Chapter 32
CHAPTER 32
EARL
T he country club is a display of charm and affluence—hardwood flooring glowing with decades of polish. Perfect for reflecting the golden glow of the old chandeliers imported from Europe, large gilded oil paintings of the founding fathers of America, and red velvet drapes to frame the tall windows.
The ballroom on the first floor is reserved for this New Year’s Eve gala, but when we arrive in the foyer it is already full of landed gentry. Camera flash and classical music floats through the air. I can’t recall the last time I’ve seen so many glittering gowns and slick tuxedos in one place.
We’ve never been to this place before—neither of us… and certainly not our parents. They never invited trailer trash to events like this. Yet here we are, sweeping in as though we own the place, and in a way, I do. I could buy this place if I wanted to. At the very least I have the power to intimidate anyone who once might have sneered at my background.
Raven clings to my arm as we ascend the curving broad flight of stairs leading to the main ballroom. Every gaze in the room seems to latch onto us as we arrive at the entrance. There’s a hum of curiosity, of whispered speculation. Some know my recent acquisitions in town, my business deals that have turned heads and tightened purses. The women eye Raven, taking in the expensive dress, the diamonds at her throat. I see equal measures of envy and curiosity. And I can’t help but relish how they all stop to stare like we, the people they taunted and mocked, are now the star attraction at their big night of celebration.
Raven’s fingers tremble slightly against the crisp fabric of my suit. I glance at her out of the corner of my eye and feel that familiar tug in my chest—the ache that treads the line between lust and something deeper. She looks breathtaking. What a shame she is so shallow and deceitful. Still, there’s not a woman alive who can hold a candle to her beauty.
If she hadn’t approached me all those years ago, I’d never have dared. She was too beautiful and I was too aware of my own nothingness. Now I’m far from nothing. I’m the richest man in the room, and I can practically taste the admiration and caution swirling in the air around us.
People converge on us almost instantly. Polite smiles, extended hands, murmuring congratulations about my “business acumen” and how they “always knew” I’d make something of myself. Liars, the lot of them, but I let them prattle on. I bask in it, letting Raven stand quietly at my side. This is what tonight is about—recognition, respect, and the power to shut them up with a single glare if I choose.
I spot a small cluster of vaguely familiar faces not too far away—some of Charles’s old friends. Annabelle might be there too. They appear hesitant, as if wondering if they should greet me or shrink back. I almost laugh. Once upon a time, they’d have found any excuse to torment me. Now they don’t even dare come up and say hello.
Raven remains poised, smiling politely at the well-wishers, but I feel her hand tense unconsciously around my arm whenever people crowd too close. No matter what she keeps that gentle expression on her face. It’s almost disarming to see her handle this crowd so gracefully. As if she was born to it.
But then I remember, she would have been standing here anyway. She was going to marry Charles, after all. A flicker of anger sparks in my gut at the memory. Even penniless he will have an invite to this event. They don’t eat their own. Bloodlines are everything to this lot. He is one of them. They understand him and he understands them. I am the stranger here. The odd one out.
We move along, exchanging pleasantries that mean nothing until a familiar voice calls out. “Earl Jackson? Is that really you?”
I turn and find my high school teacher, Mr. Langford and his partner, who is also another teacher in the same school. They’re grinning, beaming as if they are really happy to see us.
“You look amazing, Raven!” Mr. Langford gushes, glancing at Raven. “I always knew the two of you would end up together! Didn’t I say it back in senior year, dear?” he turns to his wife. “The perfect couple.”
His wife nods enthusiastically, adding some remark about how we were “destined from the start.”
Perfect couple, huh? I glance at Raven. She’s smiling sweetly, responding to them with a genuine warmth I haven’t seen in a while. That soft, sincere curve of her lips reminds me of the old days, those days I’ve tried to bury in shallow graves. Once her smile lit up my world. Now it just stokes a simmering rage in me. To think she was ready to give it all for Charles.
My hand clenches at my side. The night isn’t even half over, and I’m already fighting the urge to snap at someone.
My arm slips away from Raven’s, the movement so abrupt, that she stumbles and blinks in confusion. I can sense the questions in her eyes; what’s wrong? Why are you pulling away? I pretend not to notice. I keep my gaze locked on the teacher who’s still talking, going on about how we were always “destined” for each other. It’s absurd how people rewrite history in their heads.
I let their inane conversation wash over me, nodding at the appropriate beats, and giving the bare minimum of polite responses. My mind is elsewhere, scanning the crowd until it lands on the familiar figure of Annabelle.
Years have passed and she’s filled out in all the right places, but I would have recognized her anywhere. Her gown hugs the curves that leave no doubt she’s in her prime. If I were any other man, I’d admire her outright. Instead, I feel nothing. The truth is every woman leaves me cold. When I first left town, I slept with a lot of women, but none of them ever made me feel anything for them except disgust when the sex was over. They bored me. They didn’t want to have gherkins on their pizzas. It was not their fault. They were not Raven. And I was looking for Raven.
I sense Raven stiffen beside me, probably noticing the direction of my stare. Our teacher is still droning on about the multi-million-dollar project I’ve been orchestrating. The old mall, once a graveyard of shuttered stores and shattered skylights, is undergoing a complete transformation under my direction—a modern commercial hub that’s got everyone buzzing.
I can practically feel Raven’s curiosity prick at the edge of my consciousness. She’s a sharp one and has already realized why I’ve been so preoccupied. I can see the inquisitiveness in her eyes; it’s always been this way with her. She couldn’t bear it if I even looked in the direction of another girl, especially if she was even passably attractive. There never was any reason for it. I had eyes for no one but her. Still, it used to make her eyes flare up and spit fire. I have to admit one truth. I’ve missed her raging jealousy. Oh, how I’ve missed her spitting and cursing and how sweet it was when I yanked her into my arms and stopped the crazy spitting and cursing with a crushing kiss.
Now, I’m counting on that jealousy. Let her burn, the way I burned for years thinking of her with Charles.
I spot Annabelle’s approach from the corner of my eye, poised and assured as she glides through the crowd with unhurried grace. She looks polished and refined—exactly as I remember. Our eyes meet across the crowded room and I see it instantly. Years ago I was too na?ve to see it. Now I can spot it a mile away when a woman wants me. And she wants me. Makes sense that she’s always wanted me. It was why she used to roll her eyes in disgust when her brother and his friends tried to gang up on me.
Well, well.
There’s only one woman in this room capable of making my blood run hot, but still … this opens interesting possibilities. A quick glance flickers between Raven and me. I look away back to Annabelle and smile slowly. Instantly, I sense a tremor of tension pass through Raven even though her face remains composed. Then Raven shifts slightly, her shoulders squaring as she feels the competition drawing closer.
The teachers as if on cue walk away.
A spike of adrenaline rushes through my veins as Annabelle arrives in front of us. Her perfume is light and floral, wafting into the space between us. Raven stands just a little taller, as if bracing for a blow. I feel the subtle shift in her demeanor, the tension coiling beneath her composed facade. It almost amuses me how easily Annabelle’s presence can tilt the balance of Raven’s carefully held calm.
Annabelle’s painted lips bestow a graceful smile on us. Her mother has taught her well, she may be a yoga teacher, but she carries herself like a Queen. I force the corners of my mouth to widen further so she has no doubt that I am flirting with her.
Her eyes widen as she gets the message and she glances at Raven in surprise before she responds. “Hello, Earl,” she drawls, her voice lilting in a way that must charm most men. She stops just shy of too close, as her arms extend out to me. I let myself be pulled into a casual hug.
Raven was expecting that.
Her reaction is immediate—a flicker of shock flits across her face, her lips parting as if to say something, but she quickly catches herself. Still, her lips tighten, and her eyes narrow just slightly, betraying the irritation she’s struggling to suppress. The tension radiating off her is palpable, even as she tries to appear unaffected.
I feel an instinctive urge to pull away from Annabelle, but the sharp glint of annoyance in Raven’s gaze intrigues me, stoking me. Still so possessive, are we? The realization sends a ripple of dark satisfaction through me.
There. Tonight won’t be entirely tedious after all.
Instead of creating the distance I know Raven wants, I wrap my arms loosely around Annabelle’s frame, leaning in to press a light kiss to her cheek. The contact is brief, but calculated to send Raven’s annoyance into full bloom. From the corner of my eye, I catch her expression—a flash of pale shock, followed by a storm of barely contained fury. Her fists curl at her sides and her composure slips for the first time this evening.
“Hello, Annabelle,” I say smoothly, stepping back just enough to reclaim my space but not before letting my hand linger on her elbow for a fraction of a second longer than necessary. “It’s been a long time.”
“It really has,” Annabelle replies, her smile brightening. She doesn’t seem to notice the charged atmosphere between Raven and me—or perhaps she’s pretending not to. “And here you are, making waves as always.” Her words are light and conversational. There is no harm in them.
But Raven remains unimpressed. Her silence is deafening. I can almost hear her biting the inside of her cheek, a habit she hasn’t given up. Her jaw is tight, her eyes sharp as glass, and for a brief moment, I wonder if she’s going to say something.
She doesn’t.
Instead, she takes a step closer to me, subtly reasserting her place at my side. It’s a small, almost imperceptible move, but it’s enough to make me bite back a smirk. Oh, tonight is definitely going to be interesting.
Annabelle’s eyes flick to Raven, her expression lighting up as if she’s just noticed her. “Raven,” she says warmly, her voice honeyed with just a trace of familiarity and something else. Something between them. It sets my teeth on edge because I know exactly what it is. Raven has secrets and Annabelle knows what they are. They both don’t know that I already know.
“I have to say, you look absolutely stunning tonight,” she adds in that same fake friendly voice. “That dress is breathtaking. Earl has always had an eye for beauty, hasn’t he?”
Raven blinks. She is so unsettled by jealousy it hasn’t hit her yet. Her polite smile wavers ever so slightly. “Thank you,” she replies, her tone measured but tight. Her gaze darts briefly to me, searching for reassurance. She shifts her weight, in the slight downward tug of her lips before she forces them back into a neutral line.
Annabelle doesn’t stop there, her attention now fully on Raven. “I’ll admit, I was surprised when I heard the news about you two. You must have had so many options, Earl. And yet …” She trails off, letting the implication linger in the air like smoke. Her smile widens, and it’s the kind of smile that’s designed to cut.
Raven’s face freezes for a heartbeat, her composure cracking just enough for a hint of worry and confusion to bleed through. “I’m sorry, what do you mean?” she asks, her voice careful, but laced with a sharp edge.
“Oh, nothing,” Annabelle says breezily, waving a manicured hand. “Just that you’ve always had your sights set on the highest goals, so I guess in the end you still got what you wanted. It’s really interesting how things turn out. Life is full of surprises, isn’t it?”
I can practically see the gears turning in Raven’s mind, her brow furrowing as she tries to figure out what Annabelle is unsubtly hinting at.
And then, like a bolt of lightning, it hits her. Her eyes widen just a fraction, the realization dawning with a force that makes her inhale sharply.
Her gaze snaps to me, then back to Annabelle, and I don’t miss the flash of shock in her expression. She’s remembering—that thing she’d buried or forgotten—and it’s rising to the surface now, raw and unfiltered. She tries to mask it, but it’s too late. The damage is done. Annabelle knows and I know. But they don’t know that I know.
Annabelle, for her part, remains blissfully oblivious or expertly pretends to be. She steps closer to Raven, her voice dropping slightly as if to convey sincerity.
“That dress—it’s so perfect on you. But that necklace … phew. Gorgeous. Something I’d buy myself, but not really to your taste, is it?” She turns to me, her eyes sparkling with something that feels like a challenge. “Earl you have great taste. Then again … you always did. Even wearing greasy jeans.”
Raven manages a smile, but it’s faint and strained, her lips barely lifting at the corners. “That’s very kind of you,” she murmurs, her voice almost robotic, as if she’s on autopilot.
I watch her closely, taking in every flicker of emotion that crosses her face—the uncertainty, the unease, the unmistakable hurt and the guilt. Unbelievable, but she actually forgot what she did. She’s trying to hold it together now, but I know her too well. She’s unraveling, and for a fleeting moment, I wonder if she’ll admit what she did, or simply pretend it never happened. She stays rooted to the spot, her fingers clutching the edge of her purse like it’s her only lifeline.
Annabelle doesn’t seem to notice—or care. She turns her attention back to me, her smile softening into something more nostalgic.
“It’s really nice to see you again, Earl. Hopefully, we’ll get the chance to truly catch up later tonight.” She glances spitefully at Raven. “I have lots of stories to tell you.”
I tilt my head, meeting her gaze with an expression I hope conveys interest. “Sure, Annabelle. I’m looking forward to it.”
The tension between the three of us is a living thing now, pressing in from all sides. Raven’s silence stretches uncomfortably, and I enjoy every moment of it.
“Well,” Annabelle says finally, her voice light but laced with satisfaction. “I’ll let you two enjoy the rest of your evening. It was lovely catching up.”
She turns and walks away, her gown swishing elegantly around her as she disappears into the crowd. The moment she’s gone, Raven exhales softly, her shoulders dropping as if she’s been holding her breath the entire time.
I don’t say anything to break the silence. She doesn’t either, but the way she looks at me is like she’s searching for answers.
“Something wrong?” I ask, my voice low and deliberately casual.
Her jaw tightens, and she shakes her head, but I can see it in her eyes: everything is wrong. She remembers. Finally, we are getting somewhere. The progress we have made tonight is enough to make the corner of my mouth twitch into something resembling a real smile.