Chapter 17

CHAPTER 17

RYLEE

I could feel the tension hanging in the air like a storm waiting to break. This was supposed to be a birthday party for a ten-year-old, for crying out loud. This was the weirdest birthday party I had ever been to. The vibe was way off. People were pretending to be having a good time, but it was clear there was some serious tension.

Sandra had been pulled away, leaving me at the table by myself. Simon was talking to his friend Lenny, who seemed to be the only person actually happy to see him besides his mother. I got up, carrying the empty plate to the trash. I straightened my blouse, feeling oddly self-conscious under the gazes of the adults around me. But it didn't take long to realize that their stares had nothing to do with me or my clothes.

It had to do with Simon. They were treating him like he had some horrific contagious disease. They stared at him like he was an extinct animal making a comeback. People were whispering behind his back, watching his every move. It was super weird and unsettling. I casually watched him as well, trying to understand what the deal was. Yeah, Simon was gorgeous, but I wasn't related to him. I could say that.

Suddenly, Connor, the birthday boy, rushed over to Simon with all the enthusiasm only a ten-year-old could muster. "Uncle Simon!" he shouted.

Simon grinned and immediately got Connor in a headlock, giving him a noogie. Connor's laughter was infectious. Soon I found myself laughing too, catching Sandra's eye as she laughed along. But the moment was fleeting. Connor pulled away, rubbing his head, and looked up at Simon with wide eyes.

"Uncle Simon, come check out my new trampoline!" he begged.

Simon ruffled Connor's hair. "Lead the way, champ."

I followed them to the trampoline, watching as Simon climbed on with a bunch of other kids. He kicked off his shoes and started bouncing. He started teaching them how to double bounce properly, urging them not to be babies about it. It looked like a recipe for disaster, but it wasn't my house or my kids, so I kept my mouth shut.

Sandra and Marsha approached me, their expressions a mix of curiosity and concern. I felt like I was being ambushed. Sandra had been nice enough, but Simon's sister was just a little harder to read. I felt some weird vibes coming from her. I got the feeling she didn't like me. I didn't know why. Maybe she thought I wasn't good enough for her brother.

I tried to ignore them, keeping my eyes focused on the bouncing bodies. I was still trying to figure out the family dynamics. I knew Simon was extremely wealthy. I assumed his family was as well. But the house and the homemade appetizers and pretty low-key decorations said otherwise. I wanted to chalk their dislike of me up to the fact I wasn't rich. But from where I was standing, it didn't look like they were rich either.

"So, what's the deal with you and Simon?" Sandra asked abruptly.

The women flanked me. Marsha was on my other side, staring at me, waiting for my answer.

I shrugged. "We haven't known each other long."

Marsha chuckled. "Ah, got it. What, you met him a couple of weeks ago?"

I nodded, feeling a bit defensive. "Yes."

"In a bar?" Sandra pushed.

"I work at the bar," I corrected. "He came in."

"Do you like him?" Sandra asked.

"I don't dislike him," I replied.

"Are you interested in dating him?" Sandra asked.

"I don't know. I've spent very little time with him."

"But you think he's someone you might date?" Sandra pushed.

I glanced toward the trampoline where he was oblivious to the interrogation. "Honestly, I don't know," I replied.

Marsha sighed. "Well, good luck with that." She left to grab some food, leaving me feeling even more uncomfortable.

I didn't belong here—hell, Simon didn't even seem like he belonged here. But the kids adored him. If it bothered him that his whole family thought the worst of him, he didn't show it. I had to give him credit for that. I wouldn't have been able to handle it. To me, it genuinely seemed like Simon was there for Connor and nobody else. He was the Funcle – the fun uncle. Connor clearly idolized him. He didn't seem to know or care that his parents despised his uncle. I was going to ask Simon about Carmen. She was not a very nice woman and clearly she didn't like Simon. There was definitely a story there.

Lenny sidled up to me, offering a fresh glass of punch. "How did the interrogation go?" he teased.

I gave him a wry smile. "Not as bad as I expected, to be honest."

"The day is still young," he replied with a chuckle. He took a sip from his own cup, his eyes never leaving mine.

"I'm not scared," I told him, lying through my teeth. I was petrified.

Lenny seemed to see through my bluff. He laughed again, this time more heartily. "Well, you should be."

Suddenly, a series of giggles and laughter echoed from the trampoline area. We both turned our heads toward the noise. Simon had managed to flip himself in the air and landed on his back, leaving the kids in stitches. He played into it, making exaggerated faces of mock pain and defeat. The sight of his infectious laughter made me forget the reputation that seemed to cling to him.

"Uncle Simon, are you okay?" Connor came running over, his face flushed with excitement and concern.

Simon gave him a thumbs-up from his prone position. "I'm fine, buddy," he said before turning around to stage-whisper to the other children, "I let gravity win this time."

The children roared with laughter again. The tension eased out of their little bodies. They were delighted by Simon's antics. I found myself smiling as they started bouncing again. Simon looked carefree and youthful, two words I never would have associated with him.

"Simon's a complicated guy," Lenny said as if he was reading my mind. "He's obnoxiously wealthy and just plain obnoxious." He grinned, taking the edge off his words. "People always think they deserve some of what he's earned."

I nodded. "I see that."

"But that's not how the world works," Lenny continued. "Nobody knows what goes on in his head. He's pretty closed off. But take it from the one guy at this party who knows Simon better than anyone else. Besides his mom. He's not all bad."

"Is anyone?" I replied.

"Connor!" Carmen shouted. "It's time to cut the cake and open your presents!"

The call was met with a chorus of cheers from the children and the atmosphere shifted as they scrambled toward the large birthday cake. I watched as Simon rose from the trampoline, his smile still firmly in place, yet there was a new glimmer in his eyes. He dusted himself off before he followed at a more leisurely pace, his hands buried deep in his pockets.

As soon as Connor was given the knife to cut the cake, his small face lit up with excitement. Carmen was taking a million pictures. The backyard went silent for a split second before Connor made the first cut, causing everyone to cheer.

Simon stood quietly beside me. He was still breathing hard. I looked up at him and noticed his smile had slipped away. He was back to the stern, gruff man. I honestly didn't blame him. We watched as Connor began opening his presents. When he got to Simon's, his eyes nearly popped out of his head. Several sets of top-of-the-line super-soaker water guns were all neatly wrapped inside the bag. Before the present opening was even finished, Connor, his friends, and Simon were filling up the water guns and starting a five versus five battle in the yard. Water went everywhere.

The uptight family members moved inside, grumbling about Simon ruining the party and getting everything wet. Connor and his friends were laughing their butts off, having the time of their lives. Simon was chasing them around, once again acting like he was twelve.

"Look at this," Carmen groaned. "He's ruined everything! The streamers and decorations are soaked!"

Marsha tried to comfort her, telling her it was a wonderful party. Meanwhile, Matthew, Carmen, and some others huddled together. "He's a childish idiot who thinks of nobody but himself," Matthew growled. "He's impulsive and ruins everything."

"I told you I didn't want him here!" Carmen hissed, her eyes flashing angrily. "It's always all about him. He's a selfish jerk. He's your family. You handle this!"

Matthew looked to Sandra, who looked absolutely horrified. "You said I had to invite him," Matthew muttered. "Now look. He's ruining everything."

"I don't think that's his intention," Sandra said quietly.

"That's always his intention." Carmen scoffed. "He takes our money and now he's ruining our party. That man is horrible. I just don't know why we even associate with him at all. He doesn't deserve to call us family!"

Sandra looked helplessly between Matthew and Carmen but didn't reply. Her gaze turned back to the ongoing water warfare in the yard, where Simon was right in the middle of it all. Despite the rain of accusations indoors, there was only laughter and shrieks of glee outside.

Meanwhile, I found myself oddly drawn to Simon's cavalier attitude. His natural ability to shrug off his family's obvious dislike of him. I was pretty sure nothing he did would make them happy. They hated him.

As I watched him dodge incoming streams of water with nimble agility, something struck me. He wore his wealth like a child would wear a superhero cape. He had fuck-you money. That was why he was brave enough to come into this party. They could say and do what they wanted, but at the end of the day, he had a life beyond them.

"Gotcha!" Simon exclaimed, grinning mischievously as he spun around to take aim at another unsuspecting partygoer. He looked exhilarated. That was why they hated him—he didn't care what they thought about him. They couldn't bring him down and it pissed them off.

Simon's mother withdrew into herself, looking weary and sad. I had never heard family speak so negatively about each other. Simon might not be perfect, but I didn't think he was all that bad. I had heard enough. I marched back outside, kicked off my shoes, and grabbed one of the extra water guns. I caught one of the kids by the arm, a mischievous glint in my eye.

"Let's start a coup," I said.

The kid cocked his head. "What's a coup?"

I grinned. "A new game. Ten versus one. Us versus Simon."

The kid's eyes sparkled. "Let's do it."

Within moments, I had assembled the troops. The kids gathered around, their faces alight with excitement and mischief. I explained the plan quickly, and they were more than eager to comply. We spread out, hiding behind trees and bushes, ready to ambush Simon.

Simon was in the middle of the yard, oblivious to the mutiny brewing around him. He was helping Connor reload his water gun, a wide smile on his face. The kids exchanged gleeful glances, and I gave the signal.

"Attack!"

Water streams shot out from all directions. Simon was caught completely off guard. He spun around, trying to shield himself with his arms, but there were too many of us. The kids whooped and hollered, their laughter echoing through the yard. I didn't have a chance to look to the adults gathered inside, but I just knew they were scowling, which made me laugh even more.