CHAPTER ELEVEN
Blue
The front door to the über-mansion Garrick grew up in swings open before we’ve stepped all the way onto a porch so wide and expansive it can only be called a veranda.
To my surprise, it’s not a butler who opens the door, but a man who looks a lot like Garrick. He’s a little broader and a little older, and his smile is warm and open. It’s like seeing a fun-loving, relaxed version of the life-sized pain in the ass I’ve been dealing with for almost a year in Yuletide.
Barry runs at the man and he bends to catch her, rubbing her furry head with a good-natured laugh. “Hey, there, sweetheart.”
Two other dogs appear, Great Danes from the look of them, and Barry forgets all about the man petting her to run off with them.
“They’ll take her out to the backyard,” the man says to Garrick.
“I know the drill,” Garrick says.
The man turns to me. “I don’t know how he convinced you to go out with him. But I’m sure glad to meet you.”
Garrick winces. “Hudson. Chill, dude.”
Hudson grins at his brother. “Naw. I’m good.” He offers me his hand. “Hudson Riverton. Welcome to the estate.”
I take his hand. “Blue Porter. It’s very nice to meet you.”
“Around here, family hugs.” Hudson opens his arms wide and gestures me toward him with his fingers. “You okay with a hug?”
“Sure.” I am not from a family of huggers, I am not myself a hugger, but when in Rome and all that.
Hudson pulls me into a quick bear hug before letting me go and grabbing his brother. He hugs Garrick so tight he lifts him off the ground. “Hey little brother. Glad you pulled your head out of your ass and decided to show up.”
Two more men appear in the doorway. “I knew Hudson would keep her out in the cold,” the taller of the two says. He’s got light hair and even lighter blue eyes. He’s taller and leaner than Hudson and Garrick, and his smile is warier. “Come on in. I’m Theo Riverton.”
I step inside. “Blue Porter. Garrick’s girlfriend.”
“Oh, girlfriend,” the other man says. His hair is pitch black. Both of his ears are pierced, and he has a stud in his lip. He’s shorter than Theo, and the sleeveless hoodie he’s wearing shows off sharply defined muscles. “Garrick just said he was bringing a date. Girlfriend is serious.”
“Not that serious.” I hope it’s the right answer. I should have asked Garrick more about our fake relationship, but I got distracted.
Garrick wraps an arm around my shoulders, pulling me deeper into the house. “We’re serious enough that if you try to steal her away, Mav, I will kick your ass,” Garrick says.
Mav hoots. “Don’t threaten me with a good time, brother. It’s been too long since I’ve tested my skills against you.”
Mav offers me his hand. “Maverick Riverton. How’d you get a name like Blue?”
“It’s a family name,” I lie. It’s the only correct answer among wealthy people who don’t understand silly mothers who care more about a good time and attracting the right man than they do about propriety. “Where’d Maverick come from?”
He grins. “Mom said I shot out of her like I was looking for trouble. Maverick just fit.”
Okay. So maybe they’re not the typical rich people.
“That is not at all how I put it.” An elegant woman dressed in wool slacks and a fitted angora sweater, her blonde hair gleaming in the light of the chandelier overhead, smiles serenely as she sashays over to me. She sticks out her hand. “Miranda Riverton. You must be the reason my son’s been refusing to come home.”
“Mother,” Garrick says in a warning tone.
“I highly doubt that,” I say. “Until about a month ago, he was doing everything in his power to drive me out of town.” I’m improvising to keep from taking the blame, but also because her suggestion belittles the importance of Garrick’s business.
Miranda’s brows rise just enough to make it clear the older woman isn’t using Botox. Her beautiful, nearly wrinkle-free skin results from good genes or expensive treatments. Probably both. “That sounds like a story I’d like to hear.”
She turns and walks away, and I let out a breath of relief before she looks back over her shoulder. “Come along, dear. I’ll introduce you around.”
Garrick walks toward her with me, but she narrows her eyes at him. “Your father would like to speak to you. He’s in his study.”
“I’m not leaving Blue alone,” Garrick says.
I wrap an arm around his waist to keep him close.
“I promise I’ll be nice. Maisey’s dying to meet her.”
Garrick sighs and looks down at me. He doesn’t have to ask. I see the question in his eyes.
I let go of his waist and slip out from under his arm. “I’ll see you soon.” I put a firm emphasis on soon to let him know not to spend too much time with his father. Part of the deal is that I won’t leave him alone, but I don’t know how to do that without causing a scene.
Garrick looks absolutely devastated to be letting me go. What kind of monster is his father?
His mother loops an arm through mine. “We won’t keep you apart for too long. Don’t worry.”
“He’s just worried I’m going to steal this girlfriend like I did the last one,” Maverick says.
“Tilda only went out with you because we’d already broken up.” Garrick’s already walking toward a door on the far end of the entrance hall.
“Keep telling yourself that,” Mav says. “We all know who the most desirable Riverton is.”
Hudson threatens to take that bet, suggesting a competition to see who can get the most numbers at the bar tonight. I don’t hear the rest because Miranda drags me out of the foyer and down a long, dark hall.