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“Call me as much as you need to. Take a walk. Go have a drink at the bar,” Violet urged me as I laughed.
“Sterling told me the same thing. Well, to call him for that.” I said as she went silent for a moment.
“You’re not driving together?” She asked, and I smiled sadly.
“No. No way. We need to pretend that we hate each other the same way our families hate each other.”
“Did you spend the night together? The room was empty,” she reminded me as I closed my eyes.
“Not here. We went to a hotel after dinner.” Violet sighed. “He made it romantic and perfect for me. I guess he just wanted to ease the pain of my visit.” I told her, waiting for her response.
“That almost sounds like a real relationship. I guess you’re not going to tell your parents about that.” I let my mouth drop open.
“No way. It’s business as usual at my house.” I assured her as she laughed. “I miss you. I can’t believe that you’re moving back there when school is over.”
“You can always come with me,” she reminded me as I walked back over to the window. I loved Washington. I was raised here. I didn’t want to leave, but I knew that I couldn’t live here if I wasn’t with Sterling. Last night proved that to me because it was the best one of my entire life.
“I know. I’ll see what happens.” We chatted for a few minutes and I promised to call her throughout the week. When we hung up, I stood and grabbed my duffel bag after slinging my purse over my shoulder. I walked into the hall, locking the door up
It was empty around here. I didn’t see anyone as I walked to the front door of the building, heading across the parking lot to my two-year-old Porche SUV. I rarely drove it, but it was nice when I did. I unlocked it with the push of a button and loaded the bags into the back of the car. I glanced around to see that Sterling had already left, smiling weakly.
I made the two-hour drive home listening to the radio, singing along to my favorite songs. My stomach was in knots as I pulled into the long driveway, seeing two more cars parked against the large garage. My brothers must be here. I eyed the vans slowly, turning off my engine and getting out of the car. The front door opened when I was pulling my bags out of the back and I glanced up to see Mom.
“You’re here, sweetie.” I dropped the bags as she hugged me tightly, smiling for a moment. I liked when it was just my mom and me. We got along but when we were inside with Dad, Vince, and Michael; she was different. She catered to the strong personalities of the men in my family.
“I am. It’s good to see you,” I told her warmly as we parted. I looked a lot like my beautiful mom while my brothers took after Dad with their dark blue eyes.
“Come inside. It’s cold out here.” She grabbed my purse, and I took the duffel bag, I stared at the intimidating brick house as we walked to the front door, wondering what was waiting behind it, waiting for me.
I got my things into my old room straight away, needing the moment alone so I could gather the courage to confront everyone. I heard the four kids under eight that were running all over the place as well as the booming voices of my brothers. I could smell the roast that mom was cooking in the oven.
I hoped that she had some wine in the fridge.
I freshened up in my attached bathroom and decided to face the music. I walked downstairs and into the living room with a big smile on my face. My brothers stood to hug me, and I asked how they were doing. I got an earful about the family company, the kids and how both of their wives were expecting another baby. It was exhausting.
I greeted the kids next, getting on the floor for hugs but ending up with them crawling all over me. I loved my nieces and nephews, but they were so active. I looked around as Geneva wrapped her arms around my neck, searching the room for my dad. Nathan jumped on my back and I groaned lightly, feeling the muscles that were still sore from the previous night.
“I’m making dinner. It will be ready in a couple of hours. Will Beth and Rachel be here by then?’ Mom asked as she looked around the room.
“They will. They’re visiting their aunt since she’s not here very often.” My brothers married cousins. It was crazy sometimes, and they fought more than they got along on bad days. I liked both of my sisters-in-law but their giant personalities made me tired.
“Where’s Dad?” I asked as I carried the five-year-old Geneva to the couch to sit down.
“He’s at the office. There’s a thing with a new property. He’s fighting for it because it’s perfect for another farm.” Mom smiled as she spoke, and I asked myself how many properties the man needed. He was rich beyond belief already. “He should be home for dinner.” She asked me if I’d like a glass of wine and I accepted instantly.
“Great. I can’t wait to see him.” I said as she walked into the kitchen. I was glad that the kids were the focus of the room right now, so I could get buzzed on some great wine. I was feeling a bit more relaxed when my father arrived home, walking through the garage door. He was talking to someone, and I glanced up at the sound of a male voice.
“Rosalind. You’re here. Good.” He looked me over as I clutched my glass, stepping aside so Rich James could enter the huge kitchen. I downed my wine at the sight my ex-boyfriend from high school. I knew that he worked for my family but assumed they understood that anything between us was over. “You remember Rich.”
“Of course. How are you?” I asked as I forced a smile on my face.
“Very well. You look beautiful, Rosalind.” His dark eyes were sharp as he looked me over and I shivered. I knew that he was here for a specific reason with the way his eyes roved over me. I knew that it was going to be a terrible week as I shrank back on the couch. I wanted to call Sterling and tell him to come rescue me or buy a plane ticket to Texas.
18
Sterling
I pulled up to the modern stone house and stared at all the windows. They did offer a great view of the hills, but the structure was just pretentious. I dropped my head back for a moment and thought about Rosie before I shut the engine off.
