It had been a long time since Chloe had attended one of these events. Over eight years. She couldn’t ignore the thread of nervousness twisting through her. Mom, and her pressures on how to conform, always made these events into a kind of hell.
Dad was firmly in her corner, and fully supported Daniel and Xavier. Why couldn’t Mom see his more open-minded view as opposed to her narrow one?
She smiled over at him. “Can’t wait to see you play. I love to watch you with Nights Embrace, but I get to see a whole new side tonight.”
“You have all my sides.”
“Mmm, and I’m going to have fun exploring each and every one.”
He frowned. “Why do you still look so nervous?”
“Worried what Mom’s going to say or do. You don’t know what she can be like at one of these.”
“You have me, and Daniel will be with you the whole time. Don’t stress. You’ve got this.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“I am.”
*
Doug kissed her cheek and brought her to the table her brother sat at. Daniel lifted a hand in a wave. “Xav is unloading the instruments and getting ready. I’ll keep your beautiful date safe.” He winked, raising his casted arm in the air menacingly.
Chloe nudged him. “I can handle myself, Danny. But I will enjoy your company.”
“Fine, fine. Come on, take a seat. Let your man do his thing.”
Doug chuckled. “Thanks, Daniel. Enjoy yourself, Chloe. I’ll be thinking of you while I play.”
“One downside to you performing. I won’t get to dance with you.”
“Then we’ll go dancing soon.”
“Sounds good.”
He took one last look at Chloe. The elegant gold cocktail dress was gorgeous on her. A present he couldn’t wait to open.
Pushing himself into motion, he made his way to the back where Xavier stood, opening his case. “Hey, man. Looking good. I bet Chloe’s still drooling.”
Doug laughed. “Yeah. I don’t see what she does, but she looks incredible.”
He rolled his eyes. “Don’t take this the wrong way, but you’re an attractive guy. With your physique, you dress up better than most. I know you prefer your jeans and tee shirts, but you can rock this look too.”
Doug nodded. “Where’s Rex?”
“He’ll be here. His girlfriend dumped him. He’s moving all her shit out of the apartment.”
“Think he’ll take her back? Again?”
“Who knows? He hasn’t learned his lesson yet.”
“Good point.”
“Oh, Rosemarie is in a foul mood tonight. I think Tom has finally had enough.” Doug couldn’t blame Mr. Mae. The little he’d gleaned, it seemed he didn’t really know his wife. He had a bad feeling about where the night was going.
*
“No champagne?” Daniel asked with a raised brow.
“Nope. Doug doesn’t drink, and I’m not big on alcohol either. Made sense to give it up.”
He grinned. “You two make quite the match. You both have huge hearts. I’m so glad you got rid of that prick Mom loves so much.” He groaned. “Did I warn you Pierce is going to be here?”
“Isn’t he married by now?” She knew he’d been engaged, but hadn’t kept up on his life. After he cheated on her, she refused to talk to him.
“Was, and already divorced. That’s why Mom was going to try to set you up.”
“She’ll get over it. Or not. It doesn’t really matter.”
Danielle joined them with a gorgeous man. She’d only met Bradley once before, back when she graduated from high school. That had been a blur.
Danielle gave her a one-armed hug and nodded to her hunky lawyer husband. “Chloe, I don’t know if you remember Bradley, my wonderful husband.”
“We met briefly, once.” She shook his hand. “Good to see you.”
“Likewise. I hear you started at Children’s. Doing quite well, as I understand.”
“I am. Thank you.”
“Your goal-oriented approach reminds me of Danielle.”
She blushed, smiling at the comparison. Something she’d have never thought she’d be proud to hear, but it warmed her all the way through.
Mom dropped into a seat across from them, champagne in hand. “Aren’t you drinking, buttercup?” she asked Chloe, her words slurring.
Managing a smile, Chloe raised her glass. “Water.”
“You aren’t pregnant, are you?”
Chloe looked to Daniel, who shook his head, rolling his eyes.
“No. I don’t need to alcohol to enjoy myself.”
She harrumphed, sitting back in her seat. “I would think a woman dating a musician would be drinking and partying every night.”
“Not all musicians party hard.”
The music started. It was bluesy with a classy feel. Chloe looked up and caught Doug’s gaze. He lit up and she smiled back.
Her mother turned to look, then spun back with fury in her eyes. “You would choose a worthless musician over a lawyer?”
“I chose love over a selfish bastard. I chose a man who gets me. A man who is so full of love and talent, I can’t understand why you have such an issue with him.”
“Talent is nothing compared to money and power.”
Danielle snorted. “What happened to you? Dad loves you, he gives you everything. He doesn’t care about the money or power. He’s making positive changes in our state.”
“You used to be on my side,” Mom snapped, then turned to Daniel. “And you, such a disappointment. I wanted you to follow in your father’s footsteps, but you are such a queer.”
“And proud of it,” Daniel replied coolly. “Though, Mother, you should watch what you say. You’ll make Father look bad. He has supporters in this room. Some of whom share my sexual preference. Not to mention many doctors, like your youngest child, whom he’s extremely proud of.”
Dad came over, sitting down with a tight smile. He gave each of his children an apologetic nod before turning to Mom. “Honey, why don’t you come with me?”
Her voice dropped. “Why do you put up with children who are such a disappointment?”
His eyes closed as he drew a slow breath. When he opened them again, he said, “Darling, our children lead their own lives. I never expected any of them to follow in my footsteps. They should take the path that makes them happy. Each have meaningful relationships, like ours, born of love and respect.”
“I do love you, and respect you deeply. Our children, they don’t understand how damaging their choices are to you, to us, to everything you’ve built.”
He shook his head. “You’re not making sense. Come, let’s talk in private.”
Chloe watched her father pull her mother away. He looked sad, while she looked angry. “I don’t get her.”
Danielle squeezed her arm. “She needs help. She drinks too much most of the time. I think she suffers from depression.”
Her brother shook his head. “She’s always been like this. Plotting how to get her children on the path she wanted. It’s ridiculous, but the way it is.”
“I remember when I was little.” Chloe sighed. “She used to tell me I’d marry a lawyer, and he’d go on to be powerful. Even then I thought she was crazy. How can you not be proud your child became a doctor? She acts like it was nothing.”
“She’s nuts. Maybe Dad can get her help.” Daniel nudged her shoulder and nodded to the stage. “Focus on the man who makes you smile. Forget about family drama for the night.”
“Mmm, now that sounds like a plan,” Chloe agreed.
The concern in Doug’s eyes dissipated. She couldn’t help smiling. He was everything she ever wanted. Part of her hoped she could find a way to prove that to her mother.
Chapter Fourteen
The party was finally over. Doug packed up his acoustic guitar. When he turned, Chloe threw her arms around his neck. She squeezed him tight. “I love you.”
He wound her in his embrace, and kisse
d her cheek, attempting to leave the pretty red lips intact. “Love you too. I take it your Mom didn’t get to you? Or if she did, not for long?”
Her smile evaporated. “Dad took her home and came back. I guess she’s drinking too much. She’s agreed to go to rehab. He thinks there might be deeper issues too. I don’t know what’s going to happen.”
“Maybe they need some couples therapy. I mean, she clearly doesn’t see things his way. I’m not saying they have to agree on everything, but her view is all twisted. If they could at least talk it out, they might be able to fix their problems.”
“Hope my mother isn’t too stubborn to try. I remember how good they were together when I was a kid. They always seemed so happy. The perfect fairytale couple.”
“Then I wish them luck. As long as I get to keep you, I’m a happy man.”
“You better keep her,” Mr. Mae said, clapping a hand on his shoulder.
Doug dipped his head slightly, stepping back from Chloe with a sheepish grin. “Evening, Mr. Mae. I hope you enjoyed the music.”
“Always. I’m glad you agreed to this. In fact, I handed your card to a few people. They want to sponsor your program.”
“Really?”
“I wouldn’t pull your leg. Yes, really. The people here tonight want to back anyone making a positive contribution to Seattle and its children. That’s you.”
“Thank you, Mr.—”
“Please, stop with the formalities. Call me Tom. And I hope to see more of you with my daughter. She’s never been so radiant. I have a feeling that has everything to do with you.”
“As long as she’ll have me, I’ll put a smile on her face.”
“Good man.” He turned to Chloe and pulled her into a hug. “I’m so proud of you, my beautiful girl. You charmed quite a few people tonight. The directors at Children’s are looking forward to watching you grow.”
She blushed. “I plan to wow them the best I can.”
“You will. You two have a good night. I need to say goodbye to your brother and sister.”
“Have a good evening,” Doug called.
“Bye, Dad.”
“Ready to get out of here?” Doug asked.
“Very.” She tiptoed up to whisper in his ear, “Watching you play all night made me incredibly horny.”
He groaned. “Then I’d best take care of you. Let’s get out of here.”
Chapter Fifteen
“Sure you don’t want me to go in there with you?” Doug asked, as he pulled up to the rehab center.
Her father had dropped her mother off two weeks before. Dad was worried about how her treatment was progressing, but said she wanted to talk to Chloe. Daniel warned her that Mom wouldn’t change her opinions, and not to let it get to her.
Chloe shook her head. “Need to do this on my own.”
He leaned over to give her a kiss. Then he caressed her face. “I’ll be here when you’re done. Take as long as you need.”
“Thank you for doing this.”
“Anything for you.”
She took a fortifying breath and walked to the building. It took every ounce of will she possessed to climb the stairs and walk inside. It was finally time make a stand for herself against the woman who’d sent her running too many times over the years.
The receptionist buzzed her through, and she was greeted by an attendant who took her to the gardens where her mother sat, staring at the flowers.
“Good afternoon, Mother.”
Her mom looked over and scowled. “You’re the reason I’m stuck here,” she spat.
Chloe’s eyes narrowed and she sat across from the woman she never truly understood. Even when she’d been loving and caring, she was pushing her down a path Chloe didn’t want to follow. Daniel was the first to break free from her guidance. Then Chloe. And somewhere along the way, Danielle fell out of her mother’s good graces.
Tired of feeling small, and insignificant, she decided to lay it out. “No, abusing alcohol is what got you here. Not me. I haven’t done anything to you.”
“You’ve ruined your chance at being happy, of having power, of making a difference.” Her mother’s jaw clenched, her face turning red as she shook her head in disgust. “You’ll never amount to anything. Just like your brother.”
“You’re wrong.”
“I’m right.”
“On what planet?” Chloe snapped back. “You don’t think helping kids is noble? You don’t think I’m going to make them healthier? Why is it that me being a doctor means so little to you?”
“You’ll waste away, constantly running, constantly busy, just like my father.”
Chloe shook her head. Grampa Carter had been a doctor and yes, he’d worked a lot of hours until his retirement. That didn’t make sense though. “Dad works constantly. He never stops going. He’s always campaigning. He’s not even here half the time because he’s in the Senate. So how is being a doctor worse than that? Especially when my specialty isn’t one that will keep me running at all hours of the day and night?”
“You’ll put your career before your family.”
“Isn’t that what Dad’s done? He was a lawyer, then politics, now a senator. He’s so focused on what he’s doing he hardly realized seven years had passed without seeing me. Before we were all at the hospital visiting Daniel, I hadn’t spoken with him in four years.”
“Your brother,” she seethed. “You two want to ruin us.”
Her chest ached. “You know, I had hoped it was alcohol that made you bitter. I’m beginning to think you just want us as miserable as you are. I’m happy. So is Daniel. Danielle, too. You’re pissed off because we’re doing what we want, and you aren’t. I feel sorry for you.”
Chloe stood, and started to walk away.
“Maybe you’re right. But, Chloe, your happiness will evaporate. Your boyfriend is a musician. He’ll fall into alcohol, maybe drugs, then start sleeping around. You’ll never make him happy with your career. You’ll both be miserable.”
“You need more than rehab to fix whatever is wrong with you. Good luck.”
She hurried out of the building, found Doug leaning against his car, and rushed to him. He pushed away and closed the distance to catch her. “Oh, baby, what’s wrong. What did she say?”
“Doesn’t matter. It’s all bullshit.”
“Chloe, don’t do that. What did she say? Let me tell you why she’s wrong.”
She looked into his eyes. “I know she’s wrong, but if you insist.” She rolled her eyes. “You’ll start drinking, then drugs, then cheating. I’ll be too busy with my job to keep you happy. Like her path would have made me any less busy.”
“It’s not like you’re working crazy hours. I don’t drink. Drugs are the last thing on my mind. There are no other women, and never will be. You’re it for me.”
“There were others between the last time and now.”
He nodded. “No one important. I’m sure you’ve been with more than Pierce.”
“Not often, and certainly not worth remembering. That goes for Pierce, too.”
He sneered. “He’s lucky I was busy with my guitar that night at the event. I saw the way he was looking at you. My fists were itching to slam into his face a few times.”
Her eyes widened. “You never said anything.”
“Why should I have? I wasn’t mad at you. It wasn’t even that he was looking at you. My objection was how he was looking at you. Like you were a possession, a favorite toy or something. But you know what?”
“What?”
“He doesn’t have you. I do. No one else but me. So let him stare, and drool all he wants.”
“Good, because I like listening to you play.”
He grinned, an air of mischief in his eyes. “I’ll play for you anytime.”
*
Doug drove them down to Palisade for lunch with Tom, Daniel, and Danielle. He gave Chloe a smile, teasing slightly, “Do I get to go in with you?”
“Definitely. Before, I needed to see w
hat Mom would do, and how I would react on my own.”
He nodded, though he wasn’t sure he understood. Honestly, during her visit with Mom, a trace of fear she might backtrack did worry him. She’d squashed that the second she was back in his arms.
They climbed out and he handed the keys to the valet. When he stepped onto the curb, Chloe wrapped her arms around him, tiptoeing up to lay a kiss on his lips. Then her tongue delved in, caressing his.
Groaning, he pushed her back. “Lunch first, then I’ll take you home to make love to you.”
She grinned. “I’ll hold you to that.” Threading her fingers through his, she pulled him to the door.
Selfishly, he wanted to take her back home now, but he followed, and dutifully pulled her chair out. Her eyes met his before Doug took his own seat.
She leaned over to whisper against his ear. “Thank you. For everything. How’d I get so lucky?”
He shrugged, a crooked grin appearing. “Never could resist you. Now you’re stuck with me.”
Daniel gave Chloe a sympathetic look. “How was she?”
“You were right.”
Doug heard the sadness in her words. He took her hand, wishing he could do something more.
Her father shook his head. “I’m sorry, princess. She’s not responding well to the treatment. I’m not sure what to do.”
“What do you want to do?”
He shrugged. “Don’t know. Things have really changed, and I didn’t even realize how much until we were all at the hospital. I’m not sure how to fix what’s broken.”
“We’re here for you.” Daniel grabbed their dad’s hand. “No matter what you decide.”
“We are,” Chloe answered.
“Anything you need, call us. I’ll even make it a point to check on you.” Danielle smiled.
“Thank you.” He looked to Chloe. “Maybe we should get together for weekly meal. All of us.”
“Definitely. We can rotate where,” Chloe added.
“We can figure those details out later. Let’s talk about happier things for now.”
*
Doug pulled Chloe with him as he backed up and dropped into the chair. She straddled his lap, pressing her chest against his, as she took his mouth in a kiss.
