“Miss? You can’t be here. This is an invitation-only event.” Her tone turned viperous. Two very well dressed men came up behind the woman. “This young lady is trespassing.” I turned around and smiled at her. “Remove her.” She said coldly.
They both looked at me with confusion. I’m sure they were given not only a guest list like this lady but photographs.
“Well?” She snapped at them.
They looked at each other. They didn’t want to get in trouble, but they knew better than to even look at me in the wrong way. I turned back to the woman.
“They’re not going to remove Senator Summers’ daughter from his own property. That’s bad for business.” I said, putting her in her place and trying to lighten the situation.
“Chloe?” She giggled, “I’m so sorry. We don’t have to mention this to your mother. Simple misunderstanding.”
“What misunderstanding? There are no misunderstandings. Only incompetent people.” My mom said walking up behind the lady. The two security officers were trying hard not to laugh. They’ve probably had to deal with her before. “Chloe Marie. You look… tired. I told you to get plenty of sleep. Grace!” A young woman, maybe a little older than me came rushing up to my mom. “Chloe will need an earlier appointment with Jon Luc.”
“Yes, ma’am. I’ll reach out right now.” She said while pulling her cell from her jacket pocket.
“Mrs. Summers I didn’t know Chloe was going to be joining us for this event.” The woman said.
“Well, of course, she’s joining us. I sent you an email about it months ago.” Mom said.
The woman just stood there. James came in the front door with two of my suitcases. “I’ll bring all of your luggage up to your room Miss Chloe.”
My mom stared at him and said, “Is he getting more luggage?”
“He is. I actually wanted to talk to you about maybe going to that private school you were talking about to finish high school.” I couldn’t look her in the eyes while I said it.
“You want to go to Remington Academy?” Mom asked walking me into Dad’s office.
“I think that’s what’s best for me right now,” I explained.
“If that’s what you want I’ll make a call.” She sighed, “Chloe, it’s not that I don’t want you to graduate from the same academy as I did, but you fought tooth and nail to stay with the Draydens. What happened?” Mom actually sounded concerned.
“I just needed to start looking at my future. I want to go to a great college, and this is one way that I know I can get into any school of my choice.” I explained.
She smirked, “So, it’s about a boy.”
I couldn’t handle my emotions right then. I started crying. “I love him, and he doesn’t want me.” I would have never admitted that to my mom any other day. But I felt so broken that I probably would have told her everything. I wanted her just to be my mom and hug me and tell me that it was all going to be all right.
“Chloe Marie, did you sleep with that boy?” I didn’t answer her. “Was it the Platton’s son?” I shook my head. “You let some ordinary boy—”
“Mom!” I felt so mortified.
“At least now that you’re home I will be able to set you up with appropriate boys.” Mom opened up a folder on the desk. “I’ve got several old friends that will be bringing their sons tonight.”
“I really don’t want to date anyone.”
“That’s fine but no harm in making some new friends.” She looked back down at the folder.
“I’m just going to go up to my room,” I said trying to back out of the door.
“Don’t go too far, Jon Luc will be here soon.” Mom said not even looking up at me.
I left my dad’s office and went to explore. The woman I had dealt with caught sight of me and turned her head quickly. Good. I didn’t want to deal with her anyway. James spotted me and waved me to follow him. As soon as I caught up with him, he whispered, “I’ll show you the room we had made up for you.” He took my hand and placed it in the crook of his arm. “We’ve missed you around here.”
“Really? We who exactly?” I didn’t figure that there was anyone else left. My mom can be sort of tyrannical, and she doesn’t like not getting her way. I’m guessing the only reason the event planner is still hanging in there was because of the fundraiser is tonight. In a little less than six hours, people will start to arrive to hear my dad speak about everything he supports and what he wants with this next election.
“Oh, well, no. She has gone through four assistants. This event coordinator, June, she won’t be coming back, and this was her first job with Madame Senator.” He chuckled.
“Why have you stuck around all these years?” I asked.
“I believe in what your father is doing. And I care about your family.” James said.
“Well, you’re the only one.”
“Your mom loves you. I remember when your mom found out she was pregnant with you. She came skipping out of the doctor’s office with the biggest smile on her face. She couldn’t wait to tell your dad.” He cleared his throat, “she all but leaped into his arms.”
“You’ve never told me that before.”
“Yep. And you know that day you got lost out in the woods?”
I nodded. It’s not like I can forget it. I still have nightmares about it.
“Your mom flew home as soon as I called her. We were so scared. We… She thought she had lost you. She’s never been the same since that day.” He shook his head. We were at the end of the hall, and he opened the last door. “This is the best room in the house in my opinion.”
“Yeah?” I asked, intrigued.
“Yeah. It’s got a private bathroom, and the view is spectacular from the window seat. Great for reading.”
“Thank you, James. You’re the best.” I leaned in and gave him a kiss on his cheek.
He smiled then cleared his throat, “I better go make sure no one is doing anything to get your mom’s panties in a twist.”
“All right,” I said before walking into my new room. Well, at least my room for the next few days until my mom gets me into Remington Academy.
I’m sure my mom would expect me to be ready for her at least thirty minutes before the first guest would be expected to arrive. Which means that I’ll get a knock on my door in the next hour for them to start cleaning me up and making me presentable. I pulled my phone out and saw that there were three missed calls from Brooklyn and five text messages.
Brooklyn: Why didn’t you tell me you were leaving?
Brooklyn: Are you coming back?
Brooklyn: Please come back.
Brooklyn: Call me.
Brooklyn: I already miss you.
I knew she would be getting out of school probably around the time that I would be getting my hair done. The fact that I came here early probably benefitted my mom a lot. I wouldn’t be arriving late and interrupting everything just to get ready. I just hadn’t wanted to miss any minute of school or time with Nix. It’s not like that mattered anymore. I was a virus. A distraction. He’s over me. His words kept repeating in my head.
“No.” I groaned at myself, “I will not let myself feel this way anymore. He walked away.”
I picked up my phone again and started a quick text to Brooklyn.
Me: I’m sorry. It’s —
“God.” I groaned again, “Am I really this horrible? ‘It’s not you, it’s me.’.”
Me: I’m sorry. This is something that I have to do. I’ll call you after the fundraiser. Love you.
There was no need to sit and wait for B to answer me back. I unzipped one of my bags to get out bathroom things and something that buttoned up to get changed into so they can do my hair and makeup. I started the shower and set all my things down on the sink counter.
“I should probably text Mama D and let her know I’m here.” I shook my head and rolled my eyes. It had already started. Before Brooklyn came along, I only had me. I distracted myself by keeping the conversation
going—with myself. “Great.” I groaned.
My text to Mama D needed to be short and to the point. “Hum… what, oh what, should I text?”
Me: We got here safe and sound. Talk later. Love you.
“That works. Sweet and to the point.”
My phone pinged with a new notification.
Carolina Drayden: Glad to hear it. Have fun tonight and tell us all about it tomorrow.
Me: I think Dad is going to have it broadcasted. You might get to see me.
Carolina Drayden: Yay! That’s so exciting. I’ll set the DVR.
Me: Cool. I’ll call tomorrow and tell you all about my oh-so-exciting night.
Carolina Drayden: Sounds great. Enjoy yourself, sweetheart.
Me: I will. Thanks.
I stripped down and got into the steamy water. I took my time making sure to wash my hair roots to ends. The last time Jon Luc touched my hair, he picked it up like it was a greasy, stringy mess that needed to be lopped off and started over. I shivered with that thought. I don’t think I would look good bald. Thinking about that one Friends episode where Rachel encourages Ross’s new girlfriend to shave her head. I also don’t think I could pull off the bandana look like all the women battling cancer. They are much stronger than I could ever be.
I finally got out and wrapped a towel around myself. I was feeling a little chilled and sorry for myself even though I had nothing to feel sorry for. Seriously, I was at a fundraiser event where every plate can range from one thousand dollars to maybe ten. It’s ridiculous.
I turned with a sharp, quick knock at the door. “Miss Chloe?” A woman said from the door.
“Yes?” I respond before deciding to open the door.
“Mrs. Summers sent me to—”
I could barely hear her. I sighed in frustration and opened the door. “I’m sorry, I just couldn’t hear you.” I look her up and down. “What had you said?”
She rapidly blinked. “Oh.” It’s like she had to regather her thoughts. “Jon Luc is at the gate. Mrs. Summers wanted to make sure you were ready to receive him.” She held up a satin robe.
I took the robe from her. “Thank you.” I slipped my arms inside the satin robe and then let the towel drop. Jon Luc was escorted up to my room and made me look like the perfect daughter for a Congressman. I started to put on the cream-colored dress when there was another knock at my door.
“Miss Chloe?”
“Yeah?”
“Your mother made plans to have Bradley Tempton escort you tonight.” That name sounded so familiar. I was trying way too hard to figure out who my mother’s assistant was talking about. It must have been the look of complete confusion that made her continue. “Mr. Tempton is a close friend of your father’s. And his son Bradley would be a great match.”
The words that weren’t spoken were the ones I heard. That’s because he wouldn’t be a great match for me, he would be a great match for my father’s campaign. Someone that I wouldn’t be interested in. Not just because he would be precisely what I wasn’t looking for—the next political candidate for whatever, but he’s not Nix. No, don’t think about him. He doesn’t want me. He’ll never want me. It’s all about sex and his needs. He didn’t need to take my virginity to prove something about Bryon. It’s not like it would have gone anywhere. Bryon was nice, but something was holding me back from even going on a date with him—it was Nix. It would always be Nix.
Either way, I’ll accept my fate. Bradley won’t be too bad as an escort. I hope. As long as I don’t have to deal with the politics of tonight past entertaining Bradley. Entertaining to the point of maybe a dance—because that’s my job—to look pretty and be silent.
“Fine.” She looked at me in surprise like I would have fought her about my mother’s request. My mother probably warned her that I would try to be difficult. I always had in the past. There’s just no reason for it now.
“All right. If you follow me, I’ll take you in.”
I nodded and walked slowly behind June. I also left my phone in my room and had no plans of checking it for the rest of the night. I made my way to the main floor and then she escorted me through to the tent that was set up for this very occasions. The lights were beautiful. It looked like it was right out of a dream. Hurricane lanterns everywhere, and I could hear the music playing before I even got close. My mother didn’t spare any expense.
Chapter 26
I Pucked The Puck Up
Nix
When I finally walked through the front door at home, I heard crying from the living room. I rushed through and found Mom and Brooklyn holding onto each other. “What happened?” I searched the room for Chloe, but she wasn’t there. It’s weird she wouldn’t be home yet. As I moved further into the room, I saw my dad on the phone.
“I understand George. No, I didn’t know anything about it.”
I looked over at my mom. She just shook her head and hugged Brooklyn harder. George? George? George Summers? Chloe’s dad?
“All right. I know you’re busy. We’ll talk tomorrow. Bye.” My dad hung up and looked at me then to Brooklyn.
“W…what’d he say?” Brooklyn said through sobs.
“Chloe plans on staying there,” Dad said to Brooklyn.
“What?” I meant it to sound casual, but it came out as a roar. Great job looking nonchalant.
“Chloe. She went home today.”
“She is home. She lives here.” I snapped not understanding.
“Honey.” My mom said to my dad, and he went to sit with Brooklyn. I was still confused. My mom shooed me back into the kitchen and looked at me with sympathy. “Nixy, what you said last night—”
“What did I say?” I barked at her.
“Nix. You said it. At least that’s how Chloe took it and to be frank so did I. You didn’t want to be with her.” She folded her arms over her chest and stared at me.
“What are you talking about? I’m not with Chloe. She’s like a…” I couldn’t even say the word sister. I don’t think I’ve ever thought of her as a sister. I never will again even if I had at one point.
“I know she’s not like a sister to you. You may protect her like one, but you put a claim on that little girl when you were barely a teenager. You loved her then so why wouldn’t you love her now. You’ve been physical with her. She loves you. You just screwed up and will have to fix it. But you hurt her, and it’s going to take time to get over that.”
Was I stupid? I told her exactly how I felt. That it needed to be quiet for just a bit longer and that she needed to trust me. How could she not trust me? “I had to say what I had to say. She’s the one that didn’t believe what I told her to her face.” I rubbed my hands down my face in frustration.
“Nixy, she’s in love with you. Are you ready to tell her you to feel the same way?”
That’s a good fucking question, one that would expose my soft underbelly. My boys tried to retreat into my body at that thought. She would be able to rip me apart. Fuck, she’s able to rip me apart now. I felt like I might be having a heart attack now. There’s a pain in my chest and my arm. I also felt like I could vomit.
An alarm on my mom’s phone went off. A moment of excitement crossed her face, and she put her hands on my arm to give me a squeeze. “Chloe might be on the news.”
Dad grabbed the remote and turned on the TV. The news started with the typical crap for the day. Apparently, horses got out and were on the highway traveling with traffic just after lunchtime. That was something. There was video from some of the drivers trying to keep the horses together until someone could come and handle the mess. Speaking of… I wonder if they had to clean up the horse shit off the road. They shit wherever they want. I’m sure at least one of the dozen had to go. I sat down on the couch and pulled out my cell while they watched, waiting for any glimpse of Chloe.
Me: Why?
Me: Don’t believe what you heard after the game.
Me: I told you I wanted us.
Me: Chloe? Please?
&
nbsp; “Oh my God! There she is!” Brooklyn shrieked.
I looked up, and I swear all the air in my lungs. She was fucking beautiful. Her hair half pulled back and then curled down her back. The cream silk dress was hugging her curves without being overly sexy, but gave little to the imagination. The way the fabric lay on her curves made me rock hard in an instant. That was until I saw some little punk’s hand on my woman.
“Who the fuck is that?” The words tumbled out of my mouth before I could stop myself.
“I don’t know.” Mom answered looking at me.
“Whomever he is… he’s cute.”
A low growl came from the back of my throat. I hadn’t even realized that I had done it until everyone was looking at me in question. I couldn’t walk away from my chance to see her, but I could just sit there and watch her with another man. “He looks like a fucking loser.”
“Language.” Mom scolded.
I couldn’t take my eyes off her. She was unbelievably gorgeous. I wanted to be there with her. Protect her from that douche bag standing next to her. You know—the one that has his hand around her waist. I think the worst part of this is the fact that I wasn’t able to do anything but watch. It was possibly the worst moment of my life. I couldn’t even say anything in front of my own family. I. Fucking. Hate. This.
“I’m going to bed.” My sister said as she leaned down to give Dad a kiss on his cheek. “I’m exhausted. If anyone hears from Chloe, please wake me up.”
I rubbed my hands over my face. It’s my fault that my baby sister lost her best friend during the most important year of her high school life. They’re not going to graduate together. I did that.
“All right, sweetie. But I doubt she’s going to call tonight.”
“I know, Mom. I just miss her already.”
“I know, but she’s always going to be your best friend. I’m sure she just needs a break from her everyday thing.” Mom gave my sister one of her comforting mama bear hugs which I felt like I needed. I may be a twenty-four-year-old man but I wanted a hug from my mom and for her to tell me that everything was going to be all right.
Rising Summers (Pucking Unbelievable Book 1) Page 17
