Chapter 4 #2
Happy Elijah was the one who drew me in, the one I craved. The one I loved.
A familiar heaviness settling in my gut, and if he played his cards right, I’d be helping him take that tux off later.
I approached him and laced my arm through his. “Hi.”
“Oh, Cadence. I didn’t know you’d arrived.” He kissed the top of my head before leaning back and giving my attire a once over. “That’s the dress my mom picked for you?”
“Actually, Liam chose this one for me. Isn’t it gorgeous?”
“It’s a little over the top, don’t you think? There is nothing left to the imagination, it’s like a second skin on you.”
I froze, his words tiny knives piercing the confidence I’d gathered and causing it to crack. “I didn’t think so.”
“Hmm.” He looked me up and down again. “Looks like you are asking for the wrong kind of attention.”
My mouth hung open, completely stunned. Heat gathered in my cheeks as embarrassment tore through me at his insinuation. How could he even say that?
Besides the fact that Liam Knight (who was a highly reputable designer and one of my best friends) designed it, the dress covered me completely. Nothing indecent showed.
“I… I’m sorry you feel that way.”
“It’s fine. It’s too late for you to change.” He tipped his head back and swallowed the rest of the brown liquid in his glass. “I’m going to get another drink.”
“I think you look great, Cadence.” Elijah’s dad’s gaze ran up and down my body, and my skin prickled with unease.
“Uh. Thanks.” I cleared my throat. “I’m going to get a drink, too.”
“Let me help you.” He grabbed for my arm, but I stepped out of his reach.
“It’s okay. I’ll be fine.”
I turned and walked away as fast as my heels would allow me, without drawing too much attention.
I hugged myself, now uncomfortable and self-conscious in my skin. How would I handle the entire night knowing Elijah already disapproved of me? The thought brought tears to my eyes.
He hurt me. Mortified me.
I only wanted to make Elijah happy, to see him smile, and to be proud to have me on his arm.
But then you’d be a pretty bird in a gilded cage. Growing further away from who you really are.
After getting myself a vodka cranberry, I searched for a corner to hide in and lick my wounds.
I found an exquisite balcony overlooking the ocean and took a deep breath, inhaling the scent of the salty sea. The sun was still high on the horizon, and its beams danced along my arms.
The breeze was welcome against my warmed skin as I leaned against the railing, staring into the water and watching the waves roll in. It was comforting, standing there surrounded by the quiet.
When someone came up beside me, I tensed.
I didn’t have any friends here. Out of the corner of my eye, I glimpsed salt and pepper hair with the matching goatee of an older man.
He wore an expensive looking tuxedo, par for the course of this type of event, and stood too close to me.
Close enough I could smell the cologne he’d spritzed before arriving.
“What’s a pretty little thing like you doing out here all by yourself?” he asked.
I stepped away. “I’m not alone. I’m waiting for my husband Elijah to return with my drink.”
“Hmm. I see a full glass and no ring.”
“My wedding ring is at the shop getting a bigger diamond put in.” I hoped to sound as arrogant and pompous as the other women who attended these things. “As for my drink.” I put the glass to my lips and tilted my head back, draining it. “It’s empty.”
Desire flashed in his gaze as he watched me, and leaned forward. “Well, sweetheart, a ring never stopped me before. I’m not afraid of a husband. You look like you’re worth the risk.”
I took another step back and another before I ran into a solid body. I turned, terrified I’d run into another creepy old man ready to proposition me. Instead, relief washed over me, weakening my knees.
“Elijah, thank God,” I whispered. I clung to him, wanting this nightmarish exchange to end so I could forget about it.
“Can I help you, sir?” Elijah’s eyes darkened as he pushed out his chest.
The man smiled. “I was just having a conversation with this lady here. Nothing to worry about.”
“Except this lady is my girlfriend. Not someone you can take home tonight.”
“Girlfriend?”
The man’s gaze flicked to mine as he smirked. Elijah stiffened next to me. Probably assuming I told that perv I was single. “I said I was married. To you.”
I must have earned brownie points for that answer, because Elijah wrapped a protective arm around my shoulder.
“I think it’s time you leave. In fact, if I see you approach her again this evening, I’ll make sure you can never show your face in Charleston again.
Understand?” Elijah’s words were light, but the threatening tone behind them was unmistakable.
He seethed with an anger that radiated from his body.
But that anger was my protection, and I welcomed it. “Let’s go.”
I let Elijah pull me through the glass doors of the balcony and into the gala. He said nothing as he walked toward the dining room and found our seats.
“I told you that dress was asking for unwanted attention,” he whispered as soon as we sat, his words harsh in my ear.
“I didn’t ask for that to happen. I was minding my own business until he came up.”
All I’d wanted was to ground myself. To reach inside and find the Cadence who’d walked into this gala. The one who didn’t give a shit about what other people thought about her.
“You shouldn’t leave my side for the rest of the night. You’re a walking target.”
I huffed, crossing my arms like a scolded child. I wasn’t even surprised he thought it was somehow my fault. As if I’d told that man to hit on me and I’d pretended to be grossed out, all for a good laugh.
When the food service began, I barely touched my meal. I had completely lost my appetite.
Elijah leaned over once he noticed me pushing my food around my plate. “Why aren’t you eating?”
“Trying to keep my figure, of course.”
“Can’t you be serious for one night?”
I jutted out my chin. “I’m not hungry.”
Elijah’s gaze dropped to my plate of food before returning to my face. “Try to eat what you can. You need to eat something.”
I didn’t respond. Instead, I picked up a piece of the chicken I’d cut and popped it into my mouth. “Happy?”
The corner of his mouth lifted. “Yes. Thank you.”
When Elijah turned his attention back to his own plate, I set my fork down. I had no intention of eating anymore. The stares from the other guests bore into me, like tiny little spiders crawling all over my skin. Somehow, I’d turned into ‘that girl’.
‘Did you see that girl with Elijah Powell?’
‘I heard she was hitting on Jack Turner on the balcony.’
‘Well, look at how she dressed tonight.’
‘Did you see that low back?’
I wanted to crawl under the table and hide.
The worst part was that none of the Powell family came to my aid.
They treated me like an outcast and left me to burn at the stake.
Elijah included. He was the one person I was supposed to count on, come hell or high water.
If they had welcomed me back and acted as if nothing was amiss, it would shut the gossips up.
But they didn’t. They never would.
I turned my head, looking over my shoulder and found Mr. Trevino’s heated gaze on me. His brow creased, and he didn’t acknowledge I had caught him looking. He just continued to stare at me.
Great. Now this little tale was going to follow me to work.
My phone buzzed in the clutch I kept in my lap. I pulled it out, keeping it under the table so I broke no more societal rules and found myself crucified again.
Jade
Are you sure you can’t make it out tonight? I might need you.
Worry shot through me.
Are you okay? What’s wrong???
I might be drinking too much…
Geez.
Is that all? Call an Uber.
You haven’t even been there that long! How are you that drunk already?
I’d much rather have my sister pick me up.
I’m not that drunk, yet.
I’m just planning for the future. See, responsible.
I lifted my gaze. Everyone at the table was absorbed in their own intriguing conversations. Even Elijah. They all had someone to talk to, except me. I was utterly alone, an outsider, completely isolated behind some invisible barrier I’d never be able to cross.
I swallowed, trying to push away the pain embedding itself deep in my bones.
I’ll see what I can do.
Yay!!!
But no promises, and I’m not coming inside the bar. I’m super overdressed.
I left my clothes at the salon.
Ehhhh, who caressssss. I’m sure you look FABULOUSSSSSSSSS!
Yep. She was definitely drunk, despite her saying otherwise. She included a few emojis and GIFs, and I stifled a laugh.
I’ll text you when I’m on my way.
Don’t do anything I wouldn’t do with any certain band members.
Yeah. Okay. ;)
I slipped my phone back into my clutch as some of the anxiety I’d been carrying left me. Every time I found myself at a Rebel Rebellion show, I was able to see more pieces of myself. Maybe, just maybe, I could find some of that belonging once again.
I didn’t need these snooty people to think I fit into their perfect superficial world.
I had my own people who saw my worth.
Looking at Elijah, I watched as he spoke animatedly with the gentleman who sat beside him. He was so handsome, and it was strikingly obvious that he fit into this world.
What would happen when he realized I didn’t?