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My phone rings from my pocket, but I can’t move my arms to answer the call as I stride through each space of the room. The countertops are marble and the red sofa in the sitting room looks like it was made with the richest velvet and I’m scared to sit on it. When I bring my hand down onto the island centered in the kitchen it pushes a button on the remote and a whirring sound catches my attention — should I really be surprised that the TV pops out of a stand connected to the wall?
This is the life Sydney probably lives every day and here I am surprised by all of it — now that sinking feeling is understandable, she’s going to realize how much better she can do than someone like me.
Chapter 24
Sydney
The charity gala only started thirty minutes ago and I already can’t wait to get out of this tight dress and into something looser. Heath insisted that I wear something that would catch the guests’ attention, so he thought he should come with me to try on dresses and this is the one he picked. I’m not sure what his plans are, only that he’s been adamant about me staying throughout the entirety of the event because he has a big announcement to make.
It shouldn’t have anything to do with the ranch, considering I haven’t had a chance to make it out there again to gain information for him. At least, that’s what he thought I was going to do — I was more than prepared to come back empty-handed with my two-week notice. I’ve had a couple extra weeks to think about what it is I truly want in life and it isn’t what I’m living now. Justine helped me come to terms with things and it has everything to do with the two men that live three hours away.
I plaster a fake smile on my face as the businessmen walk over to me and shake my hand — apparently, I’m the one greeting all the guests — before walking toward the open bar. Why doesn’t it surprise me that the men are the ones with alcohol in their hands while their wives sip glasses of water? A travesty really, but it’s not my business to worry about.
I’m struck speechless when a familiar frame walks through the entrance, his gaze surveying the large space as he fidgets in his tux. It doesn’t take more than a glance for the rest of the guests to realize how out of place Brent is with his cheap suit, but the moment his eyes find mine there’s a blinding smile on his face. I’d love nothing more than to show him how happy I am to see him here, but instead, I avert my gaze from his and find Heath watching us from across the room.
The smirk that lifts at the corners of his mouth has my stomach rolling with anxiety — he knows everything that I’ve been up to. I’m not sure how he managed to find out, but there’s nothing I know more than the look in his eyes when he’s about to get revenge on someone. Tonight, that someone just happens to be me, and I have a sinking suspicion that it also involves the man standing in front of me.
There’s no reason that Brent should be here unless Heath wanted him to be, and the only reason Heath would want him here is if he’s on to our growing relationship. My spine stiffens when Brent’s arm comes around my waist and I glance at him, noting the frown on his face.
“Brent,” I whisper as people push past the two of us without a second glance. “What are you doing here?”
He blinks a few times. “You didn’t know I’d be coming? I thought you were the one who sent the invitation.”
“No, why would I do that?” My nerves are taking over so badly that the question comes out wrong and Brent flinches from the question. I take a deep breath and smile at him, trying my best to make it look polite rather than overly excited. “Sorry, that didn’t come out right, I’ve had my boss on my ass all day and the stress is getting to me.”
While Brent glances around the large space, watching as the staff members take the women’s coats, I take a moment to appreciate the way his suit looks on him. It might not be as expensive as the rest of the suits in this place, but that’s what makes it completely him. He’s not wearing an Armani suit to make himself look just like everyone else and that brings a big smile to my face.
“Where are you sitting?” Brent asks, nudging his head toward the round tables placed two feet apart from each other.
I clear my throat and shrug. “Honestly? I haven’t had time to worry about that.” My gaze darts over his shoulder and I breathe out a sigh of relief when I don’t see Heath standing there anymore. “But, it doesn’t hurt to figure that out now. Come with me?”
A couple women sitting close to the doors, eyeing the men who walk in, look Brent up and down before giggling. I narrow my eyes at them while dragging Brent along the floor, hoping to find an empty table somewhere in the back — if I have to see anyone else look at Brent the wrong way, I’m going to go off, and I don’t think that would be a good look for Heath right now.
“Why are we all the way back here?”
I dart my gaze away from him, hating how easily his presence heats my skin up, and say, “The lights give me a headache, figured we could stay where it’s a little darker. Is that okay?”
He frowns, but nods. “Uh, yeah, sure.” There’s a stiffness in his shoulders as he sits down that I’m not sure I like, but acting too comfortable with him would set off alarm bells. If there’s a chance Heath doesn’t know about Brent and I, then I can save my ass by acting as casually as possible with him. “I’ve missed you.”
His words immediately calm the nerves and I place my hand on top of his, momentarily forgetting about the distance I’m supposed to be putting between us until someone walks by. I pull my hand from his and place it back on my lap, frowning at myself for acting this way. I’m not sure what the hell is going on, but I’m only upset with myself for never coming clean to Brent sooner.
I had everything I was going to say to him rehearsed, not wanting to leave a single detail out, and there’s a chance all of that hard work is going to shit tonight. I’ve spent almost a year lying to not only Brent, but to Nathan as well, and I’ve never felt more horrible about myself than I do at this moment. Heath isn’t one to let things go easily, which means if he knows about this thing with Brent, then he’s not going to back down from a fight.
“Uh, Sydney?” Brent’s loud voice knocks me from my thoughts and I shake my head before glancing up at him. He’s got his head cocked to the side, then the music changes to something slower and he stands from his seat with a hand out. “Would you like to dance?”
There’s nothing I would like more.
I should’ve thought the decision through a little more before giving him my hand, but he’s already pulling me onto the dance floor just as I see Heath’s tall frame watching us from across the room. While Brent mumbles things into my ear, my gaze stays focused on the man who ruined my life in more ways than one, and I can’t concentrate on anything Brent’s saying.
This should be a happy moment for me, since I’ve been missing Brent more and more every day, but it’s only sadness I feel. I know this moment isn’t going to last forever, no matter how much I wish it would, and that makes it hard to listen to Brent’s voice right now. I go to bed dreaming of hearing it every day, rather than one week every few months, and now he’s standing in front of me with his arms wrapped around my waist.
As soon as the song ends, another starts, and Brent’s body only seems to get closer to mine. I should move away from him, put some distance between our bodies before everything becomes more obvious, but I can’t bring myself to do that. I’ve been craving his touch ever since I left, wishing I could feel him sink into me over and over again, and now that I’ve got his hands on me I can’t move.
All I can do is enjoy the time that I’m getting with him before everything I’ve built with him is destroyed. Looking at Heath over Brent’s shoulder, there’s only one thought running through my mind — how can someone be so cruel? It’s like Heath can’t stand when someone else is better than him, so he has to make sure to knock them down a few pegs, and I hate knowing he’s probably getting a kick out of this.
Men are curling their lips in disgust at Brent, while women are continuously giggling before whispering something to each other, and it’s nerve-wracking. Is the way someone dresses that important to people? Their reaction is enough to make me want to get into my car and grab the tight black dress I wore to the club with Justine, see how nice they think I look with that on.
When I glance up at Brent, praying that I don’t see sadness in his eyes from everyone’s reaction to him, there’s a smile on his face as he stares right at me. It’s like he’s oblivious to the people around him and the only person who matters is me. His forehead comes down to mine and he moves his lips in time with the song, silently singing it to me, and I bask in him for a minute before pulling away hesitantly.
