Chapter 39
CHAPTER THIRTY-NINE
HEATHER
Saturday night, the Christmas party was in full swing at Mom’s house. Fire crackled in the living room fireplace while warm lights cast a festive ambience throughout the entire house. I sipped on my wine at the piano with my friends.
So, how d your mom take it the other day? Athena asked, sitting on the seat in front of the piano.
Charlie sat beside her, dressed in a suit that matched Athena’s dress. They said that they hadn’t planned to match, but Charlie definitely did.
“Well, she hasn’t told my dad yet.” I glanced over at Dad and Hector chatting. “I hope.”
Did she actually go visit Hector at work? Sun asked.
“Yes.”
Sun’s cheeks reddened in embarrassment for me. “Jeez.”
“Yeah, I think my dad now thinks they’re sleeping together.”
“Ew,” Athena said, then followed up with, “Your mom’s hot and all, but her and Hector?”
“Please don’t put the image in my head,” I hummed. “He’s mine.”
Charlie chuckled. “Possessive already over him?”
I cut my gaze to him because I could say a whole shit ton about him having been suspiciously possessive over Athena lately. He smacked his lips together-as he should-and turned around toward the piano, playing keys out of tune.
“Sorry that we’re late!” Sierra said from the front door.
Finally, she’s here!
“Sierra,” Mom said, eyeing Hector’s brother, Steven, “you brought a boyfriend.”
Sierra stiffened and glanced up at Steven. He s just a friend.
Oh my God! What is wrong with her? Why would she say he’s just a friend?!
Mom smirked at their hands. “Seems to be a little more than just friends, but never mind that.” She turned to Steven and furrowed her brow, looking him up and down. “I know you from somewhere, don’t I?”
I m Hector Patton s brother, Steven said.
“Hector and my ex-husband are business partners and the best of friends,” she said, peering over her shoulder at me and giving me those what the hell is happening, why didn’t you tell me about this eyes. “That must be it.”
After Mom grabbed the bottle of wine from Sierra, she ushered them into the house and toward the living room. I shot up from the piano and headed toward her, stopping short when Hector got their first. I didn t want Dad thinking anything was going on outside the office.
“Didn’t think you’d be here,” Hector said to Steven.
“This is Sierra,” Steven said, introducing my best friend to Hector. “Sierra, this is Hector.”
“We’ve met before,” Sierra said. “I’ve seen him at some of Heather’s mom’s parties.”
Ah, yes, Hector said.
“And I’m Heather’s friend.”
Hector paused and glanced past her to me. I avoided eye contact with him and wiggled my brows at Sierra, happy that she’d finally found the courage to ask Steven on a date.
“I’m gonna say hi to my friends,” Sierra said, looking at us.
As Sierra headed over, my gaze lingered on Hector, who smirked softly at me, giving me those eyes that said that he d have his way with me before the night was over. Hector loved sneaking around.
“Does your dad know?” Sierra asked. “About you and Hector?”
“Of course not!” I exclaimed. “Do you think I’m a masochist?!”
“Maybe.” Athena chuckled from the couch. “You’re crazy.”
“I am not,” I hummed.
So, Sierra, since you re sleeping with his brother, is Heather right? All the Patton genes are good ones? Athena winked and sipped on her champagne.
“Athena, they’re both adopted,” I said.
She playfully rolled her eyes. “You know what I mean.”
“Don’t think she does,” Charlie said, lips curled into a smile. “Why don’t you explain it?”
Athena shot Charlie a playfully dirty look, then shoved a dessert into his mouth. “Shut it.”
What? Charlie said, mouth full of cookie. I didn t say anything wrong.
“You’re trying to embarrass me,” Athena said.
Charlie finished chewing. “You’re trying to embarrass Sierra.”
“Yeah, but she’s cute when she’s all flustered.”
Charlie smirked. “So are you.”
* * *
An hour into the party, Sierra disappeared somewhere with Steven—probably to hook up. I sat on the couch with Sun, talking about how I wanted to bring her to Radiant at some point because we all knew she was secretly a freak.
“No,” Sun said, hiding behind her hands. “I’d be so embarrassed.”
“It’s not that bad. What are you into?”
Sun’s face reddened. “Heather!”
“Are you bullying poor Sun over here?” Mom asked, walking over with champagne.
“No …”
“Yes, she is,” Sun said.
After tsking, Mom sat on the couch beside us. “So … Sierra just disappeared onto the balcony with Hector’s brother. Are they …”
A giggle left my mouth because she loved the drama, didn’t she?
Yes, they re dating, I said.
Mom shook her head. “What am I going to do with you girls?”
I followed Mom’s gaze to the balcony that they had supposedly disappeared onto and smirked. “Maybe you should give Sierra a stern talking-to. I’m sure she would love that and wouldn’t be em?—”
After arching her brow, she brought her drink to her lips. “She’d be so embarrassed.”
My lips curled into a small smile, and I caught sight of Hector chatting with Dad at the other side of the room, yet his gaze hadn t left mine since I d greeted him when he arrived earlier. Butterflies fluttered in my belly.
Hector tapped Dad on the shoulder and excused himself, gesturing for me to follow him right before he slipped into the hallway that led to the guesthouse. I cleared my throat and jumped up, not even caring anymore if Mom knew.
She’d keep her mouth closed.
“Well, I’ll talk to you later, Mom.”
And with that, I discreetly followed Hector into the back hallway. A door opened down the hallway, and Hector slipped into it. I followed. Once inside, the door closed softly behind us, and we were finally alone.