Chapter 18 #2
Abigail perks up. “Kyle is over there.” She points, and Kyle waves back. She’s wearing a wedding ring, so I’m going to assume that’s her husband. “And the kiddos are at the in-laws. I make no apologies for the woman I become this week.”
Hmm. I like her already.
“Noted. Shall we?” Nathaniel looks toward Austin, avoiding eye contact with me like the coward he is. Stetson doesn’t miss it, either. He’s analyzing this entire dynamic, and I can already tell he will be hard to win over. I’m discovering very quickly how terrible of an actress I really am.
I nod, and Austin grabs my hand again, Stetson taking a long pull of his beer before giving us his back and trotting off. “Who’s ready to party?” Austin chants, and not a single person responds.
“How old are you, again?” I ask in a mumbled whisper.
“Twenty-five.”
“Shit,” I exhale.
“Guess that makes you a cougar.” Whispering is not Austin’s forte because the growl and sharp look Stetson shows him is nowhere near disguised.
Thankfully, alcohol is the only thing on Austin’s mind. Although that could pose a problem later on, I’ll cross that bridge if we get there. Right now, I’m grateful for the little bit of space as he heads toward the bar.
“Would you like to dance, Cove?”
I turn to find Nathaniel behind me, hands on his hips as if I have no choice in the matter.
I use this moment to observe the man who abandoned me.
He’s handsome yet looks worn out. Like time is not on his side, or maybe he’s just worked himself to the grave.
And despite all the pain he brought into my childhood by not being present, my heart aches for him. Only a little. But still.
There’s an underlying somberness to him that someone wouldn’t notice unless paying close enough attention. It only proves to me that money can never buy happiness. Gifts. Things. Luxuries I’m sure he has in abundance. It’ll never be enough.
And with that, I know I’m endlessly rich. I may not have a bank with more money than god sitting in it, but I’ve got everything I could ever need.
My mom. The best friends a woman could ask for. A career that I truly love. A city I’m happy to wake up in every day. The only thing lacking is…love.
“Need I remind you—”
“No, I don’t want to dance, actually. But I will,” I say, cutting him off abruptly. “Unlike you, I don’t bail on my commitments.”
“Fair enough.” Nathaniel holds his arm out to me, and I link mine through it, setting my clutch down on the nearest chair.
“I know you hate me, and you should,” he mutters, leading us to where a small band plays old country songs under strands of globe lights.
“But I have my reasons for everything I do. I don’t expect you to understand that. ”
I huff, laughing under my breath. Nothing about what he said was funny. It’s his delusion that I find humorous. “Is that what you tell yourself? That you left your wife and daughter to fend for themselves because you had a valid reason?”
“Yes.” At least he owns up to it, I guess.
“Well, that’s not good enough for me. No part of me being here is to have a relationship with you. Please don’t mistake my need for money with wanting to know you.”
Nathaniel instructs me to dance. It’s formal and awkward, but I’m playing my part, diligently checking my face to make sure I’m not sulking.
I don’t bother looking for Austin. I can hear him from afar, chatting it up with other guests.
I spot Stetson out of the corner of my eye.
He’s leaned against the wall of what looks like the main house, sipping his beer and chatting with those same guys from earlier.
Except he’s not looking at them as he speaks. His eyes are on me.
My body heats from where we dance. As embarrassed as I am, and disappointed I know he is, it thrills me a bit to know he’s angry.
Angry because he wants me to himself. Angry because of my distance.
“Then we should have no problem accomplishing this arrangement. One week as my daughter, and then you’ll be rid of me.
Along with plenty of money to do whatever it is you need it for.
Harrison is more than convinced this will work.
He already agreed to sign the deal to merge if you’re successful with your exposure. ”
He doesn’t get to know that Mom is struggling. I never confirmed that, and I’ll never give him that satisfaction. If anything, I’ll let him believe it’s for me.
“Lucky you.” I hope he recognizes my spiteful sense of humor from my mother. She taught me well. In fact, I hope everything about me reminds him of her. “So, you and this Stetson guy are close?”
“Close friends for a big part of my life. Even our fathers were friends.”
It makes no sense to me why Stetson would ever be friends with Nathaniel. Stetson is genuine and real. He hates all the big money, fame, and indulgence. Loathes it, actually. He’s simple and treats people kindly.
I can’t help but wonder if I’m reading him wrong? I’d like to think I’m a good judge of character, but this, I just do not understand.
“He seems nothing like you.”
Nathaniel nods, growing even more stiff than before. “He’s not. But he’s my fucking family.”
“Well, you and I both know how very little the word family means to you. So, I apologize if I don’t buy it.”
He huffs, lowering his voice below a whisper to avoid causing a scene.
“Do you want me to tell you that you and your mother were the exception, Cove? Because if you want me to make you really fucking angry, I’ll do it.
You were. I never wanted children. Never wanted to be married.
We were arranged by our parents. Nothing more.
Nothing less. I had to do it in order to have everything I do today.
You understand the extent one will go for freedom, don’t you? ”
Evil lies in his tone, and I hate him for it.
I’m also hurt. Hurt that I never knew any of this. Why did my mother not tell me they were courted to marry? Here I thought they were actually in love all this time. Or did she really love him?
I need answers. But not from him.
I’ve already come to terms with the reality that my father never wanted me. Overcame that hurdle a long time ago. But this discovery shakes things a bit more. It gives me perspective, no matter how much I want to burn everything Nathaniel’s built and worked for to the ground.
“Don’t start lying to me now, Nathaniel. I could smell your evil from the airport. You did us a favor by leaving. In fact, you even went and found yourself a new family, instead.”
“Very well. Think what comforts you most.” He grows silent before speaking again.
“Just worry about being the daughter you only hoped to be for me. Focus on Austin and the real reason you’re here.
And stay away from Stetson. Just because we’re at his home doesn’t mean you have the liberty to get to know my people. ”
What a horrible human being.
“Sure, Father. Anything you say. You know what? I think I’ve had enough dancing for tonight,” I announce before taking a careful step back and drawing my arms to my chest for support. “I’m gonna go find the restroom. Don’t look for me.”
And possibly scream into the nearest pillow I can find.