Page 74 of A Chance at Forever
Righteous rage stiffened his spine. A muscle twitched in his tight jaw. This whole time he couldn’t believe she’d been talking aboutAlan Richmond. Each time they’d met on the football field during Rusty’s career, he’d respected him less and less. Alan lacked honor both on and off the field.
“Tori, look at me.” He tilted her chin. Her stormy gray eyes, her pain, ripped his heart in two. “I’m going to deal with Alan. After tonight you won’t ever have to worry about him again. Now, go fix your face, or whatever it is you women do, and we’ll go into the ballroom together. I want to meet your father and your brothers.” Rusty brushed her tears away with his thumbs. “And I could never think less of you. Because I’m in love with you.”
A half sob, half laugh tore from her throat. “Oh, Rusty, you choosethismoment to be romantic and declare you’re in love with me?”
“What better moment that when you need to hear it the most? On Christmas Eve? And, while we’re on the subject, you, uh, haven’t said how you feel about me.”
Victoria threw her arms around his neck and kissed him hard and deep. “I’m in love with you, too, Rusty Sinclair.”
Incredible joy flooded Rusty’s soul. He pushed his uncertainty about his future from his mind. In this moment he’d never felt more alive. If Victoria weren’t dressed in an evening gown, he’d pick her up and spin her around as he whooped in ecstasy.
His mouth claimed hers in a possessive, thrilling kiss. He trailed soft kisses along her jawline and whispered something intimate into her ear. Her blush delighted him.
Rusty escorted her to the ladies’ powder room and waited as Victoria repaired her makeup. When she rejoined him, his jaw dropped. “You’re stunning. And the emeralds look lovely with your dress.”
Her eyes turned smoky. “Thank you. You look fantastic in that tux.” She adjusted the scarf around his neck.
He offered his arm. “Ready?”
Victoria nodded and tucked her hand in the crook of his elbow.
They created a buzz when they entered the ballroom. A good number of guests recognized Rusty from his time as a pro-football player, and he heard them murmuring his name. Victoria saw her father and steered him in Richard’s direction. The tight grip she had on Rusty’s arm and the sharp intake of her breath warned him that she’d also spotted her ex.
“You’re okay,” he whispered. “Remember you’re mine and I love you.”
Richard excused himself from a small group of guests and strode toward them. “So, you’re Rusty Sinclair.” He held out his hand. “It’s a pleasure to meet you. Victoria didn’t think you’d be able to visit us during the holidays.”
Rusty shook his hand in a firm grip. “Sir, it’s an honor. I changed my plans, so I could be here tonight.”
Richard glanced at his daughter’s pale face. “What’s going on, sweetheart? I heard someone say you fled from the ballroom earlier.”
Before Rusty or Victoria could reply, Carter and Derek joined them. Victoria made the introductions, and they shook hands. The brothers teased Rusty, their way of showing they accepted him.
When their laughter died down, he addressed the Lockridge men. “We have a problem with Tori’s ex, Alan. Sir, we’ll explain everything later. Right now, I need you to keep Tori with you while I handle the situation.”
“Not without us,” Derek declared. “I knew there was something wrong. Something Tori didn’t want to tell us.”
“It ends tonight. Come on, guys. Let’s find Alan.”
They found him holding court near the dance floor. “Hey, Alan,” Derek greeted him in a conversational tone of voice. “We thought you’d like to meet Tori’s boyfriend, former Broncos’ quarterback Rusty Sinclair. You know each other, right? I can only imagine how humiliating it must have been to lose to him eight years in a row.”
Alan’s face turned red as he took Rusty’s measure. He managed an expression of pure disdain and scoffed, “Sinclair. I’m calling your bluff. No way you’re with Vicki.”
Rusty clenched his fist. It took every ounce of his self-control not to deck the guy in front of everyone. “You and I need to have a chat, Alan.” He grabbed one of his arms none-too-gently and Carter grabbed the other one.
They pushed Alan into an empty conference room, and Derek closed the door.
CHAPTER 22
“Why don’t youtell me what this is all about,” Alan demanded in his arrogance.
“It’s about what you did to the sweetest woman ever to walk this earth,” Rusty ground out. He glanced sideways at Carter and Derek. “You’re not going to like what you’re about to hear. Go ahead, Alan. Confess.”
Alan’s eyes shifted from Rusty to the Lockridge brothers. All three of them stood with their legs slightly apart and their arms folded across their chests. He looked past them at the exit. “So, what do you want me to say? I cheated on Vicki. It happens. Why are you making such a big deal out of it?”
The words were barely out of his mouth before Carter threw the first punch, a right hook that almost knocked Alan off his feet.
Derek started forward, but Rusty held him back. “Tell them what you’re holding over Tori’s head. And don’t call herVickiagain.”
