20. You And Me

20

You And Me

Teal

My parents’ house is the most ostentatious monstrosity in a five-mile radius. It’s a show of my father’s money and status. They’re the only two things he cares about since Mom had complications giving birth to me, and he lost his chances of having a son to carry on his legacy.

Every new venture is a reminder I’ll never be something he’s proud of.

I pause at the front door, wondering why I agreed to come here tonight. My father refused to speak to me after I showed up at the fundraiser with Declan, so I don’t know why he extended the invite for this gathering. Usually, he prefers it when I avoid his dinner parties because he’s worried I’ll embarrass him in front of his friends .

Maybe he spoke to Dr. Parish and heard my medication has been adjusted, and he thinks I’m in a healthy enough mental space to handle this.

“Boo.”

Two arms wrap around my stomach, warming the cool night, and I jump with surprise as I’m pulled against Declan’s body.

“Jerk.” I swat at him, but he doesn’t let me go.

He dips his mouth by my ear. “Got you that time.”

He did, and I hate surprises. But still, I stop struggling because I’ve been standing outside this door for five minutes frozen, unable to break through the threshold, and somehow, he makes those nerves disappear.

I look up at him. “You got lucky that time.”

“Mm-hmm.” He winks, letting me go.

He looks good tonight, which isn’t out of the ordinary for him, except he’s dressed up more than usual. He’s wearing slacks and a dress shirt but no tie so he can leave the top buttons undone. His sleeves are rolled up, showing off his thick forearms. He’s rich-boy porn, and I hate that I’m susceptible.

Declan twists a strand of my hair around his finger. “You added more pink.”

“I was feeling bright. Why are you here?”

“Your father didn’t tell you?” Declan tucks his hands in his pockets. “Our fathers have decided to play nice tonight.”

“I thought this was a gathering of friends.” I hitch an eyebrow. “But if your father’s here, I guess not. ”

“Deals with the devil usually require his presence.” Declan takes my hand in his. “Wouldn’t want to keep them waiting.”

He rings the doorbell, thawing the ice that trapped me on the doorstep when I first arrived. I have no idea what I’m walking into, but for once, I’m thankful to have Declan at my side so I don’t have to do this alone.

Looking up at Declan, I’m met with a cool expression, and I can’t read his thoughts. His eyes work as he looks straight ahead, his thumb brushing the back of my hand.

He’s acting like an actual boyfriend, not a fake one, and it’s confusing as hell.

“What’s wrong?” he asks, not looking at me.

“Nothing.” I face forward again. “You’re just so presentable tonight. I don’t know what to make of it.”

From the corner of my eye, I see Declan skimming my simple outfit. I’m wearing a black halter top with black jeans. Usually, I’m more colorful than this, but nothing felt right as I dug through my closet, so I tried to choose the dressiest articles of clothing I own.

“I could say the same for you.” Declan squeezes my hand.

My cheeks warm as I bite back a smile. “Thank you.”

I gnaw the inside of my cheek, nervous at his attention.

Thankfully, the front door opens, cutting through the tension. Margarite stands in the doorway, smiling.

“Miss Tealene.”

“Hi, Margarite.” I wave with my free hand when Declan doesn’t let my other one go .

Margarite is the one bright spot when visiting my parents’ house. She gets more credit for raising me than my mother does. She was the one who was there when I had my first panic attack, and she sat with me through every adjusted dose and dark moment growing up. To this day, I don’t know if I’d still be here if it weren’t for her, so I’m thankful she stuck around, especially since raising me was an impossible task.

“Everyone is in the Blue Living Room.” She smiles, stepping aside so we can walk in.

No one should have so much money that they need to name their living rooms to differentiate them. But that’s my father—bleeding others dry so he can drown in more wealth than he’ll have years to spend it.

Declan releases my hand to rest his palm on my lower back as he guides me ahead. I’m sealed to his side, and it’s comforting how he plants a kiss on the top of my head, pausing a moment to breathe me in. I probably smell like paint from spending all day in the studio, but he doesn’t seem to mind.

“Relax.” He rubs my back, guiding me through the house.

His touch—his comfort—releases some of my nerves. But I’m used to fighting him at every turn, so naturally, I talk back.

“Don’t tell me what to do.”

Declan chuckles, ignoring my playful irritation as we enter the living room.

People usually ignore me when I attend these dinners. But the moment I walk into the room with Declan at my side, all eyes are on us. And that includes those of Ian Pierce, who is standing in the center of the room speaking to my father.

Their expressions are tense as they watch us. Ian Pierce’s gaze lands on me with pure disgust before his stare drifts to Declan. If it was Declan’s goal to piss off both our families, he accomplished it.

“He looks furious.” I glance up at Declan, who is smirking.

“Good.”

Glancing around, I watch as people pretend not to stare. They return to their conversations and avoid making direct eye contact. But my spine tingles when I catch gazes with Jase.

Now I know why my parents wanted me here after what happened the other night at the fundraiser. This is one massive setup to get me in a room with my future husband . Which also explains Declan appearing out of thin air to be here with me.

I should know better than to think he’d do anything for my sake. This is a power play driven by his own interests. That’s all he cares about.

Ian breaks away from my father, crossing the room toward his son. The group continues talking, but I don’t miss their eyes darting to him, keeping an eye on the situation.

“Declan,” Ian grits out his son’s name. “A word.”

Declan releases my hand, and I wait for him to disappear. But first, he lifts my chin, tipping my face up and planting a chaste kiss on my lips .

It’s soft and delicate.

Nothing like him.

“I’ll be right back,” he mumbles against my mouth, turning to follow his father.

My cheeks flush with heat while my heart races. Now that my body’s had a hit of him, I can’t deny it’s addicted. No matter how much he pisses me off with his arrogant comments or selfish motives, his touch sets my skin on fire.

Pressing my lips together, I watch his back as he disappears to the side of the room to talk to his father. All around, eyes are on me, and I remind myself the kiss was for the room.

This is a show we’re putting on.

It’s not real.

“I thought I was clear.” My father’s voice is a sharp razor slicing through my thoughts.

Turning, I find him standing directly behind me with my mom on his arm. Her smile is forced, and her eyes dart around the room like they do when she’s nervous.

“Hi, Dad.” I offer a tight smile.

“Don’t try and—” My father cuts himself off when something catches his attention over my shoulder. “Ah, Jase.”

Jase circles to my side, smiling at my father. When his attention moves to me, I don’t know what to make of him.

His family is a lot like mine in that they’re rich, with the lineage of Sigma Sin. I’ve seen Jase a few times in passing on campus, but we’ve never actually spoken. Anything I’ve heard about him or his parents is rumor. But when he smiles wide and reaches for my hand, I don’t trust it’s genuine.

“You must be the beautiful Teal.” He kisses the back of my hand. “Declan has said good things.”

“Declan?” I almost laugh but hold myself back, realizing I should probably pretend it’s believable in front of my father. “Right… that’s very… nice of him.”

Jase’s eyebrows pinch, watching me while he lowers my hand.

“I didn’t know there would be so many people here tonight.” I turn my attention back to my parents, trying to ignore how Jase won’t take his eyes off me.

I’m supposed to marry this man someday, and the most I know about him right now is that his lips on my skin made every bone in my body uneasy.

“Some of our guests were unexpected.” Dad’s tone sharpens. “You didn’t mention Declan would be joining you.”

“It was a last-second thing.” That’s not a lie, considering I didn’t know he’d be here until I stopped at the doorstep.

“I see.” Dad watches Declan and his father over my shoulder, his posture tense. “Well, the Ivans family will be joining us for our annual hunting trip next week. It will give you and Jase some time to get to know each other a little better without distractions.”

“I’ve never been on one of those trips.” And I don’t like that he’s still trying to set me up when I’ve done everything I can to make it clear I’m dating Declan.

“You’ll go this year.”

“I’m not— ”

“We’ll see you there, Teal.” Dad releases my mom’s arm so he can move closer where no one can hear him whispering. “Don’t forget who is funding your summer in Paris. Or who is keeping you out of Montgomery, even when you’re not feeling well . You will be on the hunting trip. It’s not a question.”

“Did someone say hunting?” Ian Pierce comes up beside my father, clapping him on the shoulder.

Declan is at his father’s side, and if it’s possible, his gaze is even colder when he sees Jase standing next to me.

My father takes a step back, and Declan steals my hand, pulling me to his side.

“Jase.” He nods at him.

“Hey, Dec.” Jase takes a step back. “I’ll see you at the house later.”

Jase disappears like a good little soldier, following Declan’s silent order. But even with him gone, Declan doesn’t lose any of the tension that radiates off him.

“It’s a family tradition.” My father tries to brush Ian off. “The Donovan family hunting trip.”

“With the Ivans,” Ian points out, not letting it go. “From what I’ve heard, the Evans and a few others will also be there. Sounds like a great opportunity to discuss business.”

“I—”

“Maybe even the Portland Project,” Ian cuts my father off, finally catching his attention.

My father’s eyebrows furrow. “I thought you already signed your investors for the Portland Project, so it was off the table.”

“It was.” Ian shrugs, lifting his whiskey glass to his lips. “But in the spirit of our children’s example, I thought maybe it was time to make considerations.”

My father takes a sip of his drink, clearly skeptical but smart enough to play into it. “I agree. Why don’t you join us at Rochester Lake, and we’ll talk more?”

“We’d love to.” Ian grins.

Wonderful .

As if hunting animals isn’t bad enough, now we have the risk of them hunting each other if this goes bad.

I look up at Declan, and he doesn’t appear any happier about it than I am. His gaze is fixed on his father, and whatever they talked about seems to have irritated him. Declan and his father might never be a shining example of a loving father and son, but right now, the chill coming off them is ice-cold.

“Let’s get you another drink,” my father offers when Ian reaches the bottom of his glass.

“I’d love one.” Ian glances at Declan over his shoulder as they walk away, sending him what can only be a silent warning.

“Your dad seems awfully charitable tonight.” I raise an eyebrow.

“He’s never charitable.”

“What does he want then?”

Declan straightens his spine, snapping out of whatever had his attention when he looks at me. “It’s nothing.”

“You don’t need to lie to me.” I pull away from him, irritated that he’s trying to brush me off.

“I’m not, just drop it. Who cares anyway, it’s business. ”

“For them,” I snap, realizing it came out louder than I meant for it to, and eyes are already on me. “Whatever, Declan, don’t tell me anything then. I’m used to it. Use me all you want, but God forbid I be kept in the loop about it.”

“Teal—”

“It’s fine.” I pull back when he reaches for my arm. “I’m getting some air.”

The walls are closing in, and people are staring. Their eyes fill with fake concern when they won’t actually do anything to help. They’ll watch. They’ll whisper.

They’ll use me up until I’m left with less and less.

Until I’m nothing.

Turning, I push through a group of people, accidentally knocking a champagne glass in a woman’s hand.

“Watch it,” she snaps, brushing her hand down her now wet dress.

“Sorry.”

I am. Not that it does me any good. But I’m sorry for it all—being here, trying, thinking that I’d make a point to my father and he’d actually care for once.

“Teal, wait.” Declan follows me, trying to catch my hand as I push through the glass doors that lead to the garden.

“Just give me a minute,” I say, not that he’s going to let me.

He follows me out into the garden and shuts the glass doors behind us.

“Fuck.” I dig my nails into my scalp, and I know it’s probably loud enough that the people standing right inside hear, but I don’t care .

What was I thinking when I came here tonight?

That my father would take me seriously? That I could change his mind?

“Teal.” Declan grabs my arm, turning me to face him.

“Don’t.” I pound my fist on his chest, but he doesn’t let me push him away.

He pulls me to him, crashing our bodies together. One arm wraps around my waist, holding me to him, while the other hand rests on the back of my hair, sealing my ear to his chest.

“It’s fine.” I grip his shirt, listening to his heartbeat as anxiety rattles around inside me. “I’m fine.”

Declan rests his chin on the top of my head, taking a deep breath. “Stop lying. It’s just you and me out here.”

He rubs my back, and I close my eyes, sinking into his hold. Wishing with all my heart that this could be the peace I’ve been looking for when I know it can’t.

“It’s just you and me,” he whispers.