Chapter 20
My mom kept her arm around my waist while I made polite small talk with another one of the guests that I didn’t know.
I’d already seen all my girls and Elysia.
Sydney was half drunk by this point. The cake had been cut and served, and the moon was sparkling high above.
Although it wasn’t exactly what Sydney had hoped for, I was satisfied.
I’d also managed to avoid Danny this entire time. Anytime he’d come my way, I’d confidently engaged in conversation with someone else.
“Hey, sweetie. Your father and I were hoping to discuss something with you,” my mom quietly said, pulling my attention back to her. Stepping away from the guest, I faced my mom as she dropped her hand from my elbow. I knew what was coming.
“What’s up?”
She pushed a smile onto her face that was almost too bright. “We’re wanting to do some investing and were wondering if there was any way you could increase the amount of money you give us? Just a little bit until our investments start paying back.”
My heart dropped to my toes as a wave of frustration filled the increasing space between us. Typical. The only time they talked to me was when they needed something from me. And it was usually money. I slowly shook my head and took another step back. “Investments with Danny?”
My mom clicked her tongue as all the faked excitement dropped from her demeanor. “Does it matter who the investments are with? We are barely surviving, honey. Isn’t there a way to increase your income to help us out?”
I merely stared at her.
Twinkling strands of light hung between the empty stage at one side of the yard all the way across to the other. A fully stocked bar had been set up near the house, servers mingling in amongst the crowd with fancy snacks. It was the typical rich girl birthday party, as shallow and empty as I felt.
Up until now, I’d at least managed to force myself into believing Sydney’s apologies about how it didn’t have the personal touch she’d been planning on. In fact, I didn’t blame her at all.
Ripping my gaze away from my mom, I met Sydney’s stare, and she gave me a sympathetic sigh. Shoving the mask back on my face, I winked and raised my glass of champagne in her direction. At least she did something for me, even if there was a bit of personal gain for her. Even if Void wasn’t here.
Glancing back at my mom, I knew that the satisfaction from the party my parents had had, now no longer dangled the same carrot in front of them as she plastered a fake smile back on her face. She patted my arm. “You know what, we can talk about this later.”
“I can’t give you any more money right now, Mom. I’m sorry,” I muttered as she turned away from me.
I heard a heavy sigh escape her lungs as she called out over her shoulder, “We can talk about this later.”
Up until now, relief had coursed through me because I’d kept the same status quo with her and my dad as usual. But now…
The larger part of me wanted to absolutely wreck Danny. Wanted to make him feel so uncomfortable that he acted out and maybe, maybe then my parents would see his tactics for what they were. And maybe, just maybe, they would stop asking me for more money and simply be my parents.
Sighing, I quietly drifted to the bar to refill my glass. Soft music played in the background, and my eyes slid once more to the dark and empty stage. I ached. Upset and annoyed, absolutely disconnected with my life at the moment.
“Here you go, birthday girl!” the bartender said and slid my now full glass toward me.
“Thanks,” I muttered.
“Everything all right?” he asked.
I nodded. “Yeah, just fine.”
“This makes what, seven birthdays I’ve bartended for you now?”
Chuckling, I smiled. “Sydney.”
“Sydney.” He grinned. Lifting my glass, I nodded appreciatively and walked away.
With a flash, the lights snapped off, drowning the party in darkness and the music crashed.
Gasps rippled through the yard, and then silence filled the hazy night.
I could make out shadows and shapes around me, but that was about it.
My heart raced in my chest, desperately searching for something to ground me.
What was going on? Maybe somebody had tripped over a cord and unplugged things?
Nobody dared move; not a sound danced across the grass that swayed in the breeze.
Shrill feedback from a microphone shrieked across the yard, and everyone clamped their hands over their ears.
I furrowed my brows, confused. Then I heard it, a single strum of a guitar.
Reverberation echoed from the speakers, and as my eyes adjusted to the dim silver light, I could make out fuzzy outlines on the stage. (5)
Taking a hesitant step forward, there was another strum of the guitar, and I pushed through the crowd.
Then lights flashed on and that ethereal voice I’d fallen for began to sing.
I stared, locked onto none other than Void, playing on the stage. Screams from my friends and other people that apparently knew who they were erupted throughout the yard, crashing toward the band.
Asher’s amber eyes began searching the crowd as he screamed into the microphone. He wore his signature black joggers and cut-off hoodie that hid absolutely nothing. I was frozen in place, wondering what they were doing here. And excited. I couldn’t believe he was here.
He wasn’t supposed to be here. I’d hurt him, so why was he here?
Jaxon and Drake strummed their guitars, playing to the hauntingly delicious music. Kieron head banged, his drumsticks crashing against the cymbals.
I stared, shocked. Desperation coursed through me. He had come.
Even after what I’d said, he’d come.
Slowly, I weaved around a few people as stunned as I was, inching closer and closer to him. There was a pain in his eyes despite the passionate way he sang. The song reached the bridge, the notes becoming hollow. Continuing to creep forward, my skin prickled as his gaze finally latched onto mine.
He choked over a word, his voice cracking on a note.
Without another falter, he regained his composure and tore his eyes away. My heart plummeted to the ground; he wasn’t here for me. He was here to fulfill a promise he’d made. That was it. Gripping tightly to the microphone, he belted out his lyrics in perfect harmony.
My fingers rose to my neck, and I grabbed the ring that hung on a chain. His ring.
He was here.
No way would I let this pass by.
Taking a deep, encouraging breath, I shoved myself forward. I was going to march right up front and make him see me. He was going to have to acknowledge me. Who cares that Sydney was here too. Or that anyone else was here. He would have to talk to me.
“Ow,” a guest mumbled as I pushed forward.
“Excuse me,” I mindlessly replied, weaving through the crowd as the first song came to a close. Asher touched his earpiece and smiled.
“Gotta say sorry for being late. It’s been a crazy couple days. We had a breach of security and had to relocate while still trying to get our newest single prepped for next weekend. How’s everyone doing?” Asher said, as Drake strummed a couple notes.
The rather large crowd in front of me, swamping the stage, screamed in excitement.
“And where’s the birthday girl?” he asked.
My heart stopped as I froze.
A hand suddenly slammed around my arm and dragged me forward. My eyes shot to Sydney who was grinning from ear to ear. “Surprise!” she said as a spotlight snapped to us.
“Surprise?”
“They really did have to move, but they said they’d simply be late. I thought I’d prank you!” She grinned, and my mouth fell open.
“That was a cruel, cruel joke,” I stammered as she shoved through the crowd that parted.
Giggling, she wiggled her brows. “I knew you liked them more than you’d admit out loud!”
I rolled my eyes, but bit back a smile. Little did she know…
“HERE SHE IS!” Sydney shouted, tossing me toward the stage. I reached out, trying to latch onto her before she disappeared, but with no luck. There was not a soul between me and the stage.
Slowly, I lifted my gaze from the grass to Asher. He squatted down directly in front of me, and a hauntingly pained look twisted his face. For only half a second before he blinked and reached toward me.
His arm snaked around my waist, and he hoisted me up with ease, slinging me over his shoulder. I shrieked as he carried me back toward the microphone. Shrill screams of excitement crashed around me as I hung upside down, with a very nice view of his ass right in front of me.
“This one’s for you, birthday princess,” he said and set me down on my feet as Jaxon joined in the strumming and Kieron trilled on his drum set. Setting the microphone into the stand, he stepped into it and began singing a song I’d never heard before.
Sydney screamed louder than everyone else, and I glanced at her, wide-eyed and confused. She clapped her hands and nodded toward the band. I had no idea what I was supposed to do, or feel. Asher and I were not on good terms, yet here I was, standing directly in front of him.
Slowly, I slid my gaze back to Asher and studied him for a moment. He was locked onto me, that pained look back in his eyes. Then he sang a line, and I recognized the song.
“In your reign of my heart, princess of allure. My soul’s bound and forever secure.”
I swallowed stiffly, knowing. Knowing exactly what he was meaning and wanting. Jaxon and Drake danced around me, enticing the crowd while Asher remained frozen in place, building the music to a perfect bridge.
Which came, and he screamed hauntingly into the microphone, his note sliding perfectly into a guitar solo for Drake. I stared at Asher, who left his microphone and stalked directly toward me. I didn’t move; my heart raced as his hands gripped my face, and he hovered his mouth directly above mine.
My chest rose and fell rapidly, brushing against his as he slowly tipped his head to one side. “Hey, Princess,” he whispered.
My brows twitched, screaming to reach out and kiss him.
I desperately wanted to touch him, but wouldn’t that look too suspicious?
Then Asher let me go and walked back to the microphone, timing it perfectly to resume singing.
I placed a trembling hand against my chest and turned around.
Facing Sydney, I widened my eyes as she squealed.
Waving at her, I silently gave her permission to come onto the stage. She shrieked and hoisted herself up. Running over to me. Throwing an arm around my shoulders, she jumped up and down and then faced Asher again.
He paused his singing for a moment and looked at the other six girls plus Elysia that stood in a huddled circle. “You girls can come too,” he said before resuming singing.
My friends immediately jumped onto the stage, and we lost ourselves in the music.
Two songs later, (6, 7) I was caught on the edge of the group.
I’d allowed myself to forget, for just a moment, the hurt that was in my heart.
I could figure things out with Asher after.
Right now, I had to pretend for Sydney and my friends’ sake that I was perfectly happy.
That nothing was wrong. The fact that I really was enjoying their music made things a little easier.
As the next song began, (8) I giggled as Sydney squealed in absolute delightful mess since this song was not one of their family-appropriate songs.
Jaxon sidled over and began grinding on one of my friends, and Drake joined in, closer to me.
Sydney grinned and scooted over, rubbing up against him along with Katie.
Suddenly, a hand slid across my waist, warmth engulfed my back, and I could smell him.
That citrus and bergamot scent mixed with his sweat swallowed me whole.
Heat rushed through my entire figure, pooling in my core as he pressed up against my body, still serenading the crowd.
His free hand slid to my belly, and he dug his fingers in, gripping me tightly.
I didn’t dare look at him, for fear of the heartbreak I might see in his eyes.
Sydney’s gaze, however, held a subtle amount of jealousy as Asher grinded up against my backside. I could feel exactly what he wanted. It seemed, despite everything that happened that fateful night, he still desired me.
Breath washed over my ear as his lyrics paused and his hand slid down. Closer and closer to my center. A pulsing began, that familiar ache as his fingers brushed between my legs. Seduction dripped from his lips when he sang the next verse directly beside me, shoving me back against his body.
Then his hand rose, sliding across the rest of my stomach. It continued to rise, and I couldn’t help but close my eyes and lean into him. His fingers brushed lightly across the bottom of my braless bust, wrapping his entire arm around my chest. Gripping me tightly, he held me against him.
The lyrical portion ended, and he let his thumb sweep away from my side and quickly across my breast. I shuddered involuntarily, moving with him. A quiet growl left his throat, only for me to hear as his lips hovered above the side of my neck.
Then he raised the microphone and finished the song, removing his arm and body from mine.
I opened my eyes, meeting the intense stare of Sydney. Her gaze was green with jealousy, but she hadn’t crossed the line to mad—yet. Tera’s face flashed over her shoulder, giving me a warning stare before she danced away as the song ended.
That was a blatant display of possession, but I had to believe it was because it was my birthday, and I prayed that Sydney would interpret it as such. Because it was my birthday, Asher had felt it was okay to do that. Or was he toying with me?