I hate to admit it, but a small part of me worries my mom won’t respect me after this. I already hate keeping it from her. But I know nothing will ever be solved withoutthis. Nathaniel’s money.
And he owes me.
Nathaniel waits near the hood of the Rover, an unfamiliar woman chatting him up as he stands there like a robotic statue. What did my mother ever see in him?
Austin whispers in my ear, “Ready for our coming out, princess?” I hold in a gag and smile as fake as possible. “Let’s do this,” I mutter.
I can tell Austin has zero experience reading women, or he’d know right away how uncomfortable I am. I had to use hand gestures and useless conversation to get himchatty enough to take his slimy hand off my leg on the way here.
Bryan opens the car door, and Austin exits, my eyes never leaving Stetson’s in the crowd of party guests. I search the car for my clutch, not realizing it’s in Austin’s hands, before taking a deep breath and sliding across the leather seat as gracefully as possible.
I’m confident the hammering in my chest can be heard by the outside ear. “Play the part, Cove,” I whisper to myself. “A brighter future. A better tomorrow. Persevere.”
And I stand tall, a wide smile cresting my face as I take Austin’s hand and round the car door. Nathaniel stands idle beside us, and everything in me avoids Stetson’s eyes. I know they’re on me. I can feel the heat behind them in my bones.
Bones that are close to giving out.
“And who do we have here, Nate?” the woman who hugged him earlier asks with curiosity. She seems kind, but clearly not expecting us.
Nathaniel clears his throat as a tall and dominating frame in my peripheral closes in. “This is my…daughter, Cove, and her boyfriend, Austin. Austin is a business colleague. I hope it’s alright that they join me, Abigail?”
“Of course,” Abigail sighs happily, her eyes watering a bit as she takes me in. “I didn’t realize…” She stops herself and resets. “Any family of yours is family to us. All are welcome.”
“Nate. My brother.”
God, his voice. He feels even more untouchable since the discovery of him being my asshat of a sperm donor’s best friend. No part of that makes sense, and despite being here with Austin, I have an astronomical number of questions. But I’m in no position to ask them now.
Austin grips my hand tight, and I’m reminded of hiscomment about Stetson yesterday. I never realized the pedestal people put him on. A stand I know for a fact he despises.
“Happy birthday, Stetson. It’s really good to see you.” Holy shit. I think Nathaniel just smiled.
Stetson pulls him in for a hug and waves off his greeting. “Ah. It’s not till Friday. Although, my dear sister seems to think a week-long celebration is necessary. But I’m grateful. You’ve been a stranger. It’s good to see you, man.”
Nathaniel nods before shifting his attention to Austin and me. I’m eternally thankful the rest of the crowd has since returned to mingling and dancing, leaving less attention on us. “I hope you don’t mind me bringing some guests?” he asks.
And this is where it happens. The moment shame rears its ugly head inside of me. I can’t back down. Austin’s arm finds my lower back, pulling me closer as I switch on my bravest face. It’s when Stetson’s crystal-blue eyes meet mine that I almost deteriorate right here.
I can do this.
“And who might this be?” Stetson’s voice doesn’t waver. His tone is strong, but it’s as if it’s just he and I, Austin a mere dirt pile at his feet.
Nathaniel catches me off guard with his attempt at fatherly affection as he reaches to rest his hand on my shoulder. “This is my daughter, Cove.” It’s clear Stetson didn’t hear our previous introduction to Abigail, as she’s still looking at us in blatant shock.
A sharp inhale resounds without warning, Nathaniel not missing the evident bomb he dropped on his best friend. Do they not know about me? But he’s his best friend, right?
Nathaniel continues without explanation. “And this is Austin. Cove’s boyfriend.” A brown and white dog uses thisuncomfortable moment to make itself known at my feet. As if by muscle memory, I reach to pet it, the softness of its coat and licking gives me a sense of comfort.
Stetson’s eyes lower to the dog, and with nothing more than a snap, it rushes to his side obediently. “Your daughter…” Stetson draws out, finally looking away from where I am to catch Nathaniel’s eyes. For a man who seems to always maintain composure, he looks restless. Fighting back an urge to react. “And her boyfriend?” Now, the sharp features I’ve learned to appreciate that only complement his age, shoot near-death daggers at Austin.
Sucks to suck, Austin.
“Nice to meet ya, man. I’ve heard all about you. My princess and I can’t wait to spend the week here.” Austin bites his own tongue.
Something that resembles a smirk lifts at the corner of Stetson’s mouth, and it’s dangerous. For Austin and all who fail to answer. “Princess, huh?” He makes an unashamed perusal of my body, eyes dragging leisurely from the tips of my heel-clad toes to the top of my raven curled hair. “That’s a pretty fucking princess.”
Oh. My. God.
Austin doesn’t seem bothered, only egged on more. “That’s what I’m sayin’. I picked out the dress. Doesn’t she look stunning?”
