Chapter 23
In the End
GREER
“You’ve been to something like this before?” I ask Zoe.
“Ugh, yes. Wyatt always needs a plus-one because whatever freak of the week he has going on isn’t acceptable for this part of his life.” Zoe grins.
My eyebrows rise. Freak of the week? I swallow. Is that what I’ll be to him? How much of their private lives will I be privy to? I’m also so damned curious to read the consent form now. What exactly do they want from me? I squeeze my thighs tight.
“It’s not all bad, though. There are plenty of inappropriate silver foxes that come to these things.” Zoe straightens her shirt and shows off a little more cleavage. “They’d make great sugar daddies.”
“Fuck, ZoZo, no talk about sugar daddies or any type of daddies.” Wyatt shudders. “We’re brother and sister. Older brothers do not want to know that shit about their little sisters.”
She grins. “Do you know how much money I could be rolling in if I just send some old dude pics of my boobs? Thousands, WyWy, thousands.”
Wyatt stands and glares at Zoe. “I need a drink.”
“Oh, bring me one.” Zoe’s still smiling as she turns back to us. Her gaze goes to Aiden, and the joy dims in her eyes. “Sorry, Aiden. If you want, I don’t have to drink tonight.”
“Just because I have a problem doesn’t mean you have to abide by it.” Aiden lifts my hand and entwines our fingers together before setting our hands on his thigh. “I’ve got Greer to keep me safe tonight.”
“I’m sure she’ll do a great job.” Zoe smiles, but it doesn’t quite reach her eyes. Her gaze pauses for a second on our hands.
I’d nibble on my lip but for the lipstick. Fuck. Am I already losing Zoe as a friend? I was never good at getting to know people at new schools. After a while, I just stopped trying, but I never stopped wanting to be accepted. Part of me really wants Zoe to like me.
“You should come out with me tomorrow night, Greer.” Zoe straightens and laughs. “Drinks and hot bods for days. This new club is opening, and there’s a room of beds as seating.”
My eyes widen. “I don’t think that’s really my speed.”
I’m on a tricycle while Zoe is on a racing motorcycle.
Zoe grins and leans over Roarke’s lap and makes a come-hither motion to draw me closer.
She glances at Roarke, who smirks. “See, Greer, anything can be your speed with a little medicinal help.”
“For fuck’s sake, Zoe.” Wyatt stands over us. “What the fuck are you doing? Talking about drugs right in front of Aiden?”
Zoe pouts and looks up at Wyatt with remorseful eyes. “I’m just trying to make Greer my friend. She’s young like me, and she’s never had a chance to have a wild and crazy life. Maybe she’d appreciate cutting loose and being free for a night.”
When she glances my way, she winks before returning to her pouting face.
“You will not corrupt Greer. She’s what Aiden needs the way she is.” Wyatt hands Zoe her drink before he sits beside her. “She doesn’t need to be fixed.”
Heat rushes to my cheeks. I turn to Aiden. “Do you want some soda or water?”
“Sparkling water would be nice.” He brings my hand up to his lips before releasing it. “Thank you.”
I head toward the kitchen. Mason turns as one of the servers starts for me. Mason’s hand lands on my hip, and he guides me over to a dry bar set up in the living room. There’s even a refrigerator behind it.
“You can get your drinks here, mouse.” He leans down next to my ear. “Make sure it’s a fresh bottle when you get more.”
I nod as he backs away, and his blue eyes search mine. When he’s certain of whatever he sees, he returns to the kitchen.
I grab two glasses and a bottle of sparkling water. It fills both glasses.
“Hey.” Zoe’s voice is soft. She hovers next to the dry bar. “Wyatt told me about your mom. I’m sorry I didn’t know, or I wouldn’t have been offering you drugs. It’s just what I do with my friends for fun on weekends.”
She shrugs her elegant shoulder as I lift the glasses.
“It’s okay.” I exhale. “I don’t expect everyone to understand how my life is without knowing the full story. I think it’d be nice to hang out sometime, but maybe we find something more both of our speeds?”
She grins. “That could work.”
But first I have to get through tonight.
Zoe and I walk across the house back to the guys. Aiden’s gaze locks with mine. Zoe is elegance personified. Her hair falls in golden-brown waves. Her makeup is flawless. She just has a grace that I’ll never have. She fits into this world easily. I’m okay with that.
The look of longing in Aiden’s eyes as he takes me in is enough to make my blood sing. I won’t compare to Zoe in the real world, but he likes me. This broken, screwed-up version of me.
Handing him a glass, I lower into my spot between him and Roarke like I belong here. Like I didn’t steal this spot from someone else, but that it was always intended for me. Roarke slides his arm along the back of the couch behind me, and I don’t resist the pull of his body as I rest my head against him.
The servers and chefs are the only ones privy to this moment. They’re busy getting ready. The calm before the storm. I’m not sure why Mason checked in with me about getting starstruck. I’m firmly there.
Roarke’s fingertips trail down my shoulder, sending little shivers through me as I take a drink. The conversation goes on around me as I sip at the sparkling water. At some point, Aiden holds my hand again and puts it on his thigh.
Zoe studies the three of us closely a few times. I’m not sure what she’ll be privy to or what Wyatt will tell her about our situation. So I just smile like this is normal for me. Overall, this is nice.
But holding patterns can only last so long. Wyatt glances at his phone.
“They’re coming.”
Roarke kisses my cheek. “Prepare to be amazed, poppet.”
Zoe stands and straightens her outfit. When everyone else stands, Aiden reaches his hands down to help me up. I didn’t realize how comfortable I’d gotten between the two of them on the couch. The words spoken around me lulled me into contentment.
Cars enter the driveway. The front door is open, and people begin to flow in. Not one at a time, but in droves. Aiden pulls me in tight to his side, and I cling to his arm as people come forward.
They shake his hand and he introduces me. They give me a passing glance, realize I’m nobody, and continue talking to Aiden. It’s like I pop into existence when he mentions me and then I’m gone the next second. I actually prefer it.
In my experience, being overlooked and ignored is always preferable to being seen.
As we greet people, they move to the servers, who show them outside and take care of their drinks. I hadn’t noticed the setup outside in the garden. Long tables stretch out around the pool. The pool has floating lights in it. More lights are strung above the tables. It’s beautiful. One of the servers heads out through the opened doors with a tray of hors d’oeuvres.
A lot of faces of people I’ve seen on TV or in movies move past me. It’s practically a red carpet up close and personal. Roarke makes flirtatious comments and gives looks to every female that he greets and some of the men. Between rounds, he winks at me.
On interview shows, he’s always a huge flirt. I’m not surprised or alarmed by the way he’s behaving.
Aiden receives a lot of “How are you really?” or “So good to see you up and about.” None of it sounds real. It all sounds like words these people rehearsed.
Everyone is glamorous and put together. Mason was right—I need this dress and makeup to blend in. If I were in my normal clothes, I’d stand out, draw attention, be seen. As it is, I’m invisible and amazed. This right here was worth the price of admission into their world.
It definitely makes me feel less-than to be surrounded by such industry giants.
Mary had some parties with famous people, but they were small, intimate affairs. There, I was something to look upon with pity. A prize that Mary had been gracious enough to keep for a while. She loved to tell my story. Orphaned at a young age by a mother who cared more about getting high than her only daughter.
Mary ate up every compliment for how good she was to take me in out of the kindness of her heart. I was a freak show in her home. Something to gawk at and make them feel better about their own life situations.
“Greer.” Aiden’s tone is gentle as he draws me away from the crowd for a second.
“Yes?” I blink to sweep away the past. “Do you need something?”
He smiles gently and tucks a strand of hair behind my ear. “You just checked out for a moment.”
I inhale and smile. “Sorry. A lot of people.”
“Almost done.” He tucks my hand in his elbow. “Then we can go find a quiet corner to mingle in.”
“That sounds nice.” The volume in the house has risen. Some soft music plays under the din of voices. Laughter bursts outside from time to time.
When we return to the receiving line, Roarke’s hand rests on my back as he leans down.
“Doing okay, poppet?” His blue eyes search mine for a second.
Hoping my smile isn’t stretched too thin, I nod.
“Aiden Clyborne!” That voice. I stiffen. My insides twist with knots. My breath catches. I should have known. I should have figured it out. Mason is connected to him. “Proud of you for coming through.”
He shakes Aiden’s hand, and his gaze skips over me to Roarke. “Roarke Flynn, always knew Mason would have good friends.”
“He learned to collect us at a young age.” Roarke steps forward and shakes Sawyer Brickman’s hand. The woman behind Sawyer definitely isn’t Mary.
“Rita, so good to see you.” Aiden kisses both of her cheeks. I never met Rita, but Mary talked about her constantly. This was Sawyer Brickman’s wife.
“Who do we have here?” Rita turns her green eyes on me, studying me with curiosity.
Aiden touches my hand, and I remember to breathe. “This is Greer Morrow, my friend.”
This isn’t the first time he introduced me like that, but Rita smiles and holds out her hand to me.
“What a fascinating name. Enchanted to meet you, dear.” She catches her husband’s hand. “I haven’t run across many Greers. Have you, Sawyer?”
He turns his dark eyes on me. I brace myself. Recognition lights in his eyes before he lets it dim. He hasn’t changed much in the four years since I last saw him. A touch more gray in his dark hair, but he still has that arrogant look.
“Greer?” Sawyer smiles down at his wife. “Definitely unusual.”
“Well, you’re lucky to have found this one, Greer. Aiden’s quite the good guy.” She pats Aiden’s chest before her husband leads her farther into the house.
My breath returns to me, and I nearly collapse as my knees go out from under me. I cling to Aiden’s arm like a lifeline.
Someone else greets Aiden and Roarke, so they don’t notice. Thankfully. After this morning, I don’t need them worrying more about me. Sawyer and Rita work their way into the room. When Mason stops them, his smile is so joyous, it takes my breath away.
Rita must mention me, because Mason’s gaze finds me. He tips his head when he finds me watching him, or rather them. But he gets drawn back into the conversation.
I know that man. Sawyer—Brick on set—Mary’s paramour, Mason’s mentor. I should have guessed he’d be here. I should have expected it. Fuck, why didn’t I prepare myself for it?
Maybe because four really great guys occupy my mind now.
The door finally shuts, and Aiden turns with me toward the backyard. That rush I had earlier at seeing all these people in one place is gone. I’m exhausted. I’m also grateful Aiden is by my side and I won’t have to face Sawyer alone tonight.
Aiden leads me to a quiet corner as promised. We find a love seat in a little casual seating arrangement. Roarke mingles, touching people, leaning in to kiss cheeks, laughing.
“Should you be doing that?” I turn to Aiden. Not sure what I’m supposed to do besides stick to his side like glue.
“Don’t worry, little warrior. They’ll come soon enough.” He takes my hand and links us together on his thigh again. I relax a little, but then his fingers tense on mine. A late arrival walks out to join the party.
Greyson Marks strides across the patio, announcing his presence. The din quiets for a moment as everyone takes in every inch of the superstar. He’s as tall as Roarke and as big in Hollywood as both Roarke and Aiden. His brown hair is tucked into a bun. His blue eyes are fascinating close up, like diamonds on the screen. His dark suit clings to his large form perfectly.
But I realize a second later the reason Aiden squeezed my hand.
A woman walked in behind Greyson and now steps up to cuddle into his side. Siobhan Clyborne, Aiden’s ex-wife.