Unfortunately.

***

“Are you coming to the rehearsal dinner?”

Tate looked up from the competitive game of ping-pong he was engaged in with forward, Phillip Anderson. Guys hung out in various spots of the locker room, winding down before heading home. When Tate glanced up at Lucas, he was giving Tate his regular, ‘hurry up and answer me’ look while standing in an expensive looking suit. Lucas had invited him to the dinner weeks ago, and before Tate wanted to go, but lately, all he wanted to do was sit in his house. All he needed to do was win this game and then he would go home.

Alone.

He shook his head, throwing the white ball across the table to Phillip. “No, I have things to do tonight. It’s a family thing anyway”

Lucas rolled his eyes, “You are family Tate. Come on, Fallon wants you to come.”

Tate shook his head again, “No, thank you, I’m tired anyway.”

And he was. The Assassins had an intense practice and afterwards an even more intense team meeting. Bacter yelled and screamed about the way they had been playing and suggested they all get it together before the next round of games, which began in a week. It gave Lucas and Fallon enough time to leave on their honeymoon and come back without missing anything. That was one of the reasons Fallon had planned the wedding for that week. She actually wanted to wait until next year, but Lucas wanted it done quickly and who could blame him?

Fallon was gorgeous and a great catch. She was always really nice to Tate, treated him like part of the family. Watching Fallon and Lucas together was like watching a firework show. They were beautiful together but there was always that chance that something could go wrong. They fought like cats and dogs, but then they would be wrapped up in each other’s arms like nothing ever happened. It was the craziest thing, and Tate was green with envy.

Because Tate wanted that.

He wanted a girl who would love him for him. Not because he is an upcoming star, or because he has money. He wanted a girl to look at him and love him, not his career. Of course, he wanted her to be supportive of his career, but he wanted her to love him first. Elsa, Tate’s ex-fiancé, didn’t. She hated that he left all the time, and when he left almost two years ago, she broke off the engagement, didn’t even think of coming with him. It still stung a little but he wasn’t going to dwell on it.

He was too busy dwelling on the fact that he still thought of Brunette Beauty daily.

Pathetic.

Lucas shrugged his shoulders, “Whatever, you guys better be there tomorrow. Remember Anderson, Audrey is going to be there. Fallon wants to hook you guys up.”

Phillip rolled his eyes, “You have told me that six times, I got you. I’ll check her out, but I mean if she’s anything like Fallon, I’m down. You’re soon to be wife is a MILF.”

Laughter filled the locker room as Lucas took in a sharp breath. Tate looked over at Phillip, confused, “What the hell is a MILF?”

A large grin came over Phillip’s face as he said, “A mom I’d love to fu-”

Without any warning, Lucas had Phillip up against the wall by the collar of his team shirt. Tate stood frozen while Lucas’ face was inches from Phillip’s. Acid dripped from his voice as he said, “That’s my soon to be wife, watch it.”

Whoa. Not cool.

Phillip put his hands up in defense, but there was no fear on his face. That was one thing about Phillip; the guy wasn’t scared of anything. “Sorry, it was a joke.”

“You’re always joking,” Lucas said, dropping his hand from Phillip’s collar, “But it isn’t funny.”

With that Lucas walked away and out of the locker room in a huff. Phillip fixed his collar and glanced over at Tate before shaking his head, “People are so f**king sensitive.”

Tate rolled his eyes, because he didn’t think Lucas was sensitive at all.

He would have done the same thing.

“See you later,” Anderson said as Tate got out of his black Chevy truck.

“Later,” Tate said he shut the door, and made his way around the massive truck.

As he fished his keys out of his gym shorts, he sort of regretted not going to the rehearsal dinner with Lucas. He should have gone. Fallon probably did want him there, plus he would have been able to see Aiden, Lucas’ son. He hadn’t seen the little guy in weeks, and he missed him. Aiden reminded Tate a lot of Matilda, when she was younger. She used to have tons of energy, and was full of life, just like Aiden. He missed her too, along with his parents.

Yeah, he should have gone to the dinner.

Shaking his head, he climbed the steps to his front door. When his shoe came in contact with something, he looked down to see something wrapped up with a bright green Post-It note on it. Tate’s eyebrows met as he bent down and picked up the box, taking the green note off it.

It would be nice if we met…just saying. Enjoy!

-Audrey

Audrey?

Tate opened the box and was pleased when he saw six cupcakes with big red hearts on them. A small smile came across Tate’s face as he picked one out before taking a huge bite. He loved cupcakes. When the amazing flavors of Red Velvet registered in his mouth, he almost moaned out loud. He really loved Red Velvet cupcakes.

But who the hell was Audrey?

Tate opened the door with his key and threw his stuff down on the floor before heading to the kitchen with the note and cupcakes in his hands. After laying the box down, he re-read the note. When he saw, “Your neighbor” at the very bottom, another smile graced his lips. Tate unfortunately hadn’t had the pleasure of meeting Ms. Audrey Parker. He had heard amazing things about her from Aiden and Lucas, and was excited to meet her, but for some reason they hadn’t crossed paths yet. It was strange since he had been living beside her for almost two months, but he planned on changing that tomorrow at the wedding.