I frowned, and then almost immediately forced the smile back. “Sounds great. I’ll check in with Rick, see if I can crash on his couch for the night.”
“Or you could catch the next flight to New York.” Gio sipped his water, the corners of his lips curled up in a smile.
Gio was the romantic of the family, for sure. Him and Rachel. But I couldn’t just show up on her doorstep. Not to mention, I didn’t even know where her doorstep was. Or did I? We would’ve had her name and information on record for the rental. I intended to text Broderick and see if he’d let me take over his couch after I snuck off from the party. “Will Alicia and Rick be there?”
“Please. Alicia and Rick are workaholics, trying to save the world one case at a time.” Liling flipped her hair off her shoulder. “I’m hoping they’ll at least make an appearance to see their sister off. But I suppose unless we end up with some major drugs at the party, they’re going to be too busy.”
“There better not be drugs at this party, Liling. And if there are, you better stay away from them.” Gio was relaxed in his chair, but his tone was serious.
“Oh, Giovanni, you know my favorite pastime is snorting coke off other models’ asses.” She batted her eyes at him and grinned as sweetly as she could.
I shook my head and grabbed a chicken wing. “Gio, Lil’s just trying to bait you. You’d be better off just ignoring it.” I winked at Liling. “Besides, I know coke’s not your drug of choice.”
Gio’s expression didn’t falter, and Liling and I cracked up laughing.
Neil rolled his eyes. “You’re so serious, Gio.”
Gio shook his head and picked up his water cup again.
Rather than Sheila coming back, Zane brought over our drinks. “How are you guys liking the new appetizers?”
I held up the chicken wing. “I’m about to try.”
Zane sat on the other end of the booth and we all dug into the spread of appetizers he’d sent over. Unsurprisingly, everything was delicious, and the rest of them chatted and joked while I focused on my beer.
“Chuck, are you okay? You’re being a wet blanket,” Liling whispered, as the rest of the group scoped out the other patrons.
“I’m just tired. I’ve been working a lot lately.”
“Bullshit. You’re acting like a girl who got her heart broken.” Liling looked at me pointedly. “Is this about that woman I met in Glenwood?”
I sighed. “It’s not about anything. I just didn’t want to come out tonight. And I couldn’t care less about scamming on easy tourist women or what new appetizers Zane and his chefs have come up with. I have work to do, and I’m not getting anything done, drinking here with you guys. And now that I’m going to Denver tomorrow, I should really get out of here.”
“Chuck, come on, loosen up. I have it on good authority that you haven’t even been skiing or snowboarding in weeks.”
I got up and shook my head. “I don’t need the lecture from my nineteen-year-old little sister, okay, Liling? I’m going to your party, I’ll see you off tomorrow night, and I promise I’ll even try to have fun. Hell, if it’d make you happy, I’ll find a slutty model bimbo and put my tongue down her throat. But tonight… Tonight, I’m going home and I’m going to bed.”
Liling got up and threw her arms around me. “Okay. Whatever’s going on is clearly none of my business, and I overstepped. I’m just worried about my big brother. I hate that you look miserable, and I just want you to be happy.”
I sighed and hugged her back, leaning my chin on her head. “You’re a good kid, Lil. I’m sorry I’m being a mope. I promise I’ll get my shit together before tomorrow.”
Liling patted my back and pulled away, looking up at me with a smile. “You don’t have to come if you don’t want to. If I felt how you looked, I wouldn’t want to go to a party.”
“You’re about to take off for weeks. I’d be a dick if I didn’t come see you off. And it might be good for me to get away for a night or two. Reset, away from Aspen.”
Lil laughed. “You know, most people come to Aspen for a reset. Not the other way around.”
“Trust me, some time away will probably do me good. Maybe I’ll even let you point me in the direction of a slutty model or two.”
“Well, Vanessa’s going to be there, and you know she’s pretty much cornered the market. But we’ll find you someone else who’s a little more up to your standards.”
I rolled my eyes at the mention of Vanessa. She was worse than a bad penny, for as often as she showed up. “If she’s the best your party has to offer, I’m definitely going to see if I can crash on Rick’s couch.”
“Call me tomorrow, okay? We can ride to the city together. And maybe you can fill me in on what’s bothering you.” She held up her hands in a surrender pose. “Only if you want to. Promise, this is the last I’ll bring it up.”
I kissed her cheek and looked around the room for Luke and my brothers. “Let everyone know I took off, okay? And if you can, try not to make it sound as pathetic as I’m sure you think it is.”
“Wouldn’t dream of it, brother.” She smiled at me once more, and then I weaved my way to the exit, looking forward to a few hours of quiet before I went back to the chalet to torture myself with more repairs.
Liling took off in a cab almost as soon as we pulled up to Rick’s, and I was sure that even though she claimed it was because she was getting ready with some of her girlfriends, it was more about getting away from me for a couple hours before the party.
I could hear how down I’d been the entire drive, barely mustering the energy to sing along to the radio, or laugh and joke at how tourists drove on the snowy roads. At least once I’d made my rounds at the party, had a few drinks, and made sure Liling knew I wasn’t going to slit my wrists or something if she wasn’t watching over me, I could come back to Rick’s to be mostly alone for the night.
Knocking on the front door to Rick’s renovated loft, I fingered the keyring that bore the symbol all of us Wright kids carried in one way or another. Gio had designed it when we were in high school, wanting something that connected us all, even if we were halfway around the world. My medallion, I turned into a keyring, so it would always be in my pocket or hanging from the ignition of my car. I knew Rick kept his tucked in his wallet behind his badge, the two symbols that most strongly defined him. Liling’s changed placement depending on her outfit, but was always some form of jewelry.
The W embossed over a sunburst and a crescent moon was nearly rubbed smooth in places from me touching it like I was, but it didn’t stop me from knowing what it was, what it meant.
“Chuck, it’s about damn time you came out of those mountains. Tell me you brought some of Zane’s beer? I ran out weeks ago, and Jonah’s birthday’s not for another couple weeks.”
“Would I dare come to visit and not bring you something?” I grinned and clapped his back in a quick hug. “I’ve got several bottles in the back of the Jeep. Whatever I don’t drink tonight, you can keep.”
He pushed past me, running for the car. “Then I’m stashing some now!”
I shook my head and dropped my duffel bag by his couch, my makeshift bed for the night. I slumped down and pulled out my phone again, rereading a few text messages from Aubrey as I waited for Rick to come back with beer.
“So, bro, you going to tell me what brings you to my neck of the woods for the night?”
“I told you on the phone. Liling invited me to a party before she heads off around the world again, so I’m here to support her.” I dropped my phone on the couch and reached for one of the bottles. “Tell me what’s new with you.”
He plopped down on the couch next to me and grabbed a beer. “I’d rather talk about what’s got you looking like you’re about to cry when you’re on your way to a party.”
I sighed and popped the top off the beer. “Nothing’s going on. My stupid chalet is crumbling, and Luke wants to rent it out again already. I’m tired and I’ve been working nonstop for weeks. I’m no
t going to cry, Rick.” I rubbed my eyes and took a deep swig of the beer.
“So, you’re looking forward to the party then?” Rick leaned back on the couch, holding his bottle carefully even though he hadn’t opened it yet. He raised an eyebrow at me.
I pursed my lips. “What have you heard?”
“Just that you’ve been withdrawn and ignoring family, and your hobby’s to work on that chalet of yours. That Mom and Lil are worried. And Luke and Zane even called when they found out you were staying with me. They thought that maybe since you’re here for a couple days, away from everything, you might open up. Or, if that fails, I could use my interrogation skills to get the truth from you.” He grinned. “So, you going to open up? Or do I need to throw the book at you?”
I rolled my eyes and polished off my beer. “Nothing’s wrong. I’m going to the party. Would it make everyone feel better if I make out with some model tonight?”
Rick shrugged. “Couldn’t hurt. Unless you’ve got some girl you’re hung up on? Something standing in the way of you finding some hottie to make out with? Or going home with? Come on, man, you’re a Wright. Don’t ruin our collective rep.”
I set down the empty bottle and leaned my head on the back of the sofa, thinking about Aubrey. “I doubt my not nailing a model at some party would damage your reputation.”
“From the way Zane tells it, you haven’t been with a girl in three weeks.” Rick sipped his beer.
“What exactly are you accusing me of, Rick?” I got up and paced in front of his living room window.
“Contrary to my bad joke earlier, this isn’t an interrogation, Chuck. I’m just trying to find out what’s going on with my brother.”
“Look, if I have something going on that I feel the need to discuss, then I’ll bring it up. Otherwise, how about you, and everyone else, just let me be. I’m going to this fucking party. I’ve already promised to have a good time and be there for Liling. If I want to stay home and not just take stranger after stranger to bed with me, then that’s my fucking choice.” I threw my hands up into the air and grabbed my duffel. “I’ll find somewhere else to stay tonight.”
“Chuck, wait. Sit down. I’ll drop it.”
I sighed and dropped my bag. “I’m going to go get ready for the party. Don’t drink all the beer.” I headed into the bathroom but made no effort to start getting ready. I just stared at myself in the mirror. Logically, I knew there was no reason to still be hung up on Aubrey. She hadn’t called, hadn’t texted, in weeks. It was clear she’d moved on, that she was back in New York, back to her life, and there was no longer room for me.
Eventually, I changed and got ready for the party. When I came out of the bathroom, Rick was gone, a spare key and a note lying on the island.
Try to have fun tonight. I had to go into work for a while, but I’ll see you later.
I hooked the key on my ring and got back into my Jeep. The last thing I wanted to do was to go to a party with a bunch of models and wannabe actors, but I’d promised Liling.
Vanessa Howard flounced up to me in too-tall heels and threw her arms around me. “Chuck, I’m so glad you made it!”
I rolled my eyes and gently extricated her arms from around my neck. “Hi, Vanessa.” I looked around the party, trying to find my sister. “Liling around?”
“She’s here somewhere. Come get me a drink.” She tugged on my hand and pulled me toward the bar.
Reluctantly, I followed after her, still scanning the room for Liling.
“It was so great seeing you in Glenwood Springs. We should go back to those hot springs when I get back from Paris. I bet we could get even steamier than the tubs.” She batted her eyelashes at me.
“You know, Vanessa, I think I’m just going to get myself a drink and find Liling for a while. Why don’t you go find someone to dance with?” I scanned the room and found a guy at random. “How about him?”
“Him? He’s, like, totally gay.” She rolled her eyes and ordered a white wine spritzer.
I shook my head and got a scotch on the rocks, then quickly swerved away from Vanessa.
“Chuck, you look like you’ve seen a ghost.” Liling sauntered over to me and smiled. “It’s good to see you out and about.”
“Hey, sis. Looks like this party’s exactly how you described.” I wrapped my arm around her shoulders and squeezed her. “Who are the hot people I just have to meet tonight?”
Liling laughed. “You’re here for me. Fuck all these other people.” She took my scotch and downed it before I could say anything more.
“Hey! You’re still in the States and you’re still underage.” I took the glass and looked back at the bar. “Just don’t get caught.”
“I can be stealthy.” She grinned. “You going to get another? Maybe you’d like to double-fist it tonight?”
I shook my head. “I’m not going to stop your drinking, but I’m not enabling you either.”
“All right, fine. Go get yourself another scotch and have some fun. I’ll see you in a bit, okay?”
I nodded and kissed her cheek. “Don’t get into trouble tonight.”
“I make no promises.” She nudged me toward the bar. “It wouldn’t hurt you to get into a little trouble either.”
I winked at her and smiled. “I make no promises either.”
She shook her head and sauntered off to the dance floor where she immediately joined in with a group of women shaking it to the fast beat coming out of the surround sound.
On my way back to the bar, Vanessa grabbed me and pulled me onto the floor. For such a thin woman, she held my wrist very tightly, and she danced up against me, moving her hips as she slithered around to the beat.
I hardly moved as the song played out, enduring Vanessa until the final beats hit.
“That was amazing, lover. Let’s do it again soon, okay?” She pressed her lips to mine, and despite my pressed together lips, she tried in vain to put her tongue in my mouth.
I pushed her away and headed out onto the balcony for some air. I didn’t care that it was barely above freezing; I just needed to be out of that party for a minute.
27
Aubrey
Mr. Gregory Simmons formally announces his engagement to Miss Mindi Kettering.
The newspaper headline burned in my brain as I ignored yet another call from my mother. It hadn’t even been a full month since we were scheduled to say our “I do’s”, and already, he’d made plans with my ex-maid of honor.
Of course, just to add insult to injury, they were planning the perfect June wedding, the sort of event everyone would be talking about all season. Mom was livid.
I didn’t know how to feel.
Still, Chuck hadn’t called. Sure, I didn’t expect him to follow the social pages of the New York papers, but not even a texted flirtation lingered from our whirlwind week in Aspen. Instead, all I was getting on my phone were calls from family and so-called friends, either to rub my face in the fact that Mindi was getting the wedding I never would, or to tell me it wasn’t too late, that I could still find a man and have a June wedding of my own.
The knock on my door surprised me, and I carefully stored my sketchpad away before I got up to answer it. For the first week or two after my trip to Aspen, I felt like my creativity was unstoppable, a force unto itself that allowed me to power through several projects I’d felt stuck in before. But then the creativity dwindled again, and I felt like I was right up against the wall, with no good ideas left in my head.
“Aubrey, thank god you’re all right. I was beginning to worry you’d had an accident!” My mother pushed her way into my foyer and shook her head at me. “You can’t take two minutes to answer a call from your mother?”
“Not when all you want to talk about is Greg and Mindi, Mom.” I turned on the Keurig and got out two mugs. “You want coffee?”
“Decaf, please.” She sat at my island and looked around my living room. Any remnant of Greg was gone, and I’d taken some time to find a few pieces that r
eally spoke to me, my mother’s sensibilities be damned. “A purple couch, Aubrey? Really? What sort of man are you going to attract if you bring him here for a nice dinner party and he sees that?”
“Well, Mom, I was actually thinking I wouldn’t throw any dinner parties for a while. It turns out that everyone who comes to them have been heinous bitches lately. And as for a man, I thought I’d just bypass the living room and head straight for the bed. I mean, I am thirty-two. My ovaries aren’t getting any younger, am I right?”
Mom’s eyes grew as wide as saucers, and then she crossed her arms and pursed her lips at me. “Aubrey, really, do you think this is a time for jokes? Especially ones in such bad taste.”
I handed her a mug and then started a full-caf cup for myself. “Who says I’m joking, Mom? I’m clearly not going to make it in the Upper East Side social circles anymore. I’m damaged goods. I’ve been traded in for the more plasticky model. And I’m okay with that. I don’t need a man. Certainly not one like Greg Simmons. I’ve got a good job, one that I’ve built up on my own for years, and I make more than enough money to support myself. What would marriage bring me that I haven’t gotten for myself?”
“A family. Good standing in society. A partner in life.”
“I’ll adopt. Or get a cat. And as for society, they can all go fuck themselves. Do you know how many people I’ve told about what Greg did? And all of them, except Caroline, have sided with Greg. Even you. He broke our marriage, even before it happened. I’m sorry you don’t see the wisdom in my getting out before I was legally bound to him.” I moved to the fridge and pulled out my bottle of coffee creamer. “I hope Greg and Mindi are blissfully miserable together. Just like you and Daddy were.”
“What has gotten into you, Aubrey Briana? Is this Caroline’s doing? You know I never liked that girl. I still don’t understand what your school was thinking, letting a scholarship kid from Queens into your class.”
“Caroline’s got a hell of a lot more sense than you do, Mom, if you think I give a single fuck about your societal rules and decorum. The world doesn’t revolve around the rich marrying richer anymore. And I’m not going to fall from my place in the world just because I decided to stand up for myself. So, if that’s the whole reason you came over today, then I’d be happy to show you the door. And if you have anything else to say, I’d still be happy to show you the door. I just might tell you where you can shove your ‘advice’ beforehand.”
Seducing the Runaway Bride (The Wrights Book 1) Page 18
