Page 77 of Ruse
“Yes,” he replies curtly and without the intention of saying more. “It was time we celebrated since we could not share this moment with those we care about most.”
“You shouldn’t have,” I murmur under my breath.
Daphne places a hand on her chest, her gaze softening. “We really wanted you, your brother, and my Maverick, to be part of the celebration.”
A loud laugh leaves me unexpectedly. “No, really, you shouldn’t have. I don’t understand what gave you the impression we wanted anything to do with this.”
“Phoenix not here,” my father groans, at the same time Maverick brings his hand up to rest on my shoulder.
Mav leans in and whispers, “We should walk away.” Oh, but I’m just getting started. Having Maverick, who genuinely seems to care about me, by my side, has given me a certain strength I never had. He hasn’t yet professed his feelings, but I can sense they’re true, and although having someone who cares about me and has my back is foreign, I realize it’s everything I’ve ever wanted.
“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me.” We all turn to find Brooklyn, who’s dressed in an outfit like Maverick's only dark blue, glaring at the four of us, his eyes already red and glossy, his hair disheveled, and a hint of pink lipstick staining his chin and neck.
My father grabs him by the arm, leading him toward the edge of the deck and away from the crowd watching us. “Brooklyn, compose yourself,” he whispers so only the four of us can hear. He speaks through gritted teeth and a faulty smile. “God look at you, you reek of cheap liquor and weed.”
Brooklyn pulls away from him, almost tripping over his feet as he steps back. “Glad you noticed dad, but it looks like I showed up late to my party. Wait, this is still my party, right?” I see a glimpse of hurt flash in Brooklyn’s eyes, unable to stand the sight of not only my father, but clearly of Maverick and I together.
Lucky for all of us, Fitz shows up just in time and drags him away.
Not wanting to hear what else my father and Daphne have to say, I grab Maverick’s hand and lead him toward the pool cabana at the edge of the water. Careful not to fall in, I step around the table set up along the edge of the pool and fall back against the lounge chair.
The sun is almost completely set now, but a small sliver of light shines through the space between the canopy of the cabana. I grunt into my hands, shielding my face from the light. “God can this day get any worse.”
I almost want to take it back, knowing I may have just cursed the rest of the night with that statement, but it’s honestly already been a shitshow I can’t possibly see anything surprising me.
I didn’t miss this at all. The way my life was before this summer was exhausting. Party after party, even if my friends were in attendance, was dreadful. Keeping up appearances is the only thing I was taught was vital to ensure success, but it really was the only flaw I could think of that determined how unhappy one could become. The saying money can’t buy happiness, one I never agreed with since buying the nicest clothes, going out and carelessly spending my father’s money was something I truly enjoyed doing, I now understand is true. I was never truly happy. I was content, blind to everything that really mattered in life.
Materialism lacks in true value against that which is sacred.
Family.
Love.
I had a rude awakening, hit rock bottom, but maybe that was all I needed to appreciate everything I had and maybe took for granted.
Mav leans over me, a deep growl leaving him as he runs his fingers up my thigh, setting a blaze inside of me with the way my body is reacting to his touch. “Hey baby, don’t pout.” He inches his hands up higher, his fingers playing with the hem of my short dress. “Fuck,” he groans, making me drop my hands to see him. “I wasn’t ready for what seeing you in this dress was going to do to me.”
I swallow hard, trying to compose myself and not jump his bones here in the middle of the party. Now that would be a scandal.
A frown appears when I don’t respond. “We can get out of here.”
Sitting up straighter, I shake my head. “No, it will only make things worse, and he’ll find something else to punish us with. Another dinner or worse a family vacation. Anything to monitor us and exude his control.” I cringe at the thought, but suddenly it all makes sense to me. “That’s what this whole thing is about. He must have heard about us or suspected something, and this is his way of reminding us we’re afamily. Why else would he plan a wedding party now?”
I see Maverick process my suspicion, and he doesn’t at all seem surprised. There is something going on that no one is telling me. The inconspicuous way my father and Maverick have been glaring at each other for weeks is more than the simple dislike of his wife’sdelinquentson.
“Why don’t we go grab a drink, then we can see if you’re still up for staying, or we can go up to my room and I can get you out of this damn dress that’s driving me crazy.”
Nice way to change the subject. I don’t complain though; I need that drink, and the promise to take me out of this dress that’s suddenly too tight and constricting, is very enticing.
We’re standing by the outdoor bar hand in hand, with a Cosmo and bourbon neat in our respective hands, when a familiar voice emerges to our right.
“Maverick,” the woman says, as she steps closer. “I’m here, like you asked.”
In front of me Maverick stills, his face immediately overcome by irritation and anxiousness. I’ve never seen him look this worried almost like he’s hiding something. Guilt. That’s what I see, and it stirs something deep in the pit of my stomach.
Dread.
My eyes travel back and forth between Maverick and the gorgeous blond with stunning green eyes and hair that falls against her back in perfect beachy waves. She’s tall, maybe five-foot seven in the sandals she’s wearing, which highlight her pale pink toes and match the cute dress falling mid-thigh. Something about her is so familiar, yet I don’t immediately recognize her. Not until the moment he calls her by her name. That’s when I remember.
