Chapter 10 #2
She uncorks a bottle of Dom Perignon, fills four flutes, and places one in front of each of us.
She then positions a bottle of Crown Royal XR in the centre of the table with neatly aligned glasses.
An ice bucket sits beside the table to keep the champagne chilled and holds pop for mixed drinks.
“Congratulations on your grand opening, Mr. Sinclair. I hope everyone has an enjoyable evening.”
“You didn’t tell me you were coming here tonight,” Ryan murmurs as Vaughan pours another three fingers of whiskey into his glass and slides it towards him.
Rolling my eyes, I say, “No, probably because you were miserable and barely said five words to me when you drove me to work this morning.”
He picked me up for the last time promptly at eight a.m. While I happily chatted away about the latest episode of the Canadian True Crime podcast that I am currently listening to, he responded with mm-hmms and grunts of acknowledgement.
His usual charming early-morning self. He didn’t even suggest we stop at Maggie’s for coffee.
It’s not like he asked me what I had planned for the weekend.
In all fairness, I didn’t ask him either.
Turning back to Vaughan, I ask, “So, how did you say you know Ryan?” Bubbles from the champagne tickle my nose as I take the first sip. This isn’t my first choice of alcohol—I’d prefer a margarita or a cold beer—but I’m a guest and beggars can’t be choosers.
“He didn’t,” Ryan grumbles. His strong thigh brushes against mine as he leans farther back into his seat.
“Oh, we go way back. We attended the same boarding school from what was it, fourth grade?” Vaughan looks to Ryan for confirmation.
“Yeah,” Ryan agrees, running his palm across his jaw and chin.
“Boarding school? I didn’t know you went to boarding school,” I say to Ryan, who is staring into his glass. “Tell us about that. You were a straight-A student, weren’t you? Were you there through high school? Was it co-ed?” I ask in rapid-fire. I can’t imagine Ryan as a teenager.
“Until grade twelve graduation, but he was no straight-A student. Sometimes I’m surprised that either of us graduated high school at all.” Vaughan snickers, answering for him. “The school was co-ed, but not the dorms, unfortunately. It didn’t stop us though, did it, buddy?”
“Really?” I can’t imagine him breaking rules. Turning my head to look at Ryan, I watch his jaw clench as he stares silently into his glass of amber liquid.
“Don’t let him fool you.” Vaughan chuckles, taking a generous sip of champagne. “He knows how to have a good time. He hasn’t always been this strait-laced.”
“Vaughan,” Ryan growls out a warning as his thumb taps out a steady rhythm on the side of his tumbler.
Ignoring him, Vaughan continues with his story.
“Do you remember when you broke into Dan’s cottage and threw a party while he and his family were out of the country?
” Looking back and forth between April and me, he continues, “He sent the fucker pictures of us drinking his father’s alcohol and getting high in his hot tub.
The house got totally trashed. I can’t even guess how many people showed up. ”
“Jesus, how much trouble did you get into?” I ask in disbelief. “Did they press charges?”
“Nah, by the time that happened, our parents were used to cleaning up our messes. His dad took care of it.”
“For real? I’m having a hard time wrapping my mind around this.”
“Oh, I could tell you lots of stories from our wilder days.”
“Please don’t,” Ryan mutters, pinching the bridge of his nose.
“Do you remember the time you stole your dad’s car?” He laughs with his head thrown back. “That was epic.”
“Vaughan, can you not?” Ryan pleads, running a hand through his hair.
“No, I want to hear,” April insists, then giggles. “I can’t believe you were bad boys.”
That’s all the encouragement Vaughan needs to continue.
“Ryan’s parents were at some charity event when he stole one of his dad’s cars right out of the garage and went for a joyride.
How old were you? Sixteen?” He doesn’t wait for an answer before continuing.
“I guess it doesn’t really matter how old he was; he didn’t have his license yet.
When his parents got home, they reported the car missing.
The police eventually caught up with him, and he led them on a high-speed chase down country back roads.
To escape, he turned off the lights and ditched the car in a farmer’s field.
Did your old man ever find out it was you? ”
“I don’t remember. Probably.” He sighs loudly.
“You were such a shit disturber.” Vaughan shakes his head. “One of our best adventures was that time you, Lily, and I…”
“Enough, Vaughan,” Ryan shouts, slamming his fist down on the table, hard enough to make the glasses rattle. His chest heaves with every breath.
April’s eyes widen in surprise as Vaughan raises his hands. “I’m so sorry; I didn’t think. I was just having fun.”
Ryan lifts his glass of whiskey and throws the entire contents back while holding eye contact with his friend. “No more. I’d like to leave the past where it belongs.”
A wordless conversation passes between them.
I’m not sure what’s happening, but I can feel tension radiating off Ryan’s body.
Never have I ever seen him lose his temper.
Even when I purposely annoy him, he has never raised his voice at me.
I feel an overwhelming need to help defuse the situation before it escalates any further.
“Oh, I love this song,” I say, leaning into him farther. “Dance with me, Pretty Boy?”
“You know I don’t dance,” his voice rumbles as he runs a finger around the rim of his empty glass.
“I’m well aware, but I think you’ll make an exception tonight. Please.”
Searching my eyes, he slowly nods, agreeing to my request. Sliding out of the booth, I take his hand and lead him onto the crowded dance floor as the chorus to a popular ’80s rock ballad plays. If I didn’t know any different, I would swear it was the original artist singing on stage.
I loop my arms around his neck, and he hesitates for a moment before taking my hips in his large hands and pulling me closer.
“Look at us dancing. It only took me five years, but here we are,” I tease, trying to lighten the mood a little. I wonder if he remembers that night at Bob’s the way I do.
His chest rises in a huff, but he doesn’t take my bait.
“Are you okay?” I ask softly, close to his ear.
Sighing, he says, “Don’t pay too much attention to Vaughan. He likes to embellish the truth.”
“I don’t know about that,” I say, breathing him in. The bergamot in his cologne mixed with the sweet smell of the whiskey on his breath is heady.
“I’m fine.” We sway back and forth, listening to the music before he says, “We grew up together. From grades four through twelve, we were roommates at boarding school, and every summer we lived at our families’ cottages on the same lake.
We were inseparable. Sometimes when we get together and have had a few drinks, he gets lost in the past. I can’t do it tonight—some memories need to remain memories. I’m sorry I shouted.”
“Are you sure that’s all it is?” When he doesn’t answer, I ask, “Who is Lily?”
Pulling me closer, he leans the side of his head against mine. “She was my…girlfriend. It was a long time ago. I don’t want to talk about her, okay?”
“Okay,” I agree. “Hey, Ryan, did you know Vaughan and April were seeing each other?”
I’m not mad at her for not telling me Ryan would be here tonight, but I don’t like the idea of her playing matchmaker and trying to force us together either. I made it very clear to her two days ago that he’s not into me. He was just being kind and helping me out.
“No, but I’m not surprised. Ever since his divorce a few years ago, the women he dates have gotten younger and younger. He’s becoming a walking cliché.”
“April said his son introduced them.”
I feel his laughter vibrate through my chest, and he slides his hands farther around me. “Jesus, the plot thickens.”
“Well, I am completely scandalized.” I chuckle into his shirt.
“No, you’re not. You don’t fool me,” he scoffs. “It would take a lot more than that to scandalize you.”
We continue dancing silently through the next slow song, enjoying the music. My body shivers as his fingers graze the soft skin between my top and jeans.
When the music changes to something faster and even more people crowd onto the dance floor, I ask him if he wants to go back to the table for a drink. As much as I am enjoying being held in his strong arms and drowning in his scent, I know it’s dangerous and I need to create some distance.
This time it’s Ryan who takes my hand and leads me back to the table. We pass April and Vaughan dancing together, lost in their own private bubble.
Once we take our seats, Ryan pours us both generous servings of whiskey neat.
“You normally nurse one drink all night when we all go out to Bob’s,” I note. “What’s different about tonight?”
“Have you been watching me, Beck?” He smirks as he teases.
“I have eyes.”
Lifting one shoulder, he takes a drink. “I’m not a big drinker. Normally I volunteer to drive everyone home, but tonight, I just need to make it across the parking lot. I can have a couple.”