“I want better for you, and with the opportunity you have, that I didn’t have, that I had to beat a path to, you will have better.” She turned and stormed away, her heels clicking against the floor like a soldier’s march until she was gone.
“Wow, that was a little brutal, don’t you think?” It was a bad thing when even Zep thought I was being too hard on Patricia. As a master at insults, I’d have thought he’d be proud, but then again, he’d always had soft spot for my mother. She had taken him in when his father had been killed in a plane crash along with the rest of his band, when he was just a kid. He’d never known his mother, and Patricia had filled that role long enough to earn his respect.
“You’re always taking her side.” I turned and went to the couch where I plopped down, covering my temples with my fingertips.
“It’s a party. Even you know the Galas always attract the ladies, and this one is for you. Hey, I know, let’s talk her into making it one of those masquerade things, then you can hire a body double and slip out.” He poured himself a drink at the bar as I sat straight up.
“That’s not a bad idea. If everyone wears masks, then she’d never know who I invited.”
He threw back his bourbon and stood in front of me. “I was only kidding. Those parties are a teenage girl’s wet dream as it is, all fairy tales and magic and a reason to dress up in a gown. It’s bad enough we’ll have to get tuxes.”
“Yeah, but we’ll do that anyway, and with Patricia hell-bent on me meeting the girl of my dreams, I’d like the guest list to be more than just rich bitches and trust fund brats. I’d like to meet a real girl, one not spoiled by wealth, who has a simple life with hobbies and a job. You know, brain cells.”
Zep laughed. “Good luck with that, man. You know your mother will be sending out the official invitations. No one can get in without one.” He was right. She always took special care to make sure that the guest list was nothing but the elite.
“That’s why you’re going to help me send out duplicates of our own. We’ll simply have the same company make extra invites, and we’ll hand them out all over town. Everyone gets to bring a plus one, and we’ll make sure to tell them to bring a friend.”
“Patricia is going to kill you when she sniffs them out at the event. She can smell cheap perfume a mile away.”
“That’s because she grew up wearing it. The only reason she doesn’t want me to end up with someone real, whose parents aren’t in our social class, is because she’s afraid the girl will remind her of her youth.”
“You’re serious about this? Surely there’s a girl out there with money and enough brains to have a hobby, be a freak in the sheets, and still make your mother happy.”
“We’ve been through them all, and I haven’t met her yet. No, I have to try. So, are you with me or not? Who knows, you may find yourself a nice girl too.” I gave him a sly smile, but he shook his head.
“Fuck a nice girl. I don’t care if she is a rich bitch or not, I want someone with big tits who’ll let me fuck her in the ass when I want, preferably a matched set.”
“Your twin fantasy is a bit outdated, but I’m sure you’ll be pleased that the Blue Twins will surely be on the guest list.” His infatuation with the girls started when he hooked up with the freakier of the two, Halle six months ago. I didn’t know what she’d done to him, but whatever it was, it had gotten his attention, and he’d been hung up on her since.
“Even if they don’t show up, with you chasing locals, I’ll have my pick of the others. So, count me in.”
He leaned forward and extended his hand, and we shook on it. This would be the gala to end all galas if I could help it, and I’d show my mother she couldn’t control me. My life was my own.
Chapter 3
Ella
Even though the Blue family home was a huge mansion, decorated with lush furnishings, warm tones, and pops of color, it still felt like a stone cave, cold and empty. It was like the twins were this life-sucking force, taking all the air and light from the place. They didn’t even have to be in the same room with me to make me feel that way.It was an ever-presence in the entire house which had been tainted with their energy. After the last two months of working for them, I was growing weary. I needed to earn enough to find my own place, but for now, I’d have to tolerate it a little longer. At least the commute to work was easy. I got up every morning and was already at work, though I’d rather drive across the country than live with the twins.
I was on my way upstairs to the guest room when I passed Scott Blue on the first story landing, and it was that moment when my ring decided to come apart and slip from my finger. It hit the tile floor with a clink and rolled across to stop at his feet.
“Oops.” He reached down and got the ring and handed it to me, his bright blue eyes, strangely the same blue as my own met mine and his face lit with some kind of thought as if he were in awe. That wouldn’t have been so funny if he hadn’t been the legendary rocker who’d gotten that look from millions in his lifetime. He shook his head and seemed to come back from his daze. “You look just like your mother when she was your age. It’s still hard for me to believe she’s gone at times.” I had never heard him speak so many words at once, especially about my mother, and it took me by surprise.
“Yeah, I don’t think I’ll ever stop waiting to see her. It’s like I could turn around and see her walk in at any moment.” Things had happened so quickly with her illness not giving us anytime to come to terms with it before cancer killed her.
His chin dipped gesturing toward the ring. “That’s an unusual piece.” I glanced down to the gold and silver ring my mother had fashioned and given me just before her passing.
“Yeah, it’s a deconstructed art piece that she made from two different rings. She said it was special, but didn’t tell me why. I need to fix them to fit better, but since losing the house, I’m not sure where to set up my equipment.”
“You make jewelry too?” He folded his arms and seemed a bit surprised.
“Learned from the best, she taught me all of her tricks.” We shared a laugh, and then he stepped a bit closer.
“You should come down to dinner.” He locked his arm with mine as a voice sounded from behind me.
“That’s a wonderful idea.” Nola stepped up and hooked her arm in his and joined us to go downstairs. “You are practically family, and I’m afraid I’d assumed you’d know you’re welcome at our table anytime. With you living here and all.” She gave a little shrug and stepped away, walking into the dining room ahead of us.
The twins scowled as I walked in on their father’s arm and I took the chair beside Halle who played with her phone. Sadie sat stone-faced as usual as if the entire world could burst into flames and she’d be more at home. Neither said a word right away.
Scott took the head of the table and then Millie strolled in to take the seat at the end opposite. Nola sat by Scott and waited as dinner was served with a grin on her face that I was certain wasn’t for me. We got along okay, but I knew my place, and I had a feeling she’d never intended it to be at her dinner table.
Halle sat giggling next to me like whoever was texting her had just sent her the joke of a lifetime as dinner was served. As the heaping serving of lasagna was placed in front of me, Halle leaned over and put her phone in front of me. I glanced at the screen and saw the image she’d hope to shock me with: a fully erect penis which was being held by long, masculine fingers. I had to admit the size was impressive, but Halle’s preoccupation was not going to do anything for her reputation.
I gave the twins a wilting glance, and they snickered until Nola scolded them. You’d think we were twelve and sitting in class. “Ahem,” she said, and then she cleared her throat. “I have a little surprise for you girls.” I knew better than to think she was including me, so I continued eating as the Twins seemed reluctant to give her their attention.
She held up an envelope and waved it. “This came in the mail earlier.” Opening the card, it became quite clear that it was a formal invitation. I got a look at the thing as she opened it and the impressive, thick cardstock with embossed gold lettering bore a crown and the letter P.
“It’s from the Prince family. They’re hosting their yearly gala. I also have it on good authority through the club, that Patricia Prince is hoping to use the party as a way to land Aiden a bride. It seems she’s ready for her son to settle down.”
Scott cleared his throat. “Good luck with that. You can’t herd in people like cattle and hope a miracle happens. She’d do better to let him be a man and find his bride the old-fashioned way.”
“And what way is that, darling?” Nola seemed amused, but Scott shrugged and took a sip of his wine before stuffing his face.
Millie cleared her throat. “Not everyone has groupies, son.”
I swallowed a lump of lasagna and averted my gaze as I took some wine to wash it down.
“Mom was a groupie?” Halle gave her father an amused grin, but Nola wasn’t having it.