Chapter Eight
ARES
T he garden room is downstairs, just past the ballroom. It’s considered the more intimate party room at Clear View Country Club because it’s slightly smaller. Where the ballroom is light and regal, the garden room feels more grounded in reality.
Crystal sconces are spread out along the walls, lighting up the earthy pastels that decorate the room. A vintage looking chandelier is in the center of the room, casting a glow over a dance floor. I chuckle to myself, of course there’s a fucking dance floor.
Bouquets of pink and white are spread out along the light green cloth covered round tables, blending in seamlessly with the room’s natural decor of floral artwork hung in bronze frames along the walls. It sort of reminds me of the last birthday party of Kyra’s I’d been to. Her sixteenth, in this very room. The color was, of course, pink. Only, a different shade.
Name plates are at each of the chairs, not that I imagine everyone will be staying in their seats. Mom told me she and Arthur only plan to stay for dinner and a few dances before retiring for the evening. I knew it meant this was going to turn into a rowdy party and I wasn’t planning on letting Kyra out of my sight tonight. Not until I’d taken her back to the house.
The family is here first, naturally. A blend of family friends and who I guess would be Kyra’s closest friends show up next. Several more of her friends arrive after the official start time. A DJ plays music low as everyone chats and mingles.
When nobody is paying attention, I grab my name card and switch it with one at Kyra’s table. This girl is celebrating her twenty-first birthday. I plan on keeping a very close eye on her. She should have fun, but I don’t want things to get out of hand or for her to be taken advantage of. I leave the cards sitting directly next to hers alone. Someone would probably think it was weird if I was sitting next to her instead of her boyfriend or best friend.
So, I sit myself right next to her boyfriend. Let’s find out who this Ryan Pembroke guy is. I send a quick text to a friend to dig something up. I overheard my mother and Daphne talking about how they’d been dating for nearly six months, but this was the first time they were meeting him.
“It’s Ares, right?” Ryan clears his throat and slides into his seat next to me. He holds out his hand. “I’m Ryan, Kyra’s boyfriend.”
I eye his hand carefully for a moment before reaching out to shake it. The guy is still giving me the weird Ken vibes he was the other day. His handshake is also fucking weak. “Yeah, nice to meet you.”
“Kyra talks about her family all the time. Well, mostly her nieces.” He chuckles. “Funny, she mentioned she’s got two stepbrothers, but she hardly talks about you.” He leans forward and grabs the glass of water.
I laugh. “I like to keep my family favorites to myself, too. Funny, she’s never mentioned you to me before this week.” I stand up. “Excuse me, family business.”
Ryan isn’t good enough for Kyra. He seems like the type to put his needs above hers, and that won’t work for me. I make my way over to where Kyra is standing with our parents. She’s gushing over how everything looks.
My eyes drink her in. I missed seeing her when she finished getting ready earlier. Mom asked me to get here a little early to help make sure everything looked perfect.
Kyra is wearing pink—no surprise. A light pink that sparkles as she moves. Its form fitting and hits her about mid-thigh. As I get closer, I notice the pink sequins and pearls spread out across the fabric, decorating every inch of her. My eyes scan down her legs to the pink flats on her feet. It’s a smart idea since she’ll be drinking.
As if on cue, several servers enter the room carrying trays of pink drinks. I can’t help the chuckle that comes out as I approach my family. “Even pink drinks?”
Kyra turns to look at me right as one tray passes. She reaches out and grabs one. “I like pink. Why are you surprised?”
“I think it’s beautiful.” Mom grabs one for herself, so does Daphne.
“Oh, cherry flavored. I should’ve guessed.” Daphne smiles.
“Happy birthday, Kyra.” She’s been out most of the day. It started with a birthday lunch with friends then time at the spa with Mom and Daphne. A day full of pampering for a princess. I chuckle at the thought.
“Thank you.” She raises her glass. “No pink drink for you?”
“I’ll stick with water for a bit.”
“Picture?” A man with a camera around his neck walks up to us.
“Yes!” Mom speaks up. “Let’s get a family photo. Everyone get close.”
We all turn to face the photographer. “Let’s squeeze in a little more. Why don’t you,” he points to me, “move over here.” I move to where he points. “Birthday girl in the middle.” He lifts the camera, and the flash goes off. “Everyone smile. And one more. Perfect.”
“Thank you. Let’s make sure we get a mix of posed and candid.” My mother speaks up.
“Yes, ma’am.” He walks away to continue taking photos.
My brother looks at his phone. I’m sure he’s staying updated on the girls. They’re with a babysitter for the night. Although, judging how antsy he looks, I don’t expect my brother or sister-in-law to be here much longer.
“We’ll leave right after dinner,” Daphne whispers to Apollo.
I silently chuckle to myself and Kyra glances at me then to the others and smiles.
“Let’s do the photo booth before you both sneak away.” Kyra takes Daphne’s hand and leads her to the corner of the room.
It’s not long before a line is forming at the booth, but it moves quickly. My eyes stay on Kyra as I watch her interact with everyone. Some I know, most I don’t. I assume they’re friends from school. She keeps a smile on her face that is contagious to everyone around her.
The buffet table is slowly covered with food, and everyone makes their way over to fix plates. A smaller table nearby has a large circular tower filled with cupcakes in various shades of pink with a few cream colored sprinkled in.
My brother and Daphne leave right after everyone sings happy birthday to Kyra. Mom and Arthur last another hour after that, partaking in some of the dancing and more of the photo booth with family friends that attended.
I keep to myself after the rest of the family leaves. My hand remains on my glass, even though I’ve barely drank any of it. I prefer to keep my head about me and then get Kyra home safe at the end of the party. I even drove Arthur’s car here so I wouldn’t have to worry about Kyra being able to hold on to me on the back of my bike.
That day has already replayed in my head more times than I care to admit. The feel of her body pressed against mine as she held on. Then the vision of her in my jacket. And out of my jacket. Her gorgeous body.
Even now, I watch as she dances on the lit-up floor with her best friend, Beth, and a few other girls who I’ve come to learn are also in the sorority. Several of them are sharing rooms here. Arthur reserved a few rooms for her friends to share for the evening before they all leave tomorrow. They’re all good-looking girls, but my eyes stay focused on Kyra.
The way her body moves and sways to the music. A smile that I want to bring out of her more. Eyes I want on me. Curves my fingers itch to dig into. Images flash in my mind that I have no business thinking, yet I’m unable to stop them.
I keep my face stoic, void of any emotion. It’s not until I notice Ryan join the dance floor that my teeth grind together. He attempts to dance with Kyra, but she brushes him off. He looks upset until she squeezes his hand and says something. I hesitate, waiting to see what happens next.
Ryan says something back to her and then they both leave the dance floor and start walking out of the room. I’m quick to follow, but keep back far enough so they don’t notice. They walk out towards the beach and I hear the commotion.
“I just wanted to dance with you.” Ryan raises his voice.
“I was dancing with my friends. What’s gotten into you?” Kyra crosses her arms.
“I came all this way to spend time with you and I feel like you’ve just blown me off. You’re such a fucking tease, Kyra.”
Kyra shakes her head. “What are you talking about?”
“We’ve been together for six months.”
“So, it was all about sex?”
“Clearly not.” He raises his voice again. “You don’t put out.” Ryan swerves slightly, as if the alcohol has gotten to him.
“If that’s all you cared about, you should’ve just said something.” Kyra rubs her arms. “We obviously care about different things. I cared about you, and you only cared about sex.”
Ryan shakes his head. “Forget it. I should’ve known you were just like the other girls your age. You only act mature, but you’re not. You’re just a little twenty-one-year-old tease. I need someone older, who isn’t afraid of commitment.”
Kyra sighs. “You’re right, I’m only twenty-one. Find someone you deserve.”
“Enjoy the rest of your party. We’re done and I’m out.” He raises his hands and storms away.
I duck into the shadows and watch him pass by. I watch him walk past the doorway, back into the garden room and toward the stairs. I don’t look back toward Kyra until I hear the sniffle as she slowly approaches.
“Jerk,” she mutters under her breath. A tear runs down her face and I can’t help but stop her.
“Are you okay?” I step out of the shadows.
She jumps back, her eyes widening. “Why do you always do that? Do you enjoy scaring me?”
I know I should comfort her. The thing is, I’ve known Kyra forever, and she needs a distraction. Something to alter her mood and fast, so she can then return to her party.
“Don’t take it personally, princess.” I step closer to her. “I just like getting under your skin.”
Kyra shakes her head and groans.
My fingers move to rub away the last sign of the tears from her face. “You’ve got a party to enjoy.” She opens her mouth to object. “He didn’t go back in there, and I won’t let him.” Kyra steps closer and hugs me. “Happy birthday, princess.”