“I don’t care for this,” he says, motioning between the two of us. “I didn’t then. And I don’t now. It’s not just the dating of the player, August, but who you are dating. You’re a Cromwell, you need to have a bit more class than this.”
I swallow, getting ready to tell him that my family has status and stature, that it’s just in Philadelphia. We may not have the money that the Cromwells do, but it’s nothing to sneeze at.
But I don’t.
I just stand there and let him tear me to pieces.
“Well, Dad, it’s a good thing that I’m an adult and that I can date whoever I would like to.” August slides his arm around my waist. “She’s not after anything, Dad. Not every woman that you come across is a gold digger or trying to get something out of us.Hendrixis not like that.” He places emphasis on my name and shakes his head. “But you already have your mind made up. The good news is, I have my mind made up too. And the goalie for the Blaze or not, it’s going to be fine. You’ll see.”
Maxwell shakes his head and lets out a cold laugh. “Is that what you think? You think that you can do and say whatever you want to me? The paperwork may be in your name, my boy, butthose lawyers work for me. I can change all of it. And I will if you think for one second that there is nothing that I can do.”
My blood runs cold. I knew this was a mistake.
“Honestly, August, I think that you can do better.” He lays the final nail in the coffin and hammers. “Can’t you see that?”
I back up slightly from the table, thankfully, August lets me. “I think I should be going.”
“I think that’s an excellent idea,” Maxwell replies, staring me down. “See, son, she gets it. She understood back then and she does now.”
Drew picks this moment to join our table. “This does not look like a fun conversation. What is going on over here, guys?”
I open my mouth to speak but close it without saying anything. Nothing that I could say would be helpful right now and might land August in more trouble.
“Oh, you know, Dad’s just over here making friends with Hendrix. Acting like he can tell us exactly what to do again.” August shakes his head. “Thanks for joining the party.”
Drew nods. “Dad, perhaps we can talk about this another time. It doesn’t seem that you’re thinking this all the way through. I think maybe you should give August some space right now. When the two of you aren’t drinking and when cooler heads have prevailed, we can all talk this out.”
I like that he’s trying to mediate the situation, make sure that our night is not completely ruined. But I fear that he might be too late for that.
“Yeah, I think that’s a great idea,” August replies. Out of the corner of my eye, I can see he’s staring Maxwell down. “I’m sure Dad has some more important people to talk to than us.”
“August,” Drew warns.
I wish the floor would swallow me up right now because there is no way this is going to end quietly.
“If August understood that and could wait until cooler heads prevail, then, yeah we could do that, Drew. But I think your brother is ready to fight this battle right here,” Maxwell replies coolly.
“Doesn’t have to be a battle, Dad,” August warns him.
“Sure, it does. Because after all these years and after all I’ve done for you, I can’t believe that we are here again.” He shakes his head. “I mean, seriously, August, haven’t I taught you better than to fraternize with the help.”
The help.
He just called me “the help.” Further reminding me that I do not belong here. And that I do not belong on August’s arm.
“I think that’s enough for me,” I say, straightening my shoulders. I can feel the tears burning behind my eyes and there is no way I’m letting them fall here.
“I can take you home,” August says, gently holding onto my arm.
I take his hand and place it on the table. “I think it’s best if you stay here. We nearly just got here. Stay with your family,” I reply and turn on my heel, ready to walk away. But before I do, I turn back to the Cromwell men. “Thank you all so much for such a wonderfully eye-opening evening. I truly won’t forget it.”
And with that I turn on my heel and hurry out of the ballroom. I hear someone coming up quickly behind me. But I keep on moving. Pulling my phone out of my clutch, I open my Uber app.
“Hendrix, please wait up,” he calls after me.
I turn around and notice that more than a few heads have turned in our direction.
“Please don’t, we have an audience,” I say, looking around, making sure that he can see that there are eyes on us.
