Page 5 of Not Until I Found You

He chuckles. “You sound about as thrilled as a cat headed to the vet.”

You know, that’s honestly a perfect description for how I feel about coming to these events with Derek. A laugh slips out of me before I can stop myself. Ashton has always read me better than anyone else. Apparently, the two hundred miles that separate us haven’t dulled his big-brother senses. I welcome this opportunity to chat with him, because I miss him, and it’s also the break I desperately need from the corporate buzz surrounding me.

“What gave me away?” I ask.

“The fact that I can barely hear myself think over whatever fancy event you’re trapped at.”

The word trapped zips through me, because even though I came here willingly, I’ve always felt trapped. I glance back toward the ballroom, where a fresh round of applause erupts from near the center of the room. There’s still no sign of Derek anywhere.

“It’s another corporate gala.”

“And where’s Derek?”

I hesitate for a second, and it gives everything away. Sometimes I wish Ashton wasn’t so insightful.

“Maxinne?”

I shrug, even though he can’t see me. “He’s around.”

“That’s not what I asked.”

I sigh because there’s no point in denying it. “He’s busy networking.”

“As in talking to people?”

“Yes.”

“And did he leave you standing by yourself again?”

I lean against the wall and close my eyes. The truth is, I’ve spent the entire evening nodding along to conversations I can’t keep up with, laughing at jokes I don’t find funny, and pretending—always pretending—that Derek hung the moon. Once he didn’t need me, I disappeared into the background.

“It’s his event, Ashton.”

“That’s not an answer.”

A wave of defensiveness rises in my chest. Even though Ashton isn’t wrong, I don’t have the energy to explain how Derek’s been tonight or want to argue with my brother over my life choices. He’s never been a fan of Derek’s and my relationship.

“He’s been busy.” I exhale loudly. “Can we please not do this tonight?”

Silence stretches across the line for a moment before Ashton finally says, “Fine. But for the record, I think you deserve better than being treated like an afterthought.”

“He isn’t treating me like that,” I say automatically, but the words leave a bitter taste in my mouth, because if they were true, I wouldn’t be hiding in a corner, hanging out with a plant while Derek is walking around without me.

I hear Ashton scoff, and I roll my eyes.

“How are things there?” I decide to change the subject.

“Honestly? It’s been a little rough.”

He lets out a tired exhale and I hear the weariness in his voice. It sends a ripple of worry through me, especially since Ashton has always been the one who carries burdens without a single complaint. I’ve always admired that about him, but lately, I can sense the toll it’s had on him.

“Is it because of Dad?”

“Yeah.”

“How’s he doing?” I ask.

“About the same.” Ashton pauses. “He’s still stubborn as ever and wants to do everything himself, which would’ve been fine a few months ago but not so much after a stroke.”