Something registers in my mind when she says that, and my eyes flick up to look at the beautiful woman who is watching us both.
Hannah.
But before the thought can fully form, I hear my name called out. I look over and see my mother giving me a small wave.
I’ll find you two in a little bit, I tell the girls.
Then I head over to where my father and Krissa are talking with my mother.
Exactly the situation I want to join in on.
Awesome.
When I reach my mother’s side, my father extends a hand, which I ignore, instead crossing my arms.
I only see a flicker of disapproval on his face, but he hides it quickly, dropping his hand and tucking it into his pockets, taking on an easy stance that makes him look like the king of the world.
Or at least of Hermosa Beach.
“You didn’t shave.” Of course that’s the first thing he says. He looks to my mom. “You shouldn’t let him show up to events like these without a clean face. It’s an embarrassment.”
“I’m twenty-fucking-four years old,” I bite out, though I’m careful to keep my voice low enough as to not attract attention. “I don’t need anyone to tell me how to clean up for an event.”
There’s a pause from my father, and I can see him assessing me with shrewd eyes.
It’s the first time he’s seen me since I moved to San Francisco. That’s three whole years, during which time my faith in him diminished even more than it already had before I left. Even though I resent him for so many things – the way he treats his children, the dismissive way he treated my mother, his natural inclination to manipulate and control – there is a part of me that wonders what he sees when he looks at me now.
Does he see the same rebellious teen that snuck out? The one who never wanted any involvement with the Calloway Foundation? Or does he see the man I’ve become on my own? Feel his own resentment that I’m doing something without his help?
“Watch your mouth,” he mumbles, that calm exterior staying in place. He lifts a hand and waves at someone behind me, smiling as he keeps talking to me. “You’re lucky I even let you and your mother come to these functions anymore.”
But I bark out a laugh, a little too loud if Krissa’s watchful eyes are any indicator.
“You’re a fucking joke if you think anything about my life can be dictated by you.”
“Oh, boy, you’d be surprised to know how much control I have over things around here.”
I push my shoulders back. “I don’t care how much money you have, old man. The only reason I’m here is because it was important for mom and for Ivy.” Then I cross my arms. “Clearly there wasn’t a better man to escort the Calloway family to this event. So I gladly stepped in where the space was left vacant.”
“Wyatt, don’t speak like that to your father,” my mom says, a pleasant expression on her face that makes me wonder if she popped a Xanax before coming here tonight. “He’s done a lot for you and deserves your respect.”
I barely manage to muffle my laughter, earning me an expression from my father that looks like he wishes he could melt me into the ground.
“What has he done for me?” I ask, struggling to keep my voice low and feeling thankful that no one is coming over to glad-hand with the man I have to call father. “Cheated on my mother? Left the family? Put his own selfish needs and wants before the people he’s supposed to love? A man like that doesn’t deserve my respect. He deserves my contempt.”
My father’s jaw ticks to the side.
Things haven’t always been this hateful between us, even if we never had a loving father-son relationship. I’m not even sure that he completely understands why I’ve so aggressively and angrily turned my back on him.
Gone is any semblance of a resentful but dutiful son. In his place is a man hell-bent on giving Calvin Calloway the middle finger at every opportunity. He knows the true laundry list of his crimes… all the ways he’s mistreated the people in his life. It shouldn’t be a shock that I’ve finally decided that enough is enough.
Before I can say anything else, though, I catch sight of my mom’s face. I see the hidden embarrassment. The two red patches on the sides of her neck that seem to flourish in these situations. She can barely handle the life she tries to keep organized for herself. She doesn’t need me causing any unnecessary problems or drama. And antagonizing my father is exactly that.
I let out a sigh. “Why do you even insist on talking to me,” I say to him. “It’s no secret that our family isn’t a happily ever after story, regardless of the image you try so carefully to craft. So I don’t understand why you could even believe that talking to me in public has any impact on anything.”
Because really, that’s the only reason he could want to talk to me, right? The only thing he wants is the attention it brings. That the powerful Calvin Calloway can have it all.
Endless money. An amazing marriage that ends in friendship. The hot young new wife. And in the face of all of that, the same wonderful, adoring family.
That’s all he wants. And I can see the calculating gleam in his eye. The one that’s trying to figure out what he can gain or lose in any situation.
But he’s a fool if he thinks a single person in this damn town thinks Ivy, Ben and I look at him with anything other than loathing.
Adoring family.
Ha.
Fuck that shit.
“You wouldn’t have anything right now if it wasn’t for me,” he says, his voice menacing, so unlike the charmer that got up on the stage just a short while ago to espouse the virtues of donating to worthy causes. “I think it’s about time you remember who gave you what you have.”
It’s a shallow dig, an easy one to hit and one he likes to bring up whenever he can. Something to put me in my place. Something to remind me of where I really come from.
“Call me over like a dog again at the next event we’re all at together. We’ll see how well that goes over.” My words are like venom, and my only hope is that they have their intended effect.
Keeping my father the fuck away from me as often as possible.
I relax my shoulders and step towards my mother, squeezing her hand even if she’s upset with my actions. As frustrating as she can be, I hate when the things I say or do cause her stress.
As much as the things she does can irritate me sometimes, I owe my entire life to her. My brother and I were adopted when we were babies. He was one and I was a newborn. A perfect little family for Mr. and Mrs. Calloway.
But my father never lets me forget it.
I’m a charity case to him. A pawn he can try to manipulate in whatever way he thinks works to his advantage. My brother might have been easily played by him back when we were younger and significantly more naïve, but not me.
I always make sure Calvin Calloway knows that his wealth doesn’t mean shit to me.
I turn away from them and head back towards the auction, keeping a carefully neutral expression on my face. Part of me hates myself for playing into that. Because as much as I spout at my father, I still don’t make a scene, even though it’s what he deserves.
Maybe someday, I’ll manage to find the nerve to react exactly how I want. Be angry. Yell. Throw something.
And I hope on that day, my father is there to see it.
CHAPTER NINE
Hannah
Ivy and I wander into the gallery and peruse some of the cheaper items that are more in a somewhat realistic price range.
Emphasis on somewhat.
That’s how we find Lucas as we round the back of a table in the far corner of the room.
When he spots Ivy at my side, he gives her a huge smile before turning to me.
“I see you’ve met Ivy Calloway.”
“Yeah, do you two know each other?” I ask. Then my eyes widen, and I turn to look at her.
Your last name is Calloway? You’re related to the guy that was on stage?
Ivy rolls her eyes. Only by blood.
Not by choice.
I laugh, loving her sassiness. Then I look back at Lucas.
“You can sign?” he asks, his face in some expression I don’t understand.
I nod. “Yeah. My old roommate’s daughter was deaf, so I learned as she learned. As she grew older.”
Then I turn to Ivy. He wants to know why I’m super awesome and can have secret conversations with you.
Ivy giggles. That’s the one thing that’s great about being deaf. I wish my mom didn’t know how to do it so I could talk to my brothers without her knowing what we’re talking about.
We both laugh.
“See, I always feel like she’s talking about me,” he says, then sees my hands are moving. “Are you talking to her while I’m talking?”
“No,” I say, continuing to sign. “I’m signing what you’re saying so she isn’t left out of the conversation.”
I look to Ivy, about to ask her if she wants to grab something to drink – wine for me and something nonalcoholic for her – when I see that her eyes have gotten glassy.
Are you okay? I ask, concern racing through my body.
She nods, giving me a watery smile. Yeah.
You’re sure? Most people don’t cry when nothing is wrong.
She smiles and wipes at her face. I’m okay. Promise.
“She’s just emotional because you care enough to include her when so many others leave her out,” I hear from my left.
I turn to see her brother stepping up to us. Pier Guy wraps his arms around Ivy’s shoulders from behind, tucking her in against his chest with an affectionate hug.
“Don’t tell her I said that. She wouldn’t want you to know,” he adds, his eyes laser focused on me.
I smile at him.
I can’t seem to help it.
The love he has for his sister is pretty beautiful. I’m sure they’re just like all other siblings, driving each other crazy on a regular basis. But there’s a fierce protection there, a willingness to do anything for her. His affection for her reminds me of how my brother Joshua was with me.
It couldn’t hurt if I went out for a drink with him, right? I mean, out of everyone I’ve spoken with since I’ve gotten here, Lucas and Paige aside, this guy seems to be the most normal.
He might be a money guy, but I shouldn’t hold that against him any more than he should hold my lack of money over me.
“Holy shit, man,” I hear from my right, and I look over to see Lucas’ eyes are wide. He breaks into a smile, and my hands fly into motion for Ivy. “Paige told me you were back in town but I wouldn’t have believed it if you weren’t standing right here in front of me.”
Pier Guy steps out from behind Ivy and shakes Lucas’ hand, the two of them giving each other a brief hug.
“Wyatt Calloway, in the fucking flesh,” Lucas adds, stepping back and shaking his head.
I change the f-word as I’m translating to something a little more suitable for Ivy.
Wyatt Calloway. What a name. He sounds like he’s going to storm into your western town after robbing a bank and demand a drink.
“I thought you were traveling this summer. Heading to London or something?”
Wyatt shrugs a shoulder, his eyes returning to me. “I changed my mind. Thought a ride down the coast would be enjoyable before I spend the summer at home.” Then he looks at Lucas. “I wanted to get in extra time with Ivy, too.”
Lucas’ expression becomes cautious, and I see him shift from foot-to-foot, something uncharacteristic of him.
Well, at least since I’ve known him.
Wyatt’s eyes travel between Lucas and me. “It looks like you two know each other. Please don’t tell me you’re dating. I’ve been trying to get her to agree to go out for drinks with me.”
“No, we’re not…” I pause. I did it again. Spoke so quickly he must know I’m interested. I don’t know how to play hard to get. “We’re not dating,” I add, letting out an awkward laugh.
Wyatt bites the inside of his cheek, stifling a grin. “Well that’s good. Ivy said your name is…” but he doesn’t finish the sentence. His voice trails off and he looks at Lucas again.
Then back at me.
“Hannah,” I say. “My name is Hannah.”
Lucas clears his throat, looks to me. “This is my friend Wyatt Calloway. We’ve known each other since before we were even old enough to start making memories.” Then he looks to Wyatt. “This is Hannah Morrison. My sister.”
I give Wyatt a soft smile, glad to finally be given an introduction since I seem to have problems giving him my name on my own.
But Wyatt’s expression, while friendly and mischievous when he first walked up to us, immediately shifts into something neutral. Something bland and unfriendly.
Guarded.
There’s an awkward pause as Wyatt’s eyes take me in, and my happiness slips slightly, unsure of what’s happening.
It feels like I’m looking at a completely different person than the Pier Guy I talked to yesterday and this morning. Even just a few minutes ago.
That guy had been friendly and open. A charmer. Dare I say he had been lowering walls he didn’t normally drop to talk to me about… well, I guess we didn’t talk about much. But it felt like we did.
This guy… Wyatt… is quickly morphing into someone who looks like he could light this building on fire with his eyes.
It makes me want to shrink back.
But before I can do or say anything, Wyatt turns his focus to Lucas, his nostrils flaring, his jaw tight. “You weren’t going to tell me?” he demands, his voice a low rumble that seems to fill the space around us.
Confusion hits me and I also look to Lucas, but I find his eyes focused firmly on Wyatt. Lucas remains silent, instead lifting his whiskey glass to his lips and taking a sip.
Wyatt lets out some sort of groan or grunt of frustration, his eyes looking at me once again before he suddenly turns and storms from the room.
I remain where I stand, my eyes following him as he drags his cloud of anger away. Then I look to Ivy, who is watching him go, a sad expression on her face.
She looks back at me. I better go, she says. Then she steps in and gives me a big hug. It was great meeting you Hannah. I hope we can still be friends even though my brother is the moodiest person I’ve ever met.
I nod, though my smile is weak. Absolutely.
She gives us both a wave, then heads off in the direction Wyatt just huffed off to.
When I turn to look at Lucas, I find him staring off towards that same doorway.
“What was that?” I ask, still confused. Still shocked. And if I’m honest, possibly a little bit more upset than I should be.
I don’t know Wyatt from Adam. We’d just had some playful banter. Some friendliness. I shouldn’t be expecting anything from him.
But I guess, that’s my naivety coming out to play. The very reason why I struggle to trust, even though I so desperately want to. I always seem to be left standing confused and wary.
Lucas shakes his head, letting out a long sigh. “It was just Wyatt being a moody asshole,” he says. “Come on. Let’s go buy something.”
Following his lead, I loop my arm with his, and let him walk us around the room, my thoughts feeling more jumbled than ever.
"I’m glad you came tonight.”
I look up from the book I’m reading to where Lucas is standing at the door to my bedroom. He’s wearing a pair of sweats and a tank top, likely also getting ready to climb in to bed.
“Thanks for inviting me.” I tuck a finger in to hold my spot and close the book, turning slightly onto my side where I rest snuggled in to the plush down comforter on my bed. “It was… an adventure.”
He huffs out a laugh and shakes his head. “Well, it was great having you there. And I’m sure Ivy enjoyed having someone to chat with.”
I nod. “I’m surprised more people aren’t receptive to her. I mean, no offense, but if you’ve known her all her life, why haven’t you learned to sign?”
Lucas looks away. “I should have. I just… I guess I was too self-absorbed to realize the difference it could make.” When he looks back at me, I see regret swimming in his eyes.
“I didn’t say that to hurt your feelings.”
“I know. I know you didn’t. But it still hurt, even if it’s my own fault, you know?”
I shift my position and rest my chin on my hand, my elbow pressed in to the cushy mattress topper. “I’d be happy to teach you, if you want to, like, learn a little bit and surprise her? Maybe?”
He smiles at that, crosses his arms and leans on the doorframe. “Something tells me that you’re just naturally a person who thinks about others before thinking about herself. That might be my favorite thing about you so far, sis.”
I roll my eyes. “I don’t know how I feel about this whole sis thing. How about your highness. I’d even take Lady Hannah.”
Lucas laughs.
“What? I was on a Game of Thrones kick before I came here. Lady Hannah has a ring to it, don’t you think?”
“Well, I have every subscription and streaming service imaginable in this house. You should pick a new show and we can watch it together.”
“That sounds awesome. Do you want to start it tomorrow? I was thinking about going to the pier to apply at a few different places for a summer job, but other than that I won’t have anything else going on.”
“I have plans in the evening with some friends.”
I nod, trying to hide my disappointment. The last thing I want to do is become some sort of burden for Lucas. But at the same time, he seems like a guy who might not have as much space in his life for new people as I’d assumed. And my entire reason for coming here was to spend time with him.
“Okay. Well, we can find another night then. Thanks again for inviting me. It was fun spending time with you.”
Lucas raps twice on the doorframe with his knuckles. “Night, Hannah.”
“Night.”
I shift my position back to get comfortable and open my book back up. Sienna was really into fantasy novels, and gave me the first in an apocalyptic series to read. Hopefully I’ll be able to borrow Lucas’ library card or something to get the next ones, because this baby is really good.
Promise Me Nothing (Hermosa Beach Book 1) Page 10