Chapter 8
Percy
I think I should go with you next time.
Tate
Agreed. You need a chaperone, Asher.
Nick
Nah. If anyone can handle his own shit, it’s Asher.
Thanks, man.
Ty
So let me get this straight.
Percy
You’re the only straight thing in this chat, Ty.
Nick
Dude?
Percy
Oh right. Sorry, Nick. Still, y’all are outnumbered!
Ty
Ha … You know what I meant.
Jack
Then get on with it.
Please. Enlighten us with Ty’s version of things.
Ty
Wow. I really need more straight friends. You guys are mean.
Nick
Start our own chat?
Percy
That chat would be so boring.
Ty
Fuck. He’s probably right.
Shut up and say it.
Wren
Kinda proving Ty’s point about being mean, Asher.
Ty
Anyway. Asher catfished a dude, kissed the dude, freaked the dude out, now is stalking him at these ultra-rich events, and no one has called the cops on him?
It was one event, and could I really get arrested for that?
Jack
Doubt it. What was your crime? Staring at a hot guy?
Cal
I think we’re all guilty of that.
Percy
So guilty.
Wren
Guilty.
Ty
Guilty.
Wait, what?
Not touching that, but yeah, I guess I’m guilty too.
And I’m not stalking him. I really just want to make sure he’s okay. Like, I didn’t want to damage him. Besides, I should try once more to convince him how sorry I am.
Michael/Jamie
Sure we’ll go with you “convincing” him and not weirding him out even more.
I, uh, appreciate your honesty?
Jack
Are you going to talk to him this time, or just stare from afar?
Beginning to think Ty’s right. Thanks for the support, assholes.
Good intentions never seemed to last nearly long enough. When I should’ve just left it alone, moved on, I weighed a new chance to see Luke, to apologize before catching him like a deer in headlights against, well, not seeing him, and figured I might as well try.
Another bad idea? I didn’t think so. This next event only required a suit, which I had.
With better-fitting clothes, Savannah styling my hair, I was much more confident when I strolled into the conference center with my cousin on one arm and Percy on the other.
Yes, the little nag had wormed an invite out of me.
“Wow, this is so pretty,” Percy said as he stared, mouth hanging open.
“Creative Style knows how to throw a party,” Savannah said.
The room was draped in fall themes. Gold, deep red, orange, brown, and dark green sparkled from all corners and across tables. Flowers and fruits in the same colors decorated centerpieces and hung from lamps. Twinkle lights softened the room, and hints of citrus and cinnamon filled the air.
“I kinda love this place,” I muttered.
“So where is this guy?” Percy asked.
“Well, he didn’t greet us at the door, so I dunno.”
Percy smirked. “Then let’s circulate. Make sure he sees you.”
“I’m sure he will.”
“You boys go ahead.” Savannah released my arm and made a shooing motion. “I need to check in with the coordinator before I’m off duty.”
“Let’s get food. It gives people purpose.”
Percy led me to the tables while I scanned the room. This place was as crowded as the others, but for some reason, everyone seemed in a better mood. Maybe it was the warm atmosphere. The holidays were right around the corner, and they cheered most people.
We filled small plates with candied fruit slices and pumpkin-shaped pastries. Percy was right. Holding something gave us just cause. As if the tables checked our invites, and we were now supposed to be here.
Having Percy at my side also gave me confidence. I wasn’t the oddball out this time.
We mingled. A few times, I had to rescue Percy from being stepped on.
I wasn’t as small as him, but I’d had plenty of practice looking out for younger siblings and cousins.
Percy was only seventeen and not much taller than five feet.
He looked like a kid too, which everyone noticed. Everyone except Percy.
Savannah made a turn around the room with us, then excused herself again. The last time, so she said. This event was a sponsorship or donations from companies supporting smaller businesses. Far fewer women were here, but unfortunately, Luke’s momma was.
I’d never forget her face or insincere smile.
“Who is that?” Percy asked.
Apparently, I was horrible at stalking in secret. “That’s his mother. She’s a right piece of work.”
“Then he must be here.” Percy checked left and right as if he’d be able to find Luke among the guests. “What’s he look like?”
“Hot.”
“Well, that narrows it dowww—ow.” Percy stumbled as someone backed into him. His plate was jostled, and though he maintained his hold, the food fell to the floor. “Oh, man. I wanted those.”
I chuckled as I steadied him. “Are you okay?”
“Yeah.” He dropped his chin. “My food is not.”
“We’ll get you more.” I glanced at the man who had yet to turn around and acknowledge his blunder. “Excuse me,” I said to him. He didn’t move, just kept talking to whoever. I tapped his shoulder. “Excuse me, sir.”
Finally, he turned, and fuck my life, because apparently, fate had me on a crash course with the Dorset family. The man, who glared down his perfect nose, was the spitting image of Luke, just an older version. I dropped my jaw and gaped before I could recover my wits.
He held his crystal glass in front of my face. “I’m all good. I don’t need a refresh.”
Slapped with reality, I shook my head and reared back. “I don’t fuckin’ work here.”
The man blinked, then glanced at his companions, who had taken notice before he took a deep breath and straightened his shoulders. “If you’re aiming for a donation, you’ve got a helluva way of introducing yourself.”
As tall as Luke, he had a few inches on me in my dress shoes, but I was ready to buck up, maybe even pick a fight.
I’d been in a whirlwind of emotions for a few weeks, and this prick had just given me a focus, an outlet.
However, a shaking hand twisted in the back of my jacket, reminding me I wasn’t alone.
I didn’t know Percy’s full story, not like Tate did, maybe even Dorian too, but he didn’t like being around hostile men. He could be a brat given the right setting, and we loved him for it, but other times, he withdrew. Letting out my steam wasn’t as important as watching out for him.
Ignoring the insults the man had aimed at me, I said, “You bumped into my friend.” I nodded toward Percy, who half hid behind me. “Made him drop his food, Mr. Dorset.”
He narrowed his eyes, then glanced at Percy, then to the floor, before glaring harder at me. “Have we met?”
“Absolutely not, but I met your wife.”
The man’s jaw ticked, and then he swallowed and lifted his chin. “I don’t have much sway over my wife’s philanthropic efforts. What do you want from me?”
This guy … “I’m not here for charity. I want you to apologize.”
He glanced at Percy again. I opened my mouth, ready to tell the man not to look at him, to look at me, but just then, Luke appeared out of nowhere.
I half shuffled back a step, Percy moving with me with a tiny gasp. All eyes in the immediate area were on us, and I had to force mine off Luke. This was not how I wanted to see him again, going toe-to-toe with his daddy.
“Apologize?” Mr. Dorset boomed. “The child should watch where he’s going. Do they not teach your kind manners any longer?”
“Father? What’s going on?” Luke asked, casting me a weary gaze.
“This young man interrupted his betters about some apology he requires.”
“Betters? Who the fuck talks like that?” I interjected. All hope was lost with Luke anyway, but even had it not, no one was going to insult me or my friends over some perceived social standing.
“Father—”
“You think because your ancestors got lucky and passed down their wealth, you’ve got a right to snub those around you? Those who work every bit as hard, if not harder, than you do?”
Luke blinked, lifting his brows as his daddy huffed and mumbled, but I wasn’t done.
“And you’re the one making donations to help small businesses, people struggling to support their communities? Their families? Do you even care about this cause, or do you just show up to sign a check for the tax break?”
I paused for an answer, but Mr. Dorset didn’t have one.
“Pfft. And you say ‘my kind’ has no manners? What kind is that, exactly?” We’d gathered a small crowd, and I glanced at each person. “I’m sure we’d all like to hear it.”
In suits, I couldn’t say who was donating or benefiting at this thing, but they waited, all eyes on Mr. Dorset.
The man had gone red in the face while Luke’s had gone white. Even still, one corner of Luke’s mouth twitched.
I lowered my voice. “Yeah, backed yourself in a corner, huh? Go on. Tell me and all those watching your every move who my kind are.”
The standoff probably wasn’t long, but I’d swear it was long enough for the beads of sweat to take the scenic route down my back.
Mr. Dorset nodded once with a tight grin. “I’m sorry,” he said to a frozen Percy.
Those around remained silent, and then he clapped Percy on the shoulder.
“Be sure to get another plate. Those tiny bundt cakes are very tasty.” Mr. Dorset cleared his throat and glanced around his social circle.
“The young man is nearly invisible.” They laughed at his faked good humor. “My mistake.”
The group of older men chuckled softly and turned with Mr. Dorset to resume their conversation. All was forgiven in their eyes. Mr. Dorset was the hero or some shit. At least he’d apologized. Too bad I couldn’t make him be sincere about it.
As others resumed their own socializing, I was left standing with Percy beside me and Luke across from us. He wasn’t close enough to be seen as “with” us, but he stared at me longer than necessary before turning away.
“If that wasn’t him, then it should be.” Percy grabbed my wrist. “Tell me that was him. Lie to me, if needs be.”
I snorted and turned us to head toward the food. “Why does that have to be him?”
“Are you serious? That man practically fell to his knees for you.”
“Your imagination …” I snickered.
“Not this time.” We stopped at the pastry display, and Percy propped a hip against the table while I filled another plate for him. “While you were glarin’ down Papa Bear, I checked out the man who came flying in, more concerned with you than anything else.”
“Liar.”
“I would never. He looked at you—no, he drank you in, Asher.”
I glanced over my shoulder and locked eyes with Luke across the room. As if I’d known where he’d be when I couldn’t have possibly. His expression gave away nothing, and after a long few seconds, he blinked and turned.
“Yeah, that was him,” I said.
“Called it.” Percy took the plate I offered him. “And I’m callin’ it now: that man is not done with you. I’ve got a sixth sense about these things.”
“You do not.”
“I so do. I’ll have you know I’d figured out Tate and Wren the first day I laid eyes on the two of them together.”
Could he be right? Had Luke been concerned for me squaring off against his daddy? Or just worried in general?