My stomach twisted at what would come. I didn’t even know where to start. I pulled out my list. Something small would work. Maybe a different class. The semester hadn’t started yet after all.
I pulled out my laptop and started scanning the classes. I looked at the painting classes and shook my head. As much fun as a painting class would be, that would be taking things a little too far. I was looking to shake things up, not start a war with my father. I paused over a film class. It could fit into marketing and would be fun to take. Something different, with different people.
I glared at the door, tears once again pooling in my eyes. Gavin hadn’t meant to be so harsh, I knew this, but it still didn’t excuse his behavior. No more. From that day forward, I was going to be the kind of woman that people treated with respect.
***
Chapter Four
Warm notes of vanilla and coffee wafted from under my door. I yawned and stared at the pink canopy overhead. I really couldn’t understand what Heather had against pink. It’s such a lovely color to wake up to.
I sighed and sat up. The first day of the new me. Well, the more assertive me.
After slipping a robe over my nightgown, I made my way to the door. Beautiful sunshine flooded the living room, and I smiled. It was hard to be angry when it was such a great day out.
“Oh good,” Emma said from the kitchen when I came into view. “I wasn’t sure if you would be joining us.”
I sat in the chair and stared up at her.
“I’m angry, not stupid.” I grinned.
She smiled and went back to making breakfast. Her pancakes were always fantastic. I’d have to be dead before I missed those. She piled the plate high and threw some bacon on the side. The plate slid in front of me, and I raced to add syrup. With no dinner last night, I was starving.
I glanced back to the bathroom and wondered how long my asshole brother was going to shower. One bathroom meant we were all sharing the same tub of hot water. There wouldn’t be much left, if he sucked it all dry.
Emma took the seat across and waited for me to take a bite. It was like a little bit of heaven.
“I’m really sorry,” she said.
I looked up and found she was sitting, looking solemn.
I shook my head.
“No really,” she continued. “I should have said something last night, and I didn’t. His heart was in the right place, but his approach was just mean.”
I swallowed and took a drink of the juice in front of me.
“Listen,” I started, “it’s fine. Well it’s not fine really, but I forgive you. All of you.”
She started to talk, but I held up my hand.
“I get it. Everyone seems to have my best interest at heart, bad delivery aside, but I’m done with that.” I forked up another mouthful and savored it.
“That’s great,” she said. “So are you going into the Arts program?”
I nearly choked on my food. I took another drink and stared at her.
“This is what I’m talking about,” I said. “Everyone has my best interest at heart, and yet no one is asking me for input on my life.”
She opened her mouth to talk, but I hurried forward.
“Father wants me to go into business. Mother wants me to marry Chance. Gavin wants me to avoid Chance. You want me to be an artist, and Heather wants me to not have such a pink room. Everyone has a plan for me, and it doesn’t seem to matter what I have to say.” I slammed my hand into the table for emphasis. “Well no more. From today on, I decide who I want to be.”
“I had no idea.” Emma paled, and my heart pulled for her.
“I know,” I said quietly. “No one is trying to be controlling, but everyone is. Maybe it’s my fault.” I sighed and stared out the living room window. “So many years of just following along, but none of it ever sounded like a bad idea.”
Emma reached across and took hold of my hand, pulling me back to her.
“So what are you going to do?”
I shrugged. “For now, test out some things. See who I am.” I chuckled. “Grandmother gave me a task, to try and find myself.”
Emma laughed. “Well that’s not a big order or anything.”
I noticed the water had cut off. Soon I’d have to face one of the people helping to pull my strings.
“Listen,” Emma gave my hand a squeeze, “Gavin’s really sorry.”
“I know,” I said. “But it was so mean.”
“It was.” She nodded. “He was mad at Chance and should have told him off, not you.”
I pulled my hand back. “Yes, he should have.”
“He’s embarrassed. That’s why he didn’t stay the night. He didn’t know how he was going to face you.”
I turned back to her, question etched on my face. “Well, who’s in the shower then?”
“That would be me.” Heather stepped out from the other side of the wall.
She dropped to her knees and pulled me in for a crushing hug.
“I’m so sorry,” she barely spoke above a whisper, and her voice shook. “I’ve never really had many girlfriends, and I’ve never been very good at keeping my mouth shut. I’m just not a pink fan, and for the life of me, I can’t figure out why you are. You’re so bold and strong. I would think green would be more your color or blue. Anyways, I’m sorry. I’m really sorry.”
“Heather,” I began. I pulled away from her and stared into her eyes. “It’s fine. So you hate pink. It’s not the end of the world. I can’t help it if you have no taste.”
I winked after a moment, and the panicked look faded from her face.
“So you have to help me with this. Why pink?” I watched as Heather rose and filled her plate with breakfast goodies.
I shrugged.
“I guess it just reminds me of Grandmother’s house,” I said. “When I was little, I used to love going there, and my room was just perfect. Like it was made for a little girl.”
I paused and then frowned. It had always been made for a little girl. Perfectly so.
“Of course,” I said and looked at them. “It was made for a little girl. It was made for Kathryn.”
“Okay, I’m lost.” Heather looked to Emma.
“Don’t ask me. I’m just as lost,” Emma said. “Who’s Kathryn?”
I grinned at them both.
“You know how you’ll sometimes find out a family secret, and it’s like you’re seeing everything new?” I asked.
They nodded and leaned in.
“Well that’s what happened. I found out the family secret, and it centers around my Aunt Kathryn.”
Emma frowned. “Aunt Kathryn? I’ve never heard of her.”
I leaned back. “That’s because she’s dead.”
They looked to each other again and leaned in further. In stunned silence, they listened to the sad tale of my late aunt. When I was finished, we sat in contemplation over her tragic life.
“I wonder what happened to Matt,” Heather said aloud.
“I don’t know.” I shrugged. “Grandmother never said. I suppose he went on to marry someone else.”
“It’s just all so sad,” Emma said. “Does Gavin know?”
I shook my head. “I was going to tell him last night.”
She nodded in understanding.
“It’s just sad,” Emma said. We all nodded in understanding. To die that young, it was sad.
“So what are you going to do?” Heather asked.
“What else can I do? Grandmother doesn’t want me to end up like Kathryn,” I said. “Hell, I don’t want to end up like her.” I turned to look at them, happy over my baby step toward progress. “I’m taking a film class.”
They looked to me and then to each other. Their laugh was proof as to the baby step it was.
“Hey, that’s not fair,” I said. “At least I get to cross something off my list.”
Shit.
Heather turned with a wicked smile.
“List?” she said.
“You m
ust have misunderstood,” I said, eyeing her as her smile widened.
“You made a list?” Emma asked with interest.
“Okay,” I said. “So, I made a list. It’s just some things I might want to do.”
That was all she needed. Heather darted from her seat with Emma, and I closed on her heels. She was certainly fast. I’d give her that. Being the idiot that I was, it was sitting on the table beside the bed. She dove gracefully across the bed and pulled a hand back, paper firmly gripped in her fingers.
I sat on the bed and swatted her butt.
“You suck,” I said.
She grinned back at me. “Some of these are good.” She winked at Emma. “Really good.”
Emma raised a brow at me and took the paper from Heather’s hands.
“A secret handshake.” She grinned at me. “Bonfire, skinny dipping, go to a rave.” She put the paper down and looked me in the eye. “This doesn’t sound like you at all.”
“That’s the point,” Heather said and took the paper back. “Kiss under mistletoe, go fishing, flirt with a bartender. Oh I like this one, walk in on someone having sex. Although, wouldn’t it be two someones or more?” She seemed to think that over for a moment before turning back to the paper. “Join a club, skip class, and get drunk and make out with someone.” She flipped the paper over. “That’s it?”
“What do you mean? That’s a big list,” I huffed and snatched back the paper.
“Oh, honey, we have so much work to do,” Heather said.
There was nothing wrong with my list. It was about me and my ability to branch out. I shot her a hard stare.
“Why don’t we all do this one?” Emma said, pointing to the sheet.
“A club?” I asked.
“Why not?” Heather asked back. “No rules against having your bitches there with you.”
I laughed and felt the weight lift from me. “Is that what you are? My bitches?”
“You know it, baby.” Heather winked.
Laughing, I grabbed the pillow from the bed and whacked her with it. She laughed and returned the whack. Emma laughed hard. When we turned, pillows in hand, she shrieked and bounded off the bed. Heather, easily the fastest of us, followed her. We surrounded her and trapped her in the room. Heather held up three fingers and began a silent countdown. At zero, we attacked.
Feathers floated in the air as we came to a giggling stalemate. Emma had grabbed two throw pillows from the chair and was wielding them like nunchucks.
“I knew it,” a deep voice said from the door. “They do have pillow fights when we’re not around. We should have stayed here last night.”
We turned to find Gavin and Dean, grinning from ear to ear. Somehow it had gone from all-out war to some kind of male wet dream.
Emma was the first to move. With a hard shove, she pushed Gavin back and slammed the door in his face. When she turned, her cheeks were pink with irritation.
“Your brother,” she seethed.
“Your boyfriend,” I countered.
Emma snorted. “Well, I’m never going to live that down.”
“No, you’re not,” Gavin said through the door. “Emma, want to have a pillow fight with me?”
“My room, now,” she shouted at the door. “Dean, couch.”
I giggled as the two men sighed and walked away. Not exactly how they pictured the ending, I’d bet.
“I’m going to my room to get dressed and beat your brother. You two get dressed and entertain Dean.” I grinned at how bossy she could be when it came to Gavin.
Heather and I nodded. She left and went next door. It was hard not to laugh when Gavin’s grunt came through the walls.
“Watch out for her gut poke,” I said to Heather. “It’s painful as hell and will knock the wind out of you.”
Heather laughed and walked to my closet. I smiled when she pulled out a pair of jeans and a blue t-shirt. It was exactly what I would have picked.
I tossed on the jeans and a t-shirt. It wasn’t that I was excited to see Dean. No. I had a very important breakfast waiting for me that was currently getting cold. I hate to leave a good breakfast waiting.
I slowly followed Heather out the door. She moved with such ease around the place, and for the first time ever, I was envious of her grace. Dean turned to look at us and grinned. My heart raced at his carefree smile, which sent me racing to the kitchen.
I touched my pancake and sighed. Stone cold. I took the plate to the microwave and slid it in. It wouldn’t be as good, but warm was better than cold. I strummed my fingers on the counter as I waited. I jumped when a large calloused hand landed next to mine, brushing gently against the sides.
My breath hitched into my throat as Dean gently caressed the side of my head. His hand came in front of my face. A lone feather was between his fingers.
“Feather in your hair,” he said. His husky words stirred the hair near my ear.
I turned to stare at him. We were so close, we were nearly touching. I breathed in the heady scent of his soap. It made my nipples tighten with need.
“Grace,” Gavin called from the door to the kitchen. I turned to look at him. “Can I have a moment?”
I turned back to Dean. His eyes locked on my face, and I could have sworn he glanced at my mouth. I groaned in frustration.
“Okay,” I said and turned to follow Gavin back into my room.
Once inside, I felt my body return to normal. I turned to face my brother as the door clicked shut.
“Shit.” He ran a hand through his hair. “I had this all planned, and then Emma talked to me. Am I really our father?”
I cocked my head to the side and stared at him.
“In some ways, yes.” I replied honestly.
He sat down hard on the end of the bed. His head fell into his hands, and he bent his head to rest it on his palms.
“It’s not all bad,” I said and placed a hand on his head. When he looked up, I continued. “You’ve got his looks, his head for business and even his ability to command people.”
“But that’s a problem, right?” he asked.
I shook my head and sat next to him. “It’s not bad, just try not to use it on me.”
“You try so hard not to be like someone, and you end up like them anyways,” he said. “Grace, I’m so sorry for what I said. I didn’t mean any of it. I hate the idea of you being with Chance, but if that’s what you decide, I’ll support you.”
“Thanks.” I smiled. “But I don’t see that happening.”
He sat up and smiled. “I’m glad to hear it.”
“Now let’s get back out there before my breakfast gets cold. Again.”
I pulled him up and led the way to the kitchen. Nothing would stop me from my breakfast this time.
***
Chapter Five
“Thanks for breakfast,” Gavin said to Emma.
He kissed her before heading to the door. It wasn’t jealousy if you were just sad for your own loneliness. Dean, who was following behind Gavin, paused when they reached the door.
“Thanks, Emma,” Dean said with ease and gave a wave.
I shivered when his eyes drifted over to me. They blazed as he fixed on my face. I felt my cheeks flush. Something about the way he looked at me made me feel stripped bare. Not just in the physical sense but like he could see me to the core. The me that even I couldn’t see. It was unnerving and exhilarating all at the same time.
I watched as they walked out the door, and it clicked behind them. When I turned my face back to my plate, I tried to control my hectic heart rate.
“So are you all squared away?” Heather said from beside me.
I looked up baffled. I hadn’t told anyone about the incident with Dean.
She gave me a funny look, as if she knew what I was thinking and then continued. “Gavin seemed in better spirits, so you must be.”
I closed my mouth and nodded.
“Well that’s good,” she said and gave me a sly smile. “Now back to your list.”
“I think we should start looking up clubs,” Emma piped in.
I stared at her back as she cleaned up the counter. Even Emma was getting into it, and normally, this sort of thing wasn’t for her.
“Okay.” I shrugged and looked at them both. “What should we look for?”
Heather leaned back, her plate now empty. “Something not boring.”
Emma sat next to Heather. “Boring would be okay.”
“No way.” Heather sat up and leaned in. “Boring is something your parents would pick for you. Something fun and different.”
Torn, I looked between them. Part of me wanted to agree with Emma. Boring sounded safe and normal, but Heather had a point. If I was ever going to break free of my family, I couldn’t do it by just continuing to do the same things.
I sighed. “How about we look for a compromise?”
They looked at one another and them back at me.
Emma rose from the table. “I’ll get my laptop.”
* * *
“I think this is it,” Emma said, and I knew I had been outvoted.
For the last hour, we had debated over the different clubs. Heather, far more daring, was certain that the Good Sex Club would all turn us into better lovers. I will admit, the look on Emma’s face was priceless. Regardless, I might not have any hang-ups about sex, but I also didn’t want to talk with a bunch of other people about it.
Emma, ever so practical, thought we should join something where we gave back to the community. None of us were really against the idea, but it didn’t really fit the purpose for joining a club in the first place, so it was overruled.
“Look, he’s even got a Latino name. He’s the real thing.” Heather pointed to the screen.
Emilio Molina, dancing club, stared back at me. I wasn’t really against dancing, but there was no way around this if my parents found out. My father would never have approved, and the idea of his disapproval made my stomach twist.
Elite Page 3
