Chapter 14
Chapter Fourteen
PRESLEY - SIX YEARS EARLIER
Presley
I can’t wait to see you tonight
Kade
Not as much as I want to see you
If only you were my date, Bubs
One of these days, I’ll be hubs
Until there’s a ring on it, Bubs, you’re the boyfriend, not the hubs
Just you wait, Pres
You won’t know what’ll hit you
Well, I’ll just be waiting around for you until I get my ring
As long as you’re waiting for me at the end of the night
You know I will be
I wish you weren’t working the event
Have to make that money if I’m going to get you the ring you deserve
I don’t need a fancy ring
Just you
I love you
I love you too
See you soon
Ismooth my hands down the front of my green dress. There’s some big announcement for King Properties tonight. What it’s for? I don’t know.
But my presence is required. One of the many duties as my parents’ daughter.
I sigh, looking around the opulent ballroom. I detest everything my parents stand for. I don’t like these parties. I hate the way they flaunt their money, holding it over others in town to bend to their will.
I sip on an iced tea in the corner, making small talk with those that come over to me. These people think I’ll put in a good word with my parents, but they don’t know that I have no input in the business.
It’s a Saturday night. It’s my senior year and I’d rather be anywhere but here. All of my friends went out to the lake on the ranch. Did I get to go?
No.
At least I’m not alone. My eyes find Kade’s as he serves the guests. One of the jobs he has when he’s home from college. None of them notice him, but I do. I always notice him.
“Ma’am. Would you like a…thing?” Kade smiles at me as he walks up to me.
“That’s not what I want.”
“Anything I can do to quench your need right now?”
There’s a tease in his voice. “At the moment? I don’t think it’d be appropriate.”
“Presley…”
“Excuse me. Can I get another drink?” A woman interrupts us, tapping Kade on the shoulder.
“Yes, ma’am. What would you like?”
“A chardonnay, please.”
“One moment.”
Kade leaves to go fill her order while she chats my ear off about the latest property that my dad is looking to purchase.
I give her a polite smile, nodding along like I’m interested. Maybe if my parents had another kid, hell if they had a boy, I might not have to be here right now.
“Make sure to tell your father.”
I smile. “I will.”
“Good to see you, Presley.”
Before I can sneak away to try and find Kade again, Mom is at my side.
“Presley, dear. We need you.” Mom grasps my elbow and pulls me toward the makeshift stage.
I set my drink on a table and trail behind her.
Only a few more hours and then I can cut out of here and meet the girls. There’s a bonfire going on where they are at the moment. If I had my phone with me, I’m sure I’d be getting all the pictures. Especially since Joey’s latest crush is there.
“Where have you been?” Dad scolds by the time I flank him on the stage.
“Mingling with your guests.”
My smile is stiff, but polite. Now that we’re on stage, all eyes are on us.
“Let’s get started,” Mom says, trying to push us away from a confrontation.
Dad pulls notecards from his pocket as one of his faithful employees joins us on stage.
I wonder what he’s doing here. Probably going to be announced the lead of some new project.
When the stage lights turn up, I paste a fake smile on.
“Thank you all for joining us here this evening,” Dad greets.
He drones on about the great year the company is having. It’s everything I’ve heard at dinner these last few weeks. No matter what I want to do, I have to be at the dinner table every day at seven.
“Not only is it a great night for King Properties, but for the King family as well.”
That piques my interest. What in the world is going on? My eyes track Kade, still serving everyone with a smile.
Just like him.
“I am pleased to announce the engagement of our daughter to Paul Leith.”
“What?” Dread fills my stomach as my gaze snaps to my father’s.
“Get over there,” Mom hisses out of the corner of her mouth. “Don’t be rude.”
“What is going on?” I ask, not budging. “Engagement?”
“We’ve been looking forward to Paul joining our family as our future son-in-law.”
Glasses shatter in the back of the ballroom. Kade’s eyes are on mine, fire blazing.
“Kade.”
I try to go to him, but a hand stops me. I don’t know how long the two of us stay locked like this. Pain is etching itself into my cells at the sheer heartbreak on his face. My lip quivers as the room blurs. I blink and Kade is gone.
“Presley. You have to stay here. This is no way to handle your engagement.”
I rip my arm from hers. “That would imply I knew I was getting engaged tonight.”
Lifting the hem of my dress, I bolt from the ballroom. It’s not busy at the valet stand, with only a few people lingering.
“Kade!” I call out. “Kade!”
No matter which way I turn, he isn’t there. How could he have gotten out of here so fast?
Tears are streaking down my face. I kick off my heels and run down the sidewalk. There is no sign of him.
“Kade!”
What the hell is going on? Kade is gone and I’m engaged to Paul? When the night started, my biggest concern was getting out of here as fast as I could so Kade and I could go to the bonfire.
In one short speech, everything has changed.
“Kade.”
It’s a plea. A cry to will him to find me. My heart is breaking. Where is the man I love?
“Presley Ann King.” Mom’s voice is furious. “You need to get inside right now and stop embarrassing me and your father.”
“What did you do?”
“What we needed to.”
“Needed to?” I wipe an angry tear from my face. “Why?”
“You were going to throw your life away on that man. We couldn’t let you do that.”
It’s like a slap to the face. “I wasn’t throwing my life away.”
“Not anymore.” Mom grabs my wrist. “Get inside now, clean yourself up, and act like a happy woman who is engaged.”
I’m going to be sick.
Engaged?
Nausea boils in my belly. My entire body is numb as I’m dragged back inside. Where did he go?
I don’t know what’s happening, but I’m going to figure this out and find Kade. It’s all I can think about. It’s not a happy thought, but it’ll get me through the rest of this night.
Because all that matters is Kade.
Nothing else.