READ! This is the sequel to For the Love of the Game (which you do not need to read to understand this story. Brandon and Shelley have a history, and that's the gist of it. Their history IS history)

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Chapter 1

“New York, here we come!” Morgan Miller cried happily.

Their plane had finally reached New York and was coming to a stop down the runway.

“Remind me again why I’m going, mother,” Morgan’s twin brother, Brandon, said sleepily.

The twins’ mom stifled a yawn and said, “Because Claudia Sinclair is a very good friend of mine and I want to be there to support her when she launches her fall line. Besides, I figured we all needed a family vacation.”

“And ‘family vacation’ included bringing Dumb and Dumber?” Morgan asked innocently, pointing at her brother and his slumbering friend.

“Yes, Morgan. Kyle is just as much family as Brandon is,” Mrs. Miller said patiently. “We’d better hurry and get our luggage if we want to meet Claudia for dinner.”

After getting off the plane (how good it felt to be on solid ground again!), Mr. Miller, Brandon, and Kyle Stanford went to retrieve the luggage while Morgan and her mom waited outside. A short (and expensive) cab ride later, they checked in at the renowned Waldorf-Astoria. Brandon and Kyle were sharing a room, as were Mr. and Mrs. Miller. This left Morgan with her own room across the hall, which was perfectly fine with Morgan. When she finally dragged her things in and stopped to survey the room, she realized someone else would be staying there too. She examined the tag on the suitcase, looking for a name.

“Oh my god!” Morgan squealed, “No freaking way!”

She ran across the hall to her parents’ room, still in utter disbelief.

“I see you found out,” commented her dad. “We thought you’d like to see your old friend again.”

“I absolutely cannot believe it! I didn’t know she was going to be here!”

“Who’s here?” asked Brandon, coming in behind Morgan.

Morgan eyed Brandon carefully, a playful grin on graced her face. “Wouldn’t you like to know?”

“Yeah, actually I would, thanks,” Brandon said tonelessly.

“You’re not enthusiastic enough to want to know. I’ll just let you find out for yourself. But let’s just say you definitely won’t be disappointed,” Morgan answered slyly.

It was getting near dinner time; almost time to meet Claudia for dinner. The family met the fashion designer at the Manhattan Bistro, a quaint restaurant Claudia claimed famous for its Maryland-style crab cakes.

Too bad Morgan hated crab cakes.

“Oh my god, I can’t believe you’re actually here!” shrieked Claudia Sinclair, looking beautiful and as young as ever. Her blonde hair was swept back into an elegant bun. She wore an outfit that was obviously of her own creation. Only Claudia would have been able to pull off a bright purple halter with a dangerously plunging neckline (at her age!), tight black pants and a silver belt with a ridiculous number of charms. She finished off her outfit with a pair of black stilettos and diamond earrings.

So this was what the glamorous life was like. Morgan definitely could get used to it.

The older women embraced. Then Claudia hugged Mr. Miller, Morgan, Brandon, and Kyle. Morgan could tell Brandon felt awkward hugging the mom of the girl he had fallen in love with.

Speaking of love, Morgan was looking for some. She didn’t know if she’d find that person in New York or California. But she was twenty years old and she still hadn’t had a serious relationship. Maybe it was because she was looking in the wrong places. Or maybe she was too picky. Regardless, she was determined to find someone.

Dinner was quite the affair. Claudia regaled them with her experiences on the subway and such while Jana told of everything that had happened in California during the past two years, which wasn’t much, so to speak.

“So how long are you staying in New York? A week?” Morgan heard Claudia ask.

“Oh, maybe the whole summer. We need a change of scenery,” replied Jana.

Morgan nearly dropped her fork. A whole summer in New York? Who knew what was bound to happen?

Eventually, Claudia said she had to leave. “Big day tomorrow and I’ll be so busy. Be at the plaza around 7. The show starts at 8. Just tell the security guards who you are, and if they give you trouble, tell them ‘Claud’s got a great bod’. They’ll let you in. I guarantee it!”

Mrs. Miller burst into laughter. “I’ll see you tomorrow. Good luck! And I can’t wait to see your line!”

Claudia leaned in to whisper something to Jana. Whatever Mrs. Sinclair had said made Jana’s eyes widen in shock.

- - - - -

Morgan sat on her bed in her hotel room, clothes strewn all over the place. Last night after dinner she’d gone back and slept. Today was a new day, and still there was no sign of her room mate.

What do you wear to a fashion show?

She finally settled on a plain black slip dress with straps that crisscrossed in the back. It was simple, but it suited Morgan’s figure perfectly. She put on medium-sized silver hoops and grabbed a small gold Kate Spade clutch.

Perfect.

Watch out, New York, ‘cause here comes Morgan Amanda Miller and she’s going to rock your world!

She met her parents, Brandon, and Kyle at the elevators. Together they took a cab to the place where the show would be held. Unfortunately, the guards let them in without a problem; Morgan had kind of been hoping they’d get to say the ‘code words’. She’d gotten a kick out of it when Claudia had told them about it last night. An usher showed them their seats-right next to the stage, which meant right next to all the reporters and photographers!

How cool.

They didn’t even have to wait very long for the show to start. Someone announced, “Good evening, ladies and gentlemen. Tonight marks the launch of designer Claudia Sinclair’s newest line, Sultry. And now, if you’ll sit back, relax, and let the show begin!”

Music blared from speakers placed strategically around the room. Model’s started strutting down the runway. The first few were lovely creations; it seemed like Claudia designed everything-from formal wear to casual wear. One model seemed to spark everyone’s attention. The room was abuzz with speculation. Who is she? What agency is she signed on to? Clearly she was new; why hadn’t they heard or seen her before? Surely someone with that natural talent would have gotten their attention sooner!

As Morgan studied the model, there was something familiar about the structure of her face. She couldn’t quite pinpoint it, but something about the way the model walked was different, yet so familiar, like she knew it all too well.

And then the model flashed a bright, dazzling smile.

And it was then Morgan that knew exactly who it was. That smile. Only one person she knew could have a smile that blinding.

Shelley Sinclair.

What the hell was Shelley doing on the runway? Sure, there was obvious talent, but Morgan thought Shelley was planning on being a doctor. The last place she expected Shelley to be was on the runway modeling her mom’s clothes.

Something told Morgan to look at Brandon. She snuck a peek at her twin who was sitting next to her. He was sitting with his mouth open, agape. Evidently he had recognized Shelley too. And Morgan knew that look.

Brandon was still in love with Shelley.

Who knew that after all these years, Brandon Miller still possessed a heart?

But Brandon wasn’t the only one who was in love with Shelley. The crowd was going wild for her too. Or maybe they were nuts about the sundress Shelley was wearing. Morgan would have bet half her wardrobe that it was the former. She didn’t blame them. Shelley looked stunning. As a matter of fact, Shelley always looked stunning. It just wasn’t fair. Some people got everything.

At the end of the show, all the models came out on stage one last time. Morgan looked for Shelley, but she couldn’t spot her anywhere among the sea of beautiful people. There she is! At long last, Shelley stepped onto the runway, side by side with her mother.

Claudia Sinclair got hold of a microphone and said, “I’d like to thank you all for coming tonight! I hoped you enjoyed my line.” She paused because of the thunderous applause, “I’ve been asked to introduce this young lady because so many of you keep asking about her. This is my daughter, Shelley Sinclair. She’s not a professional; I asked her to step in because one of my models got sick and had to cancel. I will be here to answer any questions you may possibly have later.”

And with a wave and a kiss good bye, Shelley and her mother were gone. Correction: Shelley was gone. Claudia found her way to the Millers and told them to go backstage to the dressing rooms.

“Oh, they’re fully clothed,” Claudia said irritably to Brandon, dismissing his expression with the flick of her wrist. “You won’t see anything you would want or not want to see.”

As they followed Claudia backstage, Brandon asked Morgan, “Did you see-Was that-”

Morgan nodded. “Yes, it was Shelley.”

“W-Wh-What was she doing here? Did you know?” he demanded.

“No I didn’t. I was just surprised as you were. And as to what she was doing here-Claudia told us. She’s just filling in for another model,” replied Morgan.

“I can’t believe she’s here,” Brandon said faintly, “It’s been awhile.”

“I see the fire hasn’t died yet,” observed Kyle.

“Shut up, man. I never should have let her go, you know that? God, I missed her every day. I regret everything. But maybe meeting now is our second chance, you know?” said Brandon thoughtfully.

“She turned you into a fucking pansy, Miller,” snorted Kyle.

“I wonder where she is…”

“Over there!” shouted Morgan, grabbing Brandon’s wrist and dragging him behind her.

Shelley squealed when she saw Morgan. “Ohmygod you look gorgeous! You should have been on the runway!”

“Are you kidding me? You were so hot on the runway! Ohmygod I haven’t seen you in so long! How are you?” shrieked Morgan.

“We can get acquainted later. After all, we’re room mates, right?” asked Shelley.

“Yeah. Oh my gosh, I still can’t believe you got to model! That’s so rad!”

Shelley grinned. “Yeah, it was pretty surreal.”

She greeted Jana and Scott and gave Kyle a hug. Eyeing Brandon, Shelley asked Morgan, “And who might this be? Your boyfriend?”

“Actually, that’s Brandon,” said Morgan, glancing at Brandon. She doesn’t recognize him! Has he changed that much?

The answer to that is yes and no. He still pretty much looked the same, but Brandon had a much larger built from all the football he had played in college. Now he was looking to for a steady relationship. But at the moment, he was gazing at Shelley intently, a flicker of hope still in his eyes.

“Hey,” Shelley said softly, hiding her surprise, “Long time no talk. How ya been?”

Brandon was hurt that she was being so casual towards him. Hadn’t she fallen in love with him all those years ago?

Ah, but you’re forgetting the sometimes absence doesn’t make the heart grow fonder.

“Good. And you?” he asked politely, doing his best to mask his emotions.

“Good too.”

Hmm, awkward silence.

Luckily, someone broke the silence and slipped an arm around Shelley’s waist, kissing her neck. “Hey babe,” he said, “You were amazing out there tonight.”

Shelley turned around to give him a peck on the lips. “Thanks, Zach,” she murmured, “And you’re amazing every night.”

“Don’t flatter me,” he grinned.

Brandon pretended to clear his throat-loudly. This seemed to bring Shelley back to reality. She realized that they had an audience.

“Oh, I’m so sorry!” she cried, “This is Zachary Nicholas Fox, my fiancé.”

And sure enough, she had the rock on her ring finger to prove it.

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A/N: I have never been to a fashion show, nor do I know what's really supposed to happen at one. So please just go with it..Thanks :)