“I don’t think so,” I reply. “I’m not really in a partying mood, and no one wants to see me make a fool of myself trying to dance.” Cora plops herself in the chair in front of my desk, a pint of ice cream in her hand. Putting away the files on top of my desk, I pluck the half-eaten tub from her hand, taking a bite as I prop against my desk.
She stares at me in shock for a moment. “What?” I ask, around a spoonful of ice cream.
“What’s going on?”
“What do you mean?” She narrows her eyes at me, then nods to the container in my hands.
“You can’t stand that ice cream.” I look down at the label. She’s right, Rocky Road isn’t my favorite. Marshmallows in ice cream are a no for me, but I can’t even taste them.
“It’s nothing. I just have a lot on my mind right now,” I say, handing the tub of ice cream back to her. We have grown really close over the last few months. Along with Ashton and D, Cora is one of my best friends, but it’s hard to open up to someone when you have been told your entire life that the only person you can trust is yourself.
“You know I am here for you, right?” I give her a soft smile.
“I know. Same for you.”
“Well, break time’s over. I should head back so I can make sure I can leave on time for the party tonight,” she says, her grin stretching from ear to ear. “It starts at eight, right?” I have to admit, her words bring a smile to my face.
“Is that your way of saying you want me to see to it your name is on the guest list?” I ask, cocking an eyebrow. She shrugs, a hint of a smile is barely seen as she goes to leave.
“Meet here at eight?” she suggests, and I nod.
CHAPTER 4
Payson
Grabbing my bag,I start to walk out with her when my phone starts to ring. Excitedly, I dig through my bag clutching my phone only to realize it’s not Kraig’s name flashing across the screen. To say I would rather not answer the call is the understatement of the century.
“Vivian, how nice to hear from you,” I say flatly and sarcastically, answering the call.
“It’s Aunt Vivian to you, dear.” I roll my eyes. Never has this woman ever been anything to me but a thorn in my side all my life.
“What do you want?” I make sure the hatred in my tone is clearly recognizable.
“You better watch that mouth of yours. You have no idea what kind of trouble it can get you into.” I roll my eyes again.
As I continue toward where my car is parked just ahead, I hurry and connect my phone via CarPlay. There are details that need to be finalized before the party tonight. That means I have no time in my schedule to deal with her shit.
“What can I do for you?” I ask again, trying to stay calm.
“Jarrell is not answering any of my calls. Would you be kind enough to tell him that his sister is trying to reach him? It’s very important.” Sighing, I talk myself out of telling her that that is Jay’s way of telling her to fuck off, but think better of it.
“Yes, ma’am. Is that all?” Her fake laugh comes through the speakers of my car.
“You will learn one day, Payson. Hear my words.”
Is she threatening me? I must be mistaken.
“If you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to work,” I say, clearly tired of this conversation. Just when I am about to end the call, the faint sound of a man’s voice stops me. But before I can properly identify whose voice it is, the call is disconnected.
CHAPTER 5
Payson
Since the phonecall withAunt Vivian, I have been on edge. Usually, I don’t let people get under my skin. With her, it’s hard to let it not bother me. That woman has despised me since the first moment she met me. “You are not, nor will you ever be a Reith.”Those were the first words she ever spoke to me. Each time we run into one another, the hatred between us is clearly seen.
The gates open, allowing me entrance, as I pull into the driveway of where I once grew up. Hopefully, Jay decided to work from home today. We haven’t really spoken face to face since the day I went off to college. That was nearly two years ago. Multiple vehicles are lined up in front of the main entrance to the house, none of which I seem to recognize. Jay must have had one of his business meetings scheduled here. Sure enough, when I stop in front of the door to his office to knock, it opens with a force that nearly wipes the ground from under me. One by one, men dressed in exquisitely tailored suits begin to fileout, excusing themselves as they slip past me. As Jay stands to follow, he notices me at the door.
“Payson,” he says, greeting me with a warm smile. “I wasn’t expecting you.”
