by Hughes, Maya
“Welcome to Kelland Estate. We’re all so happy to have you here for the wonderful occasion of Laura and Chet’s engagement.” A blonde woman who didn’t look much older than most of the attendees stood in front of the band at the old timey microphone. Her warm smile left crinkles at the edges of her eyes and that was the only telltale sign that her smooth skin wasn’t one hundred percent genetic.
She held out her arms on the stage like she was prepared to hug everyone. I got the drinks for me and Jules, headed back to her, and slipped one flute into her hand.
“Your mom definitely knows how to work a room,” I leaned down and whispered out of the side of my mouth into Jules’ ear. Everyone hung on her mom’s every word with beaming smiles.
“Yes, she does.” Jules kept a smile on her face like if her mother saw it drop she might get into trouble.
The women in the room glittered with different colored dresses. The guys were all in tuxes, looking way more comfortable than anyone I’d seen in one. Like they’d been wearing them since they were little and it was just another set of clothes, not five layers of fabric too many.
I hadn’t had to read the Great Gatsby back in high school. Kids on my track had been expected to read The Giver and other way-below-reading-level stories. But I’d seen the movie. Even up on screen, it was a whole lot of over-the-top exaggerations and people with egos way too big for the mansions they lived in. That had nothing on Jules’ sister’s party.
There was a full band decked out in tuxes matching mine. It was a trial run for all the stuff I’d hopefully be doing next year. Reece already talked about the invites he got to events, parties, and charities. Nothing I’d ever experienced dripped with money like this, and Nix’s dad was a former NFL player who definitely knew how to party.
“Looking to enter the draft this season?”
I turned to the older man next to me. “Yes, sir. With the season we had last year, there’s been a lot of interest.”
“I’m sure there has been. And cut the sir stuff. Call me Felix.” The older man with graying temples slipped me his business card. “We’ve had our eye on you for a while, Mr. Vaughn.”
I schooled my expression, trying to play it cool. Fans on campus were one thing, even people screaming out my name on the streets around the stadium, but this was the first time I’d been spotted out in the wild like this. To have a guy like him come up to me and talk to me like an equal. Like I was doing him a favor for even talking sports for a few minutes.
He chuckled. “I can spot a football player from a hundred yards. Comes with the territory.”
I checked out his card. Sports Agent.
“I know how hard things can get for you players with all the NCAA rules, but I happen to know more than one team who’s been able to help players just like you out. Maybe you’ve got an eye on some blow-out spring break or summer vacation before the season starts.” He leaned in conspiratorially.
Putting my team’s season on the line for a party wasn’t anything I’d go anywhere near. “I’m okay for now.”
“Well, if you need some help, give me a call and I can make it happen.” He patted me on the shoulder and walked away.
A passing waiter rammed straight into my shoulder. It was a hit like I was back on the field. My drink flew out of my hand, showering Jules as she approached.
“Sonofabitch.” I whirled around to grab the guy, but he was already gone, disappearing into the doorway all the servers flowed in and out of. That hit felt all too familiar, but I had bigger things to worry about. Like the frozen, semi-drenched Jules staring at me with wide eyes.
I grabbed a few handfuls of napkins and proceeded to dry her off. A trail of champagne dripped down the valley of her breasts. One of the party planners had pried the sweater from her grip when we’d walked into the room (for not being timeline appropriate) and I’d never been happier for bizarre, rich people party rules in my life.
She smacked at my hands. “Would you quit it!” she hissed and turned her back to the room, taking the napkins from me and running them over her dress.
“Sorry.”
“Not your fault. I saw that guy bang into you like he was headed for the end zone.”
“Right?”
“He’s lucky my mom didn’t see that. She’d have freaked. They had to bring in a whole catering crew from Philly just for this.”
“As if the party couldn’t have gotten any swankier.”
“Har har har.”
Another server passed by holding a tray with tiny puffed pastries on it. I could down the entire thing in five seconds doing a two hander.
“I don’t think everyone else has stopped drinking since we got here,” I leaned in and whispered into Jules’ ear, not letting my gaze drift down the soft and ample slope of her breasts and into the forbidden valley that glittered with sequins like a freaking Times Square Billboard. Definitely not doing that at all.
“There are some people who’re permanently like that. Hidden flasks, rehab stints, the eventual relapse everyone pretends not to notice, or swears them having a few drinks is no big deal.”
“No wonder you invited me.”
“It was a tough choice after you volunteered yourself. I thought about backing out and canceling on you, but then I’d be here on my own.”
I did another sweep of the crowd. “I can see why it was a tough choice.” I stared into her eyes. “And I’m glad you didn’t try to cancel on me. I’m glad I could be here with you.”
“Julia, are you going to introduce me to your guest?”
It was like a cold front had blown in over the party. Jules stared back at her mom like a boxer headed into the ring. Jules’ body went rigid, but she was light on her heels and almost imperceptibly swaying like she was ready for a punch.
Her mom’s dress probably cost more than a season ticket to the Trojans’ Sky Box. Her gaze bounced between me and Jules with the same smile she’d worn before, the lines at the edge of her eyes crinkling even more.
She held her hand out and her gaze raked up and down my body. “And you must be Berkley. Laura was telling me all about you.”
Pretty hard to do when Laura had molested me with her eyes for all of twenty seconds and barely spoken to me during the process. Maybe she’d just been sizing me up trying to figure out if I was an okay dude to be dating her sister, even if it was all pretend.
“It’s nice to meet you.” I wiped my hand on my pants, not wanting to shove my sweaty palm into her delicate hand. Damn, I felt like I was going to snap every bone in her fingers. I was also slightly concerned about Jules’ statue impersonation.
“Evelyn,” she offered her name. “Laura wasn’t exaggerating when she said you were handsome.” Her mom propped one of her hands under her chin. “And how long have you two been together?”
Jules opened her mouth to set her mom straight, but I butted in.
“It’s new.” I slipped my arm around Jules’ shoulder. “But if she keeps baking for me the way she has been, I’ll never let her go.” I looked at Jules with a distinct roll-with-this-look.
She patted her hand on mine. “Yes, very new.”
“Of course you’d know your way into a man’s stomach.” Her mom’s wavy blonde hair bounced as she laughed.
Jules shrank under my hold.
“She’s a fantastic baker. One of the best bakeries in the city is bringing her on for a special project.”
“Julia has always loved the kitchen. And food. Good thing he looks strong.” Her mom spoke to Jules while patting me on the chest.
Jules sucked in a sharp breath.
“She keeps me well fed.”
“I’m sure she does. I’m glad she’s making enough for you both. Have a lovely time this weekend.”
That was one of the weirdest conversations I’d had in a long time, but rich people do what rich people do. It was like she was speaking in code and I didn’t have the translation key.
Someone interrupted, pulling her away, and she went on
hugging and kissing other attendees.
Jules spun around out from under my arm and rushed out to the patio, disappearing into the inky night beyond the doors.
12
Jules
Skirting around the people dancing in perfect waltzes, I shoved open the French doors. The gauze curtains billowed out over the stone patio. Outside, the tightness in my chest squeezed so much it was hard to catch my breath.
I braced my hands on the stone railing and stared upwards. Clouds blotted out the night sky. At least the stars weren’t here to witness to my humiliation, although everyone else had been, including Berk.
Humidity licked at my skin, making the dress even more uncomfortable, clinging and scratching every inch of me it covered. Dots of water splattered against my arms. At least if it poured I could blame that for why my face was wet. I wiped at my eyes, so sick of letting my family do this to me. The heavy footfalls that could only be Berk’s followed after me. No one else had probably even noticed I was gone.
“Jules.”
I wiped at my eyes. Not a-freaking-gain. This weekend wasn’t going to be the Comforting Jules Weekend Extravaganza. I scurried down the steps leading to the garden.
“Jules.”
I kept my head down and kept walking. My heels slid and wobbled on the gravel path.
“If you’re trying to hide, the glittering, sparkly dress isn’t exactly stealthy. I think that’s why the military went with camo over sequins.”
Stopping, I sighed and waited.
His crunchy footsteps closed in. His suit jacket brushed against my arm. “At least let me come with you on your walk. Show me around. Maybe one of your old favorite spots.”
There were no questions, only comfort. The comfort of his presence and the peace of mind that, for now, he wasn’t going to ask me to say anything more than what I was able. “Sure.”
I kicked off my shoes, abandoning the pinch of the heels when we made it to the grass. “There’s one place I haven’t been in a while. I hope it’s not locked for the night.”
“If it is, don’t worry. I’ll handle it.” Even in the darkness, I could hear the smile in his voice.
“Practiced at forcible entry, are we?”
“Only when I need to be.”
Out in the dark with only the stars lighting the way, I felt safe with him at my side. The way you got when you felt like someone could haul you into their arms and run away with you. I didn’t get that feeling around many guys, but with Berk, I thought maybe, just maybe.
Then I pushed those thoughts aside. He’s being a friend. Just like he’s been a friend for nearly a year now. Stopping into the house to make sure I’m okay and steal treats. But there’s never been more than a hint of interest—other than the way his gaze kept dipping to my chest, but that was probably his overprotective streak—I’d seen it come out more than once. Not that I minded, but I needed to keep things straight in my head.
Don’t slip up and don’t get any ideas about what this might be.
“I’ve never seen stars like this before.” Berk stopped beside me and stared straight up.
“Less light pollution out here.”
“Sometimes I forget to look up.”
“You don’t see them much in the city. Even on the best days only the brightest stars can shine, but out here even the little pipsqueaks get a chance. We can stay out here, if you want.” I flicked my thumb nails together and kept my head down. It was like my chin had a magnet attached straight to my chest. “I’m sorry you had to see that.” I couldn’t breathe. Her words still rang in my ear, erasing so much of the progress I’d made. I wrapped my arms tightly around my waist, wanting to sink into the floor.
“What happened? One second you were there and the next you were gone.”
And now he thought I was crazy.
“It’s nothing.” Was I overreacting? He’d been less than a foot from me and he couldn’t see anything wrong with what she’d said.
“You’re upset. Like before. Tell me what happened.” The earnest concern in his eyes made me feel even worse. We’d been having a great time and then I went and lost it again because of my mom. You’d think after so many years I’d have a healthy callous built up to her words, but every time she spoke to me it was like someone poking at a throbbing wound only barely starting its healing journey.
I held his gaze.
His eyebrows were furrowed, and he looked ready to take on whatever had upset me. If I hadn’t already been falling for him, I was a half-step away. No one had ever looked at me like that before.
“It’s nothing you can help with.”
“Maybe I can.”
His thumb made tiny brushes against the side of my face and I tried to breathe. Keep breathing, Jules.
He leaned in closer and the hairs on the back of my neck stood up. His bow tie and tux fit him like they’d gotten his measurements ahead of time. That was what happened when you worked out so much tailors made their clothes to fit someone like you. Someone with a perfect body.
The tendrils of desire fought against the drum of fear trying to overtake my stomach. He was here with me. Not that he had much of a choice since he was pretty much stranded out here, and if it came down to hanging with me outside versus staying inside with my family and their friends, I got it.
But his face did seem to be getting closer to mine… or was I the one leaning in? Were we both leaning in?
“Jules…” He lifted his hand and placed it right at the side of my neck. The rough pads of his fingers caressed the hairs at the nape.
“Yeah, Berk.” I wanted to shoot up on my tippy toes and finally know what his lips felt like on mine. The same ones I’d dreamed about and he’d written about using to taste every inch of me.
He ducked his head, totally Berk incoming in three.
Two.
One.
A ground shaking thunder crack made us both jump, and it was as if someone had dumped a football celebration-sized cooler over our heads. Water came down so hard and fast it stung my skin. Tiny pelting drops alternated with fat ones that had me soaked in seconds.
Mascara ran into my eyes and I was blinded. Berk’s strong hand gripped mine and he pulled me along. With his other arm, he used his suit jacket as a shield. Where were we going? I had no idea because I couldn’t see anything. A mix of gritty sand and pebbles dug into my bare feet and I hobbled after Berk trying to shield my eyes.
He pushed open a door and we rushed inside the darkened space. Standing there, panting, we both looked out at the torrential downpour that blotted out everything else beyond the door and hammered against the windows like it was trying to get inside.
“It’s a greenhouse.” He looked around the space.
The mixture of earthy and floral scents filled the glass structure.
“I got in so much trouble one summer for deciding I wanted to make flower crowns for everyone. And of course I knew the greenhouse had the best flowers, not the ones out in the fields nearby.”
“Big trouble?”
“The biggest.” I ran my fingers across the brightly colored petals of the flowers. “They made me replant a new pot for every one I’d decimated. It took me an entire day.”
“Not the worst punishment in the world.”
I laughed. “No, it wasn’t.”
“Why’d they care so much?”
“They use the flowers for a lot of the events they have. Cheaper than calling in a florist each time, but sometimes, specialty flowers are needed.”
“Like for tonight?”
“Oh yeah. I wouldn’t be surprised if she’d had them flown in from New York or Fiji or something. If there’s ever a chance to one-up someone, my mom will grab onto that chance with both hands and never let go.”
“Must have been hard growing up like that.”
Here I was complaining about my sister and Berk’s situation was way more complicated. I shrugged. “It wasn’t that bad.” The hours I’d stayed locked alone in my bathroom
crying on the floor were trivial in comparison to what other people had been through.
“Don’t do that.”
“Do what?”
“Minimize what you went through because of what I told you about me.”
My cheeks burned. “I’m not—”
He tilted his head and lifted an eyebrow.
I pinched my lips together. “Are you inside my head or something?”
“No, but I see the way you always want to take care of the people around you, even if it’s at your expense.”
“I don—”
He cut me off again at the pass. “Don’t ever let anyone else make you feel like you’re not awesome.” He swung his jacket and settled it around me. The weight of the damp fabric settled around my shoulders. I tugged the front of it closed. Even for me it was roomy and dwarfed me. It wasn’t like I didn’t know Berk was a huge guy. He handled other football players out on the field with no problem, but standing beside him in his jacket, staring up into his eyes lit only by the streaking lightning across the sky, I felt small.
The buttons from his wet shirt brushed against my fingers holding the jacket closed. I curled my toes against the warm tile floor.
Rain hammered on the glass panes all around us like our own soundtrack to go along with my heartbeat, racing not only from the sprint but from the proximity to him.
“Thank you for inviting me.” His words were a low rumble accompanied by the thunder.
My throat tightened and I licked my lips. It was like we were under the laziest strobe light known to man. But with each second of full light his lips seemed to be getting closer.
I’d been working on that. Accepting a thank you without the need to minimize whatever it was. Just say ‘you’re welcome’, Jules. “You’re welcome.”
“I’m kicking myself for giving you my jacket now.” His gaze darted down the dark gap between my body and his jacket. “In case I didn’t tell you already. That dress looks killer on you.”