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The man standing in front of me is the same guy who picked us up at the airport. I have a feeling he’s a bigger part of whatever this group is than just some driver. I don’t ask him, though. The way Brenda Hamilton spoke, it’s clear that there is something bigger happening here than just loans, and it’s not for me to know.
“Okay,” I whisper.
He leans down slightly, his face close to mine, and then he whispers his next question. “But you aren’t like them, are you?”
“No,” I exhale. “Not really.”
He hums and takes a step backward, his eyes searching mine for a moment. “Good. They’re fucking awful humans.”
I don’t know if I should be offended or not. I choose not to be. Instead, I just shrug my shoulder and move past him to follow behind those awful humans. They are, though. He’s not really wrong. My parents are awful humans. That much is clear. But I choose not to believe that my siblings are… that they could be.
They’re already loaded in the SUV when I arrive at the side. The driver slips between us and opens the door for me. Climbing into the front seat, I sink down and buckle up. The driver doesn’t say another word. Neither does anyone else.
Nobody speaks, though I can hear my parents whispering with one another.
COLEMAN
The event is beautiful.My mother did well when she hired the wedding planner to arrange everything. I’m sure there has been some input from Claire because I can’t see Claire’s mother wanting anything this subtle and elegant.
I very much picture her trying to push for some over-the-top designer bullshit in an attempt to be flashy and show off money they don’t have. The Simon family has no fucking idea how to act, let alone what to choose for a truly elegant event. They are so fucking trashy.
Too bad I’m going to miss the rehearsal and dinner, but I can’t let Claire see me tonight. That is reserved for tomorrow at the end of the aisle. I’m not sure why it’s important for me to surprise her, maybe in an attempt to get her to actually take the marriage vows while she’s in shock and isn’t thinking clearly enough to run.
Hendrick sends me a text when they’re on their way. He’s acting like their driver for the time being, for which I’m glad so he can keep an eye on her and, most importantly, her family. My gaze searches the venue again. The decorations are almost finished, but there are still dozens of people running around setting up.
My brother shoots me a text telling me he’s almost here, so I decide to wait until they get out of the car and officially arrive. This whole thing is going to be a much bigger event that I had imagined, but when Claire steps out of the SUV, I realize I want it to be massive.
I need the entire world to know that she is mine.
Watching them, I observe the confused expression on her face when she realizes I won’t be there. My lips twitch into a smile when her expression turns to relief seconds later. She’s glad she doesn’t have to tell me that she’s no longer a virgin, which only makes my smile grow.
I fucking love this game with her. One that she doesn’t realize she’s playing. She thinks she’s got one up on me, that she’s going to blow my world apart, but she isn’t. This is fun as fuck, watching her from a distance and knowing what she’s thinking every step of the way, knowing that she’s absolutely fucking clueless.
My phone buzzing in my pocket takes me away from my stalking. I reach inside to fish it out, sliding my thumb across the screen, but I don’t take my eyes off Claire.
My mother approaches her and gives her a hug, then keeps her arm wrapped around her shoulder as she begins to point at things. I assume she’s showing her around her own wedding venue.
Their heads are close together as the others move away. It’s in this moment, watching my mother, that I know Claire is in. My mother likes her, and if anyone knows anything about my mother, it’s me.
If my mother doesn’t want you near her or us, she will ensure that you are not.
One way or another.
“Hello,” I murmur.
“You want to tell me why I’m fucking stuck here and you’re not?” Wells growls into the phone.
I snort, trying not to laugh. “Because she can’t see me yet,” I state, even though he fucking knows the reason.
“So have you heard anything else?”
I know he’s asking about Junior. I called him and Hendrick as soon as Junior left last night to tell them what I know, which isn’t much, but I don’t think our cousins are behind it. Junior just didn’t give me the complete vibes that it was him. He was sketchy, and it still could be him. Anything is possible at this point.
“Nothing,” I mutter. “You?”
He hums, the phone making a static sound as he murmurs to someone, then clears his throat, and I hear fabric rustling.
“This asshole is seriously talking to Dad about his youngest daughter. He’s parading her around practically fucking naked. Could it be him?”
