by JL Paul
My brows dropped over my eyes as I turned to him. “She can sing if she wants. She won’t embarrass me. She has a wonderful voice.”
I yanked out of his embrace so I could stalk off to the bathroom. I was eager to splash a little water on my face. I felt Lucas’s eyes on me as I made my way across the room and just wanted to jump on stage to hug him. That would make me feel much better.
I was happy to find the bathroom empty as I hurried to the sink. The nausea was still lurking, waiting for the perfect opportunity to present itself.
The door flew open, allowing Bailey and Morgan to march in, rushing to my sides.
“How are you?” Morgan asked, her pretty eyes full of worry.
“I’ll make it,” I said. I ripped some paper towel off the holder to blot my face. “I…um…was going to break up with Dustin sometime tonight.”
“Wonderful,” Bailey grinned. “Do it now then we can really party.”
“Bailey,” Morgan chastised.
“I can’t do it now,” I said with a sigh. “Not in front of all his friends. I’ll do it later.” My nausea roared as I wondered why the hell Lucas would agree to this madness. “What the hell were the guys thinking?”
“Relax,” Bailey said, placing her hands on my shoulders. “I talked to them before you got here and they had no clue this party was for you. Rusty asked them last night to play today – told them they’d get paid twice the usual amount. They agreed. They didn’t even know it was a private party.”
“But, how did this all come about? Do you know?” I stammered. They both shook their heads.
“Your mom called us and asked us to meet at your house,” Morgan explained. “She said that Dustin was throwing you a surprise party but he hadn’t even told her all the details. When we got to your house, you were gone. When we were getting ready to leave, that’s when your mother casually mentioned Rusty’s – but we didn’t know the guys would be here.”
“I haven’t talked to Spencer since Thursday,” Bailey said. “I didn’t know they’d be here, either. But they were pretty mad when they saw us and figured out this private party was for you.”
“They were livid,” Morgan corrected. “Lucas was worried that Dustin somehow found out and planned all this to humiliate you.”
“That’s what I thought, too,” I said, biting my lip. “But I don’t think so. Dustin seems too…innocent, I guess. I think he just thinks he planned a successful surprise party for me – something I’d really like.”
“Well, the guys aren’t too happy,” Bailey said. “They’ll be watching, trust me.”
“Shit,” I said as I leaned against the wall. “Well, it’s not all bad, I guess. I’ll just have to endure and once this whole fiasco is over, I’ll tell Dustin that I want to break up with him. It sucks but it has to be done. I can’t keep putting it off.”
“Are you and Lucas hooking up, then?” Bailey asked.
“Good question,” I said. “I think so, but I can’t be sure.”
“Do you love him?” Morgan whispered in awe.
“Lucas?” I asked. She nodded. My heart warmed as a wistful smile slipped across my face. “Yeah, I do.”
“Aww,” Morgan cooed.
“Yeah, great, wonderful,” Bailey said as she grabbed each of our arms and whisked us out of the bathroom. “We need to rejoin the party before one or both of Irelyn’s men comes looking for her.”
I shushed her and blushed.
Lucas’s eyes followed me again, doing crazy things to my heart but it also gave me strength and courage. I would get through this party.
Dustin was mingling with his friends near a long table full of food. The smell assaulted my nostrils and gave my stomach a whirl. I longed for a good, stiff drink.
“Irelyn, sweetheart,” Dustin called and I groaned. I didn’t dare glance over my shoulder at the band. I wished I could be inside their heads to see what they thought of this whole situation.
I slowly made my way to Dustin, enduring his possessive arm around my waist as he introduced me to his friends. I faked polite smiles, shook many hands, and muttered how nice it was to meet everyone over and over. I moved robotically by his side, keeping my eyes from drifting to the clock. All in all, it was the worst birthday party of my life.
The band announced that they were taking a short break about an hour after they’d started. I watched as they each jumped off the stage and headed for the bar.
Bailey and Morgan huddled near them and I could tell they were discussing me as one of them would periodically shoot a look my way.
“Um, excuse me, Dustin,” I said as I interrupted his roommate’s long, drawn-out story about a law clerk in his father’s office. “I need to talk to Bailey for a second.”
Sure,” Dustin said slowly, a frown marring his face. He pecked my cheek before I spun on my heel and hurried toward the bar.
“Need a drink?” Bailey quipped.
“More than you could ever know,” I said, not daring to look at the boys.
I sensed Lucas next to me and my body instinctively inched closer. I glanced out of the corner of my eye to see him leaning his forearms on the bar, a beer clenched in his fist. “Relax, love,” he said softly, his lips barely moving. “No one knows anything but us and we’re keeping it to ourselves. Try to enjoy yourself, okay?”
“Yeah, easier said than done,” I whispered as Bailey stuck a cranberry and vodka in my hand. “I still have to … you know…have that talk with him.”
Chuckling, Lucas sipped at his beer. “Don’t embarrass him in front of his friends, Irelyn.”
Confused anger straightened my spine. “So you’d rather me go home with him tonight?”
He whipped his head to glare at me, his eyes blazing. “Not in the least. I just suggested that you don’t do it in front of his friends.”
“I hadn’t planned on it,” I said through clenched teeth. My nerves were nearly shot and I couldn’t take a silly argument with Lucas, too.
“Okay, love,” he said as he released a long breath. “Sorry. I just can’t stand the thought of him touching you.”
Smiling shyly, I ducked my head. My heart fluttered at his words and I knew I was making the right choice. “I’m sorry, too. I’m sorry about this whole mess.”
“It’s fine, don’t worry. Now relax – you’re doing a great job. It will be over soon.”
“Irelyn?” Dustin said over my shoulder. I turned to face him. “I want you meet someone.” His eyes were hard and a tremor shook my heart. Nodding, I set my glass on the bar. Dustin took my arm, leading me away. “Why the hell do you want to stand around and talk to the help?”
“What do you mean?” I sputtered. “They’re friends of mine – not your mother’s servants.”
“They were hired to do a job,” he said. “And besides, I don’t like the way that Luke guy looks at you.”
My heart stuttered. “He doesn’t look at me.”
“Yes, he does,” Dustin insisted. “Now smile. You’re supposed to be having a good time.”
Lucas and the other guys jumped back on stage but instead of playing, they called out to my mother, cajoling her until she joined them. I stepped back from the group of Dustin’s friends and smiled as my mother stood in front of the microphone.
The boys started playing a Janis Joplin song that made me laugh – how many times had I heard Mom singing it as she washed dishes or folded laundry or prepared dinner. And she sounded wonderful as she stood on the stage, belting out the words like she was truly on tour.
Bailey, Morgan, and Tommy stood with me. When Mom finished, we cheered wildly for her. She bowed, her face bright red, and kissed each of the boys on the cheek. My insides swelled and I couldn’t wait to tell my mother that Lucas was the love of my life.
“Are you all right?” Dustin asked as he wormed his way next to me.
“Why wouldn’t I be?” I asked.
Pressing his lips together, Dustin shook his head. He nodded toward the stage and my eyes wide
ned as Tommy joined my mother. Lucas and Spencer gave him a tambourine, explaining the beats to him as my mother laughed.
“It’s time to sing ‘Happy Birthday’,” Lucas announced as his eyes lit on mine. “Irelyn, could you please make your way to the stage?”
I shook my head fiercely. There was no way in the world I was getting on that stage. But Dustin thought otherwise as he clutched my elbow and damn near dragged me to the stage. Spencer and Lucas offered me a hand and I reluctantly let them yank me up. I scurried next to my mother.
Tommy played the tambourine while Mom led the crowd into a couple verses of Happy Birthday. I blushed the whole time, my cheeks hot enough to grill chicken. When they finished, Rusty wheeled out a huge birthday cake through the crowd. I prepared to jump down to dig in and hopefully end this massive joke of a birthday.
But Dustin would have none of it. And the nausea that had dozed off stirred as he made his way to the stage, a strange glimmer in his eye. He climbed up next to me, taking the microphone from the stand. Lucas moved to stand by his brother, curious expression on his face.
“Thanks for coming everyone,” Dustin began in his crisp, succinct voice. “I thank you all for sharing in Irelyn’s birthday. But, before we have cake and ice cream, I’d like to give Irelyn her gift right here in front of all the people she loves.”
The nausea yawned and stretched as my heart slowed, waiting to get a signal to stop.
Dustin turned to me, huge, dopey smile on his face, and took my hand. “Irelyn, I love you more than anything.”
I swallowed, hoping the saliva would somehow quell the nausea as I discreetly shook my head, hoping Dustin would see it and stop.
But he didn’t.
“We’ve been together for a couple years now and I know we’re still young – but I think love knows no age.” He pulled a box out of his pocket and I squeezed my eyes shut. “I am asking you to marry me - your friends and family my witness to how much I love you.”
I couldn’t think. I couldn’t open my eyes. I couldn’t do anything. But I had to – the room had suddenly gone silent. I cracked open my eyes in time to see Dustin’s smile falter.
I took a step toward him. “Could I talk to you alone?” I whispered.
Pain shot through his eyes and straight to my heart. He smiled again and nodded, replacing the microphone. He took me by the hand, helping me off the stage. When he found a storage room, I knew I was going to be sick – it had a dirty floor and smelled like mop water.
“Oh, hang on,” I said, pressing a hand to my mouth, shooting off to the bathroom. I vomited quickly and efficiently and after I flushed, I heard the door open.
“Are you okay?” Dustin asked.
When I left the stall, I rinsed my mouth straight from the tap. “Yes.
“Why don’t you want to marry me?” he asked. “Why?”
Suspicion popped up again. “Why did you do all this?”
“Because I love you, Irelyn,” he insisted. “I wanted to do something special for you.”
“How did you find out that I like to come to Rusty’s? How did you know that I liked the band?”
He glanced at the jeweler’s box in his hand, shrugging. “Someone told me. And that someone helped me to arrange this party.”
Anger and fear commingled in my gut, making my stomach roll again. “Who?” I whispered. “Who helped you?”
“I’m not supposed to say,” he said.
“Who!” I screamed as I grabbed the lapel of his sports jacket. “Damn it, Dustin, tell me who!”
His eyes grew as his mouth opened wide. He took a step back but I didn’t release him. As I shook him, he grabbed my hands. “What does it matter?” he demanded, red splotches forming on his face. “It’s obvious you don’t want to marry me and I want to know why!”
“WHO HELPED YOU WITH THIS PARTY?!” I screamed as I jammed him against the wall. “WHO?!”
“Your grandfather,” he whispered.
I couldn’t breathe, my chest had seized. I coughed, gasping for air.
“Irelyn?” he asked, holding out a hand. I batted it away as I managed to suck in oxygen. I stormed out of the bathroom, pushing people out of my way, not even bothering to apologize. I stalked straight to the bar where my mother sat with Bailey, Morgan, and the guys.
“Mom,” I said as calmly as I could but my voice still wavered. I held out a terribly trembling hand, palm up. “I need your keys.”
“Irelyn! What’s the matter?” she asked.
I closed my eyes, drew a breath, and released it. “Just…give me the keys.”
“I, um, didn’t drive,” she said. “I came with Bailey”
“Here,” Bailey said, digging the keys out of her pants pocket and dropping them into my still trembling hand.
I nodded at her before slowly turning to Lucas. His face was etched with concern. “Irelyn, what is it?”
I swallowed. “Can you and the guys please get my mother and my cousin and my friends home safely?”
“Of course,” Lucas said, grabbing my arm. “Irelyn, where are you going?”
“I have something to take care of,” I said as hot anger scorched my chest. I ripped my arm out of his grasp and whirled away.
“Irelyn!” my mother called. I pretended not to notice.
It was time to take my life in my own hands.
Chapter 17
I tore through the streets, unmindful of traffic and cops, headed straight to my grandparents’ house. My insides were burning with so much anger that I could almost feel smoke coming out of my ears. I could not believe he had the gall to pull a stunt like this.
My phone rang constantly but I ignored it, suppressing the urge to roll down the window and throw the damn thing to the street. I didn’t want anyone questioning me or trying to talk me out of my task. No, I’d shoved too many things aside for too long and this time I was going to deal with it head on. He’d discouraged my mother from being with her true love but he wouldn’t do it to me.
As I flew down the dark roads, I wondered how he’d found out. I wondered if Amber was related to any of his friends. Or maybe there’d been someone at the New Year’s party. Perhaps someone at Rusty’s saw Lucas’s slight touches and guessed. At any rate, someone tipped my grandfather off and he took it upon himself to do something about it.
Well, I intended on doing something about it, too. I was his granddaughter, after all – maybe I’d inherited this from him.
I raced up the drive and slammed the car into park. I stormed to the front door and rang the bell. It was after eleven but I didn’t really care. If he was in bed then I’d wake him.
When no one answered, I rang the bell again and banged on the door for good measure. I rubbed my arms, hoping a little friction would warm them since I’d charged out of the bar without my coat.
The door opened and Marian, my grandparents’ only live-in housekeeper, gaped at me. “Miss Irelyn!”
Shoving past her, I stalked through the entry. “Where is he?” I demanded.
Marian scurried behind me, wringing her hands frantically. “Mr. and Mrs. Colby have retired for the evening.”
“Fine,” I seethed. “I’ll wake them!”
“No, Miss Irelyn,” Marian protested. “You mustn’t.”
“Don’t tell me what to do!” I screeched.
“That is enough!” my grandfather ordered as he appeared on the top of the stairs. “Irelyn, I’ll not have you treat my employees disrespectfully.” He descended the stairs slowly, his hands tucked neatly into his elaborate dressing robe.
“But you’d have me treated that way?” I asked, anger taking hold of my body. “Your own flesh and blood?”
“Follow me,” he said as he strolled to the den. I followed, my fists clenched at my sides.
Opening the door, he pointed at a chair. “I’ll stand, thanks,” I said as the anger continued to swirl inside me like a tornado ready to wreak havoc.
“First of all,” he said, his cool voice on the edge
of rage. “You’ll not storm into my home demanding things of me or my employees. If you’d like to discuss something with me, you’ll call and make an appointment.”
“An appointment?” I asked as a disbelieving laugh escaped my lips. “You want me to make an appointment?”
“Yes,” he said simply as his eyes hardened.
“I’m your granddaughter – not someone looking for a job! I’m not making a damned appointment!” My body trembled with barely controlled rage. I longed to lash out and I wasn’t too particular if it was with my tongue or my fists. If I didn’t do something soon, I didn’t know what would happen.
“Watch your vulgar language,” he said, narrowing his eyes. He strode to the mantle to fetch a cigar. Once he lit it, he sank to his favorite chair as if I were there for a friendly chat and a cup of tea. “Perhaps you think it is acceptable to speak that way with your…friends, but I will not tolerate it in my home.”
“What did you do?” I asked, my voice low. “What did you do?”
He blew a puff of smoke in the air and glanced absently at the end of his cigar. “I did what was necessary,” he said with nonchalance.
“What was necessary?” I repeated, my voice rising with each word. “What the hell was necessary about that whole fiasco? Why do you think you need to step into my life?”
“Because,” he said, his back stiffening. “I lost two daughters to that sort of…lifestyle. I’ll not lose a granddaughter.”
“You’re out of your mind,” I raved.
“No, Irelyn, you are. What were you thinking – getting mixed up with those sorts of people? Did you think you could be like your mother? Is that your greatest aspiration?”
“What do you mean ‘those sorts of people’?”
Rising to his feet, he crossed the room to stand in front of the cold fireplace. “Those…lowlifes that frequent that bar,” he said. I lifted a brow, waiting for him to continue. “They’ll never be anything but trash. They’re the types that depend on others – expect handouts.”
“And I don’t depend on you?” I asked. “You don’t hand me money every month? Am I a lowlife?”