Page 150 of Brutal Little Secrets
I’m tempted to go to the bar and get something hard to drink, but Dad wouldn’t be cool with that.
Instead, I get a Diet Coke and sit beside the pool. Dad and Heather walk around talking with people. She keeps her hand on his arm and they seem happy. It doesn’t cut me quite as much as it used to, but it still doesn’t feel good.
Tom takes Evan and Chase over to a woman in her late forties. Evan seems excited to meet her. She practically glows as she talks.
“Did your parents drag you to this too?” A brunette steps between me and my view of Evan across the pool.
I lift my gaze to her face, but the sun is behind her.
She drops into the chair next to me and holds out her hand. “I don’t think we’ve met.”
Around my age, she’s definitely plastic from her designer dress and heels to her manicure. Like she belongs at this party.Across the pool, Evan wears a dress that she must have bought before moving in. It’s nice, but not as nice as the dresses surrounding her. She looks beautiful in it nonetheless.
I shake the girl’s hand, noting the expensive rings and perfume. The perfect makeup. This is a wealthy girl. “Damon Storm.”
She nods and leans back in her chair. “Elizabeth. My parents forced me to come. Said I should mingle like my brother.”
She does air quotes aroundmingleand scoffs. “What I really need is a drink, but since that can’t happen, I figured I’d come and talk to the hot guy staring off into the distance.”
I could tell her I was looking at my girlfriend. There’s nothing about this girl I want, but maybe she can keep me occupied so I don’t kick Chase’s ass for commandeering my girl with logic. I want Evan to get the future she wants. She talked about the director a little last night and seemed so excited about the prospect of meeting her. I can’t take that from her. Not if this is her opportunity.
Even if it means letting Chase touch what’s mine. I’ll just fantasize about breaking every bone in his fingers.
“I honestly hope we won’t be here long.” Elizabeth glances over with a smile. “But you know how it is when your parents are in the biz.”
“The biz?” I don’t know why I ask. There’s nothing about this girl that interests me. I glance over, and Evan is still chatting with that older woman. This is what Chase said he could give Evan. Connections to make her dreams come true, but at what cost? Shackling herself to someone like Chase for the rest of her life?
He wouldn’t know how to give her what she needs.
“My parents are producers. I am definitely not in the family business.” Elizabeth laughs like that would be ridiculous. “It’snot for me. But my brother loves it. He even goes to a special high school to teach him to be an arrogant prick.”
I look at this girl again. “What school?”
“Anteros Conservatory.” She waves her hand. “I could have attended. They have another school, but your grades have to be practically perfect to get in. Besides, I love my boarding school. Not having to live under Mom and Dad’s thumbs. Priceless.”
My gaze flows over the crowd again, looking for whatever rich ant is her brother. I’m not familiar with all the students in either school. That wasn’t my focus.
“Hey, big brother.” Elizabeth says.
I turn and see Brandt Stanwell standing there. He smiles at me and offers me a hand like we’re old buds.
“Damon Storm, the myth, the legend. What are you doing at this tea party?” Brandt takes the chair on my other side.
“Probably dying of boredom like me.” Elizabeth smiles like we have an inside joke.
“My dad is business partners with Tom.” I lean back. I don’t know Brandt very well. I’ve heard the name, and occasionally Evan will say something about him. But he goes to our school, so he has to know Evan and I are together.
“I’m surprised to see EvanAnn with Chase.” Brandt nods toward them. “Especially after the breakup.”
“They’re still friends.” I act like it’s not a big deal.
Brandt smirks as he watches me. “It’s never easy when your girl is friends with her ex. Is it?”
I don’t comment.
Elizabeth laughs. “Can you ever really be friends with your ex?”
Brandt shrugs. “EvanAnn’s a nice girl. I’m sure you have nothing to worry about. She’s usually too focused on school to worry about guys. Frankly, I was shocked when she agreed todate Chase. I figured he wouldn’t have a shot with her. I told him if he could get EvanAnn, he needed to keep a girl like that.”
