showed up with a lady he just met—a lady who acted like she was already part of the family. Then her sister showed up with Riker, and acting like they were still a couple. Meanwhile, she had just had sex with Riker not more than a few hours ago. She had agreed to go to Key West with him.
What the fuck was going on?
She couldn’t take this anymore. Trista stood and picked up her plate. “I’m not feeling well. Please excuse me.”

Her dad put his hand on her arm. “Are you okay?”

“Yeah, Dad. I’ll be fine.”

As she started to walk toward the kitchen, she heard Nicolette launch into a story about meeting with a plumber with the “worst case of plumber’s crack” she’d ever seen. Madeline’s throaty laugh filled the room.

Trista dumped the contents of her plate into the trash and started to rinse the plate in the sink. She felt a pair of hands on shoulders. She tensed up.

“I’m sorry, babe. It’s not what it seems,” Riker whispered in her ear.

Trista whirled around. “Then please tell me what the fuck
is
happening here? Because it seems that you and my sister have a thing going on!”

“Shhhh…” Riker tried to put his finger over her mouth, but she pushed him away.

“I’m tired of all the lies and secrecy, Riker.”

“If I remember correctly, I’m the one who wanted to tell your sister about us. You’re the one who wanted to wait! Let’s tell her right now.”

“Now is not the time,” Trista said. “My dad and his lady friend just got home. Besides, it seems that Nicolette is already planning your wedding…to her!”

He laughed. “I’m not marrying your sister. I’m in love with you. You know that.”

“No, I don’t know that,” she said, still holding the plate in her hands. He took it from her and put in the sink. “I love you, Trista Carmichael. Will you please let me explain what happened tonight?”

“This is not how I imagined it would be when you first told me that you loved me.”

“It is what it is. I love you, and I want to tell everyone.”

“So what happened?” Trista leaned against the counter and folded her arms across her chest.

“After rehearsals, I went home. Nicolette was waiting for me inside.”

“She has a key to your place?”

“I guess I forgot to get my key from her when we broke up.” Riker shrugged. “Anyway, she asked me to go out to dinner with her. To discuss the plans for renovations. I tried to tell her
no
, but you know how persistent your sister is. I told her I would go to dinner with her, but this was going to be it. After tonight, she was on her own with the renovations.” He put his arms around Trista. “I promise you, that’s it. I didn’t realize that her idea of dinner tonight would be coming to your house and meeting your father. Apparently, your father called Nic at the last minute and asked her to come to here. This has been a little awkward for me too. How am I supposed to explain to your father that I’m not dating Nicolette but, in fact, in love with his other daughter?”

Trista knew he was right. Tonight wasn’t the place or the time.

Riker caressed her cheek. “I thought we could talk about sitting down with Nicolette together and telling her about us when we got back from the Keys. It’s time for us to move on with our lives. I’m tired of hiding my feelings for you.”

Trista pursed her lips together in thought. “What about Madeline? She’s been staring at you like you are tonight’s main course.”

He laughed. “As far as your dad’s lady friend, I’m sure you could take her.”

She stood on her tiptoes and kissed him, feeling the tension leave her body as Riker caressed her back. She forgot all about Nicolette and her father and his lady friend. Everything was blissful for about twenty seconds…until she heard Sam clear his throat.

Trista immediately pushed Riker away. Her dad was standing by the kitchen counter with an empty wine bottle in his hands.