Page 19 of The NemeSis
“Kyra, is this a joke?” He pushes back and crosses his arms.
“No.” I turn to face him. “If it irritates you that much, forget I said anything.” I slam the laptop close and slide off the stool. “Just forget everything.”
He sighs behind me, but I don’t care to turn back. I move my way across the house and up the stairs to my room. The whole time I’m wondering why I got that sort of reaction from him. He got angry, almost as if he was upset I got it.
My door opens just as I’m sitting my laptop down on the desk.
“You forgot your tea.” He closes the door behind me and walks up with my mug. Ares waits until I take it from him before he continues. “I’ll be there.” He nods to himself and then leaves my room.
That’s it?
Chapter Eight
ARES
The garden room is downstairs, just past the ballroom. It’s considered the more intimate party room at Clear View Country Club because it’s slightly smaller. Where the ballroom is light and regal, the garden room feels more grounded in reality.
Crystal sconces are spread out along the walls, lighting up the earthy pastels that decorate the room. A vintage looking chandelier is in the center of the room, casting a glow over a dance floor. I chuckle to myself, of course there’s a fucking dance floor.
Bouquets of pink and white are spread out along the light green cloth covered round tables, blending in seamlessly with the room’s natural decor of floral artwork hung in bronze frames along the walls. It sort of reminds me of the last birthday party of Kyra’s I’d been to. Her sixteenth, in this very room. The color was, of course, pink. Only, a different shade.
Name plates are at each of the chairs, not that I imagine everyone will be staying in their seats. Mom told me she and Arthur only plan to stay for dinner and a few dances before retiring for the evening. I knew it meant this was going to turn into a rowdy party and I wasn’t planning on letting Kyra out of my sight tonight. Not until I’d taken her back to the house.
The family is here first, naturally. A blend of family friends and who I guess would be Kyra’s closest friends show up next. Several more of her friends arrive after the official start time. A DJ plays music low as everyone chats and mingles.
When nobody is paying attention, I grab my name card and switch it with one at Kyra’s table. This girl is celebrating her twenty-first birthday. I plan on keeping a very close eye on her. She should have fun, but I don’t want things to get out of hand or for her to be taken advantage of. I leave the cards sitting directly next to hers alone. Someone would probably think it was weird if I was sitting next to her instead of her boyfriend or best friend.
So, I sit myself right next to her boyfriend. Let’s find out who this Ryan Pembroke guy is. I send a quick text to a friend to dig something up. I overheard my mother and Daphne talking about how they’d been dating for nearly six months, but this was the first time they were meeting him.
“It’s Ares, right?” Ryan clears his throat and slides into his seat next to me. He holds out his hand. “I’m Ryan, Kyra’s boyfriend.”
I eye his hand carefully for a moment before reaching out to shake it. The guy is still giving me the weird Ken vibes he was the other day. His handshake is also fucking weak. “Yeah, nice to meet you.”
“Kyra talks about her family all the time. Well, mostly her nieces.” He chuckles. “Funny, she mentioned she’s got two stepbrothers, but she hardly talks about you.” He leans forward and grabs the glass of water.
I laugh. “I like to keep my family favorites to myself, too. Funny, she’s never mentioned you to me before this week.” I stand up. “Excuse me, family business.”
Ryan isn’t good enough for Kyra. He seems like the type to put his needs above hers, and that won’t work for me. I make my way over to where Kyra is standing with our parents. She’s gushing over how everything looks.
My eyes drink her in. I missed seeing her when she finished getting ready earlier. Mom asked me to get here a little early to help make sure everything looked perfect.
Kyra is wearing pink—no surprise. A light pink that sparkles as she moves. Its form fitting and hits her about mid-thigh. As I get closer, I notice the pink sequins and pearls spread out across the fabric, decorating every inch of her. My eyes scan down her legs to the pink flats on her feet. It’s a smart idea since she’ll be drinking.
As if on cue, several servers enter the room carrying trays of pink drinks. I can’t help the chuckle that comes out as I approach my family. “Even pink drinks?”
Kyra turns to look at me right as one tray passes. She reaches out and grabs one. “I like pink. Why are you surprised?”
“I think it’s beautiful.” Mom grabs one for herself, so does Daphne.
“Oh, cherry flavored. I should’ve guessed.” Daphne smiles.
“Happy birthday, Kyra.” She’s been out most of the day. It started with a birthday lunch with friends then time at the spa with Mom and Daphne. A day full of pampering for a princess. I chuckle at the thought.
“Thank you.” She raises her glass. “No pink drink for you?”
“I’ll stick with water for a bit.”
“Picture?” A man with a camera around his neck walks up to us.
