Chapter 16 #2
The conversation never really slowed down.
Stories bounced from one end of the table to the other, followed by laughter that came so naturally it made me realize these people had spent years building memories together.
Kier fit effortlessly into every exchange, finishing stories before someone else could, laughing until he leaned back in his chair, even taking a few playful shots at his stepfather that had everyone joining in.
His mother watched him with quiet pride, smiling more than she spoke.
I mostly listened, picking at another bite of my meal while taking it all in.
Every now and then Kier reached beneath the table to squeeze my hand or rest it against my knee, small reminders that although I wasn’t part of their history, he hadn’t forgotten I was there.
After dinner, we made our way down to the marina where a small tender waited to ferry us across the Hudson.
The city gleamed around us as we skimmed over the dark water.
As the yacht came into view, illuminated against the skyline, I finally understood why everyone had been so excited about the second half of the evening.
Once we got onboard, I had to pause for a second just to take it in.
The deck stretched out wide, polished down to a shine that caught the reflection of the city lights.
Manhattan sat behind us as a perfect backdrop.
The buildings glowed against the night sky, while the water splashed steadily beneath us.
Soft lighting ran along the railings, forming just enough glow to keep everything visible without taking away from the view.
This party was noticeably different. The other parties I attended with Kier had been contained, including only label people. I noticed now that the familiar faces I’d been seeing all summer were present, but so were other new faces.
It was quite overwhelming. Everywhere I turned, servers floated through the crowd with fresh cocktails while conversations overlapped in every direction.
Every few minutes another burst of camera flashes pulled my attention somewhere else, reminding me that this wasn’t just a celebration.
It was networking disguised as a party. Everyone seemed to know someone, and everyone seemed to be watching someone else.
Treasure leaned in close to me, and I watched her eyes scanning everything at once. “This is crazy,” she whispered, barely containing her smile. “Like… this is actually insane.”
Naomi wasn’t as subtle. “I could get used to this,” she said, halfway into her drink. A server passed by and Naomi snagged an appetizer cup from him. “Ooh, I love shrimp and grits!” She beamed.
“Calm down, girl,” I said under my breath, even though I couldn’t help but smile a little. Anybody would be geeked about the luxury of it all. So, I fully understood where excitement stemmed from.
Kier held my hand while we navigated through the crowd.
People stopped him every few steps, giving quick handshakes and nods.
He kept the conversations brief, sticking to small talk.
People either mentioned upcoming albums, inquired about his personal life, or asked if they could put on one of their family members.
It made sense why his dinner was so intimate.
The industry was literally filled with people who wanted to align themselves with you for their gain.
Finally, we found a spot near the center of the deck, not too far from the bar but just removed enough to breathe.
Naomi drifted off almost immediately and was pulled into a conversation with someone who recognized her from earlier.
Treasure stayed close, taking mental notes of everything happening around her.
Since Treasure had been on the scene all summer as well, I’m sure she was scanning the crowd for her next big story.
Kier leaned in, saying something low that got lost between the music and the noise, and I turned toward him just in time to catch his lips on mine. I smiled, blushing at his public display of affection toward me. But then, that’s when she stepped in.
Maya.
For one she didn’t hesitate when she approached us, and she didn’t acknowledge me beyond a quick glance. As always, her attention stayed on Kier.
“Can I talk to you for a second?” She asked. Her hand brushed his arm like she’d done many times before, instantly pissing me off.
Kier looked at her, but I was unable to read his expression. Then he looked at me briefly. “I’ll be right back,” he said.
Even though something about it didn’t sit right with me, I didn’t say anything.
I couldn’t ask him where he was going, because it wasn’t my business.
He stepped away with her before I could think too much about it.
It was comical. The moment I finally felt comfortable enough to enjoy the scene with him, I was now once again watching him interact with the people he had a life with before me.
A life I was oblivious to. But I was sick of this woman.
Kier could give me the BS about him not giving paparazzi a story, sure, but what was his point in not introducing us?
Treasure smiled, angling her body toward me. “Don’t think too much on it, bestie.”
“I’m fine,” I said, reaching for the drink that had just been set down.
“Good, because I see a cutie over there that I must introduce myself to!”
“Hope it’s not the one I’m looking at,” Naomi stood, following Treasure.
I was fine. Silently, I reiterated that to myself.
I gave it a minute, then two. I tried to stay where I was, and let the moment pass without turning it into something it didn’t need to be.
But I kept looking over in the direction they walked in, and when he didn’t come back, I got up to find him.
Without making it obvious, I eased my way through the crowd, past clusters of people and conversations that blurred together the farther I got from the main deck.
The music faded as I stepped toward the side, where it was quieter and more private.
I slowed when I heard voices. Instead of stepping all the way in, I paused just enough to see the two of them.
Maya stood close, closer than necessary.
Kier’s posture was entirely different here.
Maybe less open but more guarded? My mind was painting a picture based on my spiraling thoughts.
Even though I saw them with my own eyes, I didn’t really know what I was seeing.
“…you really doing this right now?” She asked.
“Maya, not here,” he replied.
“Not here? Why, because of your play thing out there?” She repeated, letting out a short laugh. “If not now, then when?”
“Never. Why is that so hard for you to understand?”
“Kier, please.” She started to cry and pressed her forehead into his chest. He let out a breath, tilting his head back.
That was all I needed to see. I stepped back before either of them could see me.
My heart felt heavier now. I thought following them would give me the answers I needed, but instead, it only confused me more.
Was she crying because she loved him? Did he tilt his head back because he felt like he had to make an impossible decision?
I made my way back through the crowd. And while everything appeared the same, it felt foreign. What the hell was I doing here? I was holding back tears for feelings I couldn’t quite explain.
“Where are you going?” Treasure asked when she saw me walking past her.
“I’m about to head out.”
“Now?”
“Yeah.” I said.
She looked at me for a second, reading more into what I said. “You okay bestie?”
“Yeah girl, stop worrying about me and go party,” I replied. “I’ll text you.”
Naomi caught the tail end of it, turning toward me. “You leaving now?”
“Yes sis, I’ll text y’all tomorrow!” I said, refusing to slow down enough to get pulled into anything else.
“But where’s Kier?” I heard Naomi ask behind me, but I didn’t answer.
The crew pointed me toward the side where the tender was loading.
I waited my turn while I gripped my hands, setting them at my lap.
That was the only thing keeping me together at the moment.
The boat pulled away slowly, and I was grateful for the distance it put between me and the yacht.
By the time we reached the dock, my phone was lighting up.
I had no plans on answering it.