Sweet Southern Betrayal Read online

  “I saw him and his mistress in my apartment building in DC. He was buying her a unit and setting her up for the long haul.” Teague tossed the fruit in the bag and cinched it closed, walking around Risa and placing it in the cart before turning around. Risa was close, ignoring the bustle of the store around them and completely focused on him. “He’d never done that before. Never made one so permanent.”

  “Didn’t he know it was your building?”

  “No. He’d never been to my place.”

  “That’s…seriously fucked up. Your dad never went to your place?”

  “We weren’t friends. Not even father and son except in a biological sense.” He reached out and grasped Risa’s hand, suddenly wanting to feel her warmth and softness more than he wanted his next breath. She had a way of grounding him, keeping him calm. “He told me he loved the latest woman and I told him to grow the fuck up. This wasn’t the deal he had with Mom and he needed to remember what was important.”

  “And what did he say?” Risa stepped so close to him, breath mingling. Not quite touching but not really apart.

  “He didn’t say anything for a while, just stared at me. Then he hugged me.” His lips twitched a little into a smile as he remembered how he couldn’t return the embrace since he was shocked into inaction. “I thought he’d lost his mind. We don’t hug. Never have. And then he told me that I was right and he left, drove back to Elliott, and told Mom he was leaving her. He was gone within a week.”

  “I don’t get it. Why is that your fault?”

  “If I had just left it alone, acted like I didn’t know, he would have stayed. It had worked for years. I screwed it up.”

  Risa stared at him, her green eyes examining his face as if she was trying to put together a puzzle. She cocked her head to the side, eyes widening as though she’d finally located that last, elusive piece.

  “That’s the most arrogant, crazy thing I’ve ever heard.” Teague didn’t even get to react to her words before she nudged up against him, full body contact, and lifted a hand to caress his cheek. “I know you’re some magic-making dude with lots of persuasive mojo in DC but you don’t have that kind of power in the real world.”

  Teague was pissed, his irritation welling up and out with his words. “I throw that out there and all you can do is critique my performance?”

  “Poor baby? Did I bruise your ego? I’m not going to let you take on a burden for something you didn’t do. God knows you’ve done enough that’s your responsibility.”

  “Thanks.”

  “Neither one of us is an angel.” She waved him off as he tried to answer. “Look, this is the truth. Your dad was already gone, the deal with your mom beaten down and tossed out like trash. You said yourself that he’d never put the fluff pieces up in permanent digs before and he was going all out for this one. Why? Because she was different and it was only a matter of time before he bugged out for the love shack on the beach in Costa Rica.” She slid her hand down from his face to rest against where his heart beat a frantic tattoo in his chest. “You know I’m right, you’re just too close to see it.”

  Teague stood there, anchored to the spot by the completely sound logic of her words. He knew it, deep down, but he couldn’t let go of one little kernel of truth that made it hard for him to look his mother in the eye sometimes.

  “Okay. Fine. My father is a big boy and made his own choices but I pushed him to act now. If I’d let it play out he would’ve gotten tired of this one and moved on.”

  “Do you have a crystal ball I don’t know about? If you can see what might have happened then you need to ditch the plans for the Oval Office and come back to Vegas with me.”

  “But…”

  “No. Stop. We’re done with this crazy talk and you must take your punishment for such a lame secret.”

  Risa lowered her hand down even farther and found his one ticklish spot, wriggling her fingers until he squirmed. Teague tried to grab her hand and stop her but she only replaced the one he captured with the other one. He wrestled with her until he had them both in his own firm grasp and her shaking, laughing body against his own. He was chuckling as well, sucking in big gasps of air as he caught his breath and ignored the amused glances of the other store patrons.

  This was ridiculous and he hadn’t lost all the guilt, but he felt a damn sight better than he had just a few moments earlier. Risa gazing up at him in the middle of the produce section of Harris Teeter with an “I told you I was right” tilt to her lips was enough to chase away the demons for now.

  Teague leaned down and kissed her. Thoroughly and completely until she was the one gasping.

  “I think I like this punishment,” he whispered.

  Risa blinked, shaking her head as she extricated herself from his hold and started backing away. “Oh no. That’s not your punishment. The penalty for giving up subpar secrets is that you get to help cook dinner.”

  “I am at your mercy.” He bowed his head as he pushed the cart to follow her down the aisle.

  “Of course you are and I demand that you grill the steaks.” She looked around the store, brows furrowing when she didn’t find what she was looking for. “Do you have any idea where the meat department is?”

  “Ummm…I don’t have a clue. I’ve never been in this store before.”

  “Never?”

  “Nope.” Teague felt the heat rise in his face as he suddenly had a real secret to share. “I haven’t been in a grocery store in at least five years.”

  Risa stopped her progress and stared at him. “How do you get your food?”

  “I eat out or the concierge at my building shops for me and adds it to my bill.”

  “And here in Elliott?” She pointed a finger at him and narrowed her eyes. “Don’t tell me your mom shops for you.”

  “No.” He looked at the ceiling; his answer wasn’t much better. “Jerline shops for me. I pay her.”

  “You pay your secretary to grocery shop for you?” Risa rolled her eyes. “How very presidential.”

  Teague huffed out a laugh at her comment. It was a big joke that no sitting president ever knew how much a gallon of milk cost for the average citizen.

  “Are you saying I won’t get your vote?”

  “The jury is still out on that, Teague Elliott.” Risa leaned over and placed a soft kiss on his lips. “It depends on how well you can grill a steak.”

  “Is that all it takes?”

  “Nope, but it’s a start.” She tugged him down for another quick kiss. “You have the potential to be a very great man. Lots of potential.”

  Teague watched her walk off wondering if he could ever live up to the man she thought he was.

  Chapter Thirteen

  It was like watching the Southern version of Project Runway.

  Clothes were thrown all over the large closet of the master bedroom of Elliott House. Anyone who walked past at that moment would probably think it looked like a clown car with four women crammed into the space all trading dresses, hats, scarves, and jewelry, and laughing at jokes that wouldn’t be funny to anyone but the four of them.

  “Risa, you should try this on,” Michaela said as she handed off a dress in a red clingy fabric with a label from a designer she could never afford on her casino salary. “I bought it, but it never fit me right. I don’t have the curves to do it justice, but I know you do.”

  “I’ll try it on.” Risa started to remove her own clothes, observing the three women who’d been so kind to her since her arrival.

  Michaela Cantrell, tall, blond, and classy—everything from her clothes and her accent screamed money.

  Taylor Elliott Landon, small with a dark pixie cut with bright-purple streaks in it and a surprising number of tattoos and piercings on her skin. She was loud, constantly touching everyone around her, and Risa would have never thought she was Teague’s sister except that they shared the same hazel eyes. The same eyes as their mother, Marian, who was currently trying on a new suit in preparation for a job interview
.

  Her suit was soft and feminine, the drape of the fabric showing off her curves. The heels were at least two inches and made her legs look long and toned. Her hair was the biggest change—no longer the sprayed and anchored bouffant style, but now styled in a shoulder-length cut that was loosely curled and dyed a lovely medium brown with blond and red highlights. She looked ten years younger.

  “Marian you look fantastic,” Risa said.

  “Thank you, dear. Michaela took me shopping and Sissy gave me the new hairdo.” She smoothed a hand over her hair and primped a little under their admiration. He skin was glowing and she looked happy. It was a good look on her.

  “Mother, that one looks great with your new haircut and color,” Taylor said as she stepped back to take in the total picture. “Sissy was absolutely right to make you go with the auburn highlights.”

  “I’ll admit that I was nervous at first, but I think you’re right. This is the one.” Marian adjusted the jacket before smoothing her manicured hand over the skirt. “I don’t think this will wrinkle on my drive over to the college. I’ll be nervous enough without thinking I looked like I slept in the suit before I even get there.”

  Michaela fished a lapel pin out of a jewelry box and pinned it on. “You’ll be great, Marian. Lots of women are reentering the workforce after raising children.”

  “So where is this job interview?” Risa asked.

  “Teague found it for me, actually. He called an old friend at the college in Salem and discovered that the English department needs a new administrative assistant.”

  “That sounds perfect for you,” Risa said.

  “I know. Teague said I might have been out of the job market for a while, but that organizing all of the political fund-raisers and my other board work means I can do this job with one hand tied behind my back.”

  “He’s right. They’d be crazy not to hire you,” Taylor said.

  Marian beamed at them.

  “Teague raved about you. I heard him when he was on the phone with Professor Stone.” Risa looked up from getting dressed and saw the three women staring at her. She wondered if Teague arranging the interview was a secret. He hadn’t mentioned it. “What?”

  “You look fucking gorgeous,” Taylor said, her eyes huge as she walked over to stand in front of Risa. She smiled. “I would kill for your boobs.”

  “Taylor, language!” Marian said with a smile that completely undermined any effect her scolding would have had on her daughter. “But I agree. Not about the breasts, although they are great. Two kids later and mine are going south.” She caught herself with a small shake of her head and laughed. “You look beautiful.”

  “That’s an understatement,” Michaela said. “And you’ve got to keep the dress. I couldn’t possibly wear it now. It was made for you.”

  Risa balked at her generosity. “I couldn’t. This dress costs a fortune. It’s too much.”

  “You have to take it. It’s my wedding gift to you and it would be rude to refuse it.” Michaela’s expression said she wouldn’t change her mind so Risa didn’t argue. If she “accidentally” forgot to pack it when she left, then that would be it.

  “Thank you.”

  The doorbell rang and two seconds later they heard a woman’s voice yell a “hello” up the stairs.

  “That’s Dolly. She said she was going to bring by some pie from The Comfort to nourish us after the fashion show,” Taylor said as she eased between them to the door. “I’m starved.”

  “Me too. Wait up,” Michaela called out as she followed behind. “I call dibs on the chocolate peanut butter.”

  “Risa, can you help me with the buttons on the back of the blouse?” Marian asked as she placed the jacket on the hanger. “I can’t reach them at all.”

  “Sure.”

  Risa began the task, enjoying the slide of the silk against her fingertips and the comfortable silence. She hadn’t spent tons of time with her mother-in-law, but what she saw she liked and she’d gone out of her way to welcome Risa to the family. It was one of the hardest things about this situation—to lie to people who were being genuine and real in spite of the strange circumstances.

  Marian broke the silence. “You do have a lovely figure. It reminds me of the old movie stars. Women who actually ate a hamburger once in a while.”

  “Thank you. Although I can’t eat too many hamburgers if I want to fit into my costume.”

  “I would guess so. I saw a couple of photos of you on Beck’s phone and I was very impressed.” Marian laughed, her movement stalling the progress of Risa’s task. “How long have you been a dancer?”

  “Since I was seventeen, so nine years. I made senior dancer last year, which means I get more say in my schedule and that will help me finish college.” Risa tapped her on the shoulder to let her know she was done. “I hope to be able to quit someday and devote myself to Behind Closed Doors full-time.”

  Marian answered as she continued undressing. “I think that is wonderful. Your parents must be very proud of you.”

  “I don’t have parents. I was in foster care since I was five years old.” Risa paused, waiting for the usual pity and uncomfortable silence after her reveal. People liked their abandoned children in photos on their mantel and commercials with Sally Struthers, not directly in front of them.

  “Well, then you should be very proud of yourself.” Marian, fully dressed again, turned to her and Risa knew what was coming. Marian’s expression was determined and it was clear that Mama was going to make sure she knew just how inappropriate she was for her son and politely—always politely—ask her to make herself scarce. She’d seen this movie before.

  “Look, I never for one minute bought the story about you knowing each other before you got married.” She held up a hand when Risa moved to respond. “I don’t even want to know what happened to make Teague do something so impetuous. But I know that if you get on that plane for Las Vegas I’ll never see you again and I think that would be a real tragedy for the both of you.”

  Risa stood in place, shocked. This was not the usual script, and she had no idea what to do with it. Marian didn’t seem to notice, or she preferred Risa speechless so she could continue her crazy talk.

  “I don’t want to presume, but I feel like I need to step in as a mother would in this situation and tell you that you’re making a mistake. I spent my whole life living by a rulebook instead of by my heart and look what that got me.”

  “You’re going to do great with your new life,” Risa said.

  “That is yet to be determined, but I don’t want my son to have to waste half his life before he figures out what’s important.”

  “I can’t.” Risa found her voice, her shame and regret coating every word. “I did something, I’ve done things that make that impossible.” She swallowed harder, forcing her voice to be strong and clear so that Marian would drop this topic. “I’m making it right, but it will make it impossible for me to stay. I’m sorry.”

  “But you would stay. If you could.” Marian took a step closer, creating an intimate circle where secrets could be shared and forgiven if everyone were brave enough to do it. “And if you’re beating yourself up over whatever you’ve done, I think the part I would focus on is that you’re trying to make it right. Nothing is unforgivable if you’re really sorry.”

  Risa wasn’t sure she believed that last statement.

  “It’s impossible.”

  “I’m going to take a wild guess and say that Teague has no idea how you feel about him.”

  Heat poured into Risa’s cheeks and she resisted the urge to lift her hands to cover the splotches that inevitably reddened her skin when she was embarrassed. As it was she was having a hard enough time maintaining eye contact with Marian.

  “I don’t even know how I feel about him.” It was the honest-to-God truth. She’d had men whom she thought she loved, but this was a whole new riot of emotions storming her heart and mind. She couldn’t discount the stress of the situation when she tr
ied to figure it out.

  “Well, I do. Call it a mother’s intuition, but you know when someone has fallen in love with your child and you know when your child is too dense to see it himself.”

  “Marian, you can’t tell him.”

  “Oh, I know. You never could tell him anything. He gets that from me.” Marian reached out and grasped her hand, her lips twisted in a little smile that reminded Risa of her son. “You’ll have to be the brave one, I’m afraid.”

  “Marian, you have no idea—” Risa flipped their hands until she give her a little squeeze, hoping that all the affection she felt for this woman would communicate through that touch because she sure as hell wasn’t going to say it out loud. “I’m getting on that plane. There is another woman out there who is better suited for him. He needs to be free to find her.”

  “I disagree. The women waiting for him back in DC are the ones he thinks he needs for his career. I can tell you from experience that those things never make you happy. You might be successful and stay together until you hit the grave, but you aren’t happy.” Marian’s expression turned fierce, reminding Risa of a mother bear protecting her cub. “I want him to be happy. More than anything else.”

  “It can’t be me. I’m sorry.”

  The bottom line was that it didn’t matter what she wanted. Teague had plans and she couldn’t see any way of fitting in with them unless she reinvented herself—possibly into someone she ultimately couldn’t live with. This was more than feelings. This was the age-old question of whether love would be enough to overcome the reality of life and living.

  And betrayal.

  In the end would it even matter what they wanted? She wasn’t Cinderella and he was no prince but the reality of class differences would only be an obstacle where he wanted to go.

  Bottom line: she wasn’t sure if America was ready to have a showgirl in the White House.

  “I understand. I don’t like the answer, but I hope you’ll think about what I said.” Marian leaned over and kissed her on the cheek, leaving behind a comforting mix of her light floral perfume and the scent of face powder. “And I hope you’ll forgive me for butting my nose in where it doesn’t belong.”