Breaking Even(73)

“She’s from Sterling Shore. Why?” Rye asks, his grip getting tighter.

“Just curious. Never seen her around before.”

“She went to private school upstate, and doesn’t hang out at the socialite functions. Problem?” Rye asks.

Is this about social status? My father is a wealthy man, but not compared to people like Rye’s father—Rygan Clanton, who I’ve only heard about through the others. My dad certainly doesn’t have the money the Sterlings have. So we never went to the upper elite parties.

Even though Ethan is a Noles—one of the most prestigious old names and old money families in the city—he doesn’t dress the part. He looks as rough around the edges as Rye, so I only assumed he was the type to brush off such superficial titles.

“You two seem to know each other pretty well. It’s cute. I’m not being a dick, so get that ugly, threatening look off your face,” Ethan says flippantly.

I look up just as Rye relaxes his expression, and I lean back against him more, forcing him to return his attention to me as he looks down. His smile forms the second his eyes meet mine, and I feel a little powerful to have that sort of effect on him.

“The cheddar is phenomenal. Try it,” Raya says to Rye as she pulls out platters and platters full of mixed assortments. Cheese and wine are commonly put together, and I can’t help but grin, especially when he shifts uncomfortably behind me.

“He can’t have cheddar,” I joke, laughing at him when he scowls at me.

“Wow. You told her about that?” Tag asks as he joins us.

“I didn’t mean to. She made some weird casserole the other night, and the damn thing had tons of cheddar in it. It sort of... came out.”

“No pun intended?” Tag asks, amused, and I burst out laughing as poor Rye glares at him.

“You lactose intolerant or something?” Ash asks, intrigued and working hard not to laugh.

“No. I’m not. I can eat any other cheese and drink milk. Cheddar is just a mean bitch. I don’t want to talk about this.”

He starts sulking and I turn to face him while wrapping my arms around his neck. He kisses me on the forehead as he clings to me like a shield from their laughter.

“How about bread? Are their certain breads that make you fart?” Raya asks, poking the bear a little more.

He groans while dropping his forehead to mine, and I grin as I hold onto him. Everyone watches us, and it starts to become obvious that we’re both causing a scene.

“You work at the museum?” Ethan asks me, so I turn away from Rye to answer.

“Yes. For a few years now.”

“What do you do?”

“Everything,” Rye says before I can answer. “She’s supposed to be the assistant to the director, but she should be the director, because that lazy dick never does anything. It’s always her. She’s the one who handles all the exhibits, the shipments, the inventory, the special showings, the event planning... All of it. I haven’t seen her lazy boss get off his ass yet.”

I can’t help but smile again, and suddenly it doesn’t matter if we’re giving them a show that contradicts all of our denials. I kiss him, and I don’t hold back. Neither does he.

“Where’s that wine? I need something dry to counteract all the damn sweet shit they’re spewing,” Ethan says, but we both ignore him.

I’m a little scared to drink. My father always said not to drink when you had secrets to keep. You never know what might come out.





Chapter 13

RYE

“This sucks,” Ethan harps as Brin moves off my lap and toward the wine.

“What sucks?” I ask, my eyes transfixed on her as she pours a new glass.

“All of you.”

She hasn’t had but a few sips. I keep drinking the whole damn glass the second she gets back with it. This turned out to be a very good day. I needed this.

And Brin is perfect. She’s held true to her word, and she hasn’t pushed for anything more than what we have. And tonight she’s laughed, flirted with me, and kissed me in front of the world without giving a damn about their constant meddling.

If Ash had her way, Brin and I would be getting married right now. But we’ve learned to ignore all of them.

“Why do we suck?” I ask absently, still watching Brin as she laughs with the very drunk Raya.

“I came back expecting to get to hang out with some of you while I’m here. Kode is up Tria’s ass—which is still fucking crazy to me. They hated each other when I left, then they were in love at Rain’s wedding. Dane and Rain are married, which is bizarre, considering they weren’t speaking when I left. Kade is engaged to Raya, which is freaking me the fuck out. I never expected him to settle down. Wren is MIA. And then you. You’re the biggest shock of all.”