Chapter 9
SYLAS
“Holy shit,” Marc whisper-yells as I come off the stage and Frost takes my place.
I feel just as dumbfounded as he looks. I only gave Anna ten thousand, which means she willingly used her own money to bid on me.
I didn’t ask her to do that, and I wouldn’t have been upset if she backed down because Florence is relentless.
But Anna matched her energy, had this determined look on her face like she refused to lose.
“Biggest clutch of the year,” he says, astonished. “So, that’s it, then?”
I look around, making sure the other guys aren’t listening. “Yeah. We said once she bid, that’d be it for us.”
His black brows knit, gaze searching my face. “Why do you look disappointed?”
Do I? Am I?
No. What am I thinking? I’m not disappointed, it’s whatever. It’s done.
“I-I…” Did I just stutter? “I’m not.”
“Right,” he drawls, chuckling.
“I really—”
“Sy.” Alexander Van Doren, King’s Yard’s star quarterback, drapes an arm around my shoulder and quietly asks, “So, who is she?”
I keep a smile on my face, but it feels too tight at the suggestion in his voice. “Don’t worry about it.”
He scoffs, side-eyeing me. “Don’t be like that. You’ve never been shy about sharing. What’s her name?”
I bite my tongue, resisting the urge to tell him to fuck off. I only smile wider and pat his chest. “She’s not interested.”
“Did she tell you that?” He lifts a challenging brow.
“I—” I falter. Why am I cockblocking Anna? She could be interested. Alex isn’t bad looking, and he’s a decent guy in general. But fuck that, I’m better looking and I’m not just decent, I’m great. “She didn’t but she came here with me, so back the fuck up and stay in your lane.”
Marc’s lips twitch at the corners, eyes twinkling with amusement, but he keeps his mouth shut.
He huffs a laugh, dropping his arm and pulling away. “Stay in my lane because she’s taken, or stay in my lane because she’s going to be taken?”
Jesus Christ. “Does it matter?”
Alex smirks cunningly. “I’m going to take that as not taken.”
I don’t manage to get a word in because he walks away.
“I thought you didn’t care if you never talked to her again?” Marc muffles his snicker.
“Shut up.” I swallow back a groan, doing my best to ignore the frustration mounting in my chest. “Maybe I do, but we had an agreement.”
He stares at me like he’s not following, and his words say just as much. “Okay and? You’re nothing if not a persistent asshole. Go talk to her.”
“And then what?”
I have no idea where to go from there. I’ve never gone back for seconds with a girl and I shouldn’t assume she even wants me. Sure, the moment in the restroom was lovely and even more so because it was with her, but it wasn’t long enough to mean anything, right? Or did it mean something?
My heart did that wild thing, and my mind was kind of all over the place. That never happens, but the moment I saw her, despite how scattered my thoughts were, I went to this happy place. I can’t explain it and it’s weird because I don’t know her, but it feels like I do.
He shrugs. “The hell if I know, but go for it or someone else will.”
Fuck it, I will.
“I’ll see you later,” I say over my shoulder.
I take a peek where everyone is sitting, but I don’t see her and assume she went to pay, so that’s where I head. By the time I manage to extricate myself from the crowd, the person taking the donations tells me she already paid.
She couldn’t have already left. She’s probably outside waiting for her ride. I offered to pick her up, but she said she had it handled.
Just as I’m about to go check Mom blocks my path.
“Sylas, sweetheart.” She smiles primly, but it’s strained like the rest of her face. She runs a palm down the lapels of my tux, smoothing them out. “We need to talk.”
“I really can’t right now. I need to go.” I flash her my best smile, hoping it doesn’t look as fake as this entire interaction is.
I love her and I know in her own way she loves me, but she’s more concerned about appearances and all that bullshit. Which is why she’s retouching my bow tie, smiling like a mother should.
“I’ll make it quick.” She drops her hand just as Dad takes his place by her side. “Who is she?”
“She’s…” I stagger, my gaze landing on Florence as she comes to stand next to my mother.
What is she doing here? God, she’s everywhere.
“I really thought I had a chance at winning.” She sighs, her disappointment evident.
I did too and was kind of shocked she didn’t keep bidding, but whatever.
“Don’t worry about it, Florence. I’m sure we can figure something out. Can’t we, Sylas?” Mom shoots me a threatening look. “Maybe the girl and you can switch, she can go out with Frost.”
Frost? Did Florence bid on Everett? I thought she hated him. He dislikes her just as much.
“But she—”
“Just tell the girl there’s been a change of plans,” Dad interjects, sounding uninterested. “She’ll understand.”
I fist my hand as a tremor runs through my fingers. I want to smoke, but I threw my cigarettes away. My breath picks up, chest tight and compressed like something is sitting on it. I tell myself to breathe, to think.
“I can’t do that because she’s my girl…friend.” I can’t believe that came out of my mouth. Their faces recoil in shock…betrayal…disgust. I’m not sure, but for the first time in my life, I’ve stunned them into silence.
I’m just as surprised. I didn’t mean to say that and I shouldn’t have, but I didn’t know what else to say. I can’t take it back now.
“And we’re meeting up now and going out. So, if you’ll excuse me…” I do the cowardly thing and bolt before they can ask questions.
I stop in my tracks when I spot her by the entrance and see she’s not alone. She’s with Alex, and she’s smiling big at him. My stomach knots, and I have to fist my hands at my side again. Force my feet not to move to her and make an ass of myself.
When she laughs at whatever he said, I make the decision to turn and walk away but don’t make it far when she calls my name.
“Sylas.” She says it like she’s both relieved and happy to see me and her face exudes that when I spin and our eyes connect. An electric current rushes through my body, making it thrum vigorously. “Where are you going? Are we not leaving?”
I recover and stroll over to them. “Yeah, sorry, I thought I left my phone, but it’s right here.
” I pat my pocket. “I’m ready to go. You weren’t waiting long, were you?
” I stand next to her and don’t give it a second thought as I slip my arm around her back, pin her side to mine, and lay my palm on top of her hip.
She grins up at me and I note a charged glint in her eyes that makes my heart race.
“Not long.” Her body is pliant against mine.
I don’t want to put too much thought into this, but she so easily and comfortably lets me hold her.
She feels right next to me. It’s strange, but what’s stranger is how much I like it.
I look back at Alex, dimming my smile into something casual, making sure it doesn’t look smug.
His eyes track the movement then his lips pinch in a tight smile. “Got it. I’ll stay in my lane.”
“You do that.” I give him a dismissive once-over.
“I’ll see you, Anna.” He tips his head at me then pivots and walks away.
We watch him leave, neither one of us moving, and even when we know he’s gone, we don’t shift. I know I should let go and I think she’s thinking it too, but we stay as we are.
“Thanks for playing along. He wouldn’t get the hint.” A relieved sigh slips past her lips.
“Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” Her gaze traces over my concerned expression then glances down at my hand where I’m holding her a little tighter than I mean to. “I’m seriously okay. He didn’t do anything but continue in many different ways to ask me out.”
“Sorry about that.” I force myself to let her go and add a bit of distance between us.
But that only forces my gaze to gravitate to her dress and how it frames her body in a way that makes it look painted on.
The way I felt when I first saw her is the same way I feel now: speechless, for lack of a better word. “I—”
I can’t draw up a word perfect enough to describe just how divine she looks. “Beautiful” would be doing her a disservice. I’m stumped and annoyed I can’t think of something better.
“You what?”
“You look beautiful, Anna.”
“Oh.” Her face brightens, smile tender and breathtaking, and pink blooms on her cheeks. “Thanks. It was fun to dress up. I can’t remember the last time I went all out like this.”
I do a little bow and when I lift my head, we lean into each other, chuckling. “Glad I could be of service.”
She looks over her shoulder at the exit and then at her phone. “Thanks again for playing along.” She pauses like she’s contemplating something, her eyes roaming over me. “My Lyft will be here soon, so you don’t have to stick around. I’m sure Alexander’s not going to show up.”
“Yeah…” Now I look over mine, back to where the auction is still taking place. “Thanks again for doing this for me. You were great out there.”
“I hate losing although the blonde winning wouldn’t have been the worst thing in the world. She’s gorgeous. Is she why you wanted me to keep bidding?”
I nod. “Our parents are best friends. They’re convinced we’ll get married and have”—I shudder—“babies.”
She winces. “Yikes.”
“I know.”
“Look on the bright side. She’s hot, so your babies will be gorgeous.”
I laugh. “Please don’t say that. I don’t need or want that kind of negative energy.”
“You don’t want kids?”
“Not right now. Maybe in ten or fifteen years, but definitely not with her.” I glower at the thought of being tied to Florence in that way.
“Well, you’re welcome. I just saved you from marriage and babies.” She laughs and I swear it’s the prettiest thing I’ve ever heard.
But speaking of Florence… Anna is going to hate me. “I need to tell you something.”
“Oh good, we caught you before you left.” My parents saunter over toward us looking regal and commanding.
My spine stiffens and I glance at Anna. She’s definitely going to hate me.
“Hi, I’m Anna.” She plasters a faux friendly, all-business smile—the same one from the restaurant. “It’s so good to meet you.”
“Yes, it’s so good to meet my son’s girlfriend.” Dad scrutinizes her. “I can’t believe we didn’t know about you until now.” It’s so belittling, I know Anna feels it.
Fuck my life. Why didn’t I start off with that first?
I look at Anna, but she’s not looking at me. She’s staring at them with an indiscernible expression.
“Wait.” Mom eyes her up and down with all the judgment in the world. “You’re that waitress from Clover’s and our…housekeeper.” The disdain in her voice seals it, and I just want to fucking crawl in a hole.
I prepare for the worst. My fingers tremble and become sweaty, and my pulse goes haywire, threatening to explode.
“I am,” Anna says, keeping the practiced friendliness intact.
Why did I lie? “I’m so sorry we’ve kept our relationship from you.
” That renders me speechless, but her slipping her warm hand in mine makes my mind go blank.
When she rests her head on my shoulder, I lose all sense of existence.
“It’s actually brand new.” She squeezes my hand, nails digging into the skin like she’s trying to pull me back to reality, like she knows I’m lost in my head.
“We’re taking things slow. Still getting to know one another. ”
“Yes, slow. We’re just taking it slow.” My voice comes out robotic.
She squeezes my hand again, harder this time.
I need a cigarette—no, a whole damn pack.
Mom and Dad’s gazes bounce between us, still not believing what they’re hearing or seeing, but then they pull themselves together.
And I do too. My erratic nervous system calms as she brushes the pad of her thumb on the crook between my thumb and index finger.
Mom isn’t buying it. Her gaze drops to our hands, and she sneers. “But you didn’t say a thing to him at the restaurant. Or to us. You—”
“I was working, and despite how much I like your son, I wanted to maintain professionalism.” She answers steadily and without missing a beat, lying so smoothly even I believe her for a second.
When she tips her head up and our eyes lock, I breathe easier.
“And I didn’t want Anna to get in trouble.” I lean down, kissing the crown of her head. That’s probably pushing it, but how else would I sell it? I don’t think they’re buying it, but they don’t look as distrusting as they did a moment ago.
“Hmm…” Dad doesn’t say anything, doesn’t even look at her anymore.
“Now that you’ve all met, we have to get going. We’re going out to dinner. I’ll see you later.”
“It was so good to meet you both.” She extends her palm, and they begrudgingly shake it.
I’m ushering Anna outside, hand in hand, before they can change their minds and continue to interrogate us.
The arctic air is a relief to my burning lungs. I inhale deeply, despite the frost that feels like it’s impaling my skin. I pat the inside of my jack—right, no cigarettes—but I do find a pack of gum and pop three pieces in my mouth.
“I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to put you on the spot or to lie but—”
“Are we still grabbing dinner?” she asks, her expression oddly empathetic.
“Is this a trick question where you proceed to slap the shit out of me for—”
She bursts out a laugh. “I don’t like solving my problems by throwing hands. I mean, is the temptation there? Yeah. But I don’t want to hit you. I do want to eat though. I’m starving.”
I’m so lucky it was her. I’m so lucky she’s here.
“Yeah, I know a place.” I hold out my hand, not totally sure why. She stares at it, and I wonder whether she’ll leave it floating, but she takes it.